My Dear Friends in Christ,

As part of our year-long 60th anniversary celebration, I invite you to attend a special Mass of the Americas on Tuesday, July 16th, at 7:00 PM in the Church.

Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone, the Archbishop of San Franciso, will celebrate this Mass he commissioned to pay tribute to both Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, patroness of the United States, and Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of Mexico and all of the Americas. The mass setting by composer Frank La Rocca debuted at #1 on the Billboard’s traditional classical music chart. The mass features prayers and music by the Schola Benedictus XVI and orchestra in Spanish, Latin, English, and Nahuatl, the Aztec language Our Lady used when speaking with St. Juan Diego.

We are responding to a call by Pope Francis to prepare for the 500th anniversary of the appearance of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Please note that the Mass will last about 1 ½ hours, and a dessert reception will follow in McDonough Hall. RSVP using this link.

In Christ,

Fr. Luke Ballman

This week's issue of the Georgia Bulletin features an article about our parish 60th Anniversary celebration. You may read the article here.

We would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Dr. David King, HSCC’s OCIA Coordinator, who received a Third Place award from the Catholic Media Association in the category “Best Regular Column (Culture, Arts and Leisure)” for his “Culture and the Church” series in the Georgia Bulletin. In addition to his work in the parish, Dr. King is a Professor of English and Film Studies at Kennesaw State University.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the parishioners of Holy Spirit Catholic Church who have given food donations in June to the Community Assistance Center. Additional thanks goes to the CAC ministry drivers who delivered the donations each week. The nearyby store supports our neighbors and fellow parishioners of our Latino Community who are in need. Drivers wishing to participate in the January 2025 CAC food drive should contact Kate Cotterman.

Please click here for an online version of the weekly parish bulletin.

Please join us in McDonough Hall TODAY, Sunday, July 14, after the 10:00 AM Mass as we say goodbye to seminarian Juan Diego Arroyave Peña. Juan Diego has faithfully served this parish community for nearly a year while studying English as a second language at Georgia State University. In additon to serving at Mass, Juan Diego assisted at various events, including making his debut as St. Nicholas at the children’s party in December. Juan Diego will return to the seminary where he will continue his philosophy and theology studies. The Knights of Columbus will provide sweet treats in honor of Juan Diego. For planning purposes, RSVP if you will attend.

The Friday Night Bridge group meets twice a month. Join them for an evening of fun and finesse on Friday, July 19, at 7:00 PM in the lower level meeting room in the parish office building. Please contact Cathy Skowronski at 770-509-7698 or hsatlbridge@yahoo.com by Wednesday, July 17 for reservations. Partners are not required, and new members are always welcome.

Would you or someone you know like to learn more about the Catholic faith and what Catholics profess to believe? Perhaps you—or your spouse or fiancé—would like to become Catholic? Maybe your parents were Catholic, but you never received the Sacraments? Or maybe you’ve drifted away from the Church and want to renew your connection to Catholicism by entering full communion with the Church.

O.C.I.A. aims to address all the above situations. The class can be taken for information only and there is never any pressure to be confirmed, although participants are fully prepared for Baptism, Penance, Eucharist, and/or Confirmation if desired. We are now enrolling for the next session of O.C.I.A. which will begin on Sunday August 4, and conclude on Sunday November 24, with reception into full communion with the Roman Catholic Church at the 5:00 PM Vigil Mass on Saturday November 23. The class will meet on Sunday mornings at 10:00, with Mass offered either before or after at 8:30 AM or 11:30 AM. Class will not meet on Labor Day, Columbus Day, or Thanksgiving weekends.

A nominal fee of $35 is required to register for the course; this fee helps cover the cost of books and other materials. Because acceptance into the program requires pastoral approval, prospective O.C.I.A. participants should begin gathering now sacramental documents, including—if applicable—certificates of baptism and marriage. Remote and in-person interviews with participants are now being held; please email Dr. David King to arrange registration. The deadline for registration is July 28th.

HSP is thrilled to announce that the Hillbilly Thomists, the billboard-topping band of Dominican friars, will be performing at Holy Spirit Prep on Friday, August 2, at 7:00 PM. These talented musicians have been spreading the message of God's grace through their unique blend of bluegrass, Americana, and folk music. With three successful albums under their belt, including their latest release, "Marigold," the Hillbilly Thomists have been touring across the country this year, and we are so thrilled to be their hosts in Atlanta!

Proceeds from the event will help the friars continue to produce and perform music while providing ongoing support to the formation of friars at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C., where the Hillbilly Thomists first came together. This event is open to the entire Atlanta community, so get your tickets early, and join us for an evening of music and faith! Learn more about the Hillbilly Thomists on their website.

St. Vincent de Paul, Georgia relies on the generosity of individuals, businesses and community donations to fill the shelves of our 9 SVdP Georgia Thrift Stores. Items donated are given away for free to people experiencing crisis or are sold to members of the community at discount prices.  

Our SVdP Red Barn, located behind the Church Office, is open 24x7 for your donations. You can also schedule a donation pick up from your home or business by contacting the SVdP Georgian donation line at 678-892-6162.   

To learn more about the St. Vincent de Paul Society, please contact Jenn Molner.

Join Atlanta Assembly 3313 of the Knights of Columbus for a special National Anthem fundraiser at the Atlanta Braves game on August 6 at 7:20 PM, performed by Sir Knight Bryan M. Lewis. Proceeds from every ticket purchased through this link will go to the Blessed McGivney Military Chaplain Scholarship to help fund the education of seminarians preparing to become Catholic chaplains in the U.S. Armed Forces. Make a difference and show your appreciation for those who serve our country.

We are very grateful to all our parishioners who have already joined together in pledging their gift to the 2024 Archbishop’s Annual Appeal. The campaign goal is $9,350,000 and our parish goal is $283,900. A percentage of the money collected above our goal will be returned to the parish. If you have not yet made a gift to the 2024 Archbishop’s Annual Appeal, you may use the pledge cards in the pews this weekend or you can easily donate online. Please be sure to designate Holy Spirit Atlanta as your parish. Every gift to the Annual Appeal is vitally important to assure the continued support of many important programs that help thousands in our archdiocese each year through the education of our children and seminary students, evangelization and Christian Initiation, on-going formation for our priests and so much more. Thank you, in advance, for your participation in this year’s Appeal.