Dear Parishioners,

Archbishop Gregory sent out a memorandum on Friday to all Priests and Deacons in the Archdiocese regarding Georgia HB 605, and I wanted to pass it along to our Holy Spirit parishioners. You may download the memo here.

Sincerely,

Msgr. Edward J. Dillon, J.C.D.
Pastor

This weekend, March 17th and 18th, is our monthly collection for the poor. Please give generously to the volunteers who will be collecting donations or place your envelope in the collection basket.

Please make note of two upcoming early deadlines:  Announcements for the Palm Sunday bulletin on March 25th are due on Wednesday, March 14 at noon. Announcements for the Easter bulletin are due by noon on Monday, March 19th. Thank you for helping us meet our bulletin deadlines by turning in your announcement requests by the appointed deadline.

The 2018-2019 Time and Talent Campaign is officially underway. We have the opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus through our participation in Holy Spirit’s ministries. Please prayerfully consider how you will be involved in the coming year. Click here to access the secure portion of our website. From there you can:

• Make your Time and Talent selections
• Edit your family’s profile information
• Review your offertory and second collection contributions

If you have never logged onto the website before:

1. Click on the parishioner login button on the home page of the website.
2. Click on the First Time Logging In? link on the parishioner login page.
3. Enter the e-mail address we have on file.
4. Follow the directions listed on the parishioner login page.

For questions, please contact Cheryl Veilleux in the parish office at 404-252-4513.

Thank you to those who have made a pledge to the 2018 Archbishop’s Annual Appeal. Archbishop Gregory reminds us that discipleship entails reflecting the great love of Jesus Christ through all of our daily actions and in how we live our lives. Your financial support of the Appeal is one way in which you live that love. Please select the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal and be sure to designate Holy Spirit as your parish. You may make your pledge online on the Archdiocese's website. All payments are due by December 31, 2018. 

Enjoy a BBQ dinner from Pig-N-Chik at the next Wednesday Night Dinner on March 14th at 6:30 p.m. in McDonough Hall. We’ll serve pulled pork, baked beans, mac ‘n cheese, cole slaw and dessert. The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children. Please RSVP by midnight on March 12th.

The Great Books Discussion Group will meet on Thursday, March 15th, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in Room 15 of the preschool. They will discuss Bertrand Russell’s (1872-1970) Philosophy and Knowledge. Please contact Patrick Carey at 770-241-2511 for details.

Join the Knights of Columbus for the last two fish frys! Pick up your “to go” order beginning at 4:30 p.m. Just come to the table in McDonough Hall to place your order. Dinner will be served in McDonough Hall from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Place your order, grab your beverage, and allow Holy Spirit’s Knights to serve your dinner at your table. Please RSVP by March 13th so the Knights will know how many diners to expect. The cost:  $10 (Ages 14+); $5 (Ages 3-14); No Charge (under 3). Dinner includes a Fish (baked/fried) or Shrimp Plate plus a vegetable and a starch. Proceeds will support the programs and ministries of Holy Spirit’s Knights of Columbus Council #6517. 

Join the Friday Night Bridge Group on Friday, March 16th, at 7:00 p.m. in the lower level of the parish office building. For reservations, contact Cathy Skowronski at 770-509-7698 by Wednesday, March 14th.

Join Fr. Atraga on this prayerful journey to Poland August 18-27 that will help you witness and explore Poland’s deep history and religious wonders. Some highlights include the Shrine of the Divine Mercy, where the devotion to the Divine Mercy was started by St. Faustina, the place where Pope St. John Paul II was born and grew up (his Shrine), and the spectacular salt mines, etc. Click here for more details or contact Fr. Atraga.

Volunteers are needed to help receive donations for this month's collection for the poor. Please, prayerfully consider helping with this ministry that provides vital financial assistance to our neighbors in need. A total of 3 volunteers will be needed at each Mass this weekend to cover different positions. We only need about 10 minutes of your time. Please use this sign up genius link to volunteer. You may sign up with your children. They make excellent helpers!

Volunteer catechists are needed for the 2018-2019 school year. The word catechist comes from the Greek word “echo.” Catechists echo the Word of God to our parish children. They come from all walks of life and all ages: women, men, confirmed teenagers, parents, grandparents, singles, and religious. Catechists are not expert teachers or brilliant theologians. They are ordinary people, just like you, who generously volunteer their time to share our Catholic faith, values, and traditions with our youngest generation of Christians. They are positive role models who help children grow in faith and spirituality. Share in the faith journey of our parish children and youth 3 years through 12th grade including for those preparing for First Communion and Confirmation.

Not confident enough? Training and all classroom materials are provided. Don’t have the time? Flexible schedules and weekly opportunities are available. Never taught before? We are here to help, support and guide you every step of the way! The Holy Spirit can and will work through you! Nourish parish children and youth. Grow & learn in your faith. Meet parish families. Improve your Catholic parenting. Be involved. Our children need you! Will you step forward in the faith? For more information email Allison Adair.

Adult volunteers are needed to make this summer’s Vacation Bible School a success for our parish youth! Held on July 9-13 from 9:00 a.m. - noon, many different types of volunteer opportunities are available. The Archdiocese requires compliance with its Safe Environment training. If you are interested in helping, please contact Allison Adair. VBS registration opens on April 1.

All Young Adults are invited to participate in Sunday Funday on March 18th. Come out for our monthly adoration, mass, and brunch event!

10:30 a.m. - Adoration (Optional - Confession)
11:30 a.m. - Mass (We sit in the middle right of the church)
12:30 p.m. - Meet after mass near the young adult sign to leave for brunch :)

Let us know you're interested in attending via our Facebook page.

Online registration for the 2018-2019 school year is now open for students preschool through 12th grade. At baptism, parents promise to accept the responsibility of training their children in the practice of the Catholic faith. To help honor this promise, your children should be registered in our parish religious education program if they do not
attend a Catholic school. A two-year preparation is required for receiving the sacraments of Penance and the Eucharist. These sacraments usually take place in the 2nd grade. In order to properly know their faith, children should complete eight years in our religious education program before moving into the high school and Confirmation programs. Though not required, pre-k and kindergarten classes are an excellent way for young children to begin learning about God and His love for us. Contact Allison Adair, Director of Religious Education, at 404-252-4513 ext. 217 for additional information.

Preparation for First Communion takes place during 1st grade and 2nd grade. Traditionally during the 2nd grade year, First Penance is held in January and First Communion is held the Saturday of Mother’s Day weekend. Special programs are available for children who are in 3rd grade or higher and have not received these sacraments. For more information contact Allison Adair.
 
Confirmation preparation takes place during 9th grade and 10th grade. Traditionally students are confirmed in March of 10th grade. Special programs are available for youth who are in 11th grade or higher and have not yet received the sacraments. Confirmation requirements are available on the Youth Ministry web page or by contacting Sara Gillingham.

All teens from the parish are welcome to come with Holy Spirit to Life Teen Summer Camp at Camp Hidden Lake in Dahlonega, GA! This is a six day summer camp July 16-21. We will be going to sessions, listening to talks, canoeing, swimming, and bonding as a parish. All teens from Holy Spirit are welcome to come. We do have limited spots left, so we are handling this on a first come first served basis. For more details, please email Sara. This is a great experience for rising 9th graders all the way to graduated seniors! 

All parishioners are invited to the Annual Seder Supper on Wednesday, March 28th. Steeped in tradition and rich in symbolism, the Seder supper will be held in McDonough Hall just prior to our parish penance service. The liturgical meal, based on the Passover meal, begins promptly at 6:30 p.m. Reservations are required.

Seder Supper Saints Needed

Holy Spirit’s Annual Seder Supper cannot happen without all of our amazing Saints! If you or your family would like to become part of this annual tradition in a tangible way and serve the parish during Holy Week, please consider volunteering on the Sign Up Genius link. Help is needed with set up, serving the Seder Meal and clean up after the dinner. Thank you, in advance, for your willingness to serve.

Sunday, March 25th - Palm Sunday
   Regular Mass Schedule

Wednesday, March 28th - Spy Wednesday
   Seder Supper - 6:30 p.m.
   Parish Penance Service - 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, March 29th - Holy Thursday
   Mass of the Lord’s Supper - 8:00 p.m.
   Eucharistic Adoration - 9:00 p.m.

Friday, March 30th - Good Friday
   Seven Last Words and Confessions - 12:00 p.m.
   Stations of the Cross - 2:30 p.m.
   Celebration of the Lord’s Passion - 8:00 p.m.

Saturday, March 31th - Holy Saturday
   Easter Vigil - 8:00 p.m.

Sunday, April 1st - Easter Sunday

   Mass - 6:30 a.m., 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., Noon

The story of C.S. Lewis' conversion to Christianity is almost amazing and moving as one of his own tales, and it simply could not have happened without his good friend J.R.R. Tolkien. Join Dr. David King on Sunday, March 18th at 10:00 a.m. in McDonough Hall to learn more.

Stations of the Cross will be prayed in St. Mary’s Chapel each Friday during Lent at 5:00 p.m.

During Lent, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will be offered in St. Mary’s Chapel every Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. and again from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 a.m. on Saturday. Adoration is also held on Sunday mornings from 9:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Stop in the chapel and rest in the presence of the Lord. If you would like to commit to serving as a guardian for a particular hour, please contact the appropriate Ministry Leaders:

 
  Friday (day):  Denise Gunderson       
  Friday (night):  Val Carolin 
  Sunday:  Mari Hobgood 

The Sacrament of Penance is offered every Saturday from 4:15 p.m. until 5:00 p.m., Sunday mornings from 9:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. or anytime by appointment. Our Lenten Penance service will be held on Wednesday, March 28th, at 7:30 p.m. Confessions will also be heard on Good Friday, March 30, from 12:00 p.m. until 2:30 p.m., during the Seven Last Words service.