About Holy Family · South Bend, Indiana
Holy Family Catholic Parish is a west-side South Bend, Indiana parish of the Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend, founded in 1945 and now serving families at 56405 Mayflower Road. The parish is unique in operating both a thriving elementary school (Holy Family School, opened 1954, grades PreK-8) and a vibrant parish community whose mission is "Guiding Families to Pursue the Truth and Live It." It is currently led by Fr. Luke Okoye, a priest of the Diocese of Awka, Nigeria, appointed in June 2023. The parish is celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2025 alongside the 25th anniversary of its current church building and has launched a capital campaign — "Together in Faith: Our Church, Our School, Our Future."
- Established
- 1945
- Patron
- The Holy Family (Jesus, Mary, and Joseph)
- Rector
- Rev. Luke Okoye
- Diocese
- Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend
Why belong here
Holy Family welcomes new members into a parish family that pairs a faithful liturgical life with strong Catholic schooling. Weekend Masses are offered three times on Sunday plus a Saturday Vigil, daily Mass runs Monday through Saturday, weekly Eucharistic Adoration and regular Confession sustain devotion, and the parish runs both Holy Family School (PreK-8) and a CCD program for public-school children. Add in RCIA for adults journeying into the Church, a capital-campaign renewal of the worship space and school, and a community whose very name — a 'holy family indeed' — signals its family-first character, and you have a parish where parishioners can root their whole household in the sacramental and educational life of the Church.
Mass times at Holy Family
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday after the 8:00 AM Mass
- Saturday at 11:00 AM
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Monday 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- Wednesday 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- Saturday 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM
- First Fridays 8:30 AM – 5:25 PM
About Our Parish
Holy Family is a parish rich in tradition dating back to humble beginnings in 1945, the establishment of the parish school in 1954, and the dedication of the current church in 2000. The parish's stated mission is "Guiding Families to Pursue the Truth and Live It," and the parish family — a holy family indeed — welcomes new members from across South Bend's west side.
- Founded 1945; parish school opened 1954; current church dedicated 2000
- Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend
- Pastor: Fr. Luke Okoye (appointed June 2023)
- Business Manager: Lori Andrzejewski
- Administrative Assistant: Sue Cencelewski
Our History
South Bend's west-side Catholics were first served in 1941 when Rev. Aloysius Jarka of St. Adalbert began celebrating Masses in the Ardmore and Wilson school gyms, with catechism in a garage. Originally named Holy Trinity, the mission took the name Holy Family in 1945 when an Army surplus building was moved to Mayflower Road for $1,275 and dedicated on May 30, 1946. A basement church operated from the school from 1954 until the current church opened in 2000, and the parish today celebrates 80 years of community alongside the 25th jubilee of that worship space.
- 1941 — West-side Masses organized by Rev. Aloysius Jarka at Ardmore and Wilson schools
- 1945 — Land purchased on Mayflower Road; Army surplus building moved ($1,275)
- May 30, 1946 — First church dedicated
- 1954 — Holy Family School opens; congregation moves into school's lower level
- 1972 — Rectory built
- 1979 — Church hall built
- 2000 — Current church dedicated at 56405 Mayflower Road
- 2025 — 80th parish anniversary and 25th church jubilee marked with Mass celebrated by Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades
Our Current Pastor
Holy Family is blessed to have Fr. Luke Okoye as its pastor. Fr. Luke originates from the Catholic Diocese of Awka in Nigeria and has been pastor of Holy Family since June of 2023. He leads the parish community as it grows together in holiness through prayer, the sacraments, and service.
- Fr. Luke Okoye — Pastor
- Origin: Catholic Diocese of Awka, Nigeria
- Tenure: June 2023–present
- Anniversary date coincides with his birthday, June 20
Becoming Catholic (RCIA)
The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) is the parish's formal process for welcoming new members into the Catholic Church, modeled on the formation of the earliest Christians in the first and second centuries. Sessions meet on Monday evenings following the 6:00 PM Mass in the Msgr. Galic Room, and a collection of RCIA presentations is available online through the parish website.
- RCIA meets Monday evenings after the 6:00 PM Mass
- Meetings held in the Msgr. Galic Room
- Online RCIA Presentations collection on the parish website
Religious Education (CCD)
Holy Family's CCD program serves parish children in grades K–8 who attend public school, with the mission of teaching and strengthening each child in their walk with Christ as they learn the Catholic faith. The program is led by Mary Nyers, the parish's Director of Religious Education, and aligns with the parish vision of guiding families to pursue the truth and live it.
- Grades K-8
- Director of Religious Education: Mary Nyers
- Registration for the 2025-2026 CCD year by calling the rectory
- Program goals: catechesis, parent support, Scripture, liturgy, sacramental prep, prayer, charity, community identity
Holy Family School
Holy Family School has shared the Mayflower Road campus with the parish since 1954, offering a parish-based Catholic education from PreK through 8th grade. The school's mission mirrors the parish's: "Guiding Families to Pursue the Truth and Live It!" The school fosters a welcoming environment where students aspire to learn all that is true, following the example of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.
- Grades: PreK-8
- Address: 56407 Mayflower Road, South Bend, IN 46619
- Phone: 574-289-7375
- Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 7:20 AM to 3:00 PM
- Pastor: Fr. Luke Okoye
- Principal: Ms. Brittany Korpal
- Assistant Principal: Mrs. Cheryl Meyer
- Office Assistant: Mrs. Lori Hester
Capital Campaign — Together in Faith
After years of preparation, Holy Family has launched a capital campaign to meet the critical needs of the parish and school. The campaign is framed as more than maintenance — a sacred opportunity to renew the worship space, revitalize the school, and invest in the people who make the community strong, all under the banner "Together in Faith: Our Church, Our School, Our Future."
- Theme: "Together in Faith: Our Church, Our School, Our Future"
- Goals: renew worship space, revitalize school, invest in parish community
Connect With Us
Parishioners and visitors can reach Holy Family through the rectory during office hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM), by phone, or by email. The parish also live-streams Mass on its YouTube channel and provides directions to the Mayflower Road campus through its website.
- Phone: 574-282-2317
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 56405 Mayflower Road, South Bend, IN 46619
- Rectory Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Mass Streaming: youtube.com/@HolyFamilyChurchSB/streams
Prayer-Tree
Holy Family's Prayer-Tree ministry connects parishioners who need prayer with others in the community willing to pray. Coordinated by Joany, the line is open to anyone seeking intercession or aware of someone else in need of prayer.
- Contact: Joany — 574-233-3162 or [email protected]
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Aloysius Jarka1941 (mission established under his care)
Pastor of St. Adalbert Catholic Church who organized the first west-side Masses that became Holy Family.
- Rev. Luke Okoye2023–present
Current pastor; arrived June 20, 2023 (also his birthday), from the Diocese of Awka, Nigeria.