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Holy Family
A Ten-Minute Play
By Jim Dalglish
A bass lesson in the rec room of a small Catholic church becomes an unexpected farewell — to a beloved priest, a progressive parish, and a way of life. A nun, a boy grieving his father, and a young priest face the quiet violence of institutional power.
"When I feed the poor, they call me a saint. But when I ask why the poor are hungry... they call me a communist." - Father Luke
Characters
Catherine - A woman in her late thirties. Thin, energetic, practical. She wears an unfashionable skirt and blouse — she isn't afraid of the convenience of dark blue double-knit polyester. She may be wearing a pin on her blouse that conveys a vaguely spiritual theme. A bass instructor, liberation theology devotee, and the beating heart of Holy Family parish.
Bobby - Just about to enter the 4th grade. Slight for his age. He may be wearing glasses that he sometimes hides behind to cover his feelings. He likes to spend hours in the library combing through art books.
Father Luke - Mid 30s. He was fooled into thinking that by the time he graduated from seminary in the early 70s, the Catholic faith would allow priests to marry. The perfect representative of liberation theology. Very attractive.
Setting
The recreation room of Holy Family Catholic Church — a small parish just off the campus of the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks.
Time: Late summer of 1980.
Length: 10 mins.
Type: Drama
Themes
Liberation theology; institutional betrayal; the Catholic abuse crisis; grief; unrequited love; the dismantling of progressive communities; faith and obedience; childhood innocence; political resistance.
Acting Class Scenes
Dialog: Female and Male (child); Catherine and Bobby scenes. Dialog: Female and Male; Catherine and Father Luke scenes. Ensemble: Full play, all three characters.
Script Completed: 2026
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