About Holy Name · Springfield, Massachusetts
Holy Name Catholic Church is a historic parish serving the Forest Park neighborhood of Springfield, Massachusetts, within the Diocese of Springfield in Massachusetts. Founded in 1909, it was established to serve the rapidly growing Catholic population of the area and has since grown into a bilingual community offering Mass in both English and Spanish. The parish is led by Fr. John Chrysostom Tibakunirwa, originally from the Fort Portal Catholic Diocese in Uganda, who was appointed by Bishop William Byrne in 2023. Holy Name continues a long tradition of parish life centered on the Social Center, faith formation, Legion of Mary devotion, and active outreach to those in need in the surrounding community.
- Established
- 1909
- Patron
- Most Holy Name of Jesus
- Rector
- Rev. John Chrysostom Tibakunirwa
- Diocese
- Diocese of Springfield in Massachusetts
Why belong here
Holy Name offers the rare gift of a deeply rooted, culturally diverse Catholic community that welcomes newcomers as family. Parishioners gather for vibrant liturgical celebrations — including a weekly Spanish Mass at 12:30 p.m. Sunday — alongside longstanding devotional traditions like the Legion of Mary (English and Spanish groups), the St. Jude Novena, and the parish food pantry begun in 1989. With active faith formation for youth and adults (RCIA), a music ministry featuring the contemporary group Wings of Praise, and continual outreach through Loaves and Fishes, Thanksgiving dinners, and Habitat for Humanity, Holy Name is a place where prayer, action, and outreach to all are lived out every week.
Mass times at Holy Name
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 8:45 a.m. (following 8:15 a.m. Mass)
- Saturday 3:30 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
- First Saturday: confessions are also available after the 8:15 a.m. Mass, with First Saturday devotions to follow
Welcome from the Pastor
Fr. John Chrysostom Tibakunirwa, originally from the Fort Portal Catholic Diocese in Uganda and the eldest of twelve siblings, was appointed pastor of Holy Name by Bishop William Byrne and arrived on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, June 16, 2023. He writes that he has been warmly received by the culturally diverse community and finds parishioners deeply committed to God and active in parish ministries. He sees strong potential and openness for growth in lay apostolate movements, Parish Council, and faith formation, and seeks to follow the pastoral guidelines of the Catholic Diocese of Springfield, Massachusetts.
Parish History
Holy Name was born from the rapid growth of Springfield's Forest Park section in the early 20th century. Bishop Thomas D. Beaven purchased land on Dickinson Street, and on January 1, 1909 Fr. Thomas A. McGovern was named founding pastor. A chapel-school opened December 8, 1909 (blessed by Bishop Beaven January 16, 1910); Holy Name School opened that fall with 200 children taught by the Sisters of St. Joseph. The Spanish mission-style church was completed May 29, 1917; the parish numbered 8,300 souls by its 25th anniversary in 1934.
- Founding pastor Fr. McGovern, 1909–1937
- Spanish mission-style church completed 1917
- Parish peaked at 10,000+ souls mid-century
- Helped found Holy Cross (1949) and St. Paul's (1960)
- Present church built 1967–1968, dedicated September 8, 1968
- Centennial celebrated in 2009
Faith Formation & RCIA
The parish runs traditional Faith Formation / CCD classes for youth on Sundays at the Social Center following the 10:30 a.m. Mass, with Confirmation classes on Saturdays at 3:00 p.m. First Communion registration runs through late October each year. The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) walks adults through the journey to full, active, participating membership in the Catholic Church, with the elect typically receiving Baptism, Confirmation, and/or First Eucharist at the Easter Vigil.
- Faith Formation / CCD — Sundays after 10:30 a.m. Mass at the Social Center
- Confirmation preparation — Saturdays at 3:00 p.m. (Grades 9+)
- RCIA — contact the rectory at 413-733-5823 ext. 123
- Weather cancellations aired on WWLP Channel 22
Liturgical Ministries
Holy Name's liturgical life is supported by a wide range of lay ministries, all coordinated by Sr. Leila Sullivan (ext. 123) and Marta Pinero (ext. 132).
- Lectors (adult and Junior Lectors grades 6–12 at 10:30 a.m. Mass)
- Eucharistic Ministers (open to all active, confirmed parishioners)
- Altar Servers
- Sacristans (training provided individually)
- Music Ministry under Director Joe LaMothe, including the contemporary group 'Wings of Praise' (formed 1990)
- Ushers / collection (Deacon John Vennard)
Spanish Ministry
The Spanish-speaking community at Holy Name gathers for the 12:30 p.m. Sunday liturgy. A Spanish Legion of Mary group meets Tuesday nights, and Bible study is offered in Spanish as well. Marta Pinero serves as Spanish Community Liaison (ext. 132).
Legion of Mary
The Legion of Mary — a lay Catholic apostolate more than a century old — is active at Holy Name in both English and Spanish. Both groups meet in the church cry room (cuarto de los niños) from 6:00 to 7:15 p.m.
- English group: Thursday nights
- Spanish group: Tuesday nights
- Contact: Matt Hegarty, 413-433-5169, [email protected]
Outreach & Community Life
From its earliest years, Holy Name has had a strong commitment to community service. The Community Life Commission coordinates the parish's charitable works, including the Loaves and Fishes meal program, the parish food pantry (begun 1989, supporting the Open Pantry), Thanksgiving and back-to-school drives, blood drives, and partnerships with Habitat for Humanity.
- Loaves and Fishes — monthly meal at South Congregational Church, first Monday; contact Ann Fabrycki, 733-5823
- Food Pantry — donations left at the church door; food goes to the Open Pantry; contact Mary Ann Maloney, 413-737-8036
- Thanksgiving Dinner Ministry — food and gift-card donations for parishioners and neighbors
- Habitat for Humanity
- Collections for shelters and educational materials for Appalachia
Parish Social Life & Fundraisers
Social life at Holy Name has deep roots, going back to Msgr. Connor's bowling leagues, card parties, and Communion Breakfasts of the 1930s. Today the parish continues with parish picnics at Heritage Park, food sales, kids' craft days, the annual Holy Name Craft Fair, the Golf Tournament, Coffee and Donuts / Hora Social after Masses, monthly Men's Club pancake breakfasts and special dinners, and the annual children's Christmas party. Weekly Bingo, restarted in 2002, remains a key fundraiser.
Sacraments
The parish celebrates the seven sacraments on a regular schedule. Baptisms are scheduled on weekends following a short parent and godparent training session; First Communion requires Religious Education registration; Confirmation is celebrated in the spring for young adults in Grades 9 and older; RCIA prepares adults to receive Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation at the Easter Vigil. Couples preparing for marriage should contact the rectory.
School & Building History
Holy Name School opened in 1910 with four grades and 200 children, taught by the Sisters of St. Joseph. A second school building opened in 1926. In 2009 the school joined Springfield's other Catholic elementary schools to become St. Michael's Academy, and the former Holy Name school buildings have since been rented to Springfield Public Schools. The parish's 1917 Spanish mission-style church, the 1968 present church, the original rectory, and the 1951 Social Center remain central to parish life.
Staff & Contact
The parish is served by a pastor, parochial vicar, three deacons, and a robust lay staff.
- Rev. John Chrysostom Tibakunirwa — Pastor
- Rev. Yerick Mendez — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon John Vennard, Deacon Michael Hodges, Deacon Jesus Joel Pedraza
- Sister Leila Sullivan — Pastoral Minister
- Sister Caritina Olmo & John Moalli — Religious Education
- Ann Fabrycki — Secretary ([email protected])
- Karen McMahon — Bookkeeper
- Marta Pinero — Spanish Community Liaison
- Joe LaMothe — Director of Music
- Patrice MacArthur — Parish Website Director
- Diego Bonilla — Head Custodian/Maintenance
- John Lynch — Social Center Manager
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Thomas A. McGovern1909–1937
Founding pastor; built chapel/school (1909–10) and the 1917 Spanish mission-style church; oversaw parish growth to 8,300 souls by 1934. Died April 28, 1937.
- Msgr. George S.L. Connor1937–1962
Second pastor; launched parish social life (bowling leagues, Communion Breakfasts, clubs), enlarged the church to 1,400 seats (rededicated November 13, 1938), and built the Holy Name Social Center (dedicated May 13, 1951). Died June 26, 1962.
- Msgr. Walter C. Connell1962–c.1989
Third pastor; former Holy Name School student and son of original parishioners; oversaw construction of the present church (dedicated September 8, 1968).
- Fr. McNamara
Fourth pastor; oversaw parish athletic programs and formation of the Holy Name Athletic Association in the 1980s. Stepped down 1989; died 1990.
- Fr. Lionel Bonneville1989–
Fifth pastor; oversaw start of Friday 'youth nights' (1990) and formation of the contemporary music group 'Wings of Praise'.
- Fr. Gerald Brady1999–2001
Former deacon at the parish; ushered the parish into the new millennium (midnight Mass, 2000); stepped down in 2001 due to illness.
- Fr. John Connors2001–
Took over as administrator in 2001; named pastor in 2003; restored weekly Bingo in 2002; began the Welcome Garden and 9:45 children's Mass in 2003.
- Rev. Jonathan Reardon
Listed as Pastor on the parish's Staff & Contact page before Fr. Tibakunirwa.
- Rev. John Chrysostom Tibakunirwa2023–present
Current pastor; originally from the Fort Portal Catholic Diocese in Uganda; appointed by Bishop William Byrne; arrived June 16, 2023.