Holy Spirit Catholic Church was priviliged to host the Atlanta premier of the Mass of the Americas on Tuesday evening. The church was packed, and those present were treated to the beautiful Mass setting celebrated by Archbishop Cordileone. You may view pictures from the Mass here. Photo credit: Mauricio Vives

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

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

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.

Join Father Paul Moreau, former chaplain at HSP, for an “Almost Silent Retreat” August 9 - 11. This three day experience is based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius and provides opportunity for silence as well as periods of conversation. The Retreat offers the perfect opportunity to weave more silence into your life as you experience the beauty and natural setting of Heritage. Email retreat@heritagega.org or visit HeritageGA.org/book to learn more.

Heritage is rebuilding a community of faith and restoring the first Catholic settlement in Georgia into an entire historic Catholic district. Located in Taliaferro County, Heritage includes Locust Grove Cemetery, the oldest Catholic cemetery in Georgia, established in 1790; the Church of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary built by the first Catholic congregation in Georgia; and The Retreat, a 200-acre retreat center with cottage accommodations, prayer and fellowship spaces, walking trails, and sacred art.

In June, your generous donations to the Collection for the Poor helped St. Vincent de Paul provide 9 neighbors with emergency assistance of food, rent, and utilities. We work person-to-person to understand needs, provide immediate aid, and collaboratively develop long-term stability plans.

In the 1st half of 2024, we helped 99 families or individuals in need within Zip Codes 30327 and a portion of 30342. 

Give your donation to one of the volunteers holding a basket, or donate on the Church website by clicking here and scrolling to July 21st.

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.

Support the Women's Club as they raise funds to continue offering Spiritual, Social, and Service opportunities to the women of our parish. What better way to help than by planting beautiful flowers? Order bulbs now through October 15 to plant in the fall. These would also make great gifts! Delivered for a flat fee anywhere in the country. Deliveries begin end of September. Visit hsccatl.com/flower to place your order. For more information, please contact Tara Headd or Susan Selman.

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.