About Holy Family · Abilene, Texas
Holy Family Catholic Church is a Roman Latin-rite parish in the Diocese of San Angelo, located at 5410 Buffalo Gap Road on the growing south side of Abilene, Texas. What began as a Catholic center meeting in the auditorium of Central Catholic in the 1970s became a parish of 114 families in 1976 and today serves roughly 1,300 registered families with weekend and daily Mass, a full faith-formation program from Pre-K through 12th grade, OCIA, youth ministry, the Knights of Columbus, the Legion of Mary, and parish-wide devotional programs. The current church building was dedicated by Bishop Michael D. Pfeifer on November 3, 1985, on what was then open west-side prairie; Abilene has since grown up around it.
- Established
- 1976
- Patron
- The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
- Rector
- Rev. Nilo Nalugon
- Diocese
- Diocese of San Angelo
Why belong here
Holy Family is one of the larger Catholic parishes in Abilene, with about 1,300 registered families and a full weekly schedule of Masses, confessions and Eucharistic adoration. Families with children will find a faith-formation program for every grade from Pre-K through 12th, an active youth ministry (including trips like the Lone Star Steubenville conference), and welcoming parish life. Adults can grow through OCIA, the Catechism in a Year program, Hallow prayer challenges, the Legion of Mary, the Knights of Columbus, men's and women's spirituality groups, the parish and celebration choirs, and a Christian Service & Outreach council — all under the steady pastoral care of Father Nilo Nalugon.
Mass times at Holy Family
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 PM – 5:15 PM
- Monday 8:30 AM – 9:00 AM
- Tuesday 8:30 AM – 9:00 AM
- Wednesday 8:30 AM – 9:00 AM
- Thursday 8:30 AM – 9:00 AM
- Friday 8:30 AM – 9:00 AM
Adoration times
- Thursday 7:00 PM – 11:55 PM (Thursday evening before each First Friday)
History of Holy Family Parish
Holy Family traces its beginnings to a 1970s mission community that met in the auditorium of Central Catholic, with Father Thomas Diab as the first priest in residence. The community was erected as a parish in 1976 under the name 'Holy Family Catholic Center' — the name 'Holy Family' was suggested by parishioner Bea Duggan. Father Bob Kelly was its first pastor, leading 114 founding families, and saved rental income from Cisco Junior College to fund a permanent home.
- 1970s — Mission begins at the Central Catholic auditorium
- 1976 — Erected as Holy Family Catholic Center; Father Bob Kelly first pastor
- 1983 — Father Timothy Murphy becomes pastor; Central property sold
- 1984 — Ground broken on Buffalo Gap Road site
- November 3, 1985 — New church dedicated by Bishop Michael D. Pfeifer
- 1996 — Msgr. Fred Nawarskas assigned as pastor (25-year tenure)
- 2021 — Msgr. Nawarskas retires after 25 years; parish at ~1,300 families
- Oct. 16, 2023 — Rev. Nilo Nalugon assigned as current pastor
Clergy & Parish Staff
The parish is currently shepherded by Rev. Nilo Nalugon, assigned October 16, 2023, who had been serving the Diocese of San Angelo since 1999 and celebrated the 30th anniversary of his ordination in 2024. Beginning July 1, 2026, Deacon Francisco Camacho was assigned as parochial vicar. Rev. Msgr. Frederick G. 'Fred' Nawarskas, who served as pastor for 25 years (1996–2021), remains in reduced active ministry and still assists with funeral Masses. Faith Formation for Pre-K–5th is coordinated by Bob Moore, and 6th–12th grade youth ministry is led by Diana Masga (also referenced as Angela Garcia for CYM in parish communications). Music Ministry is led by Ronnie Kidd.
- Rev. Nilo Nalugon — Pastor (since Oct. 2023)
- Deacon Francisco Camacho — Parochial Vicar (effective July 1, 2026)
- Rev. Msgr. Frederick 'Fred' Nawarskas — Reduced Active Ministry (pastor 1996–2021)
- Bob Moore — Faith Formation (PreK–5th) / OCIA Director
- Diana Masga — Youth Formation (6th–12th)
- Ronnie Kidd — Music Ministry / Choirs
- Von Clendenen — Knights of Columbus contact
Faith Formation & Youth
Holy Family runs a full Pre-K through 12th-grade faith formation program on Wednesday evenings during the school year, with food served from 5:30–6:15 PM and classes from 6:30–7:30 PM in September–April. The youth ministry serves students in 6th–12th grade with twice-monthly meetings focused on fellowship, prayer, and growing as disciples of Christ, and participates in regional conferences such as the Lone Star Steubenville in Dallas. A 'Catechism in a Year' program with Fr. Mike Schmitz and Hallow Prayer Challenges are offered parish-wide during the year.
- Faith Formation Classes — PreK through 12th grade, Wednesdays 6:30–7:30 PM
- PreK–5th: Church classrooms; 8th–11th: parish center classrooms; 12th grade: Youth Center
- Kick-Off event at the end of August
- Youth Ministry meetings twice a month for 6th–12th graders
- Annual Lone Star Steubenville conference (Dallas, June)
- Catechism in a Year — Ascension Press podcast program
- Hallow Prayer Challenges during Advent and Lent
OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults)
What used to be called RCIA is now offered at Holy Family as OCIA — a year-long process running from September through Pentecost each year, with classes on Sundays from 9:00 AM to 10:15 AM. The parish welcomes non-Catholics seeking to enter the Church, baptized Christians preparing for full communion, and adult Catholics who still need to complete the Sacraments of First Communion and/or Confirmation. Bob Moore (210-284-8079) directs the program.
- Classes begin in September and continue through Pentecost
- Sunday morning sessions, 9:00 AM – 10:15 AM (excluding holidays)
- Catechumen track for those needing Baptism
- Candidate track for those baptized in another Christian denomination
- Track for baptized Catholics completing First Communion and/or Confirmation
- Annual Confirmation Mass with Bishop Michael Sis
Parish Ministries & Groups
Beyond Mass and formation, Holy Family runs a wide range of lay ministries: a Parish Choir and Celebration Choir with cantors for liturgy, two men's spirituality groups (Tuesday morning in Room 101 and Wednesday evening), a Ladies Share Group, a Thursday Morning Women's Scripture Study, the Knights of Columbus council, and the Our Lady of Grace Legion of Mary praesidium. A Christian Service & Outreach Council coordinates the parish's charitable and service ministries, with council members acting as liaisons to each area of parish life.
- Knights of Columbus — 3rd Tuesday, Rosary 6:30 PM, meeting 7:00 PM
- Our Lady of Grace Legion of Mary — regular meetings
- Men's Spirituality Group — Tuesday AM (Room 101)
- Men's Spirituality Group — Wednesday evening
- Ladies Share Group
- Thursday Morning Women's Scripture Study
- Parish Choir & Celebration Choir (Sabbath Choir for Holy Week)
- Christian Service & Outreach Connection Council
- Welcoming Committee (quarterly Welcome Social)
Music & Liturgy
Music Ministry at Holy Family is led by Ronnie Kidd (325-668-4295). The parish maintains a Parish Choir that rehearses weekly, a Celebration Choir, and a combined 'Sabbath Choir' that provides music for the Holy Week liturgies. Cantors and instrumentalists are invited to participate in the liturgical life of the parish.
- Parish Choir — weekly rehearsal
- Celebration Choir practice (see parish calendar)
- Sabbath Choir — combined choir for Holy Week Masses
- Cantors and instrumentalists welcomed
Pro-Life & Outreach
Holy Family participates in the Abilene Deanery Catholic Pro-Life group, joining St. Vincent Pallotti parishioners for a Pro-Life Rosary at 11:30 AM and Mass at 12:10 PM each Monday. The parish's Christian Service & Outreach Connection serves as a coordinating body, with council members acting as liaisons to each area of charitable and service ministry in the parish, listening to the needs, joys and insights of ministry leaders and representing them in Parish Council conversations.
- Pro-Life Rosary & Mass — Mondays 11:30 AM at St. Vincent Pallotti
- Christian Service & Outreach Connection council
- Parish Council liaison system for every ministry
Sacraments
The parish celebrates the seven Catholic sacraments on a regular schedule and by appointment. Baptisms are scheduled with preparation; First Communion and Confirmation are received through the Faith Formation program (or OCIA for adults); couples must meet with the pastor at least six months before a desired wedding date and complete a pre-marriage preparation program; and funeral Masses and Vigil Services are coordinated through the parish office using a Funeral Planning Sheet for Family.
- Baptism — preparation and parish office scheduling
- First Communion & Confirmation — through Faith Formation or OCIA
- Marriage — meet with pastor at least 6 months in advance; pre-marriage prep required
- Anointing of the Sick
- Funeral Masses & Vigil Services (Vigil 5 PM, Rosary 6 PM)
- Reconciliation — daily and Saturday (see schedule)
Getting Involved & Registration
New families are welcomed to register with the parish before signing children up for religious education; the parish website offers separate 'NEW TO OUR PROGRAM' and 'LAST YEAR' registration links for Faith Formation. A Welcoming Committee hosts quarterly Welcome Socials to greet new members. Adult parishioners are encouraged to join ministries, the Parish Council, men's or women's groups, OCIA sponsorship, the choirs, the Knights of Columbus, or the Legion of Mary.
- New Family Registration via the parish website
- Faith Formation sign-up (PreK–12th) — Bob Moore or Diana Masga
- Welcome Socials each quarter
- OCIA sponsor opportunities
- Parish Council & ministry liaison roles
About Holy Family — Quick Facts
A snapshot of who and where Holy Family is for visitors and newcomers.
- Type: Roman Catholic Parish
- Diocese: San Angelo (Deanery: Abilene)
- Rite: Roman-Latin
- Address: 5410 Buffalo Gap Rd., Abilene, TX 79606
- Phone: (325) 692-1820
- Website: holyfamilyabilene.org
- Facebook: facebook.com/hfccabilene
- Flocknote: holyfamilyabilene.flocknote.com
- Approximately 1,300 registered families
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Bob Kelly1976 – c.1983
First pastor of the newly-erected parish; led about 114 founding families.
- Father Timothy Murphy1983 – c.1996
Led the move from Central; oversaw the building and 1985 dedication of the new Buffalo Gap Road church.
- Rev. Msgr. Frederick G. 'Fred' Nawarskas1996 – 2021
25-year pastorate (one of the longest in parish history); oversaw gym, youth center and classroom expansions; retired June 2021.
- Rev. Santiago Udayar2021 – 2022
First new priest assigned to Holy Family in 25 years; later became pastor of Holy Angels Parish and Vicar General.
- Rev. Adam Droll2022 – 2023
Parochial administrator; previously had served as parochial vicar at Holy Family.
- Rev. Nilo Nalugon2023 – present
Assigned Oct. 16, 2023; in the Diocese of San Angelo since 1999; celebrated his 30th ordination anniversary in 2024.