Copyright, 1996
Holy Family Parish History
Our Church is "Old Catholic" in that we derive our apostolic succession from the Old Catholic Church of the Netherlands. The Old Catholic Church is an ecclesial body, which descends from the Roman Catholic Church. Becoming independent of Roman jurisdiction over conflicts with ever expanding papal authority, the Old Catholic Church of Utrecht, Holland maintained an authentic Catholic identity and a valid apostolic succession since the early 18th century. When Rome proclaimed the Dogma of Papal Infallibility in 1870, Old Catholic Churches were formed by conscientious Catholics in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Poland. Deriving their apostolic succession from the independent Catholic Church in Holland, these Old Catholic Churches continue to this day.
Since that time, other independent Catholic Churches have come into being, many of whom derive their apostolic succession from the Old Catholic Church. Holy Family Parish not only possesses a valid apostolic succession through the Old Catholic Church of Utrecht, but also shares with other Old Catholic bodies, a commitment to the foundational document known as the Declaration of Utrecht, on September 24, 1889.
The parish was formed on December 9, 1995. Holy Family Parish may differ from some churches through its commitment to inclusivity. The word inclusivity is meant to express the belief that NONE fall outside the love of God through Jesus Christ.
"In Christ there is no Jew or Greek, slave or citizen, male or female. All are one in Christ Jesus." Gal. 3:28.
Mission Statement The Holy Family was a non-traditional family. Joseph, Jesus' foster father, honored his commitment to Mary even though she was with child. As a family they struggled with being homeless, being persecuted and eventually with the brutal death of their son, Jesus. All of this they endured because of their faith, love of God and their love of one another. As Christians we are called to live out the ancient expectation of hospitality and as a parish we commit ourselves to:
Since that time, other independent Catholic Churches have come into being, many of whom derive their apostolic succession from the Old Catholic Church. Holy Family Parish not only possesses a valid apostolic succession through the Old Catholic Church of Utrecht, but also shares with other Old Catholic bodies, a commitment to the foundational document known as the Declaration of Utrecht, on September 24, 1889.
The parish was formed on December 9, 1995. Holy Family Parish may differ from some churches through its commitment to inclusivity. The word inclusivity is meant to express the belief that NONE fall outside the love of God through Jesus Christ.
"In Christ there is no Jew or Greek, slave or citizen, male or female. All are one in Christ Jesus." Gal. 3:28.
Mission Statement The Holy Family was a non-traditional family. Joseph, Jesus' foster father, honored his commitment to Mary even though she was with child. As a family they struggled with being homeless, being persecuted and eventually with the brutal death of their son, Jesus. All of this they endured because of their faith, love of God and their love of one another. As Christians we are called to live out the ancient expectation of hospitality and as a parish we commit ourselves to:
- Be inclusive and welcoming of all people in their journey of faith,
- Work in the area of social justice, sharing of our lives, forming that Body of Christ,
- Seeing each of us as gifted by God,
- Discovering God in our culture, language, sexuality, relationships, and occupations.
