The Planning Study Results Are In!
Thank you for your generous participation in our recent campaign planning study. I am grateful to everyone who completed a survey, participated in an interview, offered thoughtful comments, or prayed for this process. Your feedback has given us a clearer understanding of what you value most about Holy Spirit and how we can best plan for the future.
One theme came through clearly: many parishioners consider Holy Spirit their spiritual home. You feel welcome at Holy Spirit, value our strong sense of community, the way we worship, and the many opportunities for service and fellowship. You also shared insightful questions about the proposed projects and encouraged us to provide more details, clearer explanations, and continued transparency as plans develop.
Please take a few minutes to
review the planning study results that accompany this letter. With your feedback in mind, we will use the remainder of 2026 to:
- continue refining our plans;
- develop more detailed estimates and renderings;
- move forward with zoning approval for the parking deck; and
- request the Archdiocese of Atlanta’s approval to launch a capital campaign in early 2027 in conjunction with their Rooted in Christ – Growing in Faith Campaign.
There’s much work to be done, but we are optimistic about how we can, together, build upon Holy Spirit’s proud legacy of faith and service. Please continue to pray for our parish and consider how you may be able to help.
In Christ,
Fr. Luke Ballman
Pastor
Remembering 9/11: Honoring Our First Responders
Today marks the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. We remember in prayer all those who lost their lives that day, their families and loved ones, and the first responders whose extraordinary courage and sacrifice remain an enduring witness of service to others.
This Sunday, September 13, Holy Spirit will commemorate this solemn anniversary at the 11:30 AM Mass. We extend a special invitation to first responders—both active and retired—to join us as we honor those who answered the call to serve and offer our gratitude and prayers for all who dedicate their lives to the safety and well-being of others.
As we mark this anniversary today, may we remember, pray, and entrust to God all those whose lives were forever changed by the events of September 11, 2001.
Altered Mass Schedule for the Priest Convocation
Priests serving in the Archdiocese of Atlanta will gather for their biennial convocation at Lake Lanier from
September 14 - 17. Attendance is mandatory for all priests who are in active ministry. Our Mass schedule has been amended to allow Fr. Ballman, Fr. Cossio, and Fr. Lee to attend the convocation. Please keep the priests of the Archdiocese of Atlanta in your prayers; be assured of their prayers for us during the Convocation.
- Monday, September 14 – 8:30 AM Mass ONLY
- Tuesday, September 15 – NO Mass
- Wednesday, September 16 – NO Mass
- Thursday, September 17 – 6:00 PM Mass ONLY
- Friday, September 18 – Regular Mass schedule resumes
*
Communion Services will be offered at Christ the King during their regular Mass times from Tuesday September 15 through Thursday, September 17: 6:45 AM, 8:10 AM, and 12:10 PM.
New Confession Schedule Beginning September 18
Beginning September 18, we will no longer offer regularly scheduled Confessions on Sunday mornings. We recognize that Sunday morning has been a popular and convenient time for many parishioners to receive the Sacrament of Penance. Unfortunately, due to the limited availability of visiting priests and the many Sunday responsibilities of our parish priests—including children’s religious education, adult faith formation, OCIA, and other pastoral activities—we are no longer able to maintain Sunday morning Confessions.
We remain committed to making Confessions readily available to our parishioners. Confessions are always available by appointment by contacting any of our priests directly.
Our new regular Confession schedule is:
- Fridays 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM, and 5:30 PM - 6:00 PM
- Saturdays 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM - 4:45 PM
Thank you for your understanding and for your continued commitment to this beautiful sacrament of God’s mercy.
Altar Server Training Today!
There will be Altar Server Training TODAY, from 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM in the Church. Any child who has received the Sacrament of First Communion is invited to become an altar server. All current and new altar servers are encouraged to attend for training and a review of serving at Mass.
Weekly Parish Bulletin
Please click here for an online version of the weekly parish bulletin.
Upcoming Events
Hope & Healing: A Grief Support Group
Grieving the loss of a loved one is a journey no one should face alone. Holy Spirit Catholic Church invites those who are grieving to join our 10-week Grief Support Group, where you’ll find understanding, encouragement, and hope in the company of others who share a similar experience. The classes will be offered on Wednesdays from
September 16 – November 18, from 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM.
The program is based on Dr. Alan Wolfelt’s Understanding Your Grief: The Ten Essential Touchstones for Finding Hope and Healing Your Heart. A book and journal will be provided at the first session. The cost is $27 (materials included) and registration is required with limited space. The group is closed once sessions begin.
Facilitated by Holy Spirit parishioners Ellen Cocks, certified in death and grief studies, and Mary Archibald, a certified grief educator. To learn more or to register, contact Ellen Cocks at
ellen@sweetlittlesoul.com.
Festival de Sabor y Cultura
Join members of our Latino Community for a Festival of Flavor and Culture (formerly Taste of Mexico) next Sunday, September 20, from 7:30 AM - 3:00 PM in McDonough Hall. Enjoy fellowship, homemade delicacies and folkloric music.
Deacon Bill McCarthy's Retirement Party
Please join us in a special reception following the Vigil Mass on
Saturday, September 26, at 6:00 PM in McDonough Hall, to celebrate and pay tribute to Deacon Bill McCarthy as he retires from active ministry at Holy Spirit.
RSVP if you are able to attend.
New Parishioner Brunch
All new parishioners are invited to join us on
Sunday, September 27, after the 10:00 AM Mass in McDonough Hall for brunch bites, mimosas, and fellowship with parishioners and staff as we welcome you to Holy Spirit. RSVP by emailing
Melanie Reveron.
Men's Retreat with Hallow
"Be not afraid." Every man carries something he's afraid to name — failure, doubt, the weight of leading a family or a team. Scripture's most repeated command isn't "do more." It's "fear not." Join the men of Holy Spirit on
Friday, October 2, for an evening built around that call, led by special guest Jonathan Campbell from Hallow — Mass, dinner, and a retreat night digging into what it actually looks like to live unafraid. Mass is at 6:00 PM in St. Mary's Chapel, followed by dinner at 6:30 PM, and the retreat from 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM in McDonough Hall. All men of the parish are invted. Bring a friend! The cost is $15. For more information, contact
Aimee McDonald.
Knights of Columbus Pancake Breakfast
Save the Date of Sunday, October 4, as the Knights of Columbus will host a parish breakfast. Enjoy pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, and their popular omelette station. Breakfast will be served after the 7:00 AM, 8:30 AM, and 10:00 AM Masses in McDonough Hall. The cost is $8 per adult, $5 per child, or a family of 5+ is $25. All proceeds go to support the charitable works of the Knights of Columbus.
Blessing of the Animals
Bring your furry, feathered, or four-legged friends for our annual Blessing of the Animals on Sunday, October 4, at 3:00 PM at the St. Francis & Anthony Outdoor Chapel. We’ll gather rain or shine to give thanks for the animals that bring so much joy to our lives and ask God’s blessing upon them. For everyone’s safety, please make sure all pets are on a leash or properly secured. We hope to see you and your beloved pets there!
Women's Club News & Events
Women's Club: Mahjong & Mingle
The Women's Club is hosting a social evening for the women of the parish to include American Mahjong and light bites on Thursday, September 24, from 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM in McDonough Hall. Players of all levels are welcome; however, no instruction will be offered. Please register and indicate your player level so we may group you with like-ability players. If registering for more than one person, please list names of all players, telephone numbers, and their playing levels. All players should bring their 2026 NMJL card.
Support the Women's Club with Flower Power
The Holy Spirit Women's Club is a self funded organization, which is why we are delighted to work again with Flower Power in raising money to support our mission of offering the women of our parish social, service, and spiritual opportunities. Fall bulbs are for sale now at
Flower Power, until October 15. Bulbs will be delivered directly to you for a flat fee of $6.99 per order, with shipping beginning in early October. In addition to many beautiful spring flowers and happy customers, we have raised over $2,000 since 2024, and hope to grow more in 2026.
Faith in Action
This Weeknd: Holy Spirit Collection For the Poor
In August, our Holy Spirit St. Vincent de Paul Conference received 11 requests for assistance. Because of your generosity, we were able to help 11 households, serving 23 neighbors— 9 of them children. Every gift to the Collection for the Poor helps our Vincentians respond to neighbors facing difficult moments with food, rent and utility assistance, pharmacy services, and compassionate home visits. Together, we offer more than financial help—we offer hope, dignity, and the reminder that no one has to face hardship alone. Please consider giving to a Vincentian holding a basket after Mass or
donating online.
Faith Formation & Evangelization
Religious Education Kicks Off Today!
We’re excited to welcome our children and families back for a new year of Religious Education today! Please keep our students, catechists, volunteers, and families in your prayers as they begin another year of growing in faith and deepening their relationship with Christ.
Youth Ministry is Back! Kick Off Tonight!
All teens are invited to the Youth Ministry Kick Off tonight from 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM in the Youth Center as we kick off a new year of faith, fellowship, and fun. If you currently have a teen registered in Youth Ministry or are considering joining, we hope to see you there!
New OCIA Rites Begin Today!
In the spirit of the revised Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA), we will begin two new initiatives on September 13.
Our Neophyte class will meet on the second Sunday of the month from 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM in the ground floor classroom of the Parish Office Building. This class is open to anyone who completed the OCIA Confirmation Class over the last two years.
Our Inquiry session will meet on the last Sunday of the month beginning September 27 from 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM in the ground floor classroom of the Parish Office Building. This session is open to anyone interested in becoming Catholic through the OCIA process.
OCIA Director Dr. David King will facilitate both important components of the broader understanding of OCIA. If you have any questions or need additional information, email Dr. David King at dking@hsccatl.com.
Women of the Word Fall Study - Born to Soar
Join Women of the Word as they study the book, Born to Soar by Melissa Overmyer. The goal of this Bible Study is to unleash God's word in your life, through prayer and Scripture. It will help you experience deep and abiding peace that can only come through connection with God. The group will meet from
September 15 - November 17
Tuesday, 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM | McDonough Hall
Born to Soar - Dynamic Catholic
Born to Soar - Amazon
Mission: Women of the Word (WOW) through personal study and small group discussion, provides a place for women of Holy Sprit Catholic Church (and beyond) to gather in prayer and fellowship while helping each other learn God's truth as written in Holy Scripture.
Great Books Discussion Group
The Great Books Discussion Group will begin its new season on
Thursday, September 17, at 7:00 PM in McDonough Hall, Side B.
The opening discussion will explore the theme of gender and the respective roles of men and women through the perspectives of two influential authors born nearly a century apart. Participants will read selections from Sesame and Lilies by British art critic John Ruskin (1819–1900), based on lectures he delivered in 1865, and The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan (1921–2006), published a century later. These works offer distinctly different perspectives on the subject and provide a thoughtful foundation for discussion.
The group will meet monthly to discuss selections from the Great Books Foundation series. For more information, contact
Patrick Carey at 770-241-2511.
