The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary is on December 8 and celebrates Mary’s conception without sin. Because the Solemnity conflicts with the second Sunday of Advent, both the Solemnity AND the obligation to attend Mass have been transferred to Monday, December 9. Masses will be celebrated at 8:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 6:00 PM, and 7:30 PM (Spanish) in the Church.

As we prepare our hearts and minds for the anniversary of the Lord's birth, please join us in welcoming the relics of St. Anthony of Padua on Tuesday, December 10. Mass is at 6:00 PM in the Church with veneration following until 8:00 PM.

All parishioners are invited to share in the celebration in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Wednesday, December 11, beginning with a procession in the Sts. Francis & Anthony Outdoor Chapel at 6:30 PM! Catholics all around the world celebrate this feast, but it is particularly important in Mexico where she is the Patron Saint. Join our fellow parishioners from our Latino community in this festive Mexican evening in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe!

Come experience God’s mercy during the penitential season of Advent on Monday, December 16, at 6:30 PM in the Church. We will have a few priests hearing confessions and celebrating God’s forgiveness with parishioners.

Please join us for one of our Christmas Masses:

Tuesday, December 24
4:00 PM, 6:00 PM, 8:00 PM (Español) and 10:00 PM

Church

4:00 PM - Overflow Mass

McDonough Hall

Wednesday, December 25
8:00 AM (Español) and 10:00 AM

Church

We are excited to announce several different ways that you can begin to prepare your hearts for Christmas this Advent:

For Adults
Hallow’s Advent Pray25 Prayer Challenge
Our parish community will pray together with Hallow this Advent with the Advent Pray25 prayer challenge, “For God So Loved the World: with a Severe Mercy & Divine Intimacy.” We will join millions around the world as we encounter God’s love through the powerful book A Severe Mercy, reflections on scripture, meditations on Divine Intimacy, and inspiring real-life stories of encounters with God’s love. Plus, we will hear amazing Christmas music from incredible artists. You may participate in the Advent Pray 25 challenge for free. See hsccatl.com/hallow for more on how you can join Hallow for just $1. 

Advent Video Series
Fr. Ballman is offering a 4 week video series this Advent that will progressively prepare us for Christmas. Videos are e-mailed out each week, posted on Facebook, and sent through our MyParish App. Subscribe to these weekly emails by clicking on the "Fr. Ballman's Advent Reflections" on the home page of the parish website. The videos are archived here.

For Families Using the Hallow App 
Jesse Tree Tales
Jesse takes kids of all ages on an adventure through all of the stories and prophecies that lead up to the birth of Jesus. Search Jesse Tree Tales on Hallow.

Mary on the Mantle
Mary shows how she was chosen by God, what a gift Jesus is to the world, and encourages children of all ages to pray with her. Inspired by Be a Heart’s Design’s alternative to “Elf on the Shelf.” Search Mary on the Mantle on Hallow.

The parish office will be closed on Friday, December 13, to allow parish staff to attend an Advent retreat together. Regular office hours will resume on Monday, December 16. The staff will keep our parish community in prayer while we are on retreat.

Did you know that Holy Spirit Catholic Church accepts stocks as a charitable or tithing donation? Stock donations are often made to maximize the benefit you can give to the parish. There are tax deduction benefits and rules around what you can report on your taxes, so if you are interested, please work with your accountant or financial advisor. If you are ready to donate stock, Holy Spirit Catholic Church accepts stock donations through the Archdiocese of Atlanta. Visit lifeofthechurch.com/donate for instructions on how to donate.

Important notice to parishioners who have donated stock in the past:  Effective October 1, 2024, the Archdiocese of Atlanta has changed the process for accepting charitable stock donations. All stock donations need to be sent to the Archdiocese, who will process the request and forward the donation, on your behalf, to Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Please visit lifeofthechurch.com/donate for new instructions. If you have any questions, please contact Tracy Zelczak, 404-920-7606, or Kelly Angelo at the church office.

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

The Women's Club is excited to extend an invitation to the community for a heartwarming Advent by Candlelight Dinner. This inaugural event promises to be a special evening, commencing  on Monday, December 9, following the 6:00 PM Mass. It's a chance for women to immerse themselves in the Advent spirit with beautifully themed table decorations and a catered dinner. The highlight of the evening will be an inspiring talk by Lauri O'Neil, who will share insights on embracing the Simplicity of Advent. The cost for dinner is $20. RSVP if you will attend. If you are interested in contributing to the festive ambiance, please e-mail women@hsccatl.com.

All women of the parish are invited to the annual Christmas Coffee at the home of Dale and George Levert on Monday, December 16, from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM. Celebrate the Christmas season while enjoying the company of your fellow parishioners. RSVP if you will attend. The Levert's address is:  726 Andover Dr., Atlanta, 30327.

It's almost Christmas, and we're still in the holiday spirit! The Women's Club is adding a Christmas Thursday Social to celebrate the season! Join us on Thursday, December 19, from 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM at the home of Tara Headd, 2209 Dunbar Trail, SE, Smyrna, 30080. It's the perfect time for last-minute holiday cheer, festive drinks, and good company! Drop in for the fun, stay for the holiday spirit! Dress in your favorite Christmas gear (ugly sweaters totally welcome), and let’s make this season merry and bright! RSVP if you can attend.

At the end of year, we will bid a fond farewell to Jackie Bohling as she leaves to join her husband and son in their family business, Bohling Protective Services. Jackie has served as Administrative Assistant to the Pastor since 2013, and as Director of Stewardship and Operations since 2016. A “Jackie of All Trades,” there is not much that Jackie has not been involved with during her time at Holy Spirit, including posting parishioner pledge and stock donations, climbing to the top of the ladder to carefully tuck in the ribbons on the Christmas tree in the church, managing parish staff, and supporting Msgr. Dillon, Fr. Ballman, and the rest of the clergy. While leaving her “day job” at the parish, Jackie will continue volunteering as an EM and with the Prayer Shawl Ministry.

We will have a farewell reception for Jackie after the 10:00 AM Mass on Sunday, December 22. RSVP if you plan to attend.

While we are sad to see Jackie leave, we are excited to welcome parishioner John Walsh to the HSCC staff who will take on the role of Director of Operations and Finance, assuming Kelly Angelo’s duties when she retires in May. John comes to us with extensive experience in leadership, operations, and finance, and he is deeply committed to supporting the mission of our parish. Throughout his career John has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and a talent for building strong, effective teams.

Your support to our 2025 Offertory Campaing is not just a contribution—it’s an act of faith and partnership in God’s merciful love. Thank you for joining us in bringing Christ’s light to the world. Click here to make your pledge today.

Our annual Christmas Angel program is underway, and we invite you to join in the spirit of giving this holiday season. In past years, we celebrated with gifts, but for safety and respect, we now offer cash donations, empowering families in our parish’s Latino community to choose the perfect presents for their loved ones.

Why cash? Because it gives parents the ability to gift their children with dignity and grace, allowing them to be part of the joy. This year, we want to raise $35,000, with a suggested donation of $100 per person. Your generosity will help spread the magic of Christmas to as many families as possible. Click here to donate online. Alternatively, volunteers are in the Narthex this weekend to accept your donations. Let’s share our blessings this Christmas season and bring pride and joy to our hermanos y hermanas. Thank you for being a Christmas Angel!

The Homeless Ministry at Holy Spirit Catholic Church provides nourishment and support to homeless men who stay overnight in the basement of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception downtown. The shelter operates during the winter months, from November 1st through March 31st. Our ministry serves dinner and provides breakfast and lunch bags on select nights during the shelter season. Members of the ministry prepare food at home, which is then transported and served by volunteers at the Shrine Shelter. If you would like to help out, please sign up using this link.

Members from the Atlanta Region of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta are pleased to announce the online sale of our 2024 Christmas ornament featuring the Holy Trinity rose window in the Church. This year’s ornament has an inscription which commemorates the parish’s 60th anniversary. The ornaments are $30 each  or $25 each for two or more ornaments. You may purchase your ornament using this link; pick up is in the parish office during regular office hours. Please allow 24 hours for processing. Narthex sales will conclude today. A limited supply of the 2022 Holy Spirit ornaments are available. All proceeds will  benefit Holy Family Hospital in Bethlehem.

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.

Adult Faith Formation Presents: “Practical Piety for the Layperson”: Prayer and Its Power. The wisdom of the Church – in its Saints and in a wealth of guidance – can assist us in one of the crucial ingredients of Christian life, prayer. We can all use a boost. A review of practical lessons for the busy layperson can have a rich payoff in our prayer life. Join Professor Andrew Kurt today, December 8, at 10:00 AM in McDonough Hall for our last Adult Faith Formation session before Christmas.

Interested in learning more about Catholicism, converting to the Catholic faith, or receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation as an adult? The Easter Session of OCIA begins on Sunday January 5, and concludes on Sunday, May 18. Reception into the Church occurs at the Easter Vigil on Saturday, April 19. Classes meet on Sunday mornings from 10:00 AM - 11:15 AM, with Mass offered either before or after. For more information, or to register, contact our Director of OCIA, Dr. David King. The deadline for registration is Sunday, December 15.

Life Nights
Two more Youth Ministry sessions in 2024! Tonight's Life Teen gathering's topic is "Breathe:  Does a Relationship with God Matter?" Next Sunday, December 15, we will meet in the Youth Room for Christmas festivities - fun, food, and prizes. Youth Ministry meets at 6:30 PM.

Join us at 6:30 PM in the Youth Room for tonight’s LifeTeen gathering where our topic will be Breathe: Does a Relationship with God Matter?

Service Project Opportunity - Coat Drive
Volunteers are needed to help set up for our coat drive on Saturday, December 14 and to distribute coats to members of our Latino community on Sunday, December 15 from 7:30 AM - 3:00 PM. Let Paul know if you are able to help out.