About Holy Family · Decatur, Illinois
Holy Family Catholic Church is a parish in the South Shores neighborhood of Decatur, Illinois, belonging to the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois. Founded in 1959 as Decatur's fifth Catholic parish, it serves roughly 1,400 parishioners in 722 families and operates a PreK-3 through 8th-grade Catholic school on its campus at 2400 S. Franklin Street Road. The parish offers daily and Sunday Masses (with the Sunday 10:00 a.m. Mass live-streamed on its YouTube channel), Eucharistic Adoration, a robust music ministry, RCIA, Vacation Bible School, a Knights of Columbus council, and the many liturgical and outreach ministries that shape parish life.
- Established
- 1959
- Patron
- Holy Family (Jesus, Mary, and Joseph)
- Rector
- Rev. Bruce E. Scott
- Diocese
- Diocese of Springfield in Illinois
Why belong here
Holy Family is a growing parish in the South Shores area of Decatur where every member is welcomed as part of the parish family. With daily and weekend Masses, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, an on-site PreK-3 through 8th-grade Catholic school, a music ministry spanning traditional choir, cantors, and a contemporary group, RCIA, Vacation Bible School, a Knights of Columbus council, and a full slate of liturgical and outreach ministries (ushers, lectors, greeters, Eucharistic ministers, sacristans, altar servers, prayer line), there are many ways for Catholics of every age and background to live out their faith together at Holy Family.
Mass times at Holy Family
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Mondays 5:30 p.m.–5:50 p.m. (only when 6:00 p.m. Mass is offered)
- Saturdays 3:15 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Wednesdays (also listed as Thursdays on the Ministries page) 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Parish History
Holy Family Parish was founded in the fall of 1959 as the fifth Catholic parish in Decatur, established by Bishop William A. O'Connor after Father Raymond Franzen recommended the South Shores area to serve about 260 families. The first Mass was offered in the auditorium of South Shores School on October 4, 1959, with Arthur Trauber, Sr. and Thomas Fitzgerald as the parish's first trustees. A temporary rectory was purchased that December, and a chapel was built inside it; Father Franzen had been living at the St. James Rectory until then. In September 1961 Holy Family School opened with 204 pupils in the first six grades, administered by the Dominican Sisters of Sacred Heart Covenant of Springfield. On the first Sunday of October 1961 — the parish's second anniversary — Mass was first offered in the parish's own new, not-yet-completed building. The rectory and convent followed in 1969–1970. Ground was broken for the current church on June 15, 1975; the first Mass was offered there on July 4, 1976, the nation's bicentennial, and Bishop O'Connor dedicated the church on October 3, 1976, followed by the first major event in the new Parish Center.
- Fall 1959 — Parish established by Bishop William A. O'Connor; Father Raymond Franzen appointed first pastor
- October 4, 1959 — First parish Mass in South Shores School auditorium
- September 1961 — Holy Family School opens with 204 pupils
- October 1, 1961 — First Mass offered in own parish building
- 1969–1970 — Rectory and Convent built
- June 15, 1975 — Groundbreaking for the new church
- July 4, 1976 — First Mass in new church, on the U.S. bicentennial
- October 3, 1976 — Church dedication and first Parish Center event
- Father Raymond Franzen served as pastor from 1959 to 1987
Parish Life & Staff
Holy Family describes itself as 'an ever-growing community' that 'cherishes each and every one of our parishioners.' The parish office is staffed Monday through Friday and invites newcomers to register by calling (217) 423-6223 between 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Father Bruce Scott is pastor, with Father Amal Roche in residence.
- Pastor – Rev. Bruce E. Scott
- In Residence – Rev. Amal Roche
- Parish Administrative Assistant – Mrs. Joanne Kater
- Business Manager – Mrs. Ann Carr
- Director of Faith Formation / PSR Coordinator – Ms. Diane Keller
- Director of Music Ministries – Mr. Peter Miller
- Principal – Mr. Bryan Kenney
- Vice Principal – Mr. Nicholas Blackburn
- School Secretary – Ms. Lisa Roddis
Music & Liturgical Ministries
The parish music program is led by Music Director Peter Miller and brings together singers and instrumentalists of all ages to enhance the liturgy. In addition to music, Holy Family depends on a wide circle of liturgical volunteers — lectors, greeters, ushers, sacristans, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, altar servers, and gift bearers — who are scheduled through the parish ministry schedule and supported with training as needed.
- Mass Choir — all singers welcome; Wednesday evening practices
- Cantors — sing with an accompanist; new cantors welcome
- Contemporary Group — piano, guitars, electric bass, drums, and vocals; assists at Mass on the first and third weekends of the month
- Lectors — proclaim the Word of God at Mass
- Greeters — welcome parishioners and visitors at the door
- Ushers — greet, take up the collection, and distribute bulletins
- Sacristans — prepare and clean the sacred vessels
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion — distribute the Body and Blood of Christ (training required)
- Altar Servers — Confirmed boys and girls who serve at Mass (training required)
- Gift Bearers — families and individuals who bring the gifts to the altar
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation at Holy Family happens through the parish school, the Parish School of Religion (PSR), and adult faith opportunities. The Parish School of Religion is coordinated by Diane Keller, who also serves as Director of Faith Formation. Adult faith formation runs in seasonal small-group formats, and Vacation Bible School is offered each June for children ages 4 and older.
- Parish School of Religion (PSR) – coordinated by Ms. Diane Keller
- Adult Faith Formation – seasonal small-group opportunities
- Vacation Bible School – one week in June, ages 4+ (must be potty trained)
- RCIA – Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults; classes begin each fall and continue through Easter
Holy Family Catholic School
Holy Family Catholic School educates students from PreK 3 through 8th grade on the parish campus in the South Shores area of Decatur. The school is known for academic excellence and is described by the parish as preparing students to be 'well rounded and successful in the future.' The campus is surrounded by more than 15 acres of athletic fields, parks, and residential areas, and the school offers a variety of athletic opportunities with an emphasis on good sportsmanship.
- Grades served – PreK 3 through 8th grade
- Preschool – 3-year-old and 4-year-old programs (half-day 8:00–11:15 a.m. and full-day 8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.)
- School day – begins 8:00 a.m., dismisses 3:00 p.m.
- Extended Care – begins 7:00 a.m., final pick-up 5:00 p.m.
- Athletics – a variety of athletic opportunities on 15+ acres of fields
- Principal – Mr. Bryan Kenney; Vice Principal – Mr. Nicholas Blackburn; School Secretary – Ms. Lisa Roddis
- School phone – (217) 423-7049
- Volunteer service – families complete 25 hours of volunteer service for a tuition credit of up to $500
Outreach & Community Groups
Lay organizations have shaped Holy Family from the very beginning. The parish is home to the Holy Family Altar and Rosary Society (founded October 22, 1959, dedicated to devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, the Blessed Virgin, and the Holy Family), the Knights of Columbus Council #17241, a Prayer Line, and seasonal fellowship events listed on the parish calendar.
- Holy Family Altar and Rosary Society – devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, Blessed Virgin, and Holy Family; recites the Rosary on funeral eves and hosts a Requiem Mass
- Knights of Columbus Council #17241 – Donut Sunday, monthly Saturday workdays, fundraising, fellowship
- Prayer Line – prayer requests coordinated by Barb Lesyna (217-428-0058)
- Fellowship events – listed on the parish calendar
Sacraments
Holy Family prepares parishioners for the sacraments through the parish office, the school, the Parish School of Religion, and the RCIA process. Parents of infants and young children are required to attend a Baptismal Preparation Class before the celebration of Baptism, and those interested in becoming Catholic are invited to call the parish office about the RCIA sessions that begin each fall.
- Baptism – arranged through the parish office; Baptismal Preparation Class required
- First Reconciliation and First Eucharist – through PSR and the school
- Confirmation – through PSR and the school
- Marriage – contact the parish office
- Anointing of the Sick – contact the parish office
- RCIA – Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults; begins each fall
Visiting & Contact
Holy Family Catholic Church is located at 2400 S. Franklin Street Road, Decatur, Illinois 62521, on the same campus as Holy Family Catholic School. The Parish Office can be reached at (217) 423-6223 or [email protected], and the school at (217) 423-7049. New parishioners are encouraged to register by calling the Parish Office between 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Visitors unable to attend in person can join the live-streamed Sunday 10:00 a.m. Mass on the parish's YouTube channel.
- Address – 2400 S. Franklin Street Road, Decatur, IL 62521
- Parish Office phone – (217) 423-6223
- Parish Office email – [email protected]
- School phone – (217) 423-7049
- Website – http://www.decaturholyfamily.com/
- Live-stream – 'Holy Family Church Live' YouTube channel
- Diocese – Diocese of Springfield in Illinois
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Raymond (Ray) Franzen1959–1987
Founding pastor. Surveyed Decatur at Bishop William A. O'Connor's request, identified South Shores as the parish site, celebrated the first Mass in South Shores School on October 4, 1959, opened Holy Family School in 1961, and oversaw construction of the current church, which was dedicated October 3, 1976.
- Rev. Mark Tracyapprox. 2021–2025
Served as pastor for about four years and also as chaplain at St. Teresa High School for three years before being named pastor of Christ the King Parish in summer 2025.
- Rev. Bruce E. Scott2025–present
Ordained May 25, 2024; previously Temporary Parochial Administrator (2024–2025) and Parochial Vicar (2024) at St. Francis Solanus, Quincy; appointed Pastor of Holy Family, Decatur, 2025.