The early years
Catholicism has a rich tradition in Amesbury that dates back to the mid-1800's. The establishment of Saint Joseph Parish in 1866, which was formed by predominantly Irish immigrants, and the subsequent establishment of Sacred Heart Parish in 1903, which grew out of Saint Joseph's to minister to French-Canadian immigrants, served Amesbury Catholics throughout the twentieth century.
The collaborative years
Toward the end of the century under the direction of the parishes' ministries, who focused their energies on greater collaboration between the two parishes and encouraging the spiritual life of both, began a ten-year process known as the Collaborative Years (1988 - 1998). Thusly, through a growing working relationship, worshiping together and through strong parish lay leadership within the two church bodies, the two parishes once again became one.
Holy Family Parish was established in May 1998 on the Feast of Pentecost. Prior to this blessed reunification, the two Catholic congregations of Amesbury celebrated Mass and conducted parish life in two churches. During 1992, families were encouraged to attend Mass at either Sacred Heart or Saint Joseph with parishioner offertory envelopes being directed to the home parish. Soon thereafter, the parishes came together during the most Holy of weeks to celebrate one set of Tiduum services for both parishes, proclaiming their common belief in the saving action of the Cross and in the body and blood made present in the Eucharist.
Together in Christ
It was in 1995, that the administrative offices and staff of both parishes were combined and moved to the Sacred Heart Convent, which was renamed the Parish Office Building. And in 1997, the joint Parish Pastoral Council, hearing the collaborative voice of the parishioners, envisioned an ameliorative way to provide for the Catholic Church in Amesbury. After much prayer and deliberation, a proposal to merge the two parishes was adopted. The proposal was presented to the parishioners at Sunday Masses, leading way for Cardinal Law to decree that Sacred Heart and St. Joseph Parishes would be merged into one renewed parish effective at 4:00 PM on Saturday, May 30, 1998, the Feast of Pentecost and to be named Holy Family Parish.
Within the newly formed Holy Family Parish, worship and operations utilized the facilities of both Sacred Heart and Saint Joseph's. It was in 2005, that a committee of Holy Family parishioners was created to discern the best way to prepare for the future needs of their faith community. Considering many options, it was decided that given rising costs, particularly a significant rise in insurance outlay, and waning Catholic participation, the physical operations of the Parish should consolidate to one campus.
In early 2007, Holy Family Parish was approached by members of All Saints' Parish in West Newbury; they were seeking to buy the Sacred Heart facilities and to use such for Anglican services beginning in September 2007. So after a final Mass of Thanksgiving on August 18th, 2007, the buildings at Sacred Heart were sold to the Anglicans, not however without preserving the rich spiritual heritage of the site that dates back to the Quaker's in 1806, the Baptist's in 1850, and the Catholic's in 1903; now the Anglican's.
Tending the Lord's Vineyard
Today Holy Family Parish continues to meet the spiritual needs of the ever evolving face of Amesbury and to prayerfully overcome the challenges of the times we live in. Its history has been one of dedication and sacrifice from its early Irish and French-Canadian immigrants to today's loyal stewards. Holy Family parishioners truly serve together in Christ for the greater Glory of God; one "family" of caring and sharing, nurturing in the present and for years to come, the growth of the Catholic Faith and Christ's Church in this part of the Lord's Vineyard.
Catholicism has a rich tradition in Amesbury that dates back to the mid-1800's. The establishment of Saint Joseph Parish in 1866, which was formed by predominantly Irish immigrants, and the subsequent establishment of Sacred Heart Parish in 1903, which grew out of Saint Joseph's to minister to French-Canadian immigrants, served Amesbury Catholics throughout the twentieth century.
The collaborative years
Toward the end of the century under the direction of the parishes' ministries, who focused their energies on greater collaboration between the two parishes and encouraging the spiritual life of both, began a ten-year process known as the Collaborative Years (1988 - 1998). Thusly, through a growing working relationship, worshiping together and through strong parish lay leadership within the two church bodies, the two parishes once again became one.
Holy Family Parish was established in May 1998 on the Feast of Pentecost. Prior to this blessed reunification, the two Catholic congregations of Amesbury celebrated Mass and conducted parish life in two churches. During 1992, families were encouraged to attend Mass at either Sacred Heart or Saint Joseph with parishioner offertory envelopes being directed to the home parish. Soon thereafter, the parishes came together during the most Holy of weeks to celebrate one set of Tiduum services for both parishes, proclaiming their common belief in the saving action of the Cross and in the body and blood made present in the Eucharist.
Together in Christ
It was in 1995, that the administrative offices and staff of both parishes were combined and moved to the Sacred Heart Convent, which was renamed the Parish Office Building. And in 1997, the joint Parish Pastoral Council, hearing the collaborative voice of the parishioners, envisioned an ameliorative way to provide for the Catholic Church in Amesbury. After much prayer and deliberation, a proposal to merge the two parishes was adopted. The proposal was presented to the parishioners at Sunday Masses, leading way for Cardinal Law to decree that Sacred Heart and St. Joseph Parishes would be merged into one renewed parish effective at 4:00 PM on Saturday, May 30, 1998, the Feast of Pentecost and to be named Holy Family Parish.
Within the newly formed Holy Family Parish, worship and operations utilized the facilities of both Sacred Heart and Saint Joseph's. It was in 2005, that a committee of Holy Family parishioners was created to discern the best way to prepare for the future needs of their faith community. Considering many options, it was decided that given rising costs, particularly a significant rise in insurance outlay, and waning Catholic participation, the physical operations of the Parish should consolidate to one campus.
In early 2007, Holy Family Parish was approached by members of All Saints' Parish in West Newbury; they were seeking to buy the Sacred Heart facilities and to use such for Anglican services beginning in September 2007. So after a final Mass of Thanksgiving on August 18th, 2007, the buildings at Sacred Heart were sold to the Anglicans, not however without preserving the rich spiritual heritage of the site that dates back to the Quaker's in 1806, the Baptist's in 1850, and the Catholic's in 1903; now the Anglican's.
Tending the Lord's Vineyard
Today Holy Family Parish continues to meet the spiritual needs of the ever evolving face of Amesbury and to prayerfully overcome the challenges of the times we live in. Its history has been one of dedication and sacrifice from its early Irish and French-Canadian immigrants to today's loyal stewards. Holy Family parishioners truly serve together in Christ for the greater Glory of God; one "family" of caring and sharing, nurturing in the present and for years to come, the growth of the Catholic Faith and Christ's Church in this part of the Lord's Vineyard.
Together in Christ
for the Greater Glory of God
for the Greater Glory of God
Sacred Heart
Church
Church
Saint Joseph
Church
Church
Holy Family
Parish
Parish
