Holy Family Parish (Paradise, N.L. : Catholic)

Holy Family Parish was established on 15 September 1982 when the Archbishop of St. John's, Alphonsus L. Penney, dismembered St. Edward's Parish (Topsail) and Holy Rosary Parish (Portugal Cove) to create three new parishes: Holy Family (Paradise); St. Thomas of Villanova (Topsail); and St. Edward's (Kelligrews). The town of Paradise, formerly part of St. Edward's Parish, and the town of St. Thomas, formerly part of Holy Rosary Parish, comprised the geographical boundaries of the newly erected Holy Family Parish, with Paradise acting as its seat. Assets of the former St. Edward's Parish were distributed proportionately to the three parishes that were created from the division. Likewise, assets of Holy Rosary Parish were assigned on a one-fifth basis to the new parish of Holy Family. In 1992, the communities of Paradise and St. Thomas were amalgamated as the Municipality of Paradise.

Upon its founding in 1982, Holy Family was without a parish church. Initially, the Immaculate Conception School Chapel in St. Thomas and the Holy Innocents Anglican Church in Paradise acted as temporary centres for worship and a parish office was maintained in an apartment building on Topsail Road, Paradise. In addition, the Catholic churches at Topsail and Portugal Cove were sometimes used for weddings and funerals. Social events were held in the PowersCourt Hall at Manuels, a facility jointly administered by Holy Family, St. Thomas of Villanova, and St. Edward's. In 1985, a parish church was built on St. Thomas Line with the first mass being held 21 September 1985 and the official dedication and blessing on 29 December.

A Steering Committee was established in October 1982, charged with the responsibility of establishing a parish structure. A Parish Council was formed to administer parish affairs, and committees for liturgy, a new school, social action, finance, youth, the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Catholic Church in Newfoundland, and PowersCourt Hall were established. In addition, local affiliates of the Catholic Women's League and the Knights of Columbus were founded within the parish.

Holy Family Parish actively supported parochial schools, including Immaculate Conception School, Holy Spirit School (later High School), and Holy Family School. Students from the parish also attended Mary Queen of the World School in Mount Pearl and Holy Heart of Mary Regional High School in St. John's. However, parish support for these schools ceased after denominational education reforms were passed by the Provincial Government in 1997. They are now secular institutions.

Pastors who have served the parish since its establishment in 1982 include: Denis P. Walsh, Priest Responsible (1982-1984); John F. Wallis (1984-1989); Edward Purcell (1989-1996); and Richard McHugh (1996- ).

Created - May 21, 2013

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