About Holy Family · Seattle, Washington
Holy Family Parish is a bilingual Catholic community in the White Center neighborhood of southwest Seattle, part of the Archdiocese of Seattle. Founded in 1921 by Father John F. Gibboney at the invitation of Bishop Edward O'Dea, the parish grew from a handful of immigrant families into a multicultural faith community of roughly 1,100 households. Worship, sacraments and faith formation are offered in both English and Spanish, with major cultural communities including Latino, Vietnamese, Filipino and Caucasian parishioners. The parish is also home to Holy Family Bilingual Catholic School, a preschool-through-eighth-grade two-way immersion school that has served the community since 1927.
- Established
- 1921
- Patron
- The Holy Family (Jesus, Mary and Joseph)
- Rector
- Very Rev. Jose M. Alvarez
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Seattle (Metropolitan Archdiocese of Seattle)
Why belong here
Holy Family welcomes English- and Spanish-speaking Catholics into one parish family, offering Mass, the sacraments, religious education and parish ministries in both languages. With roughly 1,100 households from Latino, Vietnamese, Filipino, Cambodian and other backgrounds, it is one of the most culturally diverse parishes in the Seattle archdiocese and one of the earliest in the region to offer Mass in Spanish. The parish also operates Holy Family Bilingual Catholic School, a preschool-through-eighth-grade two-way immersion school rooted in the parish since 1927, making it an especially strong fit for families seeking bilingual Catholic education.
Mass times at Holy Family
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 5:30 pm – 6:45 pm (English or Spanish)
- Saturday 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm (English or Spanish)
- 1st Friday of the month 5:30 pm – 6:45 pm (English or Spanish)
- Or by appointment
Adoration times
- Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in the main church on Wednesdays from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm, followed by final blessing and reposition
Welcome and Parish Identity
Holy Family Parish identifies itself as a welcoming, bilingual community of the Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle, located in the White Center neighborhood of Southwest Seattle. According to its own welcome message, the parish 'strives to grow as disciples of Jesus Christ through prayer, worship, the sacraments, lifelong faith formation, service, and community.' The parish emphasizes the cultural diversity of its members — Hispanic, Filipino, Vietnamese, Cambodian and others — describing this as 'a reflection of God's family.' The current pastor, Very Rev. Jose M. Alvarez, presides over a parish of roughly 1,100 households.
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) worship and formation
- Located in White Center, between Seattle and Burien
- Part of the Archdiocese of Seattle, South Seattle Deanery
- Member of Parish Family 20 in the 2023 archdiocesan renewal process
Founding and Early History
The roots of Holy Family go back to August 1919, when local Catholics met to discuss forming a parish for White Center, Lake Burien and Three Tree Point. They bought an acre of land for $1,200 in April 1920, and Bishop Edward O'Dea approved the new parish. Father John F. Gibboney, then at St. James Cathedral, began Sunday schools in White Center and Oak Park in January 1921. Construction of the original church began in July 1921, and the very first Mass — with only the frame standing — was held on July 24, 1921, drawing about 100 people to a Mass and picnic. The church was formally dedicated by Bishop O'Dea on April 30, 1922.
- 1919 – local Catholics meet to plan a parish
- 1920 – one acre purchased for $1,200
- 1921 – Sunday schools begin; first Mass held July 24, 1921
- 1922 – Church dedicated April 30 by Bishop Edward O'Dea
The Sisters of Providence and Holy Family School
Early in 1926, the Sisters of Providence, at Father Gibboney's invitation, agreed to administer a new parish school. They selected their community motto, 'Caritas Christi Urget Nos' (The Charity of Christ Impels Us), as the school's guiding principle. Holy Family School opened September 6, 1927, with 110 students and five sisters on staff. Over the next 65 years more than 150 Sisters of Providence taught there, and individual sisters continued on the faculty into the early 1990s. Today the school operates as Holy Family Bilingual Catholic School, a preschool–grade 8 two-way immersion program.
- 1927 – Holy Family School opens with 110 students
- 65+ years of Sisters of Providence teaching service
- Sisters' motto 'Caritas Christi Urget Nos' adopted as school motto
- Now Holy Family Bilingual Catholic School (preschool–8, Spanish/English immersion)
Becoming Catholic and Faith Formation
Holy Family runs a full RCIA/RCIC program for adults and older children who are unbaptized, baptized in another Christian tradition, or seeking Confirmation. The parish describes the process as a 'period of reflection, prayer, instruction, discernment, and formation' that on average takes about twelve months. Children's classes (RCIC) are open to ages 8–17 who need first Communion, baptism or full reception into the Church; they meet Mondays from 6:30–8:00 pm during the school year, with open enrollment each August. Sacramental preparation classes for First Communion and Confirmation draw about 100 children each year.
- RCIA for adults (Inquiry, Catechumenate, Election/Easter Vigil)
- Adult Confirmation preparation
- RCIC for children ages 8–17 (Mondays 6:30–8:00 pm)
- First Communion and Confirmation preparation programs
- $80 RCIC registration fee; sliding-scale assistance available
Holy Family Bilingual Catholic School
Holy Family Bilingual Catholic School, a ministry of Holy Family Parish, is a preschool–grade 8 Spanish-English two-way immersion program serving students from age 2.5 through eighth grade. Its mission statement — 'We are one family, rich in culture, united by our faith' — reflects the parish identity. Instruction begins at 100% Spanish immersion in preschool and shifts toward about 20% Spanish in middle school, with students learning side-by-side in both languages. The school is accredited by the Western Catholic Educational Association (WCEA), and registered parish families receive discounted tuition.
- Two-way Spanish/English immersion, preschool (2.5 yrs) through 8th grade
- Accredited by WCEA
- Financial aid and Working Connections child-care subsidy accepted
- Tuition discount for registered Holy Family parishioners
- Located at 9615 20th Ave SW (phone 206-767-6640)
Parish Staff and Clergy
Holy Family is led by pastor Very Rev. Jose M. Alvarez and supported by a multicultural parish staff serving liturgy, faith formation, sacraments, administration and stewardship. Deacon Abel Magaña has been on staff since 1988 and oversees the parish's faith formation and sacramental preparation programs. The parish team includes Fabi Hernandez (Pastoral Assistant for Administration), Vianey Valenzuela (Sacramental Prep Coordinator), and staff supporting Liturgy and Office Coordination, Stewardship/Faith Formation, and Bookkeeping (Lupita Gonzalez, Monica Orozco, Thuy Nguyen).
- Pastor: Very Rev. Jose M. Alvarez
- Deacon Abel Magaña (faith formation, since 1988)
- Fabi Hernandez – Pastoral Assistant for Administration
- Vianey Valenzuela – Sacramental Prep Coordinator
- Liturgy and Office Coordinator; Stewardship/Faith Formation staff
- Bookkeeper; additional bilingual support staff
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. John F. Gibboney1921 – founding pastor
First pastor of Holy Family; invited the Sisters of Providence to staff the school; chose the school's motto 'Caritas Christi Urget Nos'.