About Holy Family (Parish of Holy Family & St. Emery) · Fairfield, Connecticut
The Parish of Holy Family & St. Emery is a Roman Catholic community in Fairfield, Connecticut, within the Diocese of Bridgeport. Formed on January 2, 2020 by the merger of Holy Family Parish (founded 1938) and St. Emery Parish (founded 1932 as a Hungarian-American parish), it operates from two worship sites: Holy Family Church at 700 Old Stratfield Road (a Gothic Revival building designed by J. Gerald Phelan) and St. Emery Church at 838 Kings Highway East (a Romanesque Revival landmark designed by Anthony J. DePace, listed on the Connecticut Register of Historic Places in 2013). The combined parish is celebrated for its Hungarian heritage, a multicultural liturgical life (English, occasional Hungarian, and a Syro-Malabar Eastern Rite Mass), strong religious education program, and historic architecture.
- Established
- 1938 (Holy Family Parish); 1932 (St. Emery Parish); merged 2020
- Patron
- The Holy Family (Holy Family Church); St. Emeric (Emery) of Hungary (St. Emery Church)
- Rector
- Rev. Sean Kulacz (installed October 25, 2020)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Bridgeport
Why belong here
Parishioners value Holy Family & St. Emery for its genuinely multicultural liturgical life — English Masses alongside a long-standing Hungarian heritage and a Sunday Syro-Malabar Eastern Rite Mass that serves Fairfield's Indian Catholic community. The parish offers two architecturally significant worship sites (a 1940 Gothic Revival church and a 1932 Romanesque Revival church on the Connecticut Register of Historic Places), a celebrated religious education program anchored by a monthly Family Mass, weekday Eucharistic Adoration before Mass, Saturday confessions, and active outreach and charity ministries that have served the Fairfield community for nearly a century.
Mass times at Holy Family (Parish of Holy Family & St. Emery)
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 PM at Holy Family Church
- Saturday 3:00–3:45 PM at Holy Family (Discover Mass listing)
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Monday–Thursday 7:00 AM–7:40 AM — Adoration and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, preceding the 7:45 AM weekday Mass at Holy Family
About the Parish of Holy Family & St. Emery
The Parish of Holy Family & St. Emery is a Roman Catholic community in Fairfield, Connecticut, formed on January 2, 2020 by the merger of Holy Family Parish (founded 1938) and St. Emery Parish (founded 1932). It is one of the parishes of the Diocese of Bridgeport, led since October 25, 2020 by its first pastor, Rev. Sean Kulacz, with Rev. Dious Joseph serving as Parochial Vicar, Deacons Joseph DeBiase and Rudolph P. Trankovich, and a lay staff headed by Business Manager Cheryl Camillo, Music Director Mary Rose Garych, and Administrative Assistant Gail Young. The parish operates from two worship sites: Holy Family Church at 700 Old Stratfield Road and St. Emery Church at 838 Kings Highway East, both architecturally significant landmarks in Fairfield.
- Mailing/Phone: Holy Family Parish, 700 Old Stratfield Rd., Fairfield, CT 06825 — (203) 336-1835
- Parish email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.holyfamilystemery.org
- Diocese: Bridgeport (Bishop Frank Caggiano)
- Pastor: Rev. Sean Kulacz (installed October 25, 2020)
History
The parish is the product of three layered stories: the Stratfield/Tunxis Hill Catholic mission that became Holy Family (1926–1938); the Hungarian-American community that founded St. Emery in 1932 under the Franciscan Friars; and the merger of those two parishes on January 2, 2020.
Origins of Holy Family Parish
In 1926, the pastor of Our Lady of the Assumption in Stratfield established a mission under the patronage of the Holy Family to serve the growing Catholic population in the Tunxis Hill section of Fairfield. By 1931 there were about 1,200 Catholics in the combined territory. In 1938 the mission was elevated to an independent parish, and on June 15, 1939 its new pastor, Rev. Robert Leo Christopher, launched a pledge drive that raised more than $20,000 for a permanent church. Designed by noted church architect J. Gerald Phelan (Fletcher Thompson firm, Bridgeport) and built by E&F Construction Co. of Bridgeport, the Norman Gothic style church was completed within a year at a total cost of about $75,000, financed in part by a $52,000 mortgage from St. Bernard and St. Lawrence Cemetery of New Haven. It was dedicated with a Solemn High Mass on February 4, 1940. Father Christopher died September 17, 1958 at age 62.
- Architect: J. Gerald Phelan (Fletcher Thompson, Bridgeport)
- Builder: E&F Construction Co. of Bridgeport
- Style: Norman Gothic Revival
- Dedicated: February 4, 1940
Origins of St. Emery Parish
On New Year's Day 1932, 547 Hungarian-American Catholics gathered at a temporary chapel on Hibiscus Street in Fairfield for the first Mass of a new community — the fruit of the pastoral concern of Bishop John Nilan of Hartford and Rev. Stephen Czernitzky. The parish was placed under the patronage of St. Emeric (Emery) of Hungary, son of King St. Stephen, and entrusted to the Franciscan Friars of the Commissariat of St. Stephen, King (most from Transylvania). The founding pastor, Rev. Benedict Biro, O.F.M. (1932–1952), oversaw a banner year: groundbreaking on Easter Sunday, the cornerstone blessing by Bishop Maurice M. McAuliffe, and the dedication and consecration of both church and altar on November 5, 1932 (the Feast of St. Emery). The Romanesque Revival building was designed by New York architect Anthony J. DePace.
- Founded January 1, 1932
- Founding pastor: Rev. Benedict Biro, O.F.M. (1932–1952)
- Architect: Anthony J. DePace (New York)
- Dedicated November 5, 1932 — Feast of St. Emery
- Pastoral care: Franciscan Friars (O.F.M.), 1932–2011
St. Stephen of Hungary Merger (1971)
On October 10, 1971, the Diocese of Bridgeport, in consultation with the parishes of St. Stephen of Hungary (Bridgeport, founded 1897 — the second Hungarian Catholic parish in the United States) and St. Emery (Fairfield), merged the two Hungarian-American communities into a single parish at St. Emery, after the Last Mass was celebrated at St. Stephen's. The Daughter Parish effectively came to the aid of its Mother Parish in her later years.
- St. Stephen of Hungary Parish founded 1897
- Merger of St. Stephen into St. Emery: October 10, 1971
Growth, School & Convent
As St. Emery grew, especially with young families, Fr. Biro and the Ladies Guild initiated a Catechetical Center in 1951; the Sisters of the Congregation of the Daughters of the Divine Charity (founded in Bavaria, from Hungarian-speaking Eastern Europe) opened the parochial school in 1954 with 34 students. Bishop Lawrence J. Sheehan, first Ordinary of the new Diocese of Bridgeport, broke ground for a school addition on August 29, 1955 and dedicated it on October 7, 1956. A convent was built on the grounds in 1952 and rebuilt in 1961. Holy Family School merged with Assumption Catholic School in 2010 to form Our Lady of the Assumption/Holy Family Catholic School, becoming simply Assumption Catholic School in 2015.
- Parochial school opened 1954 (34 students)
- School addition dedicated October 7, 1956 by Bishop Lawrence J. Sheehan
- Convent built 1952; rebuilt 1961
- Holy Family School merged with Assumption in 2010
Restoration, Historic Designation & Franciscan Departure
On May 7, 2000 the newly restored St. Emery Church was blessed and a new altar dedicated by then-Bishop Edward Michael Egan, days before he was named Cardinal-Archbishop of New York. In 2011, after 79 years of Franciscan pastoral care, St. Emery was reorganized under direct diocesan clergy and brought into close association with Holy Family. On August 7, 2013 the Connecticut Historic Preservation Council officially designated St. Emery Church an Historic Place, citing its Romanesque Revival architecture, classical bell tower, façade mosaics, gold-leaf interior, sanctuary frescoes, century-old stained glass, imported European sculptures, marble altars and the broader story of the American-Hungarian Catholic community.
- Restoration/new altar dedication: May 7, 2000 (Bishop Edward Michael Egan)
- Franciscan pastoral care ended 2011
- Listed on Connecticut Register of Historic Places: August 7, 2013
Merger into the Parish of Holy Family & St. Emery (2020)
On January 2, 2020, Holy Family Parish and St. Emery Parish formally merged to form a single parish — the Parish of Holy Family & St. Emery — preserving two worship sites and a combined multicultural identity. Rev. Sean Kulacz was installed as the first pastor of the merged parish on October 25, 2020. On October 31, 2025 the Diocese of Bridgeport announced that the parish would in turn merge into Assumption Parish (Fairfield), St. Ann Parish and St. Peter Parish effective November 1, 2025 (Solemnity of All Saints), with regular weekday and Sunday worship at Holy Family scheduled to continue through the Solemnity of Epiphany, January 4, 2026; the church building will remain available for funerals and special occasions afterward. Sacramental records will be preserved and safeguarded at the Diocesan Chancery.
- Merger effective January 2, 2020
- First pastor: Rev. Sean Kulacz (installed October 25, 2020)
- Announced further merger: October 31, 2025
- Effective date of further merger: November 1, 2025
- Final regular Mass at Holy Family: January 4, 2026
Architecture & Art
Holy Family & St. Emery Parish is unusual in Fairfield for operating two architecturally distinguished houses of worship from very different traditions.
Holy Family Church (1940)
Norman Gothic Revival style, designed by J. Gerald Phelan of Fletcher Thompson (Bridgeport). Built of granite quarried in the neighborhood; features a tower surmounted by a hand-wrought iron cross, a rose window over the choir loft, an altar of delicately veined Botticino marble and a tabernacle of solid sculptured bronze — all still in place.
- Architect: J. Gerald Phelan (Fletcher Thompson, Bridgeport)
- Style: Norman Gothic Revival
- Dedicated February 4, 1940
St. Emery Church (1932)
Romanesque Revival style, designed by New York architect Anthony J. DePace. Distinctive features cited in the 2013 historic designation include a classic bell tower, façade mosaics, arcaded corbel-table décor, rose window, belt-course decorative brick motif, large arched cannon-vault interior architecture, intricate gold-leaf wall décor, prominent sanctuary frescoes, century-old stained glass, imported European sculptures, marble altars, handcrafted bronze wall plaques and rare tapestries. The sanctuary 'Admonitions' mural shows St. Stephen of Hungary, his young son St. Emery kneeling beside him, and St. Gerard (the tutor of St. Emery); the altar mural is a copy of a work by renowned Hungarian artist Károly Lotz ('the Prince of Hungarian Artists'), and the original mural figures were painted by Italian artist Joseph Natale, restored in 2000.
- Architect: Anthony J. DePace (New York)
- Style: Romanesque Revival
- Listed on Connecticut Register of Historic Places: August 7, 2013
- Sanctuary mural 'Admonitions' (St. Stephen & St. Emery) by Joseph Natale, restored 2000
- Altar mural after Károly Lotz (Hungarian artist)
Pastoral Staff & Clergy
The merged parish is led by Pastor Rev. Sean Kulacz (installed October 25, 2020), with Parochial Vicar Rev. Dious Joseph, Deacons Joseph DeBiase and Rudolph P. Trankovich, and lay staff including Business Manager Cheryl Camillo, Music Director Mary Rose Garych and Administrative Assistant Gail Young. Parish Trustees are Maurice Magnotta and Karen Adams.
- Rev. Sean Kulacz — Pastor (installed October 25, 2020)
- Rev. Dious Joseph — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Joseph DeBiase
- Deacon Rudolph P. Trankovich
- Cheryl Camillo — Business Manager (ext. 103)
- Mary Rose Garych — Music Director (ext. 102)
- Gail Young — Administrative Assistant (ext. 100)
- Trustees: Maurice Magnotta, Karen Adams
Liturgy & Languages
Worship at the parish is tricultural: ordinary Masses are celebrated in English; a long-standing Hungarian heritage is preserved through occasional cultural Masses and parish society life (St. Margaret of Hungary Altar Society, St. Emery Rosary Society, etc.); and a Sunday Syro-Malabar Eastern Rite Mass serves Fairfield's Indian (Malayalam-speaking) Catholic community. The parish also hosts the monthly Family Mass on the 4th Sunday of each month, led by a different religious-education class, with coffee and fellowship afterward.
- English (ordinary Masses)
- Hungarian (heritage/occasion)
- Syro-Malabar / Eastern Rite (Malayalam, Sunday 4 PM at St. Emery)
Religious Education & Faith Formation
The parish's Religious Education program has been singled out by the Diocese of Bridgeport as a model. Coordinated by Mary Jane Perry and Catherine Nolfi, it includes evening classes, a monthly Family Mass (4th Sunday) led by a different grade each month, First Reconciliation preparation, and ongoing adult faith formation. A 2016 parish Strategic Plan — built around three priorities (religious education, liturgical life, social life) and informed by a comprehensive survey of parents — has shaped the program's direction. The Catechetical Task Force continues to refine curriculum and family engagement. The parish also connects to the broader diocesan Emmaus retreat movement for teens, which originated in the Fairfield region in 1978.
- Family Mass (4th Sunday of each month)
- First Reconciliation preparation
- Parish Strategic Plan (2016) prioritizing religious education
- Catechetical Task Force and parent survey program
- Emmaus teen retreat connection
Sacraments
The parish prepares and celebrates the seven Catholic sacraments, including Baptism, First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick and the Eucharist (daily and Sunday Masses). Weddings are typically celebrated at 1:30 PM; arrangements are made through the parish office at (203) 336-1835.
- Baptism — by arrangement through the parish office
- First Reconciliation & First Communion — through religious-education program
- Confirmation — diocesan preparation
- Marriage — weddings at 1:30 PM by arrangement
- Anointing of the Sick — by appointment
- Confession — Saturdays 3:00 PM at Holy Family or by appointment
Parish Societies, Ministries & Outreach
Holy Family & St. Emery maintains both long-standing traditional societies inherited from its Hungarian-American roots and contemporary parish ministries. These include St. Margaret of Hungary Altar Society, St. Emery Rosary Society, St. Emery Ladies Guild, Father Biro Men's League, Holy Name Society, Children of Mary Sodality, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and St. Emery Seniors, alongside a music ministry, a pastoral council, a parish charity/outreach program, and active St. Vincent de Paul-style charitable works.
- St. Margaret of Hungary Altar Society
- St. Emery Rosary Society
- St. Emery Ladies Guild
- Father Biro Men's League
- Holy Name Society
- Children of Mary Sodality
- Boy Scouts / Girl Scouts
- St. Emery Seniors
- Music Ministry (Mary Rose Garych)
- Pastoral Council
- Charity & Outreach program
Hungarian & Hungarian-American Heritage
St. Emery is one of the most prominent surviving Hungarian-American Catholic parishes in New England. Founded in 1932 to serve the Hungarian diaspora migrating from Bridgeport's West End to Fairfield, the parish preserves Magyar (Hungarian) language, customs and cultural ties through its patron (St. Emeric, son of St. Stephen, patron saint of Hungary), its sanctuary mural cycle (after Károly Lotz), its historic stained glass and European sculptures, its naming of the parish school around 1954 by Hungarian-speaking Daughters of the Divine Charity, and its 1971 reunion with the older Bridgeport Hungarian parish of St. Stephen. The parish's patron saint, St. Emery, is also invoked as the patron saint of Youth.
- Patron: St. Emeric (Emery) of Hungary, patron saint of Youth
- Coat-of-arms / Hungarian heraldic art in sanctuary mural
- Altar mural after Károly Lotz ('Prince of Hungarian Artists')
- Heritage: Hungarian-American Catholic diaspora
Future: The November 2025 Merger
On October 31, 2025 the Diocese of Bridgeport announced that the Parish of Holy Family & St. Emery will be absorbed into three neighboring parishes — Assumption Parish (Fairfield), St. Ann Parish and St. Peter Parish — effective November 1, 2025 (Solemnity of All Saints). Regular weekday and Sunday worship at Holy Family will continue through the Solemnity of Epiphany, Sunday, January 4, 2026; thereafter the church will remain available for funerals and special occasions, with families arranging for a celebrant and musicians. Sacramental records will be preserved and safeguarded at the Diocesan Chancery. Bishop Frank Caggiano expressed gratitude for 'the faithful witness of the parishioners of Holy Family–St. Emery' and confidence that they will enrich the diocesan family at their new parish homes.
- Diocesan announcement: October 31, 2025
- Effective date: November 1, 2025 (Solemnity of All Saints)
- Receiving parishes: Assumption (Fairfield), St. Ann, St. Peter
- Final regular Mass at Holy Family: January 4, 2026 (Epiphany)
- Records: preserved at Diocesan Chancery
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Robert Leo Christopher1939–1958
First resident pastor of Holy Family (separated from Assumption 1938); launched the 1939 pledge drive that built the present Gothic Revival church; died September 17, 1958 at age 62.
- Msgr. Thomas F. Henahanlate 1950s–1960
Served Holy Family before being named pastor of Our Lady of the Assumption in 1960.
- Rev. Guido Montanaroby 2013
Referenced as pastor of Holy Family Parish in the 2013 Saint Augustine Medal of Service citation.
- Rev. Norman J. Guilbertby 2017
Pastor of Holy Family Parish in diocesan coverage (Nov. 2017); led the 2016 Strategic Plan prioritizing religious education, liturgical life and social life; oversaw parish through the 2020 merger process.
- Rev. Sean Kulaczinstalled October 25, 2020–present
First pastor of the unified Parish of Holy Family & St. Emery following the January 2, 2020 merger; continues as pastor as the parish prepares to merge into Assumption, St. Ann and St. Peter parishes on November 1, 2025.
- Rev. Stephen Czernitzkyearly 1930s
Co-credited (with Bishop John Nilan of Hartford) for the pastoral outreach that led to the founding of St. Emery's Hungarian community; not pastor per se but referenced as founder-figure.
- Rev. Benedict Biro, O.F.M.1932–1952
Founding pastor of St. Emery Parish; member of the Franciscan Friars of the Commissariat of St. Stephen, King (most from Transylvania); oversaw construction of the church and early societies (St. Margaret of Hungary Altar Society, St. Emery Rosary Society, Ladies Guild, Father's Men's League, Holy Name Society, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Children of Mary Sodality, later St. Emery Seniors).
- Franciscan Friars (O.F.M.)1932–2011
Pastoral care of St. Emery entrusted to the Franciscan Order for 79 years; in 2011 St. Emery was reorganized under direct diocesan clergy and brought into close association with Holy Family.
- Rev. Dious Josephcurrent
Parochial Vicar of the merged Parish of Holy Family & St. Emery.
 "Holy Family (Parish of Holy Family & St. Emery)")