About Holy Family · Franklinton, Louisiana
Holy Family Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Franklinton, Louisiana, the seat of Washington Parish in the rural Florida Parishes region of southeast Louisiana. The parish is part of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of New Orleans and currently serves its bilingual (English/Spanish) faithful from its church at the corner of Bickham Street and 14th Avenue. Worship is supported by Benedictine clergy from nearby Saint Joseph Abbey, and the parish offers a full week of daily Masses along with a weekly Spanish Mass, weekly adoration, Vacation Bible School, faith formation, women's Bible study, Knights of Columbus and Altar & Rosary Society ministries, plus family movie nights.
- Established
- 1946 (IRS recognition)
- Patron
- The Holy Family (Jesus, Mary, and Joseph)
- Rector
- Father Peter Hammett, OSB
- Diocese
- Metropolitan Archdiocese of New Orleans
Why belong here
Holy Family is the Catholic parish home for Franklinton and Washington Parish, in the Archdiocese of New Orleans — a small, family-sized community where the pastor knows his flock by name. The parish serves both English-speaking and Hispanic Catholics with a full weekly schedule (multiple Sunday Masses plus a Saturday Vigil, daily weekday Masses, and a Spanish Sunday Mass), weekly Confession and First-Friday Adoration, and an active calendar of ministries: Knights of Columbus, Altar & Rosary Society, Women's Bible Study, Vacation Bible School, Youth Ministry, Religious Education, and family fellowship events. Coming from Saint Joseph Abbey, the parish also enjoys the stability of a longtime Benedictine priest who has made Holy Family the bulk of his priestly ministry.
Mass times at Holy Family
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM (also by appointment)
Adoration times
- First Friday 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Mass and Worship Schedule
Holy Family offers a full liturgical week. Weekend Masses are celebrated Saturday evening and three times on Sunday, including one in Spanish. Daily Mass is offered every weekday morning and on Tuesdays and Wednesdays in the evening, with a First-Saturday morning Mass each month.
- Saturday Vigil: 5:00 PM (English)
- Sunday: 8:30 AM, 11:00 AM (English); 3:00 PM (Spanish)
- Tuesday & Wednesday: 5:00 PM
- Thursday & Friday: 9:00 AM
- First Saturday morning: 9:00 AM
Parish History and Identity
Holy Family is the Catholic parish serving Franklinton, the seat of Washington Parish in southeast Louisiana. The parish has been incorporated as a nonprofit Catholic entity (EIN 72-1113981) recognized by the IRS since March 1946. For many years it has been served by Benedictine priests from Saint Joseph Abbey / Saint Joseph Seminary College in St. Benedict, LA, rather than by diocesan clergy.
- Washington Parish, LA (Florida Parishes)
- Archdiocese of New Orleans
- Benedictine (OSB) pastoral tradition
- IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) since March 1946
Pastor and Clergy
Holy Family's longtime pastor is Father Peter Hammett, OSB, a Benedictine monk of Saint Joseph Abbey. Entering the abbey in 1968 and ordained to the priesthood in 1972, he has spent the largest part of his ministry at Holy Family in Franklinton. He also serves as Archivist of Saint Joseph Abbey, where he continues to organize the historical records, including the library's recovery from the 2016 Louisiana floods.
- Father Peter Hammett, OSB — pastor (Saint Joseph Abbey, ordained 1972)
- Parish Office contact: (985) 839-4040
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Religious Education classes are offered through Holy Family Religious Edu, located at 1213 14th Avenue (next to the parish), reaching the parish's K–8 students and beyond. The parish also publishes a Religious Education page on its website and an 'Exploring Becoming Catholic' page for adults inquiring about the Catholic faith (RCIA/OCIA).
- Holy Family Religious Edu (1213 14th Ave, Franklinton)
- Religious Education (CCD/PSR) — see parish website
- Exploring Becoming Catholic — RCIA / OCIA inquiry
- Youth Ministry
Vacation Bible School
Each summer the parish runs a half-day Vacation Bible School for children, with a new theme each year. The 2024 program, 'Totally Catholic Scuba VBS,' was held July 8–12, 9:00 AM–12:00 PM, and immersed children in Sacred Scripture with a new saint each day. Registration was through vbspro.events; cost was $10 per child.
- Annual summer VBS program for children
- 2024: Scuba VBS, July 8–12, 9 AM–12 PM
Parish Ministries and Organizations
Holy Family's lay ministries include the Knights of Columbus (who lead the monthly parish Rosary and co-sponsor the Family Movie Nights), the Altar & Rosary Society for women, Friends of St. Francis, a Women's Bible Study that meets on Wednesdays at 5:30 PM in six-week sessions, and a Youth Ministry program.
- Knights of Columbus — monthly Rosary, Movie Nights
- Altar & Rosary Society (contact Gina Burdett, 985-320-2744)
- Friends of St. Francis
- Women's Bible Study (Wednesdays 5:30 PM)
- Youth Ministry
Devotions and Prayer Life
Beyond daily Mass, the parish nurtures its prayer life through First-Friday Eucharistic Adoration and a monthly outdoor Rosary led by the Knights of Columbus in the parish prayer garden, held every 3rd Sunday after the 8:30 AM Mass. The parish also subscribes to Bishop Robert Barron's Word on Fire digital reflections, which stream daily reflections on the website.
- First-Friday Adoration (9:30 AM – 4:30 PM)
- KC monthly Rosary in the prayer garden (3rd Sunday, after 8:30 Mass)
- Bishop Barron daily reflections (Word on Fire) embedded on the parish website
Bilingual and Hispanic Ministry
The parish directly serves the Hispanic Catholic community of Washington Parish with a weekly Spanish-language Mass every Sunday at 3:00 PM, and the parish website publishes the daily readings ('Lecturas Del Día') in Spanish alongside the English.
- Spanish Mass: Sunday 3:00 PM
- Spanish daily Scripture readings on the parish homepage
- 'Español Noticias' section on the parish website
Parish Communication
The parish maintains a current website with a weekly bulletin, a monthly calendar, ministry schedules, news updates, the Mass schedule, confession schedule, and a 'Donate' link. Bishop Barron's daily reflection video is embedded directly on the homepage.
- Website: holyfamilyfranklinton.org
- Weekly Bulletin (posted online)
- Monthly Calendar
- Ministry Schedules
Visit and Contact
Parishioners and visitors are welcome at 1220 14th Avenue, on the corner of Bickham Street and 14th Avenue in Franklinton. The parish office can be reached by phone and email during business hours.
- Address: 1220 14th Ave, Franklinton, LA 70438
- Phone: (985) 839-4040
- Email: [email protected]
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Peter Hammett, OSBlongtime pastor (still serving)
Benedictine priest of Saint Joseph Abbey; entered the abbey in 1968, ordained 1972; also serves as Abbey Archivist.