‘We are Holy Family’

By Linda Reeves - The Florida Catholic Palm Beach

NORTH MIAMI | Holy Family Parish marked its 75th anniversary Nov. 15, 2025, with a trilingual Mass filled with celebration, thanksgiving and reflection on the parish’s faithful people present and past and joining the festivities was the archbishop, who led the Mass.

“Bonswa,” said Archbishop Thomas Wenski as he began the evening, extending a greeting speaking in Creole and then, in Spanish, Filipino, English and even Nigerian to the diverse mix of people sitting in the pews, representing the many different races, cultures and languages of the Catholic flock known for its motto: “We are Holy Family.”

“Today we are celebrating a great feast here, the 75th anniversary of this parish, Holy Family Parish,” said Archbishop Wenski. “Holy Family is a parish family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, where love brought them together and kept them together through thick and thin. And it is that same love that is to inspire us, guide us and lead us,” the archbishop said.

“Holy Family was born 75 years ago – just like me,” said Archbishop Wenski with a smile. “But Holy Family has lots of years still ahead of it, and I hope I do too,” he added.

The special church celebration, followed by a dinner in the parish hall, was full of lively music and song performed by the parish choir. Young members of the liturgical dance group performed dances throughout the evening while wearing long white gowns.

Father Fritzner Bellonce, pastor of Holy Family, along with guest archdiocesan priests, concelebrated the Mass and took part in a beautiful procession that began after the children of Holy Family School, wearing their uniforms, strolled down the aisle taking their seats.

The church was packed with families and individuals of the parish and guests, including city officials and other members of the community.

 

THE CHURCH FAMILY

Looking back, Holy Family Parish was established Feb. 11, 1950, as a mission in the Diocese of St. Augustine with the support of St. Rose of Lima Parish in Miami Shores.

At that time, the Diocese of St. Augustine, led by Archbishop Joseph P. Hurley, covered most of the Florida peninsula until the state’s expanding population necessitated the creation of new dioceses in 1958, when the Diocese of Miami was created.

From the very beginning, Holy Family was known as a warm parish family that opened its arms to all. Catholics of North Miami’s Italian and Polish communities made up the majority of the first flock.

According to historical records, it was the parish’s hardworking families who helped build the church temple. The groundbreaking ceremony for the new church took place Feb. 11, 1950, the feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes.

With donated materials and the efforts of volunteers, the construction was completed in five months. On July 30,1950, the parish celebrated the opening and first Mass in the new house of worship.

The formal blessing and dedication took place a few months later, on Nov. 14, with Archbishop Hurley who formally dedicated the parish Holy Family that day. Msgr. Rowan Rastatter, the first pastor, arrived soon after his appointment Nov. 24, 1950, to spiritually lead the parish family on their faith journeys.

 

GROWTH AND EXPANSION 

Msgr. Rastatter soon realized the need for a school to better serve the community. The groundbreaking ceremony took place Jan. 7, 1951.

Construction of a school building and a convent on the grounds to accommodate staff was completed and blessed eight months later, and the Benedictine Sisters arrived to help open for the 1951 school year. A total of 300 students in kindergarten through sixth grade made up the first classes.

Today, the Benedictine Sisters are no longer with the school, but the school has Sister Mary Chibunmam Ogam of the Daughters of Mary, Mother of Mercy, from Nigeria, who teaches first grade.

Holy Family School continues to grow, serves about 250 students and employs more than 25 educators and staff members. The school offers excellent academic and religious education for students from prekindergarten through eighth grade. Faradjah Muller is the school's principal.

As for the original church, it is no longer used for worship but continues to hold memories of the parish’s beginnings and serves as the parish hall.

Today’s Holy Family Church was completed and decorated from top to bottom just in time for parish families to celebrate Christmas Eve Mass in 1966. The following year, on May 21, Bishop Coleman Carroll officially dedicated and blessed the new church, which has been part of countless significant moments in people’s lives over the decades.

 

REFLECTING ON PARISH PIONEERS

During his homily, Archbishop Wenski talked about clergy and lay people who were part of Holy Family Parish, and he lifted up prayers for them and all who continue to be part of the parish family.

“Over the years, many have come and gone. Today, we lift up in prayer your former pastors and those pioneers who are still with us and pray also for those who were here at the beginning and have already gone home to the Lord,” he said.

At the conclusion of the Mass, Father Bellonce thanked the archbishop for his attendance and continued support and thanked all in attendance for the milestone. He also expressed his gratitude to God, to the faithful parish pioneers, living and deceased, and to all the members of his parish’s “holy family” who continue to do good works to keep the church’s mission alive and growing.

“Brothers and sisters, as we gather with grateful hearts to celebrate the 75th anniversary of our parish, we give thanks to God, the source of every blessing, and give thanks for all who have shaped the life of this community through the years,” said Father Bellonce.

Today, Holy Family is a melting pot of people of many different cultures and nationalities. A large percentage of parishioners have ties to Haiti. Others are connected to the Caribbean Islands and Latin America, making the parish family a wonderful blend representing the diversity of the Body of Christ.

“This is my forever beautiful church,” said Evelyn Viva Velazquez in a Facebook post, expressing her excitement about the anniversary and her commitment to the parish she loves.

TO LEARN MORE

• For more information about Holy Family Parish and School, located at 14500 NE 11th Ave. in North Miami, call 305-947-5043, email [email protected] or visitholyfamilynorthmiami.com.