Holy Family

Cathedral · Orange

Holy Family

566 South Glassell St, Orange, California, 92866

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Mass & sacrament times

Regular weekly schedule. Contact the parish for holy days and special services.

Mass Times

Sunday7:00 AM, 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 4:00 PM
Monday8:15 AM, 12:15 PM
Tuesday8:15 AM, 12:15 PM
Wednesday6:30 PM · Spanish
Thursday8:15 AM, 12:15 PM
Friday8:15 AM, 12:15 PM
Saturday8:15 AM, 4:00 PM

Confession Times

Monday5:30–6:30 PM
Saturday2:30–3:30 PM

Cathedral · Est. 1921

History & Significance

Holy Family Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in the city of Orange, California, in the Diocese of Orange. Founded on December 18, 1921, it served as the first cathedral of the Diocese of Orange from June 18, 1976, until Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove was dedicated on July 17, 2019, after which it returned to its parish name. The current Modern-style brick church on South Glassell Street was completed in 1958 and dedicated January 8, 1961. The parish serves roughly 3,000 families with Mass celebrated in English and Spanish, an affiliated K-8 school (nearly 450 students), and a wide range of lay ministries and devotional groups.

Est.1921PatronThe Holy Family (Jesus, Mary, and Joseph)RectorRev. Sy NguyenDioceseDiocese of Orange (Roman Catholic)

Why belong here

Holy Family is a deeply rooted parish community where it is common to find third- and fourth-generation families worshipping side by side, and grandparents sending their grandchildren to the same Catholic school classrooms they once attended. It offers a full liturgical life with multiple Sunday Masses (including a weekly Spanish Mass), daily Mass, an extensive Eucharistic Adoration schedule, traditional devotions (Mother of Perpetual Help novena, St. Joseph devotion, Holy Hour for Vocations, Rosary for Life, Respect Life sidewalk prayer vigil), a parish school serving about 450 students in preschool through 8th grade, and dozens of lay ministries from the Brotherhood of St. Dismas and Knights of Columbus to St. Vincent de Paul, Cursillo, OCIA, Young Adults, and Bible studies — making it an unusually rich parish home for families, young adults, and lifelong Catholics alike.

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About Holy Family · Orange, California

Holy Family Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in the city of Orange, California, in the Diocese of Orange. Founded on December 18, 1921, it served as the first cathedral of the Diocese of Orange from June 18, 1976, until Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove was dedicated on July 17, 2019, after which it returned to its parish name. The current Modern-style brick church on South Glassell Street was completed in 1958 and dedicated January 8, 1961. The parish serves roughly 3,000 families with Mass celebrated in English and Spanish, an affiliated K-8 school (nearly 450 students), and a wide range of lay ministries and devotional groups.

Established
1921
Patron
The Holy Family (Jesus, Mary, and Joseph)
Rector
Rev. Sy Nguyen
Diocese
Diocese of Orange (Roman Catholic)

Why belong here

Holy Family is a deeply rooted parish community where it is common to find third- and fourth-generation families worshipping side by side, and grandparents sending their grandchildren to the same Catholic school classrooms they once attended. It offers a full liturgical life with multiple Sunday Masses (including a weekly Spanish Mass), daily Mass, an extensive Eucharistic Adoration schedule, traditional devotions (Mother of Perpetual Help novena, St. Joseph devotion, Holy Hour for Vocations, Rosary for Life, Respect Life sidewalk prayer vigil), a parish school serving about 450 students in preschool through 8th grade, and dozens of lay ministries from the Brotherhood of St. Dismas and Knights of Columbus to St. Vincent de Paul, Cursillo, OCIA, Young Adults, and Bible studies — making it an unusually rich parish home for families, young adults, and lifelong Catholics alike.

Mass times at Holy Family

Weekly Mass schedule

Sunday7:00 AM9:00 AM11:00 AM1:00 PM (Spanish)4:00 PM
Monday8:15 AM12:15 PM
Tuesday8:15 AM12:15 PM
Wednesday8:15 AM12:15 PM6:30 PM (Spanish)
Thursday8:15 AM12:15 PM
Friday8:15 AM12:15 PM
Saturday8:15 AM
Saturday Vigil4:00 PM

Confession times

  • Mondays 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
  • Fridays 6:30 PM – 7:15 PM
  • Saturdays 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
  • Sundays 11:20 AM – 12:00 PM (per bulletin)

Adoration times

  • Monday – Friday 7:30 AM – 8:55 AM (in church)
  • Monday 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
  • Wednesday 7:00 PM – 11:55 PM
  • Thursday 12:00 AM – 8:00 AM and 3:00 PM – 11:55 PM (continuing into Friday morning)
  • Friday 12:00 AM – 8:00 AM and 3:00 PM – 11:55 PM (continuing into Saturday morning)
  • Saturday 12:00 AM – 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM – 12:00 AM (continuing into Sunday)
  • Saturday 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM

History of Holy Family Parish

Holy Family traces its roots to 1769, when a Spanish expeditionary force is believed to have celebrated the first Mass in what is now the parish territory. The formal parish was established on December 18, 1921, with its original church at East Chapman Avenue and Shaffer Street; that building received a Mission Revival remodel in 1930. In the 1940s the parish acquired its present site on South Glassell Street at LaVeta Avenue; the school opened in 1949 under the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange, and the current Modern-style brick church was completed in April 1958 and dedicated January 8, 1961. On June 18, 1976, Pope Paul VI erected the Diocese of Orange and Bishop William R. Johnson was installed as the first bishop, designating Holy Family as the diocesan cathedral. Holy Family served as cathedral for 43 years — until July 17, 2019, when Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove was consecrated. In December 2020 the parish dropped 'Cathedral' from its name but continues to identify itself as the 'First Cathedral of the Diocese of Orange,' and in 2021–2022 celebrated its 100th anniversary with a series of centenary events.

  • First Mass in territory: 1769 (Spanish expedition)
  • Parish established: December 18, 1921
  • Original church: East Chapman & Shaffer; Mission Revival remodel 1930
  • New campus acquired: 1940s
  • Holy Family School opened: August/September 1949
  • Current church completed: April 1958
  • Church dedicated: January 8, 1961
  • Designated Cathedral: June 18, 1976
  • Christ Cathedral consecrated (diocese seat moves): July 17, 2019
  • Name returned to Holy Family Catholic Church: December 2020
  • Centenary / 100th anniversary: 2021–2022

Architecture, Art & Sacred Furnishings

The present church is a Modern-style brick building with notably high ceilings that support excellent acoustics for the parish's multiple choirs. Its most celebrated features are works of sacred art commissioned while Monsignor Art Holquin was rector. Floor-to-ceiling mosaics were created by Los Angeles-based Hungarian artist Isabel Piczek, and the stained glass windows by her sister Edith. To the north of the altar stands a freestanding tabernacle by German artist Egino Günther Weinert (1920–2012), one of the last he created; it is composed of six enamel cloisonné panels depicting Eucharistic scenes — the Last Supper, Christ at Emmaus, the Risen Christ at breakfast with the disciples, the Wedding Feast at Cana, the Feeding of the Multitude, and Jesus with Mary and Martha — and is crowned with brass olive-leaf grillwork and an Annunciation pendant. A permanent plaque in the church commemorates Holy Family's status as the First Cathedral of the Diocese of Orange.

  • Style: Modern
  • Materials: Brick
  • Mosaics: Isabel Piczek
  • Stained glass: Edith Piczek
  • Tabernacle: Egino Günther Weinert (six enamel cloisonné panels)

Devotions

Traditional Catholic devotions are central to parish life, including weekly novenas and monthly vigils tied to Respect Life work.

  • Wednesday Mother of Perpetual Help Novena
  • Thursday Devotion to St. Joseph
  • 3rd Friday Holy Hour for Vocations
  • Thursdays Rosary for Life after morning Mass
  • 2nd Saturday 8:15 AM Mass and sidewalk Prayer Vigil at 700 S. Tustin Avenue
  • Tuesday Flame of Love Rosary Group (7 PM, Chapel)
  • Thursday Rosary for Vocations (3 PM)

Faith Formation & Religious Education

Faith formation is led by Christopher Morris, M.Th., and is described as a 'lifelong process.' Programs include OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) for adults preparing for Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation, with topic schedules published on the parish website; Teen Confirmation preparation; Sacramental preparation for children (First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion); and family-focused offerings like St. Patrick's Summer for families with young children and the ELEVATE series with Discipleship Quads. Father Sy leads a popular ongoing Wednesday-evening series on the four great constitutions of Vatican II (7:00–8:30 PM, Rooms 1 & 2).

  • OCIA (adult initiation)
  • Teen Confirmation
  • Children's Sacramental preparation
  • St. Patrick's Summer (young families)
  • ELEVATE series / Discipleship Quads
  • Fr. Sy's Vatican II talk series (Wednesdays 7–8:30 PM)
  • Vatican II four-constitution series
  • Faith Formation Director: Christopher Morris, M.Th.

Holy Family Catholic School

Holy Family Catholic School, located on the parish campus, has educated students since August 1949, when it opened with 225 students under Sr. Mary Barbara and four Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange. It is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and today serves close to 450–500 students in preschool through 8th grade across 21 classrooms. A kindergarten program was added in 1988 and an on-site extended day-care program the same year. Curriculum combines Common Core State Standards with Diocesan Curriculum Guidelines, and includes Religion in every grade, Math, Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, Music, Art Masters, P.E., Computer, Spanish in grades 5–8, and STEM in grades 5–8.

  • Opened: 1949 (Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange)
  • Enrollment: ~450–500 students, Preschool through 8th
  • 21 classrooms
  • WASC accredited
  • Athletic Director/PE: Brian Nguyen
  • Tuition support: Fr. Sy Scholarship Endowment Fund (Orange Catholic Foundation)

Ministries, Organizations & Groups

The parish describes itself as offering 'something for everyone,' with ministries organized into Liturgical Ministries, Outreach, and Organizations. Highlights include the Brotherhood of St. Dismas, the Fathers of Saint Joseph, the St. Vincent de Paul Society (which runs the parish Lights On re-entry ministry at the Orange County Central Jail), the Knights of Columbus, the Serra Club, Cursillo, Respect Life Ministry, Bereavement Ministry, Spanish Community Outreach, the Young Adults Ministry (with separate men's and women's Bible studies and annual retreats), the Young in Spirit seniors group (rosary-making, crafts, knitting/crocheting on Tuesdays after the 8:15 AM Mass), Mary's Hands Crochet Group, the Daughters of the Holy Family, Boy Scouts, and a vibrant Children's Choir and Adult Choir.

  • Brotherhood of St. Dismas
  • Fathers of Saint Joseph
  • St. Vincent de Paul Society (incl. Lights On jail-reentry ministry)
  • Knights of Columbus
  • Serra Club
  • Cursillo
  • Respect Life Ministry
  • Bereavement Ministry
  • Spanish Community Outreach
  • Young Adults Ministry (Bible studies, retreats)
  • Young in Spirit (Tuesdays)
  • Mary's Hands Crochet Group
  • Daughters of the Holy Family
  • Boy Scouts

Outreach & Charitable Works

Holy Family's outreach ministry runs seasonal programs such as the Adopt-a-Family Thanksgiving Drive, supports 'Walking with Moms' as part of its pro-life mission, partners with the Life Center of Santa Ana through an annual Shower of Love baby shower for expectant parents, and houses the St. Vincent de Paul conference that operates the Lights On ministry at the Orange County jail.

  • Adopt-a-Family Thanksgiving Drive
  • Walking with Moms
  • Shower of Love (Life Center of Santa Ana)
  • Lights On jail-reentry ministry (since 2004)

Respect Life Ministry

Holy Family's Respect Life Ministry works year-round to build a 'culture of life that cherishes and protects every human life.' Regular activities include a monthly 8:15 AM Mass and prayer vigil on the sidewalk at 700 S. Tustin Avenue (every second Saturday), a weekly Thursday Rosary for Life after morning Mass, and an invitation to 'offer an hour in Adoration for Life.' October is observed as Respect Life Month.

  • 2nd Saturday sidewalk vigil at 700 S. Tustin Ave
  • Weekly Thursday Rosary for Life
  • Hour of Adoration for Life
  • Respect Life Month (October)

Getting Involved & Parish Identity

The parish welcomes new members through its 'Welcome Home' outreach and an online Ministry Interest and Volunteer Opportunity form on hforange.org. Holy Family Catholic Church identifies itself as the 'First Cathedral of the Diocese of Orange' and continues that legacy in its branding even though it is once again a parish church. As one of its pastors, Monsignor Douglas Cook, observed, 'one of the most unique aspects of Holy Family Cathedral is the deeply rooted community,' with third- and fourth-generation parishioners worshipping and attending the school together.

  • Online Ministry Interest & Volunteer form
  • Welcome Home outreach
  • Identity: First Cathedral of the Diocese of Orange
  • Multi-generational parish community

Visit, Location & Contact

Holy Family Catholic Church is located at 566 South Glassell Street, Orange, CA 92866, on the corner of South Glassell and LaVeta Avenue, blocks from Chapman University and near Old Towne Orange. Parish office: (714) 639-2900; general email parish@hforange.org. A large parking lot sits behind the church with additional street parking. Visitors are welcome at any Mass or during the extensive Eucharistic Adoration windows. The official YouTube channel (@holyfamilycp9753) streams parish content, and the school website (holyfamilyk8.org) provides school-specific information.

  • Address: 566 S. Glassell St., Orange, CA 92866
  • Phone: (714) 639-2900
  • Email: parish@hforange.org
  • Website: hforange.org
  • YouTube: @holyfamilycp9753
  • School site: holyfamilyk8.org

Pastors & rectors through the years

  1. Founding Pastor (name not yet verified)1921–(early)

    Holy Family Parish established December 18, 1921; parish was then in the Diocese of Monterey-Los Angeles.

  2. Monsignor Donald Strange

    Listed among the Rectors of Holy Family Cathedral after 1976.

  3. Monsignor Brian Coghlan

    Listed among the Rectors of Holy Family Cathedral after 1976.

  4. Monsignor Arthur (Art) Holquin, S.T.L.

    Rector of Holy Family Cathedral; commissioned the Piczek mosaics/stained glass and the Weinert tabernacle; later Episcopal Vicar for Divine Worship for the Diocese of Orange and pastor emeritus of Mission San Juan Capistrano Basilica.

  5. Monsignor Donald Romito

    Rector of Holy Family Cathedral after 1976.

  6. Monsignor Douglas Cook

    Rector; named in 2013 OC Register article as the then-rector and longtime leader of the parish community.

  7. Very Rev. Patrick Moses2010s–2022

    Listed among the post-1976 Rectors; identified as Rector in the 2018–19 school handbook (Fr. Patrick Moses) and again listed among the rectors in the 2022 installation coverage.

  8. Rev. Thai Paul Minh Trinharound 2013

    Parochial Vicar in 2013.

  9. Rev. Rafael Luévanoaround 2013

    Parochial Vicar in 2013.

  10. Rev. Binh Nguyenaround 2013

    Priest on staff in 2013.

  11. Rev. Rudolph (Rudy) Alumam2022–present

    Parochial Vicar at the time of Fr. Sy's installation and continued under the new pastor.

  12. Rev. Cheeyoon Chun2022–present

    Parochial Vicar; spoke at the parish's 2023 Young Adult Women's Retreat, FEARLESS.

  13. Rev. Sy NguyenJuly 1, 2022–present

    Current pastor; previously pastor of St. Martin de Porres in Yorba Linda for 12 years; was ordained at Holy Family when it was still the cathedral 31 years prior; at his installation Bishop Vann announced a plenary indulgence for the centennial year.

Holy Family in Orange, California — photo 1

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