About Holy Family · Lynn, Massachusetts
Holy Family is a Roman Catholic parish of the Archdiocese of Boston located at 21–26 Bessom Street in Lynn, Massachusetts. Founded in 1922 by the Stigmatine Fathers at the invitation of Cardinal William O'Connell to serve immigrant Catholics of Italian descent in East Lynn and Swampscott, the parish today describes itself as an urban, multi-ethnic, socially, culturally, and educationally diverse faith community. It is partnered with Saint Pius V Parish in the Host Catholic Collaborative and continues an active ministry of worship, religious education, and outreach through the local St. Vincent de Paul conference.
- Established
- 1922
- Patron
- The Holy Family (Jesus, Mary, and Joseph)
- Rector
- Rev. Mark G. Derrane
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston
Why belong here
Holy Family offers the rhythms of a nearly century-old Catholic community in the heart of Lynn: Saturday Vigil and Sunday morning Mass, weekday Mass on Tuesdays and Thursdays, the Sacrament of Reconciliation before the Vigil Mass, and a vibrant St. Vincent de Paul conference that meets on Wednesdays to serve neighbors in need. Parishioners also benefit from a religious education program for children, extensive adult faith formation drawing participants from surrounding communities, and the warmth of a parish that openly describes itself as an urban, multi-ethnic family of faith united in worship, fellowship, and service.
Mass times at Holy Family
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 3:00–3:30 PM
- Anytime by appointment
Parish Identity & Mission
Holy Family Parish calls itself an 'urban, multi-ethnic, socially, culturally, and educationally diverse faith community' belonging to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston. In the spirit of Christ's commandment to 'love one another,' the parish welcomes all who enter and seek to become part of its parish family, and frames parish life around worship, education, fellowship, and service.
- Roman Catholic parish of the Archdiocese of Boston
- Part of the Host Catholic Collaborative with St. Pius V Parish
- Self-described as urban, multi-ethnic, and diverse
History of Holy Family Parish
Founded August 13, 1922 by the Stigmatine Fathers at Cardinal O'Connell's invitation to serve Italian Catholic immigrants of East Lynn and Swampscott, Holy Family built its first church — a portable wooden structure, the first in New England — entirely with funds raised by parishioners. After a Christmas Day 1925 fire destroyed the original building, Father Sozzi guided the parish through makeshift worship at St. Joseph's Total Abstinence Society Hall, then blessed a new basement church in February 1928. Successive pastors Father Louis Fontana, Father Joseph Costa, and Father Erminio Lona grew parish life, with Father Lona realizing the present Tuscan-style upper church, dedicated by Cardinal Cushing on September 15, 1955. Major anniversaries were marked in 2007 (85th, with Cardinal O'Malley) and 2012 (90th, with Bishop Peter J. Uglietto).
- Founded August 13, 1922 — Father Paul Sozzi, C.P.S., first pastor
- First church: portable wooden structure, first of its kind in New England
- Church fire on Christmas Day 1925
- Basement church blessed February 12, 1928
- Present Tuscan-style upper church completed and dedicated September 15, 1955
- 85th anniversary celebrated with Cardinal O'Malley in 2007
- 90th anniversary celebrated in 2012 with Bishop Peter J. Uglietto
Mass & Sacrament Schedule
Worship at Holy Family centers on a Saturday Vigil Mass, one Sunday morning Mass, and two weekday morning Masses. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered every Saturday afternoon ahead of the Vigil Mass and by appointment, and Holy Day Masses are announced.
- Saturday Vigil: 4:00 PM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM
- Tuesday: 8:00 AM
- Thursday: 8:00 AM
- Holy Days: as announced
- Reconciliation: Saturdays 3:00–3:30 PM or by appointment
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Holy Family sponsors an 'innovative religious education program' for parish youth as well as an extensive adult religious education program that draws participants from surrounding communities. Faith Formation is coordinated by Mr. Andrew Genovese. The parish's long history of education dates to 1953–1960, when it ran kindergarten classes staffed by laity and later by the Sisters of Mercy of Windham, New Hampshire.
- Children's religious education / Faith Formation program
- Adult religious education program
- Faith Formation coordinator: Mr. Andrew Genovese
- Historic kindergarten program: 1953–1960 (Sisters of Mercy, Windham, NH)
Outreach: Society of St. Vincent de Paul
The Holy Family Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul carries out the parish's signature outreach to those in need in the Lynn community. The conference meets regularly at the parish on Wednesday evenings and is one of the ministries most visibly highlighted on the parish's homepage.
- Holy Family Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul
- Meetings: Wednesdays, 7:00 PM
- Donations accepted at St. Vincent de Paul boxes in the church
- Contact in care of: Nicholas Granese (per public filings)
Music & Liturgy
Liturgy and music at Holy Family are directed by Mr. Patrick Caulfield. Music and liturgical life form a key part of the parish's two weekend Masses as well as its Holy Day and weekday celebrations.
- Director of Liturgy and Music: Mr. Patrick Caulfield
Parish Staff & Clergy
According to the Archdiocese of Boston's Catholic Directory, Holy Family is currently served by Pastor Rev. Mark G. Derrane and Deacon William M. Jackson. The parish is part of the Host Catholic Collaborative with neighboring St. Pius V. Pastoral and liturgical support is provided by Mr. Patrick Caulfield (Liturgy and Music) and Mr. Andrew Genovese (Faith Formation).
- Pastor: Rev. Mark G. Derrane
- Deacon: Deacon William M. Jackson
- Liturgy & Music: Mr. Patrick Caulfield
- Faith Formation: Mr. Andrew Genovese
Facilities & Accessibility
Holy Family Parish's church building is the Tuscan-style edifice opened in 1955. In the 2000s the parish invested in improvements that include an elevator lift for elderly and handicapped parishioners, air conditioning in the church, and a rectory refit with new windows, doors, and a remodeled kitchen.
- Tuscan-style upper church opened 1955
- Elevator lift installed for accessibility
- Air conditioning in the church
- Rectory window, door, and kitchen upgrades
Visit, Contact & Getting Involved
Parishioners and visitors can reach Holy Family at the parish office by phone or by stopping in. Confession is offered every Saturday afternoon, the St. Vincent de Paul conference meets Wednesday evenings, and the parish website lists ongoing news and upcoming events.
- Address: 21–26 Bessom Street, Lynn, MA 01902
- Phone: 781-599-7200
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://www.holyfamilylynn.org/
- Weekly bulletin and upcoming events posted on the parish homepage
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Paul Sozzi, C.P.S. (Stigmatine Fathers)1922–1929
Founder and first pastor; celebrated the first Masses in Italian on August 13, 1922; oversaw construction of the basement church blessed February 12, 1928; founded the St. Francis Chapel Italian mission in West Lynn; transferred to São Paulo, Brazil, in July 1929.
- Rev. Louis Fontana1929–c.1936
Succeeded Father Sozzi; during his pastorate the parish paid off the mortgage on the church property and acquired the rectory across the street.
- Rev. Joseph Costac.1936–1942
Third pastor; enlarged the rectory to its present size and grew parish societies. Left in 1942 to join the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps with the rank of Major.
- Rev. Erminio Lona19 years (mid-1930s/40s–mid-1950s)
Called a 'Saintly Priest' by the late Cardinal Cushing; completed the present upper church opened in 1955.
- Rev. Gregory Mercurio
Pastor in 2007 when Cardinal Seán P. O'Malley celebrated the parish's 85th anniversary Mass; oversaw interior church refurbishment, elevator lift installation, air conditioning, and rectory improvements.