Faculty Spotlight: Ms. Helen Steves

Nestled in the heart of the Mater Dei campus is the Office of Campus Ministry (CM), which Ms. Helen Steves has called her home away from home since she arrived in the 1988-1989 school year. Widely loved and recognized by generations of Monarchs (and several St. Barbara School alumni), Helen and the CM team facilitate campus ministry’s “faith-in-action” experience at MD. From dynamic school liturgies to multiple community outreaches to retreats, pastoral counseling, and much, much more, Helen and her team provide the structure for the Mater Dei community to grow in their spiritual lives while living out Gospel values as taught by Jesus.

For many years, however, Helen has quietly worked behind the scenes to ensure that each and every Monarch is able to enjoy the full experience of our school even when funds are limited at home. As the volume of need for this type of assistance began to grow, two lifetime Mater Dei families established the Helen Steves Honorary Fund (HSHF).

“It was on my birthday. I went out to dinner with the Strottmans and the Schmidts. At the end of the meal, they presented me with a check for $50,000,” she said. Over the years, as she discovered stories of need, Helen would call various families asking for their support. “They felt if I created a permanent fund, the money would be there to use at our discretion and help more kids on various levels whether it be for a service trip or retreat, a ticket to the prom, a textbook, a uniform, lunch money or even a Christmas tree.”

Helen’s fund has flourished and an endowment has been established for the future. Although she was reluctant to hold a public event to expand the fund’s reach, the luck of the Irish would prove Helen wrong. She said, “Our first event was held on St. Patrick’s Day. We continue to hold an annual event to allow people to learn of the fund’s mission and invite them to share in this ministry. Students who are recipients of the HSHF humbly share their stories with our attendees. It is always a special evening.”

Ms. Steves and Mrs. Hopkins (far right) pictured with some incredible Monarchs.

Being a part of the Monarch family is something Helen cherishes deeply. A native of Syracuse, New York, Helen is one of 11 children. “My greatest title is Aunt Helen and I have 41 nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews (and counting),” she said.

Helen’s hard-working, faith-filled parents instilled values in their daughter that continue to guide her today. “My parents and their selfless Catholic life continue to inspire me. They went to daily Mass and believed in the power of the Eucharist,” she said.

In her limited free time, Ms. Steves loves to walk Balboa Island in the early morning or evening. You might even see her on a 5k or 10k course as she’s been known to do! On the weekends, Helen serves as an assistant wedding coordinator at Our Lady Queen of Angels Parish in Newport Beach. Through this ministry, Helen often has the happy chance to see many MD graduates as they head down the aisle or witness in their friends’ weddings.

When asked about her favorite memory or thing about Mater Dei, Helen observed, “I love Mater Dei on all levels. The opportunities we have as a high school – this is truly a family. People care for one another and respect one another. There isn’t a day that I get up and say, I don’t want to be there.”

She loves a good musical and the opportunity to travel. “I would go anywhere,” she said. “Traveling has afforded me the chance to be in Rome at the Vatican, to see Pope Francis on his visit to New York City, to be with the Mater Dei Choir on Easter Sunday in Barcelona, and to see my family all over the U.S. I LOVE to travel!”

Helen has a special place in her heart for big cities – especially the City of Chicago. In 2019, Mater Dei will celebrate 18 years of traveling to Chicago and the University of Notre Dame for ND Vision. This pilgrimage includes a day of service in Chicago with over 30 rising seniors before they embark on a week-long leadership retreat on campus. Helen’s love of the Fighting Irish football team is second only to her beloved Mater Dei Monarchs and you can find her on the field at every game rooting for Big Red!

It’s fitting that Helen’s favorite time of year is Thanksgiving and the season of gratitude. Perhaps that’s why her favorite food is a home cooked turkey dinner. “Any day!” she laughed. She loves a good dessert, but says cannolis are the best – hands down.

“When you’re happy, you’re grateful. And I am happy,” she said. The Mater Dei Family is sincerely happy and grateful for you, Ms. Steves!