Holy Family Parish History

As a new parish family, Holy Family Church & School began to celebrate together in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church while continuing to utilize St. Joseph Church as a chapel for Holy Family Catholic School. Work began soon after to substantially renovate St. Joseph Church. Work was completed in 1999. The altar was placed in the middle of the nave of the church and pews were placed in rows around the altar in “monastic” style. During those years, our parish, school and Catholic hospital continued to be served by both Dominican Sisters from Grand Rapids, MI and the Sisters of St. Joseph from Nazareth, MI.

Fr. Don Geyman became Holy Family’s 2^nd pastor in 2001. He brought to the parish a keen sense of mission and a desire to expand the church. It was not long until after a successful capital campaign the church was substantially enlarged and renovated. Along the way, the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church was demolished and the property sold to St. Joseph Hospital. The old IHM rectory also was sold and moved. After many years of raising funds and careful planning ground was broken on the new church building in 2004. During the construction process Mass was celebrated in the school gym. In August of 2005, Bishop Patrick Cooney solemnly dedicated and consecrated the new Holy Family Church.  The new church incorporated elements from the St. Joseph and IHM churches. From stained glass to statues many elements of the new church united the parish together. However, the altar and ambo were new pieces – hand carved by a local artist in northern Michigan from wood. Also, part of the building project was a large narthex or gathering space allowing parishioners to visit before and after Liturgies. The narthex also serves as a connection between the school building, the parish social hall, parish offices and the main church.

In 2007 after six years of faithful service, Fr. Don became the Director of Vocations for the Diocese. Bishop Cooney assigned Fr. Joseph Blasko as the third pastor of the parish. He served the parish for two years helping to bring the sacraments to the people of God. Fr. Charles Donajkowski was named the 4^th pastor in 2009. For the first time, Holy Family Parish was linked with Sacred Heart Parish in Oscoda, as Fr. Charlie served as pastor of both parishes with the assistance of priests in retirement and associate pastors. Under his spiritual guidance Holy Family parish continued to grow in the faith. The parish debt was retired and more improvements were made to the church – improved lighting and working bells. With Fr. Charlie’s role as mentor to his brother priests, our parish has also been blessed to host many seminarians and priests from our diocese and abroad who have added to the richness of our vibrant community.