The First Cathedral of the Diocese of Orange

Holy Family Catholic Church stands on South Glassell Street in the heart of Orange, California, with roots that stretch back to 1921. It was that year that the parish was created to meet the growing needs of the surrounding community. The current church building opened its doors in 1958, and in 1976, when the Diocese of Orange was established, Holy Family became its first cathedral, a designation it carries to this day. Its mission, as the parish describes it, is to be a spiritual family celebrating the Catholic Faith, with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and the Holy Eucharist at the center of life, imitating the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

Mass Schedule in English and Spanish

The parish offers Mass throughout the week. The Saturday Vigil is celebrated at 4:00 PM. On Sundays, Mass is offered at 7:00 AM, 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM, and 4:00 PM in English, and at 1:00 PM in Spanish (Misa Dominical). Daily Mass is celebrated Monday through Saturday at 8:15 AM, with an additional Mass Monday through Friday at 12:15 PM. A Spanish-language Mass is offered each Wednesday evening at 6:30 PM.

On the second Sunday of each month at 9:00 AM, the parish gathers for the Children's Mass. Younger disciples serve as lectors, cantors, choir members, and altar servers, and the priest directs the homily to a younger audience. The Children's Choir takes a summer break and otherwise sings at this Mass most months.

Requests for individual Mass intentions are accepted in person at the parish office. Online requests are directed to the Missionary Priests through the Diocese of Orange.

Confession and Adoration

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered three times a week: Mondays from 5:30 to 6:30 PM, Fridays from 6:30 to 7:30 PM, and Saturdays from 2:30 to 3:30 PM. Confessions are heard inside the church, and penitents are asked to come prepared to confess only their sins rather than seeking spiritual direction.

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is woven through the week. Sunday evening adoration begins right after the 4:00 PM Mass and continues until Monday morning at 8:00 AM. Wednesday evening adoration follows the 6:30 PM Spanish Mass and runs overnight into Thursday. Thursday afternoon adoration starts at 3:00 PM and continues into Friday. On Fridays, the parish gathers for "TGIF" adoration beginning at 3:00 PM through Saturday morning. Saturday adoration follows the 4:00 PM Vigil Mass and continues until just before Sunday's 7:00 AM Mass. Each Friday from 7:30 to 8:30 PM, immediately following confessions, the priests lead a Silent Holy Hour for Vocations before the Blessed Sacrament.

Devotions Throughout the Week

A rhythm of devotions shapes parish life. The Saint Joseph Devotion meets Thursdays at noon, prior to the 12:15 PM Mass. On Thursday mornings, the Rosary for Life is prayed after the 8:15 AM Mass. The Mother of Perpetual Help Novena follows the Wednesday evening Spanish Mass. On the first Saturday of each month, the Filipino Community leads the Our Lady of Fatima Rosary following morning Mass.

The Alliance of Two Hearts gathers on the first Friday of each month from 9:00 PM until 1:00 AM for guided Communion of Reparation before the Blessed Sacrament. The Saint Monica Club meets on the fourth Monday of each month from 6:30 to 7:30 PM for prayer, a brief reflection led by Father Sy Nguyen, and a rosary seeking the intercession of Saints Monica and Augustine for loved ones who have fallen away from the faith. Votive candles are lit and the names of loved ones are placed in a prayer basket kept under the main altar for the following week.

Music Ministry

The parish music ministry, under the direction of Kim Wargo, welcomes singers and instrumentalists of all ages. Three choirs serve the parish.

The Children's Choir (Ring & Sing) is open to students in grades 4 through 8. Rehearsals are held on Wednesdays from 3:00 to 4:00 PM, and the choir sings once a month at the 9:00 AM Children's Mass, with additional appearances at the parish Christmas Concert and the 4:00 PM Christmas Eve Mass. Members learn proper vocal technique, handbells, harmony, and the discipline of working with others.

The High School Teen Choir, directed by Katie Bystedt, is open to students in grades 9 through 12 and sings twice a month at the 4:00 PM Sunday Mass.

The Adult Choir sings every Sunday at the 11:00 AM Mass. Rehearsals are held Thursday evenings from 7:15 to 9:15 PM, and new members are welcomed after a brief listening session with the director.

Faith Formation for Every Age

The Director of Faith Formation, Christopher Morris, oversees a lifelong formation program. Children preparing for First Communion follow a two-year, parent-driven program using the Augustine Institute's "Signs of Grace" materials, with parents and children attending one Tuesday-evening class per month from August through May. Teen Confirmation is a two-year program for high school-age students that includes catechesis, small group discussion, retreats, Christian service, and assessments.

Adults seeking to become Catholic, or baptized Catholics seeking First Communion or Confirmation, are welcomed through OCIA (the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults). The parish offers three tracks - Comprehensive, Intermediate, and Sacramental - tailored to where each person finds themselves on their faith journey. The program walks alongside candidates for at least a full liturgical year.

For ongoing adult formation, the Elevate series offers one-hour talks on selected topics. Past subjects have included the Real Presence, Doctrinal Development, the Problem of Evil, the Shroud of Turin, Messianic Prophecy, the Evolution of the Mass, and Marian Apparitions. Sessions typically take place Saturday mornings following the 8:15 AM Mass. The parish also hosts a Short Course in the Catholic Faith, a 15-session video series that walks through the entire Catechism. Free access to Formed.org, Catholic Answers, and curated Catholic media is offered as part of the formation ecosystem. Discipleship Quads (groups of four) are encouraged for men or women who want to embark on a faith journey together.

Sacraments

Beyond the Eucharist, the parish celebrates all seven sacraments. Parents preparing for a child's baptism contact the parish office to begin the process, including a class for parents and godparents. Couples preparing for marriage are asked to meet with a priest at least six months prior to the wedding date. The Anointing of the Sick is available to parishioners; the office is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM with 24/7 voicemail. Bereavement support and guidance through Catholic funeral rites are offered through the Bereavement Ministry.

Parish Organizations and Community Life

Holy Family is home to a wide range of parish organizations and ministries. Bloom, the women's ministry, gathers on Monday evenings from October through January for speakers, discussion, prayer, and fellowship, followed by a weekly book study from February through May.

The Filipino-Americans of Holy Family (FAHF) ministry was founded in 2022 and meets on the second Monday of each month to foster Catholic faith and fellowship. Members celebrate Sinulog in January, the Feast of Our Mother of Perpetual Help in June, the Feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz in September (with morning Mass, rosary procession, and reception), and Simbang Gabi in December.

The Brotherhood of St. Dismas, the Fathers of Saint Joseph, the Spanish Community, and Young in Spirit (a ministry for older adults that gathers on Tuesday mornings for crafts, rosary-making, knitting, and snacks) round out the parish's fellowship organizations. The Knights of Columbus and the Serra Club serve the broader Church through vocations support and charitable works. Young Adults, Young Families', Homebound Eucharistic Ministers, Cursillo, and Evangelization Retreats extend the parish's reach beyond the church walls.

Liturgical ministries offer ways for parishioners to serve during Mass: Adoration, Altar Servers, Environment and Sanctuary Preparation, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Lectors (including a Youth Lector track for ages 8 through 14), the Linen Committee, Music Ministry, Bereavement Ministry, Ministers of Hospitality, Sacristans, and Ushers. St. Vincent de Paul provides outreach to those in need.

Respect Life Ministry

The Respect Life Ministry builds a culture that cherishes every person. Each Thursday, the Rosary for Life is prayed after morning Mass, and an hour of adoration is offered for the protection of life. On the second Saturday of each month, an 8:15 AM Mass and Prayer Vigil are offered for the promotion of the Culture of Life, followed by sidewalk prayer with the priests at 700 S. Tustin Avenue. The ministry supports Walking with Moms and the Life Center of Santa Ana, including an annual Baby Shower for Expectant Mothers and Fathers. Resources for post-abortion healing are available in both English and Spanish.

Holy Family School and Fiesta

Holy Family Cathedral School, a K-8 parish school, is part of the parish family. Each fall the parish hosts the Holy Family Fiesta, a beloved community tradition that brings thousands of guests together. The 2026 Fiesta, "Harvest Nights & Fiesta Lights," takes place October 23-25, with sponsorship opportunities supporting Youth Ministry, Faith Formation, the school, retreats, service opportunities, leadership development, and parish life.

The Maalgo Project

The parish maintains a special relationship with Father Rudy and The Maalgo Project, an educational initiative he founded to support children in his hometown in Ghana. With parish support, the project has built a new school building, supplied textbooks and materials, provided a daily meal program (where a quarter feeds a child), and improved access to clean water for students and their families.

Livestream, Giving, and Parish Life

The Sunday 9:00 AM English Mass and the Sunday 1:00 PM Spanish Mass are livestreamed on the parish YouTube channel for the sick and homebound. Homilies from Father Sy are recorded weekly and made available as audio files on the parish site. Weekly bulletins are posted online, and Father Sy's homilies are also published in audio form.

Parish giving is handled through Faith Direct, with options for weekly offertory, recurring gifts, sacramental program fees, special collections (including disaster relief, Peter's Pence, Father's Maalgo Project, and a yearly teens-to-Steubenville appeal), and PSA. A printed registration form is available for new parishioners, who are warmly welcomed into the parish family.

The parish office is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Visitors can find Holy Family at 566 South Glassell Street in Orange, California, or reach the office at (714) 639-2900 or parish@hforange.org.