As a family of many families,
Holy Family Catholic Church
nurtures our universal commitment
to celebrate our faith,
to love our families
and to serve communities.

Como una familia de muchas familias,
La Iglesia Católica de la Sagrada Familia
nutre nuestro compromiso universal
para celebrar nuestra fe,
para amar a nuestras familias
y para servir a las comunidades.

In January 2006, the Most Reverend Stephen E. Blaire, Bishop of the Diocese of Stockton, announced that a new parish would be established in the Modesto and Salida area. This new parish would be defined by the following boundaries: Standiford-Sylvan on the South, Toomes Rd on the West, the Stanislaus River on the North, and Coffee Rd. on the East. Bishop Blaire assigned Father Ramon Bejarano (nine years ordained) as the new pastor.   At the advice of the Stockton Diocese, a trailer was purchased and used as the office, residence, and chapel.   Father Bejarano faithfully ministered for two years (from January 2006 to August 2008) during which time he lived on 1224 Kiernan Road (land designated to be the future home for Holy Family Church). Fr. Bejarano was also key in leasing the school cafeteria for Sunday masses and above all, he helped with the acquisition of the current Salida Chapel.

While discerning the actual parish name, the early pioneering Catholic Community of Northern Modesto celebrated its first ‘Eucharistic Mass’ early on the 3rd Sunday of February 2006 at 10:00 am (Mary Lou Dieterich School). After much prayer, consultation and deliberation by the parishioners, the name Holy Family Catholic Church was selected for the newly formed parish.  The name shows that the Catholic Church is trying to address the challenges of family life today.  

Between 2006 to 2008, Masses were offered in English and Spanish.  Services were held on Saturday at Capilla Ntra. Sra De San Juan in Salida (4643 Flint Avenue).in English and Spanish.  On Sunday, Mass was held at Mary Lou Dieterich School (2412 Warm Springs Drive). Traditionally, around the August 15th weekend, we celebrate our annual parish community festival, honoring our Lady of San Juan de Los Lagos Fiesta.

In the summer of 2008, the Rev. Fr. Juan Serna S.T.L. (nine years ordained) was assigned to serve as the new pastor at Holy Family. Through his leadership, creativity, and different pastoral style, with the help of all our current and different councils, committees, pastoral groups, and organizations Holy Family was able to move forward to a new pastoral phase. In 2009, besides restoring our Salida Chapel to be ‘catholicized’, Holy Family needed to move to a new facility, (besides the school and the trailer) and care for all its new spiritual and different pastoral needs. It was especially through the spirit-filled pioneering and leadership of our Building Steering Committee that a move to our current Dale Road leased property was made. This was a necessary move to complement the next phase for both spiritual and membership growth.  Fr. Juan’s pastoral mission for Holy Family has been to be a “Family of Many Families”. His overall and arching parish vision revolves around three essential living core values that describe Holy Family as ‘our home’ and ‘our church’: Celebrate our Faith, Love our Family and Serve our Community.

In 2012, a trade was made by the Diocese for the property on Tully Road.  In 2014 Holy Family procured a Use permit and began plans to build our future home on Tully and Bangs.  Late in 2014, Holy Family began their capital campaign “Building Our Future Together”. One million five hundred thousand dollars by 260 families was pledged to the campaign.  We continue to look for support for the future.

Holy Family continues to grow in membership (250 in 2006 and currently 1,400 registered families).  Our parish faithfully strives to take ‘steps’ to be ‘at home’, ‘to be family to one another’ and to be ‘united as a community of faith’ around the Eucharist and community life.   Holy Family is blessed with many talented and generous people who overall continues faithfully to live our Catholic Christian values of “Faith, Family, and Community”.