Holy Family

Parish Identity and Mission

Holy Family Catholic Parish describes itself as 'a welcoming family of believers' who 'work together to know, love, and serve God through worshiping together, celebrating the sacraments, providing a strong Catholic education, actively engaging in faith formation, sharing God's Word, assisting those in need, and celebrating life together.' In his welcome letter on the parish website, Father Jeff Read invites visitors and parishioners alike to 'take the next step and become more involved in the life of the parish,' noting that Holy Family is 'a parish where we strive to know one another and support each other in living the Catholic Faith.' The parish draws inspiration from Jesus, Mary, and Joseph and seeks the intercession of the Blessed Mother and St. Joseph.

Our History

Catholic life in Jasper traces back to 1835, when German-descent Catholics settled in Dubois County. For decades they worshipped at St. Joseph Parish until, on January 15, 1948, the Diocese of Evansville officially established Holy Family as a separate parish for the growing local Catholic population.

• 1835 — German Catholic immigrants arrive in Dubois County
• January 15, 1948 — Diocese of Evansville decrees establishment of Holy Family Parish (221 families, 1,031 people)
• November 1949 — Cornerstone laid for original eight-room school and gymnasium (which also served as the first worship space)
• June 16, 1951 — Bishop Grimelsman celebrates first Mass and dedicates the school; school opens Fall 1951 with grades 1–8 (207 students)
• 1953 — Red-brick sisters' residence built on Holy Family Drive; 1959 — larger convent built next to the school
• April 21, 1968 — Bishop Leibold dedicates nine additional classrooms
• 1975 — Leadership of the school passes from the Sisters of Providence to the Sisters of St. Benedict
• October 9, 1977 — Groundbreaking for the new church
• December 30, 1979 — Bishop Shea dedicates the present church and consecrates the altar (Feast of the Holy Family)
• 1985 — Parish grounds development
• 2005 — Church renovated; new HVAC installed
• Spring 2006 — Current baptismal font installed
• December 30, 2007 — Bishop Gettelfinger dedicates the Narthex, Fellowship Hall, conference rooms, and new parish/school offices
• 2015 — Holy Family Catholic School merges with Precious Blood Catholic School to form Holy Trinity Catholic School
• October 2023 — Parish census: 676 families and 1,646 parishioners

Church Architecture and Art

The present Holy Family Church, dedicated in 1979, is both a functional worship space and a showcase of religious and regional art. Its architecture, interior woodcarvings, and stained glass windows draw visitors well beyond the parish's own members.

• Designed by Lawrence P. Melillo & Associates of Louisville, Kentucky
• Bell tower: 100 feet tall
• Tallest interior wall: 54 feet
• Longest unsupported interior beam: 130 feet (longest in use at time of construction)
• Solid oak pews seating 850 (with room for 200 additional temporary seats)
• Exterior walls of Indiana limestone; roof of stainless steel
• Interior crucifix, Stations of the Cross, and figures carved from Buckeye wood by Weberding's Carving Shop of Batesville, Indiana
• Blessed Sacrament Chapel located behind the altar for quiet prayer

Stained Glass Windows

Holy Family Church has become 'world famous' for its two massive stained glass windows, designed by Maureen McGuire of Phoenix, Arizona. The larger window measures 67 feet in length and 45 feet in height, making it the second-largest stained glass window in America at the time.

• The Holy Family Window (right side of sanctuary, viewed from inside, left to right) — depicts the biblical story of the Holy Family: the Annunciation, the Visitation, the Nativity of Jesus beneath the star of Bethlehem with the visit of the shepherds and three wise men, the Holy Family's Flight into Egypt, and the finding of Jesus in the Temple
• The Jasper Window (left side of sanctuary) — depicts the historical development of Jasper: a sailing ship and covered wagon (early settlers), a buffalo (Buffalo Trace frontier settlement), Fr. Joseph Kundek (instrumental in Jasper's development), the German flag (strong German heritage), Fr. Fidelis Maute OSB (builder of present-day St. Joseph Church), St. Mother Theodore Guerin (established the first Catholic school in the area), the Enlow Mill (Jasper's first industrial site), St. Joseph Church (Jasper's first Catholic Church), two men sawing lumber (the hardwood-products industry), and a farmer (the rural community's agricultural roots)

Parish Staff and Clergy

The parish is led by Father Jeff Read as pastor, assisted by two deacons and a team of lay staff who direct music, religious education, finance, facilities, youth ministry, and the parish office. The school side of the parish family is led by principals at both Holy Trinity Catholic School campuses.

• Father Jeff Read — Pastor ([email protected], ext. 308)
• Deacon Michael Helfter ([email protected])
• Deacon David McDaniel ([email protected])
• Joseph H. Munning IV — Director of Religious Education ([email protected], ext. 304)
• Taylor Blalock — Director of Music and Liturgy ([email protected], ext. 305)
• Lori Murphy — Finance Administrator ([email protected], ext. 301)
• Autumn Buechlein — Parish Secretary ([email protected], ext. 302)
• David Underwood — Facilities Manager
• Catherine Berghoff — Director, St. John Bosco Youth Ministry (812-639-4227)
• Philip Olinger — Director, St. John Bosco Middle School Youth Ministry
• Jon Temple — Principal, Holy Trinity Catholic School, East Campus
• Jenna Seng — Principal, Holy Trinity Catholic School, Central Campus

Parish Ministries

The parish maintains an extensive ministry guide book with dozens of opportunities for parishioners to share their time and talents. Ministries are organized around spiritual life, liturgy, formation, family life, outreach, social concerns, and community building. Two of the most notable are St. Vincent de Paul (which provides financial assistance to those in need through the parish office) and the Social Concerns Committee, which supports local outreach plus a sister ministry in Haiti and disaster relief.

• Spiritual Life: OCIA/RCIA, Music Ministry, Stephen Ministry, Faith Community Nursing, Prayer Shawl, Bereavement Luncheon, Seven Sisters Apostolate
• Liturgical: Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Sacristans, Servers, Ushers, Greeters, Communion to the Homebound, Prayer Line, Nursing Home Visits
• Formation: Religious Education (K–8), Vacation Bible School, Children's Liturgy of the Word, St. John Bosco Youth Ministry, St. John Bosco Middle School Youth Ministry, Young Adult Ministry, OCIA/Pathways
• Family & Community: Family Life Ministry, Welcoming Committee/Communications, Holy Name Society, Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Helping Hands, Community Meals, Parish Picnic, Men's Church League Softball, 4-H (Holy Family Young Hopefuls), Girl Scouts, Scouting America (Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Varsity Patrol, Venture Crew)
• Outreach: St. Vincent de Paul Society, Social Concerns / Dupity Ministry, Haiti Ministry, Disaster Relief Ministry, Respect Life Ministry, Holy Family Legacy Society (endowment and school foundation)

Faith Formation and Sacramental Preparation

Religious Education at Holy Family is directed by Joseph H. Munning IV and serves students in grades K–8 in preparation for First Communion and Confirmation. Adult formation is offered through the OCIA/RCIA process ('Invitation to Catholic Teachings' and 'Pathways') led by Sharon Burger. The parish website notes that families preparing a child for First Communion or Confirmation may email Joseph Munning at [email protected], and 2025 Confirmation preparation dates are posted on the parish calendar.

• Religious Education for school-age children (Joseph H. Munning IV, Director)
• Vacation Bible School (Joseph H. Munning IV)
• Children's Liturgy of the Word during 10:30 a.m. Sunday Mass (no registration required)
• OCIA / RCIA — Invitation to Catholic Teachings & Pathways (Sharon Burger, 812-630-3257)
• St. John Bosco Youth Ministry — high school (Catherine Berghoff, 812-639-4227)
• St. John Bosco Middle School Youth Ministry (Philip Olinger)
• Young Adult Ministry (Jasper YAM) activities and events

Holy Trinity Catholic School

Holy Family Parish shares its K–8 Catholic school ministry with neighboring Precious Blood Parish through Holy Trinity Catholic School, formed in 2015 by merging Holy Family Catholic School and Precious Blood Catholic School. The school operates across two campuses — an East Campus and a Central Campus — each with its own principal, and is supported by a School Council and active SCRIP gift-card fundraising program. The Friday 8:00 a.m. Mass during the school year is celebrated as a Holy Trinity School Mass, and the whole community is welcome to attend.

• Formed in 2015 by merger of Holy Family Catholic School and Precious Blood Catholic School
• East Campus — Principal Jon Temple ([email protected])
• Central Campus — Principal Jenna Seng ([email protected])
• School Secretary — Cindy Miller
• Technology Coordinator — Cathy Mundy
• School Phone — (812) 482-4485
• Friday morning school Mass open to all parishioners during the academic year
• School Council and SCRIP Program support the school

Sacraments

Holy Family prepares parishioners for the sacraments of initiation, healing, and vocation through its sacramental preparation programs, with adult initiation handled through the OCIA process. Couples should contact the parish office for marriage preparation, and families preparing children for First Communion or Confirmation can reach the Director of Religious Education directly.

• Baptism — preparation coordinated through the parish office
• First Communion — Sacramental Preparation program
• Confirmation — Sacramental Preparation program (2025 dates published)
• Marriage — contact the parish office to begin preparation
• Anointing of the Sick and pastoral care — through the parish office (812-482-3076)
• OCIA / RCIA for adults seeking full initiation

Vocations and Prayer for Priests

The Holy Family Religious Vocations Committee promotes the Holy Cross Project, asking parishioners to take a Vocations Cross home for prayer in support of vocations to the priesthood and religious life. The parish gives thanks for Fr. John Boeglin, a priest who came from Holy Family, and for all priests and religious who have served the parish over the years. The Vocations Office of the Diocese of Evansville also hosts regional Holy Hours for vocations that parishioners can attend.

• Holy Cross Project — Vocations Cross taken home for prayer
• Diocese of Evansville regional Holy Hours for vocations, hosted at parishes across the diocese
• Fr. John Boeglin remembered as a vocation from Holy Family Parish

Visiting Holy Family

Newcomers are warmly welcomed. The parish encourages visitors to register using the Parish Registration Form on its website, but emphasizes that 'whether registered or not, please know that you are a valued member of our parish family.' Practical details — parking, accessibility, cry room, and children's liturgy — are addressed in the parish FAQ.

• Address: 950 E. Church Avenue, Jasper, IN 47546
• Large parking lot with handicap and regular spaces in front of the Narthex (enter from Church Avenue)
• Wheelchair-accessible power door at the Narthex entrance
• Cry Room with restroom and changing area in the back corner of the church
• Children's Liturgy of the Word at the 10:30 a.m. Sunday Mass (no registration required)
• Parish office: 812-482-3076