About Holy Family Parish

Amherst, Nova Scotia is a community with a population of 10,000 plus located on the Nova Scotia - New Brunswick border. Amherst is the commercial center for Cumberland County in Northern Nova Scotia. The town is only a two-hour drive on a major four-lane highway from Nova Scotia's provincial capital,  Halifax. Moncton, New Brunswick is only a 40-minute drive and the 12.9 km (8 mile) Confederation Bridge, linking New Brunswick to Prince Edward Island, is less than 45 minutes away.

The original Town of Amherst was established in 1764, two miles west of its present location. Following the expulsion of the Acadians, settlers from New England were invited to settle many communities along the shores of the Bay of Fundy. One of these settlements grew to become the town of Amherst.

Present day Amherst continues to prosper with new commercial and industrial developments to support a growing community. Amherst's stately homes, some nearing 200 years in age along with its beautiful churches charm visitors to the community. Holy Family Roman Catholic Parish is an integral part of the Christian faith life of our town.

While the population of the Town of Amherst is stable, it is an aging community, as Cumberland County has the highest per capita population of senior citizens in Canada. The aging population, coupled with diminishing pastoral resources, has necessitated bringing our founding parishes together as one faith community.

The Archdiocese of Halifax in January 2004 published a pastoral document called "Forward in Faith". This document speaks to our diocesan Church about the need for Pastoral Renewal and makes specific recommendations regarding our diocesan structure in the coming years.

As a result of the "Forward in Faith" document Holy Family Parish became a reality in December 2006. Despite the growing pains of bringing two separate and distinct founding parishes ( Saint Charles Borremo and Nativity of Our Lady) together as one worshipping community many are truly excited about the future of the Roman Catholic Church in Amherst as we move Forward in Faith.

 

Forward in Faith Prayer
Loving Father,
Lord of Heaven and Earth,
You gather us together
To be your church in this time and place.
You give us all we need
to be your people of praise
and thanksgiving,
proclaiming your love to all the world.
Send your Spirit to be with us in these
days of change,
And form us anew in Christ your Son,
So that
your church may bear faithful witness,
And live in fruitful mission.
Lead us, O Lord, as we move
forward in faith.
We make our prayer through
Christ our Lord.
Amen