About Holy Family · Portola, California
Holy Family Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in the small mountain town of Portola, California, in Plumas County, established on November 10, 1929 by Bishop Robert J. Armstrong of the Diocese of Sacramento. The parish serves Catholics in the Eastern Sierra and is paired with Holy Rosary Mission in Loyalton (Sierra County) as a single faith family known as Holy Family – Holy Rosary parish. Today the parish is led by Fr. Innocent Subiza as Parochial Administrator and offers Mass in both English and Spanish, along with weekly Eucharistic Adoration, a Family Faith Formation program, and the sacraments.
- Established
- 1929
- Patron
- The Holy Family (of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph)
- Rector
- Rev. Innocent Subiza (Parochial Administrator)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Sacramento (Ridge Deanery, Plumas County)
Why belong here
Holy Family is a small, mission-minded parish that lives out a clear and welcoming mission statement: to nurture the spiritual growth of its members, welcome strangers, be good stewards, treat everyone with dignity, care for the needy, and foster a Christ-centered community. With bilingual Masses in English and Spanish, weekly Eucharested Adoration, an active Family Faith Formation program for catechesis, and a strong sacramental life including Confession every Saturday, parishioners find both a faithful Catholic identity and a family-feeling in two connected communities (Portola and Loyalton). Whether you are a lifelong resident of the Eastern Sierra, a seasonal visitor, or someone returning to the Church, Holy Family invites you to share in prayer, the sacraments, and the day-to-day life of a faithful rural parish.
Mass times at Holy Family
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 p.m. (or by appointment)
- After Mass, or by appointment (Holy Rosary Mission, Loyalton)
Adoration times
- Friday 7:30 a.m. (Holy Family, Portola)
- First Fridays 5:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m. (Holy Family, Portola)
- Following the 12:10 p.m. Wednesday Mass (Holy Rosary Mission, Loyalton)
About Holy Family Parish
Holy Family Parish is a Roman Catholic community in Portola, Plumas County, in the Sierra Nevada mountains of northeastern California. It belongs to the Diocese of Sacramento (Ridge Deanery) and is officially twinned with Holy Rosary Mission in Loyalton, Sierra County, so together they form one parish family known as Holy Family – Holy Rosary parish. The parish's published mission statement is to nurture the spiritual growth of its members, welcome strangers, be good stewards of God's gifts, treat everyone with dignity, provide for the needy, and foster a Christ-centered community. The parish serves both English-speaking and Spanish-speaking Catholics in the region.
- Established: November 10, 1929
- Diocese of Sacramento, Ridge Deanery
- Pastor: Fr. Innocent Subiza (Parochial Administrator)
- Pastor Emeritus: Fr. James B. Walsh
- Twinned with Holy Rosary Mission, Loyalton
History of the Parish
Holy Family Parish was canonically erected on November 10, 1929 by Bishop Robert J. Armstrong of Sacramento. The first pastor, Father Patrick McTague (ordained 1926 at All Hallows College, Dublin), established the parish and a regular liturgy schedule for Loyalton and Sierra City. Father John McGoldrick succeeded him in 1937 and was assisted by Fr. Michael Myles. Father Thomas O'Brien then built the present Holy Rosary Church in Loyalton (completed 1954, consecrated 1955). Father Bernard Burns served thirty years (1967–1998), founding the first RCIA in Loyalton and building the parish social hall (dedicated 1985).
- 1929 – Parish founded by Bishop Robert J. Armstrong; first pastor Fr. Patrick McTague
- 1937 – Fr. John McGoldrick succeeds (assisted by Fr. Michael Myles, 1944–1954)
- 1954–1955 – New Holy Rosary Church built and consecrated in Loyalton under Fr. O'Brien
- 1967–1998 – Fr. Bernard Burns pastors for thirty years; social hall built 1984–1985
- 2004 – Fr. James Walsh adds Wednesday 12:10 p.m. Mass and formal RCIA process
- 2006 – Fr. Joyle Martinez bridges Portola–Loyalton community tensions
- 2009 – Fr. Ren Siva appointed by Bishop Soto
- Fr. Arlon Vergara, OSA – introduces monthly Spanish Mass, Bible study, outdoor Stations of the Cross and meditation garden in Portola, and Holy Rosary novena at Loyalton
Holy Rosary Mission – Loyalton
Holy Rosary Mission in Loyalton (614 4th St., Loyalton, CA 96118) is the sister church of Holy Family, and together they form the single Holy Family – Holy Rosary parish. Mass is celebrated Sunday at 10:30 a.m. and Wednesday at 12:10 p.m., followed by Eucharistic Adoration. The mission's patron feast (Our Lady of the Holy Rosary) is honored each year with a novena, and the community also hosts ecumenical prayer services on Good Friday and September 11.
- Sunday: 10:30 a.m.
- Wednesday: 12:10 p.m., followed by Adoration
- Annual feast of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary (novena)
- Ecumenical Good Friday and September 11 prayer services
Faith Formation and Sacraments
The parish runs a Family Faith Formation catechism program for parish families and offers the full sacramental life of the Catholic Church: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Confession (Reconciliation), Anointing of the Sick, Holy Matrimony, and Holy Orders. An RCIA process prepares adults for Christian initiation. Parishioners can also deepen their faith through the parish's Learn section — covering Why Catholic, What is Salvation?, Who is Jesus?, Coming Back to the Church, Becoming Catholic, and the Seven Sacraments — and through online learning resources linked from the parish website.
- Family Faith Formation
- RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)
- Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist
- Confession, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Matrimony, Holy Orders
- Online learning and 'Why Catholic' resources on the parish website
Parish Staff
Holy Family Parish is currently led by Fr. Innocent Subiza as Parochial Administrator. Fr. James B. Walsh continues to serve the community as Pastor Emeritus. Day-to-day parish operations and faith-formation ministry are carried out by lay staff.
- Fr. Innocent Subiza — Parochial Administrator
- Fr. James B. Walsh — Pastor Emeritus
- Anne Renteria — Coordinator of Faith Formation
- Sandra Caballero — Parish Office Manager
Ministries and Parish Life
Parishioners are invited to serve the community through a variety of liturgical and formation ministries. Lector and Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion schedules are published on the parish website, and a Thursday Bible Study gathers the Portola and Loyalton communities together. The parish administration committee helps guide parish life, and Holy Rosary Mission runs an annual novena and ecumenical prayer services.
- Lector Ministry
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Thursday Bible Study (Portola + Loyalton)
- Parish Administration Committee
- Holy Rosary Novena and patron feast celebration
- Ecumenical Good Friday and September 11 prayer services
Contact and Visit
Holy Family Parish is located at 108 Taylor Avenue, Portola, California 96122 (Plumas County). The parish office can be reached by phone at (530) 832-5006 and via the contact form on the parish website. Mass-goers and visitors are warmly welcomed to attend any of the listed Masses in either English or Spanish, and to make an appointment for Confession or to discuss the sacraments.
- Address: 108 Taylor Avenue, Portola, CA 96122
- Phone: (530) 832-5006
- Website: holyfamilyportola.org
- Sister church: Holy Rosary Mission, 614 4th St., Loyalton, CA 96118
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Patrick McTague1929–1937
First pastor; All Hallows College, Dublin; established parish and began Mass schedule for Loyalton and Sierra City.
- Rev. John McGoldrick1937–1946
Second pastor; assisted by Fr. Michael Myles (1944–1954); served Portola, Quincy, Greenville and Loyalton.
- Rev. Thomas O'Brienmid-1940s–1960s
Built the new Holy Rosary Church in Loyalton (completed 1954, consecrated 1955); contractor Jim Davis; designer/benefactor Mr. Flannigan.
- Rev. Bernard Burns1967–1998
Thirty-year pastor; began first RCIA program in Loyalton; raised funds and built the parish social hall (1984–1985).
- Rev. Dareuntil 2004
Predecessor of Fr. Walsh.
- Rev. James B. Walsh2004–~2006
Added Wednesday 12:10 p.m. Mass, Spanish at Sunday Masses, RCIA process, administration committee changes; now Pastor Emeritus.
- Rev. Joyle Martinez2006–
Bishop Soto's first assignment as parish administrator; worked to bridge Portola–Loyalton tensions.
- Rev. Ren Sivafrom 2009
Appointed parish administrator by Bishop Soto.
- Rev. Arlon Vergara, OSA
Order of St. Augustine member; began monthly Spanish Mass in Portola, Thursday Bible study for both communities, Morning Prayer before weekday Mass, outdoor Stations of the Cross and meditation garden at Portola, and Holy Rosary novena / ecumenical Good Friday and Sept. 11 prayer service at Loyalton.
- Rev. Innocent Subizacurrent
Current Parochial Administrator.