About Holy Family · Parma, Ohio
Holy Family Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Parma, Ohio, founded in 1872 by eleven German farm families in what was then rural Parma Township. Part of the Diocese of Cleveland, the parish has grown over 150 years into one of the largest faith communities in the southwest suburbs of Cleveland, with a parish school, preschool, PSR program, social-action outreach, choirs, and many active ministries. Worship is centered on daily Mass in the chapel, three Sunday Masses, a Saturday Vigil Mass, regular confession, Eucharistic adoration, and traditional Marian devotions.
- Established
- 1872
- Patron
- The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
- Rector
- Rev. David Stavarz
- Diocese
- Diocese of Cleveland
Why belong here
Holy Family offers a full Catholic life in one place: three Sunday Masses plus a Saturday Vigil, daily Mass in the chapel, weekly Eucharonic adoration, regular confession, and a thriving music program led by a Director of Sacred Music. Families can enroll children in Holy Family School (K–8), the on-site Preschool, or the Tuesday-evening PSR program that prepares them for First Reconciliation, First Communion and Confirmation. Members reach outward through the Social Action Commission's food pantry (serving zip codes 44129, 44130 and 44133), the Knights of Columbus, the long-standing Altar & Rosary Society, and many parish groups — making it easy for new parishioners to find community, serve neighbors and grow in faith.
Mass times at Holy Family
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:30 pm – 4:15 pm (or by appointment)
Adoration times
- Wednesday: 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm (in the chapel)
- Sunday: 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm (in the church)
Parish Mission & Identity
Holy Family Parish traces its mission directly back to the eleven German farm families who founded it in 1872. According to its mission statement on the parish website, the community worships God in the Eucharist, evangelizes through Jesus Christ, fosters community as a spiritual home, promotes Catholic education and faith formation for all ages, extends loving service to the poor, sick and needy, and develops Catholic leaders — all while striving to follow the example of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, the original Holy Family. The parish's patron is the Holy Family, and the church sits at the corner of York and Pleasant Valley Roads in Parma.
- Founded 1872 by eleven farm families, mostly of German background
- Patron: The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
- Diocese of Cleveland
- Currently led by Pastor Rev. David Stavarz
History of Holy Family Parish
From a frame church on donated farmland in 1872 to a parish of multiple buildings and ministries today, Holy Family's 150-year story is preserved in detail on the parish's 150th Anniversary History page. Highlights include the 1929 arrival of the first resident pastor Fr. Wenceslaus A. Uhlir, the post-WWII building boom under Fr. William Benisek, the 1965 dedication of the current church, the 1983–2004 growth years under Fr. James P. Costello, and the 2022 150th anniversary Mass with Bishop Edward Malesic.
- 1872: First Mass in the Rohrbach home; first frame church and St. Joseph Cemetery donated by Conrad Rohrbach
- 1878: First school opened (closed after 3 years for financial reasons)
- 1911: Larger church dedicated by Bishop John P. Farrelly
- 1929: First resident pastor, Fr. Wenceslaus A. Uhlir; rectory built
- 1949: Five acres purchased on York Road for $3,200; Fr. William Benisek becomes second resident pastor
- 1950: School reopens with 159 pupils taught by four Vincentian Sisters from Bedford
- 1951: First assistant pastor (Rev. Albert Myers); new church groundbreaking September 15, 1951
- 1962: Seven classrooms and library added to the school
- 1965: Current church blessed and dedicated by Bishop Clarence Issenmann
- 1981: 1,300-pipe organ installed
- 1995: VISION 2000 plan launched under Fr. Costello
- 2022: 150th anniversary Mass with Bishop Edward Malesic on October 18
Faith Formation & Sacramental Preparation
Religious education at Holy Family is offered both through the parish day school and through the Parish School of Religion (PSR) for public-school children. The program prepares students for the sacraments of First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion (grade 2) and Confirmation (grade 8), and the parish can also assist adults preparing for Confirmation.
- PSR for grades 1–8; classes Tuesday evenings 6:45–8:00 pm in the school building
- School year runs mid-September through early/mid May
- Curriculum: 'Christ Our Life' series by the Sisters of Notre Dame
- Four pillars integrated: Creed, Sacraments, Commandments, Prayer
- Registration Fee: $50 per child ($120 max per family)
- First Communion Sacramental Fee (grade 2): $25
- Confirmation Sacramental Fee (grade 8): $35
- PSR Principal: Dara Hoffman (440-842-6658, [email protected])
- Sacrament preparation coordinated by Ms. Toni Mayer ([email protected])
Holy Family School & Preschool
Holy Family Catholic School is a parish day school serving students in kindergarten through 8th grade. Students attend weekly Mass as a school community and receive daily religious instruction (30+ minutes in K–4, 40+ minutes in grades 5–8), with additional prayer services, rosary, devotion to Mary, Stations of the Cross and Lenten adoration. The school also hosts an on-site Preschool and Daycare directed by Brittany Dimas. The school is out for summer 2026 and resumes August 26, 2026.
- Principal: David Csank ([email protected])
- Admissions / Marketing Director: Stephanie Suchan ([email protected])
- School office: (440) 842-7785; Fax: (440) 842-3634
- School website: www.HolyFamilySchoolParma.org
- Preschool / Childcare Director: Brittany Dimas — (440) 886-4717
- Weekly school Mass and seasonal prayer services for students
Music & Liturgy
Music at Holy Family is led by Director of Sacred Music Mary Rose Beauman (hired July 2025), with resident organists Robert McMurray and Kiersten Hopko. The Parish Choir — known for its longstanding reputation for excellence — has been in existence for over fifty years, in its current form dating to the early 1960s under founder John Petrick. It rehearses on Mondays and sings primarily at the 9:30 am Sunday liturgy and all solemnities.
- Director of Sacred Music: Mary Rose Beauman
- Resident Organists: Robert McMurray and Kiersten Hopko
- Parish Choir rehearses Mondays; sings at 9:30 am Sunday Mass and solemnities
- Past directors: John Petrick, Walter Lindert, Michael Seredick (26 years), Robert McMurray, David Uschold (2006–2017), Matthew Buller (2017–2019), Marie Toth (2019–2024)
- 1,300-pipe organ installed 1981 — first played on Christmas Day
Parish Organizations & Outreach
Holy Family's lay organizations cover spiritual, fraternal, and social-outreach work. The Knights of Columbus council meets twice monthly on Wednesdays and supports parish and community programs. The Altar & Rosary Society, under the patronage of St. Anne, attends the 9:30 am Mass together on the first Sunday of each month and cares for altar supplies and vestments. The Social Action Commission and parish Food Pantry serve the local Parma community.
- Knights of Columbus — contact Bob Scherma (440-554-3681); meetings twice monthly on Wednesdays at 7 pm
- Altar & Rosary Society — ladies 18+; meetings 4th Wednesday of the month at 6:30 pm in the Costello Community Center
- Social Action Commission — meets 2nd Monday at 7:00 pm; confidential assistance line (440) 842-5533 ext. 602
- Parish Food Pantry — 4th Saturday of each month, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm; serves zip codes 44129, 44130 and 44133; bring ID and a current utility bill
- Food pantry needs include tuna, peanut butter, canned chicken, beans, soup, cereal, canned pasta, toilet paper, soap, cleaning products and laundry detergent
Eucharistic Revival
Holy Family participates in the U.S. bishops' National Eucharistic Revival, with weekly adoration on Wednesdays and Sundays, and special events such as the September 21, 2024 Eucharistic Procession led by Fr. David Stavarz and Fr. Apolinary Kavishe with the Knights of Columbus and more than 50 parishioners, concluding with Benediction and the Divine Praises.
- Sunday Adoration 7:00–9:00 pm in the church
- Wednesday Adoration 1:30–3:30 pm in the chapel
- Annual Eucharistic Procession with Benediction (most recent: September 21, 2024)
Visit, Contact & Practical Info
Parishioners and visitors can reach Holy Family by phone, email, or in person at the parish office (Monday–Friday, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm). A parish app is available by texting 'APP' to 55321, giving users daily Mass readings, Catholic news, prayers, Confession reminders and bulletins. The Diocese of Cleveland also broadcasts a weekly TV Mass and radio Mass for the homebound.
- Address: 7367 York Road, Parma, OH 44130 (York Rd. & W. Pleasant Valley Rd.)
- Parish Office: (440) 842-5533 | Fax: (440) 842-3090 | [email protected]
- School Office: (440) 842-7785 | Preschool: (440) 886-4717 | PSR: (440) 842-6658
- Parish Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
- Parish App: text 'APP' to 55321
- Diocese of Cleveland TV Mass: Sundays 10:00 am on WUAB Channel 43 (CW43); on demand at dioceseofcleveland.org
- Radio Mass: Sundays 10:30 am on AM 1260 The Rock, 9:00 am on WINT-1330 AM, or 11:30 am on Cox channel 45
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Wenceslaus A. Uhlir1929 – 1949
First resident pastor (prior to him the parish was served by priests of the Franciscan and Most Precious Blood orders); built the first rectory.
- Rev. William Benisek1949 – 1969
Second resident pastor; oversaw construction of the school (opened September 11, 1950), the 1963–1965 church, convent and classroom expansions.
- Msgr. Stanislaus Podbielski1969 – 1981
Presided over the parish's 100th anniversary in 1972; oversaw the 1981 installation of the 1,300-pipe organ just before retiring.
- Rev. James P. Costello1983 – 2004
Fifth resident pastor; led Holy Family to become the most populated parish in the Diocese of Cleveland; founded theater groups, expanded the festival; launched VISION 2000 (convent renovation, Community Center, chapel).
- Rev. James Masek2004 – 2007
Sixth resident pastor; restored fiscal stability; died September 17, 2007.
- Rev. Richard A. Evans2007 – present (named pastor October 16, 2009)
Became Administrator after Fr. Masek's death; seventh pastor; welcomed Bishop Edward Malesic for the 150th anniversary Mass on October 18, 2022.
- Rev. David Stavarz
Current pastor; led a 2024 Eucharistic Procession and Benediction from the parish.