About Holy Family · Anna's Retreat Census Designated Place, Saint Thomas Island
Holy Family Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Anna’s Retreat on Cassi Hill, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, serving the Diocese of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands. The parish exists to nurture and advance Christ’s Eucharistic love through worship, Scripture, family life, and service to neighbor. It offers English and Haitian Creole/French liturgies, a strong devotion to Our Lady of Cassi Hill, and a welcoming community rooted in Catholic faith and Caribbean culture.
- Established
- 1969
- Patron
- Holy Family
- Rector
- Rev. Modeste Digwou
- Diocese
- Diocese of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands
Why belong here
Holy Family invites parishioners and visitors into a faith-filled family where Scripture is lived, the sacraments are celebrated, and neighbors are served with unconditional love. With English and Creole/French Masses, active devotions, and a friendly island spirit, it is a place to grow in Christ and belong to a vibrant Catholic community.
Mass times at Holy Family
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesdays after the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
- Weekends 20 minutes before each Mass
Adoration times
- Holy Hour: Wednesday following Holy Mass
Mission and Identity
The Church of the Holy Family exists to nurture and advance Christ’s Eucharistic, unconditional love to all through love of God and neighbor. The parish is a Roman Catholic family united in grace, peace, and Scripture, championing Christian family values and building God’s Kingdom through worship, devotions, and service.
- Mission: nurture and advance Christ’s Eucharistic unconditional love.
- A Roman Catholic family united in grace, peace, and Scripture.
- Champions Christian family values and service to neighbor.
- Motto: “Love God and love your neighbor as yourself.”
History
Holy Family’s story begins with missionary outreach to eastern St. Thomas and continues through decades of faith-filled growth on Cassi Hill.
- 1969 – Columban Fathers Fr. Thomas Normanly and Fr. George Nolan arrive at Bishop Harper’s invitation.
- August 20, 1969 – First Mass celebrated in the Bryan family home.
- 1970 – First chapel built at the present parish site.
- October 19, 1975 – Bishop Harper dedicates the church on donated Cassi Hill land.
- 1986 – Transition from Columban to diocesan leadership.
- 2021–2023 – Pastoral transitions leading to the current parish administrator.
Sacraments and Devotions
The parish celebrates the sacraments and fosters popular devotions, especially to Our Lady and the Sacred Heart.
- Sacrament of Reconciliation: Wednesdays after exposition and weekends 20 minutes before Mass.
- Holy Hour: Wednesday following Holy Mass.
- Novena Mass to Our Lady of Perpetual Help: Wednesday 7:00 a.m.
- Novena Mass to the Sacred Heart: First Friday 7:00 a.m.
- Baptism, First Communion, Marriage, and Funerals are offered.
Visiting Holy Family
Holy Family is located on Cassi Hill in New Tutu along Smith Bay Road (Route 38), east of Charlotte Amalie and west of Red Hook.
- Address: 213 Anna’s Retreat, Saint Thomas, USVI 00802
- Phone: (340) 775-1650
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m. (call ahead)