About Holy Family · Kingsburg, California
Holy Family Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Kingsburg, California, belonging to the Diocese of Fresno and serving the south-central San Joaquin Valley community since 1950. The parish, located at 1275 Smith Street in downtown Kingsburg, celebrates Mass in both English and Spanish and is the mother church for two mission communities: Santa Cruz in London and St. John the Baptist in Traver. Under the pastoral care of Fr. Mark Maxon, Holy Family is known for its active Music Ministry, Knights of Columbus Council, Catholic Women's Club, Cor Dei Youth Group, RCIA, and a robust schedule of Spanish-language ministries.
- Established
- 1950
- Patron
- Holy Family (Jesus, Mary, and Joseph)
- Rector
- Rev. Mark Maxon
- Diocese
- Diocese of Fresno
Why belong here
Holy Family offers a bilingual (English and Spanish) parish home rooted in 75+ years of Catholic tradition in the San Joaquin Valley, with five Sunday Masses including a noon Spanish Mass and an outreach that extends to two rural mission churches in London and Traver. Parishioners can join a thriving lineup of groups — Knights of Columbus, Catholic Women's Club, Cor Dei Youth Group, Music Ministry, Guadalupanas, RCIA, Healing & Deliverance prayer, Bible studies and Spanish prayer and evangelization groups — making it easy to find community. Fr. Maxon and the parish actively engage in diocesan life, sending members to the 2024 National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis and supporting devotion through weekly Eucharistic Adoration, Benediction, and weekday confessions.
Mass times at Holy Family
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday after the 6:00 PM Mass (about 6:30 PM)
- First Friday 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- First Saturday 8:00 AM
- Thursday 8:00 AM
- Friday 8:00 AM
- Tuesday 6:00 PM
Adoration times
- Wednesday 12:00 PM – 5:45 PM
- Friday 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM (Benediction at 1:00 PM)
Parish History
Holy Family Parish was established in 1950 to serve the Catholic faithful of Kingsburg in the Diocese of Fresno. From its earliest days the parish maintained a remarkable continuity in its liturgical life — organist Rose O'Donnell began in 1951 and has been a constant presence. The parish was shepherded through the late 20th century by a series of priests who shaped its identity and built up ministries that continue today. In 2010, during Pope Benedict XVI's 'Year of the Priest,' then-pastor Fr. Gregory Beaumont convened a historic reunion of all the parish's living former pastors for a standing-room-only Mass and dinner hosted by the Knights of Columbus.
- Founded 1950
- Rose O'Donnell, organist since 1951
- 2010 'Year of the Priest' former-pastors reunion
Pastoral Leadership
Holy Family is led by Fr. Mark Maxon as pastor. He is assisted by Deacon Steven Wright and by Sr. Virginia Lopez, MSTJ, who directs the parish's Religious Education program. The parish office is supported by Mrs. Yolanda Alvarez. Fr. Maxon is actively engaged in diocesan life, including leading a delegation to the 2024 National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis.
- Rev. Mark Maxon, Pastor
- Rev. Mr. Steven Wright, Deacon
- Sr. Virginia Lopez, MSTJ, Director of Religious Education
- Mrs. Yolanda Alvarez (parish office)
Parish Ministries & Groups
Holy Family supports a wide range of parish ministries spanning English- and Spanish-speaking communities. Adult groups include the Catholic Grandparents Ministry, Catholic Women's Club, Knights of Columbus, Sacred Hearts of Jesus & Mary Family Prayer Group, United Men in the Catholic Faith, Men's Bible Study and Men's Fellowship Group. Spanish-language ministries include Grupo de Oración Padre Pío, Grupo de Evangelización, Guadalupanas, and Grupo de Hombres Cor Dei. The Music Ministry leads the parish choir and musicians, including a Christmas Program each December.
- Catholic Grandparents Ministry
- Catholic Women's Club
- Knights of Columbus
- Sacred Hearts of Jesus & Mary Family Prayer Group
- United Men in the Catholic Faith
- Men's Bible Study / Men's Fellowship Group
- Music Ministry Choir and Musicians
- Grupo de Oración Padre Pío (Spanish)
- Grupo de Evangelización (Spanish)
- Guadalupanas
- Grupo de Hombres Cor Dei
- Healing & Deliverance ministry
Faith Formation & Youth
Faith formation for children and youth is coordinated by Sr. Virginia Lopez, MSTJ, the parish's Director of Religious Education. Programs include Youth Catechism for First Communion preparation, the Cor Dei Youth Group for teens, and the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) for adults seeking full entry into the Catholic Church.
- Director of Religious Ed: Sr. Virginia Lopez, MSTJ
- Youth Catechism
- Cor Dei Youth Group
- RCIA (adults)
Sacraments
The parish prepares and celebrates the seven Catholic sacraments. Baptisms, marriages, and anointing of the sick are arranged through the parish office. First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion are offered through the Youth Catechism program, and adult initiation through RCIA. Reconciliation (confession) is offered on Wednesdays, First Fridays, First Saturdays, and before weekday Masses.
- Baptism
- Marriage preparation
- First Reconciliation / First Communion (Youth Catechism)
- RCIA for adult initiation
- Anointing of the Sick
- Reconciliation (Wed, First Friday, First Saturday, before weekday Masses)
Mission Churches
In addition to its Kingsburg campus, Holy Family Parish serves two mission communities in surrounding rural areas: Santa Cruz in London, California, and St. John the Baptist in Traver, California. A Spanish Mass or Communion Service is celebrated for these missions at 6:00 PM on Saturday evenings.
- Santa Cruz, London, CA
- St. John the Baptist, Traver, CA
- Saturday 6:00 PM Spanish Mass/Communion Service for missions
Diocese & Vicariate
Holy Family is part of the Diocese of Fresno and sits within the Kingsburg vicariate cluster, which also includes St. Lucy in Fowler and St. Isidore the Farmer in Orange Cove.
- Diocese of Fresno
- Kingsburg vicariate
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Gerald Chavez1954–1988
Longest-tenured pastor on record; retired.
- Msgr. Raymond Ruscitto1965–1976
Retired and living in Kingsburg.
- Msgr. Raymond Duffy1976–1980
Retired; unable to attend 2010 reunion.
- Msgr. Stephen Frost1988–1990
As of 2010, pastor of Christ the King, Oildale.
- Fr. Patrick Persinger1990–1992
As of 2010, pastor of St. Jude, Wofford Heights.
- Fr. Ken Bozzo1992–2001
As of 2010, pastor of Sacred Heart, Lindsay.
- Fr. Ricardo Magdaleno2001–2003
As of 2010, hospital chaplain in Fresno, also serving St. Agnes (Pinedale) and St. Anthony (Fresno).
- Fr. Sal Gonzalez2003–2005
As of 2010, pastor of St. Helen, Fresno, and diocese vocations director.
- Fr. Gregory Beaumontpost-2005 to at least 2010
Hosted the 2010 'Year of the Priest' reunion of all former pastors.