Holy Family Catholic Church

About Holy Family Catholic Church

Holy Family Catholic Church is a multicultural Roman Catholic parish in the Linda Vista neighborhood of San Diego, belonging to the Diocese of San Diego. The parish describes its mission as being 'one Holy Family' — a loving, caring Catholic community whose fellowship, shared responsibility, Christian service, and appreciation for diverse cultures give witness to God's love. As pastor Fr. Peter Vu Lam puts it, the parish is committed to the ideals of Jesus Christ: 'to teach, to sanctify, and to serve.'

Parish History

The parish was born in September 1942 when Father Daniel O'Donaghue met with about twenty parishioners at the home of Joseph Brennan in the Linda Vista federal-housing area. The first Mass was celebrated the next Sunday in that home with roughly twenty-five families, and within a month the community had outgrown it and moved into the local Housing Administration Building. Father John McDonagh became the first pastor in February 1943, and despite wartime rationing the original Holy Family Church was dedicated by Bishop Charles Buddy on September 19, 1943 — a moment Bishop Buddy called a 'Cathedral to our Lord' as 800 people filled 325 seats.

• 1942 — Parish organized by Fr. Daniel O'Donaghue at the home of Joseph Brennan.
• 1943 — Fr. John McDonagh appointed first pastor; original church dedicated by Bishop Charles Buddy, September 19, 1943.
• 1948 — Fr. Joseph Stadler succeeds Fr. McDonagh.
• 1949 — Fr. Daniel O'Donaghue returns as pastor; builds the parish school and convent (staffed by the School Sisters of Notre Dame).
• 1953 — Fr. John Bland begins plans for a larger church.
• 1959 — Fr. Michael Noonan continues the building-fund drive.
• 1969 — Fr. Lloyd Bourgeois takes over after Fr. Noonan's death (April 15, 1969); completes the new church.
• 1971 — Modern sanctuary designed by architect Joseph F. Dameron dedicated October 10, 1971 by Bishop Leo Maher.
• 1977 — Fr. Jeremiah O'Sullivan succeeds Fr. Bourgeois.
• 1984 — Fr. Donal Walsh becomes pastor.
• 1985 — Fr. Gerald Palcheck becomes pastor.
• 2017 — Parish celebrates its 75th anniversary with a commemorative video and PDF.

Pastor & Staff

Holy Family is currently served by Fr. Peter Vu Lam as pastor, supported by a multicultural team of lay staff and coordinators. The parish office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, closing for lunch from 12:00 noon to 1:00 PM. Fr. Peter can also be reached by text at (760) 514-6799.

• Fr. Peter Vu Lam — Pastor ([email protected])
• Mackenzie T. — Administrative & Business Assistant ([email protected])
• Soledad L. — Religious Education & Pastoral Assistant ([email protected], ext. 103)
• Joan 'Joni' — Bookkeeper ([email protected], ext. 102)
• Myhang H. — Music Director ([email protected])
• Hank B. (Henri Bradley) — Religious Education Coordinator ([email protected])
• Jennifer T. — Spanish Religious Education Coordinator ([email protected])
• PhungAnh D. — Vietnamese Religious Education Coordinator ([email protected])
• Arlene B. — Youth Confirmation Coordinator ([email protected], ext. 105)
• Miguel R. — Facilities Custodian
• Vincent Son Ng. — Facilities Custodian

Faith Formation & Religious Education

The Religious Education Office supports children in grades 1–8 and their families in their lifelong encounter with God. Rooted in Scripture and Tradition, the program prepares baptized children for the sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist, and offers the Rite of Christian Initiation for Children (RCIC) for unbaptized children, with initiation celebrated at the Easter Vigil. Parents are recognized as 'the first school of the Christian life,' and the parish provides resources to help families grow in Catholic faith together.

• English Religious Education (grades 1–8)
• Educación Religiosa en Español (Spanish-language RE)
• Giáo Lý Việt Ngữ (Vietnamese catechism)
• Rite of Christian Initiation for Children (RCIC)
• First Reconciliation and First Communion preparation
• Easter Vigil rehearsals and Scrutinies for child catechumens

Youth Confirmation & Adult Faith

A dedicated Youth Confirmation Coordinator oversees the multi-year preparation for the sacrament of Confirmation. Adults seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church can join the parish's RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) program. The website also lists Holy Orders and Vocations information for those discerning a call to priesthood or religious life.

• Youth Confirmation program (Coordinator: Arlene B., ext. 105, [email protected])
• Adult Sacraments of Initiation (RCIA)
• Holy Orders & Vocations resources
• Diocesan Institute Classes

Liturgical Ministries

Parishioners serve the liturgy as Altar Servers, Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Hospitality Ministers, Sacristans, and choir members. The Music Ministry is led by Music Director Myhang H., with the Vietnamese Choir providing music for the Saturday 6:00 PM Vietnamese Mass and other Vietnamese-language celebrations. The parish also publishes a weekly bulletin with announcements and is supported by a Liturgical Committee.

• Altar Servers
• Eucharistic Ministry
• Hospitality Ministry
• Lector Ministry
• Music Ministry / Vietnamese Choir
• Sacristans
• Ministries of Consolation
• Liturgical Committee

Parish Organizations & Cultural Communities

Holy Family is home to a vibrant mix of cultural and devotional organizations that reflect the parish's trilingual identity. The Spanish-speaking community is served by Guadalupanas, Grupo de Oración, and Adoración Nocturna; the Vietnamese community gathers through the Vietnamese Choir, Vietnamese Eucharistic Youth, Vietnamese Fathers, and Vietnamese Mothers. The Altar & Rosary Society maintains the altar linens and vessels and runs the dessert booth at the parish's annual Fall Festival. The Knights of Columbus and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul bring parish-wide service and charity.

• Altar & Rosary Society (contact: Sue Cutler, [email protected])
• Adoración Nocturna (Night Adoration)
• Grupo de Oración (Spanish prayer group)
• Guadalupanas
• Knights of Columbus
• Vietnamese Choir
• Vietnamese Eucharistic Youth
• Vietnamese Fathers
• Vietnamese Mothers
• Saint Vincent de Paul

Outreach & Charity

The parish runs an active food-assistance ministry and works through the Society of St. Vincent de Paul to serve neighbors in need. An emergency phone line — (858) 537-4565 — is available for parishioners and community members seeking food assistance, and the parish office (858) 277-0404 can also help during business hours. Holy Family also publishes online giving options and a Fees Payment portal so that tithing and special offerings can be made securely through the website.

• Food-assistance ministry (text (858) 537-4565 or call the parish office).
• Society of St. Vincent de Paul conference.
• Online Giving via the parish website.
• Fees Payment portal for parish fees.
• 75th Anniversary Business Sponsors directory.

Parish Councils & Committees

Lay leadership and pastoral governance are exercised through several councils and committees. These bodies advise the pastor on finances, liturgy, multicultural devotion, and pastoral planning, and a dedicated Fall Festival Committee organizes one of the parish's biggest annual community events.

• Finance Council
• Liturgical Committee
• Multicultural Devotional Committee
• Pastoral Council
• Fall Festival Committee (Festival 2024 Kick-Off Dinner Reservation)

Sacraments & Ritual Blessings

All seven Catholic sacraments are prepared for and celebrated at Holy Family. In addition to the standard sacramental preparation programs, the parish offers several ritual blessings that are especially meaningful in its multicultural community — including Quinceañera blessings, wedding anniversary blessings, house and business blessings, and car blessings. Online request forms for Baptism, Marriage, and Sacramental Certificates are available on the parish website.

• Baptism — request form online.
• Confirmation — Youth & RCIA programs.
• Eucharist — First Communion preparation.
• Reconciliation — Saturday 3:00 PM or by appointment.
• Anointing of the Sick — 1st Friday 5:30 PM Mass.
• Holy Orders & Vocations — information and discernment support.
• Marriage — request form online.
• Quinceañera blessing.
• Anniversary blessing.
• House & Business blessing.
• Car blessing.

Visiting & Joining Holy Family

The parish welcomes visitors, returning Catholics, and those exploring the faith. The website offers pages tailored to Catholics coming home, non-Catholics curious about the Catholic Church, and those who are 'not really religious' — with links to CatholicsComeHome.org and short videos recommended by Fr. Peter. Newcomers can register online and join the parish FlockNote for ongoing communications.

• I'm a Catholic — register / return.
• I'm not a Catholic — 'Why Catholic?'
• I'm not really religious — 'Why Believe?' / 'Why Jesus?'
• Become a Member of Holy Family (online registration).
• FlockNote parish communication sign-up.
• Volunteer Form for parish ministries.

Safety & Scam Awareness

Holy Family posts a clear warning on its homepage: priests or staff never send email or text messages asking for help, and parishioners should never share personal information or send money (checks, wires, cash, gift cards) outside the official parish website. Anyone in doubt is encouraged to call the parish office (858) 277-0404 to verify any suspicious request.

• Never share personal or financial info by email/text at the request of clergy/staff.
• Only give through the official parish website.
• Report suspicious messages to the parish office (858) 277-0404.