Get to know more about Mrs. Helm

Favorite Saint - Saint Teresa of Calcutta

Favorite St. Gabriel Memory - Watching my oldest daughter, Charlotte, altar servie for the three Triduum Masses

Favorite Activity Outside of Work - Cooking!

Favorite Children's Book - The Poky Little Puppy

Favorite Place in Wisconsin - Our family cabin on Slim Lake

Qualities Your Favorite Teacher Possessed - Genuine interest in their students and excitement for the subject matter

Name One Thing On Your Bucket List - To learn to speak Italian

We are pleased to announce that Connie Helm joined the St. Gabriel Parish and School staff as our new part-time Director of Development. Many of you may know Connie from her dedicated work on theauction committee, and we are excited to have her accept this new position.

While Connie will continue to lead the auction committee, her new role encompasses a broader range of responsibilities critical to our mission. For those unfamiliar with the responsibilities of a Development Director, Connie will be overseeing the following key areas:
1. Fundraising Strategy: Connie will develop and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies to support the financial needs and goals of St. Gabriel’s Congregation. This includes annual giving campaigns, major gifts, planned giving, and special fundraising events.
2. Donor Cultivation and Stewardship: She will identify, cultivate, and steward
relationships with individual donors, foundations, corporations, and other potential funding sources.
3. Grant Writing and Management: Connie will research and identify potential grant opportunities from foundations and other grant-making organizations.
4. Event Planning and Management: She will plan and execute fundraising events, including but not limited to galas, concerts, auctions, and donor appreciation events.

This is a new position for St. Gabriel Parish and School, and some may wonder why it is necessary. As we continue our God-given mission to Proclaim, Form, and Live, we must develop a strategic plan to secure the resources needed to thrive in this mission. Proper funding for our mission must be as well-developed and planned as the rest of our activities at St. Gabriel.

Connie, along with the leadership team, will begin developing our vision for resource needs and identifying venues to fund our mission both now and in the future. The timing of Connie’s appointment is particularly fortuitous as we embark on the Archdiocese of Milwaukee's Love One Another (LOA) campaign. Connie will be a visible and integral member of our team, helping us strengthen our financial position now and in the years to come.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CONNIE!

My name is Connie Helm and I am humbled and excited to take on the new role of Director of Development at St. Gabriel. I have greatly enjoyed serving as the Auction Chair for the past three years and am eager to further my service to the community of St. Gabriel Parish.

Our family moved to the town of Erin in 2019 and have been St. Gabriel parishioners since 2020. Prior to that, we went wherever the U.S. Army instructed us to during my husband’s 21 years of active duty service. After his retirement in 2020, he took a position with the Department of Veterans Affairs. We have four children who have been at Catholic schools since pre-kindergarten. An education grounded in our faith was essential to us, no matter where we lived at the time. Charlotte (16) is a St, Gabriel alumnus and a current junior at Slinger High School. Maddie (13), Wyatt (7), and Isabel (5) are all students at St. Gabriel School. We are overjoyed to be settled in this beautiful piece of Wisconsin. I have had a very diverse professional background that adapted to the needs of my husband’s career and our growing family. Over the years I have served in positions related to strategic planning, policy development, event planning & execution, healthcare, and client service. When I could not work outside of the home, I made it my focus to volunteer and serve at our church or within our military family network. Service to others is a fundamental aspect of my life and I hope to continue to serve our community for many years to come.

Most recently I have served as the Private Event Caterer to the Archbishop of Milwaukee and as a part-time chef at St. Francis de Sales Seminary. My passion for cooking and desire to serve others has led me to a special affinity for St. Martha of Bethany. She helps remind me of the need to show hospitality but to also focus our minds on our Lord. In addition to my love for cooking, I also enjoy gardening, fishing, hiking, running, reading, and praying the rosary.

I am looking forward to building long-lasting relationships with the staff, families, and volunteers of St. Gabriel Parish.