Sr Helen has become a familiar face to many through her work at St Mary’s Catholic Church and St Joseph’s Church and her departure will mark the end of an era regarding the placement of St Joseph’s sisters in Orange.

Since arriving in 2011, Sr Helen’s pastoral work has included running services at Uniting Wontama Orange, spending time with patients at the Orange hospital, coordinating baptism and funerals and greeting churchgoers at church’s weekend services.

Her new role in Sydney’s north will have her coordinating the 90 or so volunteers required to run Mary MacKillop’s museum, cafe, accommodation and conference facilities.

She said while the position appointed to her from the church’s leadership team is new, her core responsibilities will remain the same.

“It’s all about people and relationships,” she said.

Sr Helen said she believes she has been given the job because she is “people-oriented”.

“People are important to me. I have an outgoing personality and I don’t find it difficult to talk to anyone.”

Sr Helen has been instrumental in orchestrating several fundraising events through the church which included election day barbecues at Kenna Hall, a luncheon which raised $10,000 for prostate cancer, and annual movie nights at Odeon 5, with profits of tickets from 100 attendees donated to charity.

During her tenure, St Mary’s and St Joseph’s have supported Ronald McDonald House and Western Care Lodge – two initiatives Sr Helen said are a testament to the Orange community.

“We’ve run quite a few charity events and always had a good response. All the people I’ve worked with have been very kind and very welcoming. I’m going to miss them and I’m going to miss Orange very much.”

Catholic parishioner Kay Fitzgerald said the loss of Sr Helen will be felt by many both inside and outside the church community.

She said Sr Helen touched many lives through her work at the hospital, but what stood out about her was the way she would maintain relationships with patients beyond their illness, visiting them in their homes well after they were discharged.

“She is very inclusive to everyone and just wants everyone to feel good,” Mrs Fitzgerald said.

A farewell event will be held at Kenna Hall from 7:30pm on Wednesday which is expected to attract up to 200 people from the church and beyond.