About Holy Family · Stow, Ohio
Holy Family Parish is a vibrant Roman Catholic community in Stow, Ohio (Summit County), established on October 15, 1946 and now home to more than 10,000 registered members. The parish sits within the Diocese of Cleveland and gathers for Mass at its semicircular church on Kent Road, with the parish office and school on Sycamore Drive. Its motto — "One Family, United in Christ" — reflects a stewardship-parish identity that is well known for its Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel, its parish school, and a wide array of lay ministries, from St. Vincent de Paul and the Knights of Columbus to youth ministry, RCIA, and a long-running Honduras mission.
- Established
- 1946
- Patron
- The Holy Family (Jesus, Mary, and Joseph)
- Rector
- Rev. Michael P. McCandless
- Diocese
- Diocese of Cleveland
Why belong here
Holy Family offers the rare combination of a large, active Catholic community and the intimacy of a parish that still feels like family. With more than 10,000 members, it supports an exceptional range of ministries — Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration available 24/7, a parish school (Holy Family School) and a Parish School of Religion, dynamic youth and young-adult programs (Life Teen, ACTS 29), a Knights of Columbus council, a St. Vincent de Paul Society, a long-running Honduras mission, multiple choirs, and a strong Culture of Life group — so there is truly a place for every age, vocation, and interest. Whether you are new to the faith, returning after time away, or simply looking for a deeper spiritual home, Holy Family welcomes you to encounter Christ in the Eucharist and grow alongside a community that has nurtured priests, deacons, and generations of families since 1946.
Mass times at Holy Family
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday: 6:00 PM (the parish's Welcome page also lists Wednesday 7:00–8:00 PM)
- Saturday: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM, or by appointment
Adoration times
- Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the Adoration Chapel off Sycamore Drive.
- Daytime hours (6:00 AM – 9:00 PM): chapel is open — please come right in.
- Overnight hours (9:00 PM – 6:00 AM): the chapel doors lock for safety; call the parish office for the door code to adore after hours.
Parish History
Holy Family Parish traces its roots to 1946, when Archbishop Edward F. Hoban of Cleveland established the parish and appointed Father Howard E. Sammon, a recently returned Navy chaplain, as its first pastor. The first Mass was celebrated by 68 parishioners in the Stow Workman High School cafeteria on a simple table raised on blocks of wood. Within three years, fundraising dinners, raffles, and festivals paid for a new chapel and school, which opened in 1949 under the care of the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine. A new contemporary semicircular church was dedicated on January 8, 1961, the feast of the Holy Family, by Auxiliary Bishop John J. Krohl. The parish has continued to grow ever since, passing the 10,000-member mark and celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2020.
- Founded October 15, 1946 — 68 people at the first Mass
- First pastor: Rev. Howard E. Sammon, former U.S. Navy chaplain
- New chapel and school opened 1949; Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine served the school for nearly half a century
- Current church dedicated January 8, 1961 by Auxiliary Bishop John J. Krohl
- 75th anniversary celebrated in 2020
Our Priests & Staff
Holy Family is currently served by Pastor Father Michael P. McCandless — a son of the parish who returned to it as administrator before being installed as pastor by Bishop Edward Malesic on June 2, 2024 — along with two parochial vicars, Father Felix Silagan (a missionary priest from the Philippines) and Father Jon Hawkins. Retired pastor Father Paul J. Rosing remains connected to the parish after twenty years of service, and Deacon John Green ministers in the community. A robust lay staff directs parish life, operations, formation, music, youth ministry, and the parish school.
- Rev. Michael P. McCandless — Pastor
- Rev. Felix Silagan — Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Jon Hawkins — Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Paul J. Rosing — Senior Priest, Retired
- Deacon John D. Green — Permanent Deacon
- Amy Rich — Director of Operations
- Jerry Kightlinger — Operations Manager
- Kathleen Ott — Director of Parish Life
- Reba Dallas — Director of Music Ministry
- Meghan Kiel — Youth Minister
- Raquel Berroteran — Parish Catechetical Minister (PSR & Sacramental Formation)
- Jen Nigito — Missionary Discipleship Leader
- Heather Hawk Frank — Principal, Holy Family School
- Kathy Chadsey, Grace Durbin, Janet Long, Karen Staudt — Office Administrative Assistants
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Holy Family's Parish School of Religion (PSR) provides Catholic faith formation for children in grades K–8, including public-school and home-schooled students. Classes meet on Monday evenings from 6:30–7:30 PM at Holy Family School. Two-year sacramental preparation programs accompany students preparing for First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation, and the parish runs an Adult Confirmation / RCIA process as well. The parish emphasizes that parents are the primary educators of their children in the faith.
- PSR (Parish School of Religion) for grades K–8
- PSR meets Mondays 6:30–7:30 PM at Holy Family School
- First Reconciliation & First Holy Communion preparation (grades 1–2 and up)
- Confirmation preparation (grades 3–8)
- Adult Confirmation and RCIA
- Director: Mrs. Raquel Berroteran — [email protected], 330-688-6412 ext. 270
Holy Family School
Holy Family School is the parish's K–8 Catholic elementary school, sharing the Sycamore Drive campus with the parish office. Founded in 1949 under the care of the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine, the school continues to combine cherished Catholic tradition with a strong academic program. Its mission: rooted in love for Jesus, passionate about learning, and joyful in life — "One Family, United in Christ."
- Grades K–8 Catholic elementary school
- Principal: Mrs. Heather Hawk Frank — [email protected], 330-688-6412 ext. 310
- Located on the parish campus at 3450 Sycamore Drive
- Originally staffed by the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine from 1949
Music & Liturgical Ministries
Music is an integral part of parish life at Holy Family, with multiple choirs and ensembles supporting weekend and daily Masses. A broad team of liturgical ministers — from ushers and greeters to lectors, Eucharistic ministers, altar servers, and sacristy cleaners — helps the parish worship with reverence and beauty. The Art and Environment Ministry partners Catholic liturgy with artistry to enhance the sanctuary through the seasons.
- Choirs: Celebration Choir, Contemporary Choir, Children's Choir, Youth Ministry Music Group, Alleluia Choir
- Cantors and Instrumentalists
- Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors & Commentators
- Ministers of Hospitality (Ushers)
- Altar Servers (grades 4 and up, plus adult altar servers for funerals and special events)
- Children's Liturgy of the Word
- Sacristy Cleaning and Linen Ministries
- Art and Environment Ministry
- Director of Music Ministry: Mrs. Reba Dallas — [email protected], ext. 250
Youth, Young Adult & Family Life
Holy Family invests deeply in the next generation through its youth ministry, school athletics, scouting programs, and a dynamic young-adult group. Families are supported by sacramental preparation, engaged sponsor couples for marriage, the Elizabeth Ministry, a babysitting co-op, the Holy Family Golf League, and a calendar of parish social events.
- Life Teen youth ministry
- ACTS 29 Young Adult Ministry (Wednesdays 7:00 PM in the Lower Church Hall)
- CYO Athletics
- Scouting Programs
- Engaged Sponsor Couples and Couples Gathering
- Elizabeth Ministry (support for mothers and families)
- Babysitting Co-Op
- Holy Family Golf League
Outreach & Social Ministry
The parish lives out the Corporal Works of Mercy through a wide network of outreach ministries, both local and international. From the parish's long-running Honduras mission to feeding the hungry at St. Bernard's Soup Kitchen, supporting families in crisis through the St. Vincent de Paul Society, and advocating for the unborn through its Culture of Life group, Holy Family parishioners are known for putting faith into action.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
- St. Bernard's Soup Kitchen
- Honduras Mission
- Hunger Fund & Food Collection
- Culture of Life / Pro-Life Group (monthly meetings, fourth Monday)
- Caregivers Ministry
- Serra Club (vocations awareness)
- Red Cross Bloodmobile
- Parish Nurse Ministry
- Giving Tree
Knights of Columbus — Fr. Maruskin Council #10936
Founded in 1992 with 35 members and now more than 160 strong, the Fr. Maruskin Council #10936 jointly serves Holy Family, Mother of Sorrows, and St. Mary parishes, and is dedicated to the four principles of Charity, Unity, Fraternity, and Patriotism. The council supports the parish, the community, families, youth, and the culture of life through a wide range of service projects.
- Council #10936 founded 1992, now 160+ members
- Serves Holy Family, Mother of Sorrows, and St. Mary parishes
- Officers Meeting: 1st Wednesday of each month, 7:30 PM, Room 1 LCH
- General Meeting: 3rd Monday of the month, 7:00 PM Rosary, 7:30 PM Meeting
- Meeting Location: Room 1, Lower Church Hall, Holy Family Church, 3179 Kent Road
- Grand Knight: Jerry Chiurazzi; Financial Secretary: Norm Siroki
Parish Identity & Mission
Holy Family Parish's vision is "to be a Welcoming Home, where Encounters with Jesus in Eucharistic Worship inspire and transform, fostering a community that Inspires Saints on their spiritual journey." The parish motto — "One Family, United in Christ" — captures the community's spirit of warmth, hospitality, and missionary discipleship. The parish describes itself as a stewardship parish where every member is invited to share time, talent, and treasure.
- Motto: "One Family, United in Christ"
- Vision: A Welcoming Home where encounters with Jesus in the Eucharist inspire and transform
- Recognized as a stewardship parish in the Diocese of Cleveland
- Rooted in missionary discipleship and Eucharistic devotion
Visit, Contact & Office Information
Whether you are new to the area, returning to the faith, or seeking a spiritual home, Holy Family warmly invites you to join its community. The parish campus centers on the church at 3179 Kent Road, with the parish office (rectory), Holy Family School, and the Perpetual Adoration Chapel on Sycamore Drive just around the corner.
- Church: 3179 Kent Road, Stow, OH 44224
- Parish Office (Rectory): 3450 Sycamore Drive, Stow, OH 44224-3999
- Phone: (330) 688-6411 | Fax: (330) 689-0186
- Office Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM, Sat 8:00 AM–12:00 PM, Sun closed
- Website: http://www.holyfamilystow.org/
- Facebook: facebook.com/holyfamilystow
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Howard E. Sammon1946–
First pastor; recently returned from service as a U.S. Navy chaplain; named the parish for the Holy Family.
- Rev. Paul J. Rosingapproximately 2003 – January 2023
Served the parish for twenty years before retiring in January 2023.
- Rev. Michael P. McCandless2023 – present (installed as pastor June 2, 2024)
Returned to his childhood parish first as administrator, then installed as pastor by Bishop Edward Malesic.