Welcome to our October 2025 Newsletter. Below you will find what's happening this month and with the school year starting, things are busy here too. Please take a moment to scroll through it all. If you have any questions about anything you read here, please just respond to this email or you can use the color boxes throughout that will take you to different sources for more information. Our website also has a calendar on the home page where you can find a quick glance at all that is happening at our parish. Check it out!

October will be the 40th Anniversary of our church building, where we worship each weekend. We will be celebrating this milestone in conjunction with our Fall Fest Celebration on Oct. 11. We are looking for photos you may have of your family at our church. Maybe it's a wedding, a baptism, a First Communion or Confirmation. Maybe it's just your family in front of our statue or praying in the church building. 

We are also looking for memories or stories you have from your time here at Holy Family. Maybe you were here when it all started, or you just recently started attending but already have a great story to tell. Please jot down your story for us. If you have anything you can share with us (photos or written memories) or would like to talk with someone about your stories, you can contact Barb Moore at barb@holyfamilyabilene.org. Thank you!!! (Photos will be returned.)

With hearts full of devotion and gratitude, we joyfully invite you to join us, Our Lady of Grace Legion of Mary, in the prayerful recitation of the Holy Rosary each month on the First Friday after the 9:00 a.m. Mass in the church. We will be praying the rosary on October 3. We will also be praying the rosary at the same time on October 7, for the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. Come as you are, whether seasoned in prayer or newly drawn to the Rosary, and let us unite in faith, hope, and love. Together, may we entrust our intentions to her motherly care. May the gentle presence of Mary accompany you always

Would you like to join our Prayer Chain and become a prayer warrior lifting the intentions of our people to the Lord? We need people who have a heart for intercessory prayer and can be confidential with the prayers that come in. If you'd like to join the prayer chain group, please use the button below. If you would like to submit a prayer request, you can visit our website anytime and use the form there to submit a request for yourself or a loved one. 

Nocturnal Adoration will be Oct. 2 from 7:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. in the church. Please consider taking an hour to spend with Jesus. Or come and go as you wish. Please note that the first hour (7-8 p.m.) will have praise music to sing along. If you wish silent prayer time, consider starting to sign up after 8:00 p.m.

We are also looking for someone who can help us with the monthly Nocturnal Adoration as a contact person. You would work with the office and our deacon to help people get signed up for shifts and make sure everything is set up. If you are interested in helping out, please contact Barb Moore at barb@holyfamilyabilene.org. Thanks!

Come and be refreshed in the Holy Spirit! Increase in knowledge and practice of living life in the Holy Spirit through praise and worship, teaching, intercessory prayer, and fellowship. We meet on Thursday evenings from 7 pm to 8:30 pm in the chapel at church. Enter through the side door. All are welcome. For more information, please contact Maria Rhodes at 325-513-4810. 

Also, there will be a Healing Mass/Eucharistic Adoration & Anointing on Tuesday, Oct. 21 at 6:30 p.m. at Sacred Heart's Fellowship Hall. 

We will begin our Stewardship drive next weekend (Oct. 11 & 12). Please pray, asking God to show you how your generosity helps our parish continue to grow and thrive and blesses our outreach to our community. We need all of you to help us as we plan for 2026. There are many people within our parish and community who need what Holy Family offers, and we cannot do without you. Thank you.

You will be able to make your pledges using Estimate of Giving cards that will be in the pews at Mass or use the online form that will be available on our website, as well as sent to you through our Flocknote system. We are NOT asking for donations at this time, just pledges of what you can give weekly, monthly, or annually for 2026. If you have any questions, please contact the office at 325-692-1820. 

Are you or someone you know searching for deeper meaning, truth, or a sense of belonging? Have you ever felt drawn to the beauty, history, and tradition of the Catholic Church? We warmly invite you to explore the Catholic faith as a journey into a relationship with Jesus Christ through Scripture, prayer, and the Sacraments. Whether you are new to Christianity, coming from another faith tradition, or simply curious, Holy Family welcomes your questions and your story. Our OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults) classes are Sundays at 9:00 a.m. in Room 202 in the Parish Center. These classes are for anyone who has not been baptized or has been baptized in another denomination, and they meet weekly (excluding holidays). There is no pressure to join the Church. These classes are simply your chance to learn and ask questions with others who are on this same journey. If you have questions, please contact Bob Moore at 210-284-8079 or use the button to join our group. You are welcome here. 

Please join The Catholic Pro-Life Committee of the Abilene Deanery and West Texans for Life for the 38th National Life Chain to be held on Respect Life Sunday October 5 from 2:00-3:30 p.m. in front of Holy Family Catholic Church. Stand with thousands of Pro-Life individuals throughout the US and Canda. Bring the family, water, lawn chairs, etc. Sign will be provided. This is a peaceful, prayerful public witness of pro-life individuals standing in remembrance of at least 65 million lives lost to abortion, praying for our nation, for people in crisis situations, and for a permanent end to abortion.

In honor of St. Francis of Assisi, we will have a Blessing of the Animals after the Noon Mass (1:15 p.m.) on October 5 in the front yard of Fr. Nilo’s house. Please make sure all pets are leashed or in a crate. 

Look and see what we have for you on Saturday, Oct. 11. Come and bring your friends! Everything from Mass to celebrate our anniversary, to train rides for the kids and bingo! A delicious enchilada dinner and dancing, cake walks and more! If you can help, we need donations of water bottles, sodas, and sports drinks. And some volunteers to help sell and collect tickets. See the sign up below! Thanks! 

On October 29, we will be hosting our 2nd annual Trunk or Treat in the Holy Family Parking lot. Bring your friends and family for all the fun! We need some groups or families that want to decorate and host a trunk. If you’d like to host a trunk or even just donate candy, please contact Diana Masga at 940-447-1921. This was a huge hit last year and a great family event and outreach to our community.

Please mark your calendars for our October events. If you have any questions or want to know more details, please contact Diana at 940-447-1921.

There is an important meeting with Fr. Nilo for all current lectors and anyone interested in becoming a lector for Mass. Please join us in room 101 of the church on Oct. 12 at 3:00 p.m. If you have any questions, please contact Lisa Romanelli at 325-665-4723. 

Hey Ladies!  Join us each Tuesday after the 9am Mass as we explore a 12-part program " The Bible and the Virgin Mary". We will meet in the Pariah Center Room 202. Questions call Pam 325-668-8595.

It isn't too late to join us for Ladies Scripture Study. If you would like to study the Gospel of Mark, please join us for Mass at 9 AM on Thursdays. Scripture Study is held in room 101 and concludes at 11:30 AM. Coffee and snacks are provided.

Our Young Adults have been busy with dinners and scripture study. They have also been helping lead Praise & Worship at our Faith & Family Wednesday evenings as well as helping serve dinner to hungry families. Watch for more info coming soon about some exciting fundraising events they will be hosting in November to help them get to the SEEK conference!  

Box of Joy is an annual Christmas shoebox gift ministry by Cross Catholic Outreach. Participants bless children suffering from extreme poverty by filling boxes with toys and other gifts, sharing the joy of Christmas and planting seeds of hope. Our goal is to prepare 200 boxes this year. Please see the list below for the types of items needed. Drop off your donations in the box in the foyer or by the office in the Parish Center. We will have a final boxing event to put everything together on Sunday, Oct. 19 at 6:00 p.m. All are invited. 

We also need donations to cover the cost of shipping. If you’d like to help with that, use this button below. Please contact Karen Light at 325-370-4847 with questions. 

Project Gabriel supports women in crisis pregnancies by walking with them through their journey of doctor visits and other needs. One way they work to bless women is with a baby shower. This October 25 at 10:00 a.m., we will be hosting a shower for Baby Arthur in the church Room 108. We pray that you will consider joining us to celebrate this mom and baby and show her that our community is there for them. This is a beautiful way of evangelizing and demonstrating the love of Christ. We are a pro-life people that cares for the baby and the mother and in this small way we celebrate the pro-life choice this young mom has made. 

Gift ideas include all things that a baby might need, from diapers to clothes. 

If you have any questions, please contact Penelope Peccarelli at 325-669-7588.

The primary role of Knights of the Altar is serving God and our parish during Mass, but, as a ministry, we can do so much more!  

Two service projects are in the works:
 
Sept 21 - Nov 2, 2025 - Box of Joy Service Project - Send a specially packed shoe box of gifts to boys and girls your age who are the poorest of the poor. Specific times, dates, and events to be announced.
 
February 2026 - Marian Garden and Rosary Garden Service Project - Be involved in preparing the beds and planting flowers to honor Our Blessed Mother, Mary. Specific times, dates and events to be announced.

Thank you, Knights of the Altar, for all you do!

Thank you for taking the time to sign up each month to serve!

Thank you for arriving 30 minutes prior to the Mass to prepare to serve!

Thank you for studying your personal training log in order to be promoted to the next rank!

Thank you for helping each other out, working as a team, and encouraging each other!

Most of all, thank you for honoring God by serving at the altar!

Let's celebrate all you do and all you are with a fun trip in the Summer of 2026! We're kicking around the idea of a trip to Sea World and to visit the Catholic Missions in San Antonio. Of course, we'll have to include a stop at Buckee's and a meal at Cane's. This is your heads up that we will be doing a fund-raiser, asking for parental involvement, and making big plans. 

Ad Vitam Aeternam,

Karen, Penny, Sean, Grayson & Edgar

Thank you to all who supported the breakfast in September. The crowd and the donations were amazing. They loved serving you. They will be hosting the next pancake breakfast on October 26 after the 9 am and 10:30 am Masses. Please come and enjoy some delicious food. The cost per plate is up to you. They accept donations. 

Thought about singing in a choir? We have empty seats and need your help… it’s about time to start music for advent and Christmas, so come take your seat in the choir! Do you play the organ or the piano? We need your help as we seek to fill vacancies in our music program.  

For more info about choirs or musicians call or text Ronnie Kidd at 325-668-4295

Each year our Holy Family Parish honors married couples celebrating special anniversary years with an evening of entertainment and dinner.  If you are celebrating 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, or 50 years of marriage you are invited to this year’s Anniversary Dinner.  For those couples who have surpassed 50 years of marriage, you are invited regardless of the number of years.  Some would say you earned it.  This year’s Anniversary Dinner will be held on November 22, 2025, from 6:30-9:00PM in the Parish Center.  If you are celebrating one of these years, please join us.  Use the button below to RSVP or contact Amanda in the church office, 325-692-1820, option 4, and let her know you plan on attending.  Please let Amanda know how many years you are celebrating in 2025.  For our planning purposes please do so by November 10, 2025.  We look forward to seeing you there.