Holy Faith Catholic Church

"Iglesia Santa Fe"

Why is St. Francis our Patron Saint?

• Our parish derives its name from the old Spanish-mission Santa Fe de Toloca, a 17th-century mission served by Franciscan missionaries near present-day Gainesville.  The decision to have St. Francis of Assisi as the patron saint of Holy Faith (Santa Fe) isn't just devotional or arbitrary -- it's rooted in local history. The mission "Santa Fe de Toloca" linked the Catholic presence in the region to Franciscan missionaries; Holy Faith inherited that legacy.

• Because the original mission was administered by Franciscans, Holy Faith retains a spiritual bond with the Franciscan tradition. Over time, Holy Faith has sought to live out the Franciscan spirit: it emphasizes community, service, outreach to the poor and marginalized, care for creation, and a commitment to compassion. 

• The indigenous people who were the first recipients of the Catholic Faith in our Florida land served as a building block to our Holy Faith community. Many Franciscan missionaries gave their lives to defend not only the faith, but the life and dignity of the people they were serving. By acknowledging St. Francis, our parish honors the missionary work and spiritual tradition of those early Franciscan missionaries in Florida. May their lives and martyrdom serve as inspiration for our work today.

Holy Faith - Iglesia Santa Fe -
is celebrating the "Year of St. Francis" this year. 
Stay tuned for more opportunities
to honor St. Francis
and to explore our roots and heritage.