About Holy Family · Greenville, Maine
Holy Family Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Greenville, Maine, located at 145 Pritham Avenue in the Moosehead Lake region and part of the Diocese of Portland. Originally founded in 1916 and rebuilt in 2018, it serves the Greenville community along with St. Joseph Mission in Rockwood, and is clustered with St. Anthony of Padua Parish (St. Faustina Church) in Jackman under Parishes Cluster 20. The current church building, dedicated by Bishop Robert Deeley on March 4, 2018, was built on the site of the original 1927 church and preserves its treasured stained-glass windows, tabernacle, baptismal font, and a restored 1927 Etsey reed organ.
- Established
- 1916
- Patron
- The Holy Family (Jesus, Mary, and Joseph)
- Rector
- V. Rev. Selvaraj Kasi, HGN, VF
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland in Maine
Why belong here
Holy Family offers a tight-knit rural Catholic community in the Moosehead Lake region, where roughly 100 active households pray together in a bright new church that proudly preserves the stained-glass windows and furnishings of the 1927 building that stood on the site for 90 years. Daily and Sunday Masses are livestreamed for those at home, confession is offered before every weekend liturgy, and Friday adoration with rosary, meditation, and Benediction, plus First Saturday Mass with extended adoration, give the parish a strong devotional rhythm. A K–5, middle school, youth ministry, and adult faith formation program, plus pastoral councils, financial reports, and a cluster partnership with the Jackman and Rockwood churches, make it easy to belong, serve, and grow in faith.
Mass times at Holy Family
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 PM (Holy Family, Greenville)
- Saturday 5:30 PM (St. Joseph, Rockwood)
- Sunday 7:30 AM (Holy Family, Greenville)
- Sunday 10:30 AM (St. Anthony, Jackman)
- First Saturday 8:45 AM – 9:15 AM (Holy Family, Greenville)
Adoration times
- Friday 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM — Adoration, Rosary, Meditation & Benediction (livestreamed)
- Saturday 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM on First Saturdays — Adoration, Rosary & Confessions following the 8:00 AM Mass
- Monday 8:30 AM — livestreamed Rosary and Benediction
- Tuesday 8:30 AM — livestreamed Rosary and Benediction
- Wednesday 8:30 AM — livestreamed Rosary and Benediction
- Thursday 8:30 AM — livestreamed Rosary and Benediction
- Friday 8:30 AM — livestreamed Rosary and Benediction
Parish Overview
Holy Family Parish is a Roman Catholic community of roughly 100 year-round households in Greenville, Maine, the gateway to the Moosehead Lake region of Piscataquis County. Together with St. Joseph Mission in Rockwood and St. Anthony of Padua Parish (St. Faustina Church) in Jackman, it forms Parishes Cluster 20 of the Diocese of Portland — three churches that share clergy, a website, and a weekly bulletin. The parish's new church building, dedicated in 2018, was carefully designed to honor the memory of the 1927 church that previously stood on the same site.
History of Holy Family Parish
Catholic life in the Moosehead Lake region was organized as a parish in 1916, and the small wooden church that would define the community for nearly a century was built in 1927. By the 2010s, decades of harsh winters and minimal investment had left the building with a leaking foundation, a failing chapel roof, leaning towers, poor insulation, and inaccessible stairs that shut elderly and disabled parishioners out of the nave and parish hall. The parish chose not to repair but to rebuild.
The 'Beginning a New Century of Faith' Capital Campaign
Launched in July 2016, the 'Beginning a New Century of Faith' campaign originally sought about $1.7 million — later raised to more than $2 million — to demolish the 1927 church, construct a new single-level worship building, add an accessible parish hall and offices, and renovate the rectory with a new garage. In a town of roughly 1,600 with only about 100 year-round Catholic households, the effort was framed by parishioners as 'paying it forward' to honor those who had originally built the church.
- Campaign launch: July 2016
- Initial goal: ~$1.7 million
- Revised goal: more than $2 million
- Scope: new church + parish hall + offices + rectory renovation
- Funded entirely through local parish donations
Building the New Church (2016–2018)
Working with building committee chair Steve Bilodeau and the Development Committee, the parish designed a new church that kept the beloved steeple and arching ceiling of the original but solved its problems: a single-level layout, a covered entrance off the parking lot, wide parking spaces for the pickup trucks common in the region, and a worship space shortened by about one-fifth to feel more intimate. The building was reoriented 180 degrees so that the signature Holy Family window now faces Pritham Avenue.
- Building Committee chaired by Steve Bilodeau
- Development Committee member Elizabeth Foote
- Bookkeeper Lorraine Auclair
- Reoriented 180° on the same lot
- Single-level parish hall, offices, and church
- Covered entry from on-site parking lot
Dedication of the New Church (March 4, 2018)
Bishop Robert Deeley of the Diocese of Portland dedicated and blessed the new Holy Family Church on Sunday, March 4, 2018. In his homily he called the building 'the very embodiment of love,' and in the Prayer of Dedication prayed: 'We come before you to dedicate to your lasting service this house of prayer, this temple of worship, this home in which we are nourished by your word and your sacraments. Send your Spirit from heaven to make this church an ever-holy place.'
- Dedication: Sunday, March 4, 2018
- Officiant: Bishop Robert P. Deeley
- Organist: Paul Griffin (restored 1927 Etsey reed organ)
- Bookkeeper Lorraine Auclair's account published in the diocesan paper
Stained-Glass, Furnishings and the 1927 Organ
Eighteen stained-glass windows from the 1927 church — depicting the Holy Family, saints, and Doctors of the Church — were professionally cleaned, restored, and reinstalled in the new sanctuary in their original positions, now backlit so they glow. The original tabernacle, baptismal font, confessionals, and woodwork were carefully salvaged and reinstalled. A 1927 Etsey reed organ that had not functioned in years was painstakingly restored and played at the opening Mass by Paul Griffin, a Greenville native then studying sacred music.
- 18 original stained-glass windows, cleaned and backlit
- Original tabernacle retained
- Original baptismal font retained
- Original confessionals and woodwork retained
- 1927 Etsey reed organ restored for the dedication Mass
Clergy and Pastoral Leadership
Holy Family Parish is currently pastored by V. Rev. Selvaraj Kasi, HGN, VF — a member of the Heralds of Good News missionary congregation from Tamil Nadu, India, who was appointed administrator effective July 2023. He succeeded Fr. Hyacinth N. Fornkwa (2021–2023), a priest of the Diocese of Kumbo, Cameroon, who was in turn preceded by Fr. Aaron L. Damboise (2015–2021), a Maine-born priest now serving Holy Savior Parish in Rumford. The 'VF' after Fr. Kasi's name indicates his role as Vicar Forane (dean) within the Diocese of Portland.
- Current pastor: V. Rev. Selvaraj Kasi, HGN, VF (since July 2023)
- Previous: Fr. Hyacinth N. Fornkwa (2021–2023)
- Previous: Fr. Aaron L. Damboise (2015–2021)
Faith Formation and Youth Ministry
The parish runs a full Faith Formation program for children and adults in cooperation with the cluster parishes. Programs include Faith Formation Registration, K–5 Faith Formation, Middle School Faith Formation, Youth Ministry for teens, and Adult Faith Formation. The Diocese of Portland also connects the parish to broader ministries such as Catholic Youth Leadership Team (CYLT), Young Adult Ministry, Faith Formation at Any Age, and Sacrament Formation resources.
- Faith Formation Registration
- K–5 Faith Formation
- Middle School Faith Formation
- Youth Ministry
- Adult Faith Formation
Cluster Parishes (Cluster 20)
Holy Family Parish is paired with St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Jackman (which worships at St. Faustina Church, 370 Main Street, Jackman) and St. Joseph Mission at 4140 Rockwood Road (Route 15), Rockwood Township. The three communities share clergy, a single website, and a common weekly bulletin, with weekend Masses distributed so that every weekend day is covered within easy driving distance across Piscataquis and Somerset counties.
- Holy Family Church — 145 Pritham Ave, Greenville, ME 04441
- St. Joseph Mission — 4140 Rockwood Rd (Route 15), Rockwood, ME
- St. Faustina Church of St. Anthony Parish — 370 Main St, Jackman, ME 04945
- St. Joseph phone: (207) 668-2881
- Parish office phone: (207) 695-2262
Sacraments
The parish celebrates the seven Catholic sacraments, with Reconciliation offered before every weekend Mass and on First Saturday morning, and Anointing of the Sick and Marriage arranged through the pastor. The original 1927 baptismal font was carefully preserved and reinstalled in the new church, continuing the parish's baptismal tradition across the rebuild.
- Baptism
- Confirmation
- Eucharist (daily and Sunday Masses; First Saturday)
- Reconciliation (before each weekend Mass; First Saturday 8:45 AM)
- Anointing of the Sick
- Marriage
- Holy Orders / Vocations (Diocesan Vocation Appeal)
Parish Councils, Staff and Governance
The parish maintains active Pastoral and Finance Councils, staff including a bookkeeper (Lorraine Auclair) and pastoral leadership, and a published 'Diocesan Code of Ethics.' During the rebuild, a Building Committee chaired by Steve Bilodeau and a Development Committee directed the 'Beginning a New Century of Faith' capital campaign and the construction project itself.
- Parish Pastoral Council
- Finance Council
- Building Committee (Steve Bilodeau, chair)
- Development Committee (Elizabeth Foote, member)
- Bookkeeper Lorraine Auclair
- Diocesan Code of Ethics (linked from parish site)
Giving and Financial Reports
The parish publishes its financial reports on the website under 'Financial Reports,' supporting transparency and stewardship. The 'Beginning a New Century of Faith' capital campaign, with a goal ultimately exceeding $2 million, was funded entirely through local parish giving and made possible the 2018 rebuild, the adjoining parish hall and offices, and the rectory renovation.
- Financial Reports page on holyfamilygreenville.org
- 'Beginning a New Century of Faith' capital campaign (2016–2018)
- Diocesan and parish stewardship appeals
Contact and Cluster Locations
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office at (207) 695-2262, and contact the St. Joseph Mission in Rockwood at (207) 668-2881. The cluster covers a wide rural area of Piscataquis and Somerset counties along Route 15, with the church in Jackman at 370 Main Street, St. Joseph in Rockwood at 4140 Rockwood Road, and Holy Family in Greenville at 145 Pritham Avenue.
- Parish office: (207) 695-2262
- St. Joseph Mission: (207) 668-2881
- Holy Family — 145 Pritham Ave, Greenville, ME 04441
- St. Joseph Mission — 4140 Rockwood Rd, Rockwood, ME
- St. Faustina — 370 Main St, Jackman, ME 04945
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Aaron L. Damboise2015 – July 2021
Appointed pastor of Holy Family Parish (Greenville) and St. Anthony of Padua Parish (Jackman) in July 2015. Born in Caribou and raised in Augusta; ordained June 7, 2008, at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, Augusta. Previously served as parochial vicar at the Parish of the Precious Blood, Caribou (2008–2012), and Prince of Peace Parish, Lewiston (2012–2015). Reassigned in July 2021 to pastor of Holy Savior Parish (Rumford/Bethel).
- Fr. Hyacinth N. FornkwaJuly 2021 – July 2023
Appointed administrator of Holy Family Parish (Greenville) and St. Anthony of Padua Parish (Jackman) in 2021, succeeding Fr. Damboise. Native of Cameroon; ordained March 27, 2008, by Bishop George Nkuo. Holds bachelor's degrees in philosophy and divinity from St. Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary, Bambui. Served in Diocese of Kumbo as curate at Christ the King Parish Jakiri (2008–09), curate at Holy Family Parish Tabenken (2009–10), pastor and school manager at St. Kizito Parish Sabongari (2010–13), and principal of St. John Bosco Catholic Comprehensive High School, Ngarum (2013–16); also a dean and member of the Presbyteral Council for six years. Transferred July 2023 to administrator of Holy Spirit Parish (Kennebunk/Wells/Ogunquit).
- Fr. Selvaraj Kasi, HGNJuly 2023 – present
Appointed administrator of Holy Family Parish (Greenville) and St. Anthony of Padua Parish (Jackman) effective July 2023. Native of Tamil Nadu, India; ordained June 29, 2013, in Tiruvannamalai. Member of the Heralds of Good News (HGN). Previously served in Tanzania as school headmaster, mission superior, and hostel caretaker. Came to Maine and served in Caribou, Presque Isle, Portage, Washburn, Fort Fairfield, Mars Hill, Limestone, Ashland, Stockholm, Lewiston, Lisbon Falls, Sabattus, Fort Kent, St. Agatha, Madawaska, and the Portland Peninsula and Island Parishes before his current assignment.