About Holy Family · South Deerfield, Massachusetts
Holy Family Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in South Deerfield, Massachusetts, part of the Diocese of Springfield in Massachusetts and serving the Franklin County village since 2008–2009. It was formed by merging the historic St. Stanislaus Bishop & Martyr Parish (founded 1908 for Polish Catholic immigrants) with St. James Parish. The parish gathers for Mass on Saturdays at 4 PM and Sundays at 8 AM and 10:30 AM at its 1913 church on Sugarloaf Street, with daily Mass Monday–Friday at 8 AM, weekly Wednesday Eucharistic Adoration, and a vibrant calendar of sodalities, choirs, and men's and women's groups.
- Established
- 2009
- Patron
- Holy Family (Jesus, Mary, and Joseph)
- Rector
- Rev. Paul Norman
- Diocese
- Diocese of Springfield in Massachusetts
Why belong here
Holy Family offers the rhythm of a small-town Catholic parish: Vigil and two Sunday Masses, a daily 8 AM Mass Monday through Friday, and weekly Wednesday Eucharistic Adoration from noon to 6 PM with confessions and Benediction. Active parishioners shape everything from the renovated sanctuary to the Ignite men's group, the Women's Group, Knights of Columbus Council, St. Anne's Sodality, St. Cecelia's Choir, and the Rosary Confraternity — making it easy to find community, fellowship, and service in the heart of Franklin County.
Mass times at Holy Family
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00–3:45 PM
- Wednesday 5:00 PM (during Adoration)
- By appointment (contact the parish office)
Adoration times
- Wednesday 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM (with Confessions at 5:00 PM and Benediction at 6:00 PM)
Welcome & About
Holy Family Roman Catholic Church is a single unified Roman Catholic parish serving the village of South Deerfield in Franklin County, Massachusetts. Formed in 2008–2009 by the merger of St. James Parish (founded 1895) and St. Stanislaus Bishop & Martyr Parish (founded 1908 for Polish Catholic immigrants), the parish belongs to the Diocese of Springfield in Massachusetts. Visitors are welcomed at any of the weekend Masses, weekday Masses, or Wednesday Adoration hours. The church sits at 29 Sugarloaf Street and is led by Father Paul Norman with Deacon Rodney Patten.
- Sunday Masses: 8 AM and 10:30 AM (some listings show 11 AM)
- Vigil Mass Saturday: 4 PM
- Weekday Mass Monday–Friday: 8 AM
- Wednesday Adoration 12 PM – 6 PM with Confessions at 5 PM and Benediction at 6 PM
Parish History
The parish has two distinct roots. St. Stanislaus Bishop & Martyr was established in 1908 to serve Polish Catholic immigrants in South Deerfield; it met in a commercial building on Elm Street before its church on Sugarloaf Street was built in 1913. St. James Parish was founded in 1895 for the Irish and Lithuanian Catholic community around the older Monument Church, which had been physically rolled down the street on logs by oxen in 1871. By the early 21st century, declining enrollment led the Diocese of Springfield to merge the two under Bishop Timothy McDonnell's pastoral planning effort. The combined parish took the name Holy Family in 2009 and adopted the former St. Stanislaus facilities as its home.
- 1908: St. Stanislaus Bishop & Martyr founded for Polish Catholic immigrants
- 1913: St. Stanislaus church on Sugarloaf Street built
- 2008: St. James and St. Stanislaus merge
- 2009: Parish name officially changed to Holy Family under Bishop McDonnell's pastoral planning
2015–2018 Renovation & Rededication
When Father Jonathan Reardon became pastor in 2015, he found a 105-year-old church whose maintenance had fallen behind. He launched a parishioner-led renovation campaign that raised nearly $450,000, beginning with phase one in 2016 (roofs on the Pope John Paul II Parish Center and rectory, exterior painting, new exterior glass, and restored stained-glass windows). Phase two in summer 2017 redid the interior — ceiling and walls, pews, flooring, the archway over the sanctuary, and the baptismal font's new prominent location. Inmates from the Franklin County Jail helped with the exterior work; Jeremiah Patterson spent over eight months restoring the 14 Stations of the Cross and creating the wooden crucifix and faux niches behind the Sacred Heart statues; and Rick Rousseau restored Communion altar rails re-purposed from St. James. Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski concelebrated the December 2, 2018 rededication Mass.
- Phase 1 (2016): Parish Center & rectory roofs; exterior paint; stained-glass restoration
- Phase 2 (2017): Interior ceiling/walls, pews, flooring, sanctuary archway, baptismal font move
- Phase 3 (planned): Parking lot paving and church air conditioning
- Dec 2, 2018: Rededication Mass with Bishop Rozanski
Clergy & Parish Staff
The parish is led today by Father Paul Norman, pastor, with Deacon Rodney Patten serving as Permanent Deacon. The office staff includes Marian Walker (Parish Secretary) and Elizabeth Brown (Safe Environment Coordinator for the Diocese of Springfield's Child & Youth Protection). The Coordinator of Religious Education is Will Dziura. Office hours are Monday through Thursday, 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM.
- Rev. Paul Norman — Pastor
- Deacon Rodney Patten — Permanent Deacon
- Marian Walker — Parish Secretary
- Elizabeth Brown — Safe Environment Coordinator
- Will Dziura — Coordinator of Religious Education
Sacraments & Worship
The parish celebrates the full range of Catholic sacraments and offers Communion to the Sick along with Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Beyond the standard schedule, special devotions and sacramental preparation are coordinated through the parish office. Mass Intentions ($15 donation) and sanctuary lamp offerings (Vigil Lights, Altar Bread and Wine, Monthly Altar Candles) may be requested by calling or visiting the office.
- Mass Intentions — $15 donation
- Vigil Lights, Altar Bread & Wine — $10/week
- Monthly Altar Candles — $20/month or $10/two weeks
- Communion to the Sick
- Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation is coordinated by Will Dziura. The parish runs Parish Religious Education for children, recruits substitute and lead teachers, and offers OCIA (formerly RCIA) for adults preparing for full initiation into the Catholic Church. Bible Study is listed among the parish's active groups as well.
- Parish Religious Education
- OCIA / R.C.I.A. for adults
- Bible Study
- Religious Ed substitute and lead teacher opportunities
- Coordinator: Will Dziura
Parish Life & Ministries
Parish life is organized around a robust slate of ministries listed on the Parish Life page, including Knights of Columbus, Rosary Confraternity, St. Anne's Sodality, St. Cecelia's Choir, Ignite Men's Ministry, Women's Group, Discipleship & Mission (Evangelization), and Parish Volunteer Opportunities.
- Knights of Columbus
- Rosary Confraternity
- St. Anne's Sodality
- St. Cecelia's Choir
- Ignite Men's Ministry (Tuesdays 7–8:30 PM)
- Women's Group
- Discipleship & Mission / Evangelization Committee
Ignite Men's Ministry
Ignite is the parish men's ministry, meeting mostly on Tuesdays from 7:00 to 8:30 PM. The rhythm of the year cycles through Service nights, Worship nights with Adoration and Mass, Formation nights on a series called 'The Father's Father,' Fellowship nights, and an annual MEAT N GREET at the rectory in late June.
- Service nights (parish projects)
- Worship nights — Adoration / Mass at the church
- Formation — 'The Father's Father' series in the Parish Hall
- Fellowship nights including fire nights at the rectory
- Annual MEAT N GREET
Discipleship & Mission (Evangelization)
The parish's evangelization committee is described on the website as a community of believers dedicated to transmitting the Gospel message: calling people to Jesus Christ and sharing what God has done in their lives. With eight core members today, the committee invites new ideas and welcomes anyone wishing to join. It points visitors toward the Women's Group and Ignite Men's Ministry as entry points.
- Eight-member evangelization committee
- Outreach to newcomers and those distant from the Church
- Linked ministries: Women's Group, Ignite Men's Ministry
- Annual outreach events tied to the parish calendar
Parish Volunteer Opportunities
The parish publishes a long list of volunteer activities on its Parish Volunteer Opportunities page and invites parishioners to sign up via an online interest form. Roles span liturgical, formation, hospitality, governance, and outreach.
- Altar Guild (Linens/Cleaning)
- Altar Server
- Bible Study
- Choir
- Eucharistic Minister
- Evangelization
- Finance Committee
- Funeral Receptions
- Greeter
- Hospitality / Social Hour
- Knights of Columbus
- Lector
- Musician
- Nursing Home Ministry
- Parish Council
- R.C.I.A. / OCIA
- Religious Education Substitute
- Religious Education Teacher
- Rosary Confraternity
- St. Anne's Sodality
- Usher
Parish Hall & Facilities
Parish Hall reservations are handled through the parish office. The hall accommodates up to 336 people without tables and up to 160 at tables (8 per table). Hall rental is $150 for parishioners and $200 for non-parishioners; an additional $110 is required if the renter lacks insurance for kitchen use. Classroom rentals are $50 (capacity 25).
- Parish Hall capacity: 336 without tables / 160 with tables
- Hall rental: $150 parishioners / $200 non-parishioners
- Kitchen insurance surcharge: $110
- Classroom rental: $50 (capacity 25)
- Reservations via parish office
Contact & Visiting
The parish office is open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM. The rectory is also contactable at 413-397-3577. Email and a contact form are available on the parish website. The mailing and physical address is 29 Sugarloaf Street, South Deerfield, MA 01373. The website links directly to a 'Get Directions' page for first-time visitors.
- Office phone: 413-665-3254
- Rectory phone: 413-397-3577
- Office hours: Monday–Thursday 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 29 Sugarloaf St., South Deerfield, MA 01373
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Jonathan (Jon) Reardon2015–c.2025
Became pastor in 2015; led the multi-phase parishioner-driven renovation campaign starting in 2016 and the December 2, 2018 rededication Mass concelebrated by Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski.