About Holy Family · Pass Christian, Mississippi
Holy Family Catholic Church is a parish of the Diocese of Biloxi serving Pass Christian, Mississippi, on the Gulf Coast. It was formed on January 8, 2006 by Bishop Thomas J. Rodi through the merger of two Pass Christian parishes — St. Paul and Our Lady of Lourdes — after Hurricane Katrina devastated the coast in August 2005. Today the parish worships in its main church on Evangeline Road and in the historic Chapel of St. Paul, which preserves artifacts and stained glass rescued from the pre-Katrina St. Paul church. The parish is bilingual, celebrating Mass in both English and Vietnamese, and serves as the spiritual home of St. Vincent de Paul School.
- Established
- 2006
- Patron
- Holy Family (of Jesus, Mary and Joseph)
- Rector
- Fr. Mike Austin
- Diocese
- Diocese of Biloxi
Why belong here
Holy Family is a thriving, growing faith community on the Mississippi Gulf Coast that welcomes newcomers and longtime residents alike. The parish offers Mass in both English and Vietnamese, a historic Chapel of St. Paul for quiet prayer and sacraments, an active St. Vincent de Paul Society serving the local poor each Friday, full faith formation for children through Confirmation (including Life Teen, EDGE, and RISE), RCIA for adults, a Holy Family Youth Band, and a longstanding annual Seafood Festival. Its main church sits next to St. Vincent de Paul School, anchoring the parish as the spiritual heart of Pass Christian.
Mass times at Holy Family
Weekly Mass schedule
Adoration times
- Monday – 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. (Holy Family)
- Thursday – after 8 a.m. Mass – 5:00 p.m. (Chapel)
Parish Identity & History
Holy Family Parish was canonically erected on January 8, 2006, the day Bishop Thomas J. Rodi celebrated the merger of two storm-battered Pass Christian parishes, St. Paul and Our Lady of Lourdes, into a single new community under one name. The merger took effect on the First Sunday of Advent, November 27, 2005, after the Trinitarian Fathers who staffed Our Lady of Lourdes announced they would withdraw when Father Thaddeus Searles retired. Father Dennis Carver, then pastor of St. Paul, became the first pastor of Holy Family, with Father Searles continuing as senior priest. The current main church on Menge Avenue was dedicated January 25, 2014, and the parish also maintains the historic Chapel of St. Paul on the original beachfront property.
- Formed January 8, 2006 by Bishop Thomas J. Rodi
- Merger of St. Paul Parish and Our Lady of Lourdes Parish
- Effective date: First Sunday of Advent, November 27, 2005
- First pastor: Father Dennis Carver; senior priest: Father Thaddeus Searles, O.S.S.T.
- Current church dedicated January 25, 2014 on Menge Avenue
A 180-Year Catholic Presence in Pass Christian
Although Holy Family itself dates to 2006, its roots run to 1844, when Father Guillaume Labbé built Pass Christian's first Catholic mission church. Father Antoine Paul Guerard became the first resident priest in May 1850, and the parish built a fine church and a mission on the Jourdan River at the Kiln. A downtown fire in February 1876 destroyed the church and 14 other buildings; a larger replacement, 100 by 43 feet with a 100-foot spire, was completed in May 1879, and a bell was acquired in 1880. Subsequent pastors enlarged the rectory, school, and convent through the early 1900s, and stained glass was installed in 1905. Bishop John Edward Gunn himself served as pastor in 1914–1915 after Father Auguste Althoff fell ill.
- First Catholic mission church built 1844 by Father Guillaume Labbé
- First resident priest: Father Antoine Paul Guerard, May 1850
- Fire of February 1876 destroyed church and 14 other buildings
- Replacement church completed May 1879; bell added 1880
- Bishop John Edward Gunn served as pastor 1914–1915
Hurricanes Camille and Katrina
The parish's modern shape is inseparable from two Gulf Coast hurricanes. In 1969, Hurricane Camille drove the church spire through the roof; the parish responded with a striking triangular steel-frame structure clad in white stucco, built hurricane-resistant with seating for 550 and dedicated by Bishop Brunini on February 27, 1972. In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina heavily damaged that church along with the parish school, prompting Bishop Rodi's decision to merge St. Paul with Our Lady of Lourdes. The 150th anniversary of Catholic life in Pass Christian had been commemorated in 1997, just eight years before Katrina would reshape everything.
- Hurricane Camille (1969) destroyed the spire; modern St. Paul Church dedicated February 27, 1972
- Hurricane Katrina (August 2005) damaged church and school, triggering the 2006 merger
- 150th anniversary of Pass Christian Catholic presence commemorated in 1997
The Chapel of St. Paul
The Chapel of St. Paul sits on the original St. Paul parish property and was commissioned by Bishop Roger Morin as a place of prayer and a tangible link between the two predecessor parishes. Its exterior is modeled on the pre-Camille St. Paul Church; inside, it weaves together salvaged and refurbished pieces from both parishes and from both storms. The steeple holds a stained-glass window that survived Hurricane Camille and was refurbished by a parishioner; the statues of Mary, Joseph and the Sacred Heart of Jesus were badly damaged in Katrina but restored; the nave's stained glass, in a Gothic style, came from the post-Camille church; the marble altar, ambo, and baptismal font were recovered from St. Paul after Katrina (with the altar resized for the chapel); and all the light fixtures were refurbished from Our Lady of Lourdes. The Risen Christ statue that hung over the post-Camille altar is mounted over the rear exit. The Chapel hosts weekday Masses, baptisms, weddings, funerals, and other religious celebrations.
- Exterior modeled on pre-Camille St. Paul Church
- Camille-surviving stained-glass steeple window, refurbished
- Stained glass from post-Camille St. Paul church, in Gothic style
- Marble altar, ambo, and baptismal font from St. Paul (post-Katrina)
- Statues of Mary, Joseph and Sacred Heart refurbished from Katrina damage
- Light fixtures refurbished from Our Lady of Lourdes
- Risen Christ statue from post-Camille altar mounted over rear exit
Clergy & Staff
Holy Family is led by Fr. Mike Austin, pastor, with Deacon Bill Vrazel assisting. The parish staff includes Ken Austin (Accountant and Sacramental Records), Joanna Whaley (Administrative Assistant), Linden Williams (Religious Education Director), Brandi Burge (Youth Ministry), Khara Molsbee (Music Ministry), and Renna Spears (Sacramental Records and Bulletin).
- Pastor: Fr. Mike Austin
- Deacon: Bill Vrazel
- Accountant: Ken Austin
- Administrative Assistant: Joanna Whaley
- Religious Ed Director: Linden Williams
- Youth Ministry: Brandi Burge
- Music Ministry: Khara Molsbee
- Sacramental Records: Ken Austin & Renna Spears
- Bulletin: Renna Spears
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish's School of Religious Education (CCD) offers formation for children and adults, including sacramental preparation, RCIA, the Lenten Mission, and adult education. Elementary classes (Pre-K 4 through 2nd grade) meet Sunday mornings 9:45–10:45 a.m., while 3rd–5th grade, 6th–8th grade, and 9th–12th grade classes meet Sunday evenings 6:30–8:00 p.m. First Eucharist preparation (2nd grade) is held in conjunction with the Sunday morning Faith Formation classes, and Confirmation preparation (11th grade) is incorporated into the Sunday evening sessions.
- Pre-K 4 through 2nd grade: Sundays 9:45 – 10:45 a.m.
- 3rd–5th grade: Sundays 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
- Middle School (6th–8th): Sundays 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
- High School (9th–12th): Sundays 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
- First Eucharist prep (2nd grade): Sunday mornings
- Confirmation prep (11th grade): Sunday evenings
Youth Ministry
Holy Family Youth Alive is the umbrella youth ministry of the parish, designed to give young people a safe, fun Christian environment in which to make an assent of faith in Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church. The high-school program uses Life Teen; middle-school students participate in EDGE; and RISE serves additional teens. The parish also fields a Holy Family Youth Band.
- Holy Family Youth Alive (parish-wide youth ministry)
- Life Teen (high school)
- EDGE (middle school)
- RISE program
- Holy Family Youth Band
RCIA — Becoming Catholic
Holy Family welcomes new members into the Roman Catholic Church through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), a process of formation, faith sharing, and rituals. Anyone interested in learning more about the Catholic faith can contact the parish office at 228-452-4686.
- RCIA for adults seeking full initiation
- Inquiry welcomed via parish office (228-452-4686)
Society of St. Vincent de Paul
The parish's Society of St. Vincent de Paul is an active service organization that strives to follow Christ in helping the poor in their time of need. Every Friday morning from 9:30 to 11:30, the conference assists Pass Christian residents with food, utilities, and other emergencies. Assistance is limited to those who live in Pass Christian; recipients must bring a driver's license and the bill they need help with. The group's stated mission is to help its members grow spiritually by seeing the face of Christ in the poor and being the hands, feet, and voice of Christ to those in need.
- Hours: Friday mornings 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
- Bring a driver's license and the bill to be assisted
- Service limited to Pass Christian residents
- Contact the parish office at 228-452-4686 to volunteer
Liturgical Ministry
Holy Family Parish encourages liturgical ministry as a way for parishioners to take an active role in the Sacred Liturgy and the celebration of the Mass. Those interested are invited to contact the parish office.
- Parish-wide call for liturgical ministers
- Contact the parish office at 228-452-4686
Sacraments
The parish prepares parishioners for and celebrates the Sacraments of Initiation, Healing, and Vocation. Baptisms, weddings, and funerals are commonly celebrated in the Chapel of St. Paul. Children's First Eucharist preparation takes place in 2nd grade, and Confirmation preparation in 11th grade is integrated into the Life Teen program. Adult initiation takes place through RCIA.
- Baptism (Chapel of St. Paul)
- First Eucharist preparation (2nd grade)
- Confirmation preparation (11th grade, through Life Teen)
- Marriage / Weddings (Chapel of St. Paul)
- Funerals (Chapel of St. Paul)
- RCIA for adults
St. Vincent de Paul School & Parish Facilities
Holy Family's main church on Menge Avenue sits next to the new St. Vincent de Paul School, anchoring the parish as the spiritual and educational center of Pass Christian. The historic Chapel of St. Paul remains on the original beachfront property as a place of prayer, weekday Masses, and the celebration of baptisms, weddings, and funerals.
- Main church on Menge Avenue, dedicated January 25, 2014
- Adjacent St. Vincent de Paul School
- Chapel of St. Paul on the original beachfront property
Parish Communications & Online Giving
Holy Family keeps parishioners connected through Flocknote (text HFP27 to 84576 or sign up at signup.flocknote.com), weekly bulletins posted online, a parish master calendar (with a downloadable Parish Scheduling Form for reserving space for events), and online giving through ParishSOFT. Donations can also be made by cash, check, or bank draft by calling the church office.
- Flocknote: text HFP27 to 84576
- Weekly bulletins published online
- Online giving via ParishSOFT
- Parish Scheduling Form for reserving space for events
Annual Seafood Festival
The Holy Family Seafood Festival is a long-running parish tradition. Reported as still going strong in its 42nd year in 2018, the festival brings people from across the country to enjoy food and Gulf Coast hospitality, and now helps underwrite the parish's insurance and basic building expenses after the original goal of funding the parish school.
- Running more than 40 years as of 2018
- Raises funds for parish insurance and building expenses
Contact & Visit
Parishioners and visitors can reach Holy Family by phone, email, or in person at the parish office, which is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The parish also maintains a Facebook page and a YouTube channel used to live-stream Masses.
- Address: 22342 Evangeline Road, Pass Christian, MS 39571
- Voice: 228-452-4686; Fax: 228-452-5488
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Mon–Thu, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
- Facebook and YouTube pages linked from holyfamilyparish.cc
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Dennis Carver2005–2006
Pastor of St. Paul Parish at the time of Hurricane Katrina; became first pastor of the newly formed Holy Family Parish.
- Father Thaddeus Searles, O.S.S.T.
Pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish (Trinitarian Fathers); served as senior priest in the merged parish after its formation.