This Week at Holy Spirit: Volume 621

Part of Something Greater: It's Not Too Late to Support Our Offertory Campaign

As a parish family, we are called to support one another and strengthen the mission of Holy Spirit. Your 2026 pledge is an act of faith, gratitude, and love for our community. Please make your pledge online at hsccatl.com/giving. Every gift is used wisely and with great care to support our parish family and its ministries. Please contact Debbie Slinkard or Marcia Palcher at 404-252-4513 with questions. Thank you for your generosity, which helps us share Christ’s love and remain a community where all are welcomed and supported.

Important Information About Holy Spirit’s Hallow Partnership and Discount for Renewing Hallow Subscribers

If you currently have a Hallow premium subscription and would like to renew, our Hallow Parish Partnership is offering a 50% discount on a premium subscription annually for the duration of our partnership. In order to redeem this, follow these instructions:

Cancel your current Hallow subscription by opening your Hallow app.
Go to the “Me” tab > Settings > Subscription > Cancel my Subscription.
Go to Hallow.com/redeem and then enter in the code: ExpansionSub50 and follow the steps to get your discount.

Enjoy your Hallow premium subscription, and don’t forget to join our Holy Spirit’s community page on Hallow!

Open the Hallow app
Go to the community tab at the bottom of your screen
Select “Join a Church” and search for Holy Spirit Catholic Church by name or by entering 30327 as the zip code.
Start praying with the parish!

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact Aimee McDonald or Kim Schulman in the parish office.

Early Bulletin Deadlines

Please note the revised early bulletin deadlines set by our printer for the upcoming holidays. Thank you in advance for your flexibility and cooperation.

Bulletin Date Submission Deadline

December 25 December 1
December 28 December 4
January 4 December 8

Weekly Parish Bulletin

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

Holy Spirit Prep Open Houses

Holy Spirit Prep invites all families interested in a Catholic education for their children to attend Holy Spirit Prep's Upper School Open House on Wednesday, November 19, from 9:00 AM –11:00 AM. For more information, please visit www.holyspiritprep.org.

Wednesday Night Dinner
Feast and Fellowship

Join your parish family at 6:30 PM on Wednesday, November 19, in McDonough Hall for our next Wednesday Night Dinner. Celebrate a pre-Thanksgiving meal with your parish family as we "Give Thanks" together as volunteers from the Women of the Word ministry serve a delicious dinner prepared by C. Parks Catering & Events. The menu features: mixed bluegrass salad, fried turkey with gravy, cornbread dressing, mashed potatoes, sweet potato soufflé with toasted meringue top, homemade cranberry sauce, oven roasted root vegetables, green bean casserole, rolls, chocolate pumpkin bars, and apple crisp with cinnamon whipped cream! The best part is NO COOKING for you! The cost is $15 for adults and $10 for children under 12. There is a family maximum fee of $35 for families with children. Bottles of San Pellegrino available for $3 each, and wine is available for a donation. RSVP by 12:00 PM on Tuesday, November 18.

Air Travel, IT Security, and Our Hometown Airline: Thoughts from Deb Wheeler at the December 1 Men’s Club Meeting

Join the Men’s Club on Monday, December 1, as they welcome Deb Wheeler, Chief Information Security Officer at Delta Air Lines, to share her insights on the future of the travel industry, IT security, and some of the happenings at Delta.

Deb has a long and successful career in IT security, with stints at PNC Bank, JP Morgan Chase, Fifth Third Bank, Ally Financial, and now, Delta, where she’s been for nearly nine years. Deb and her husband, Phil, have been active Holy Spirit parishioners since moving to Atlanta for Deb’s job with Delta and have four adult children.

Please join us for cocktails in McDonough Hall after the parish penance service, beginning around 6:45 PM, followed by dinner and Deb’s presentation. The cost of $15 includes dinner. Pre-registration is not required but helps with planning. RSVP online.

Thanksgiving Holiday - Parish Office Closing

In honor of the Thanksgiving holiday, the parish office will be closed Wednesday, November 26 through Friday, November 28. Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Thanksgiving Day in the Church. The priests, deacons, and staff of Holy Spirit wish you a Thanksgiving filled with many blessings.

Christmas Flower Fund

Honor or remember your loved one(s) by contributing to the flowers for our Altar this Christmas. You may either use the form on the back page of the bulletin or our Christmas flower webpage. The deadline to make your purchase is Monday, December 1.

Advent Penance Service

As we enter this holy season of Advent, take time to open your heart to God’s mercy and healing. Join us for the Advent Penance Service on Monday, December 1, at 6:30 PM in the Church. Several priests will be present to hear confessions and share the loving grace and forgiveness of Christ.

Decorating for Christmas

‘Tis the season to deck the halls. Join us Tuesday, December 2, to help decorate the Church and St. Mary’s Chapel. Enjoy coffee and treats in McDonough Hall after the 8:30 AM Mass. Then we’ll get to work trimming the trees in the Church and outside of the Chapel, hanging artificial wreaths and garland in the Church, and decorating the Chapel windows. Many hands make light work. RSVP if you can help. Contact Kim Schulman with questions.

Women's Club Cookie Exchange hosted by Barbara Williams

The Women’s Club invites all Women of the Parish to join us for a Cookie Exchange, hosted by Barbara Williams on Thursday, November 20, 5:00 to 7:00 PM. Before the busyness of Thanksgiving begins, come enjoy fellowship, friendship and delicious cookies! It's a time to gather in gratitude and community.

Bring 4 dozen of your favorite homemade cookies to share. Include a copy of your recipe to exchange with others. Bring a container to take home an assortment of cookies baked by friends. Light refreshments will be served as we share the delicious cookies. Barbara Williams’ address is: 245 Inland Ridge Way, Atlanta, Georgia 30342. RSVP if you will attend.

Women's Club Presents Advent by Candlelight

All Women are invited to a special Advent by Candlelight Dinner on Wednesday, December 3, at 6:30 PM in McDonough Hall. Immerse in the Advent spirit with beautifully themed table decorations and a catered dinner. The cost is $20. RSVP if you will attend. Volunteers are needed to serve as table hosts to help decorate the tables. Let us know when you RSVP if you'd like to help.

While we enjoy a lovely dinner by candlelight, all participants will be treated to a program led by Holy Spirit parishioner and sacred art enthusiast Nancy Ewing. Nancy will focus exclusively on the beauty of the second joyful mystery – the Visitation. Mary’s visit to her cousin Elizabeth is well represented in art through the ages, and Nancy will open our eyes to that event’s holy messages.

Women's Club - Christmas Coffee hosted by Nancy and Doug Bryant

Celebrate the season with the Women’s Club at our Christmas Coffee. Come enjoy delicious coffee, holiday treats and meaningful conversation as we celebrate the joy of the season. Take a break from the holiday rush to reconnect and share the spirit of Christmas with your church family.

Join us on Monday, December 15, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the home of Nancy and Doug Bryant, 3569 Dumbarton Rd, NW.

#iGiveCatholic Opens Tomorrow

Love your neighbor - click by click.

Early giving for iGiveCatholic opens Monday, November 17. Your gift supports our Holy Spirit Conference of St. Vincent de Paul as they walk with neighbors facing hunger, eviction, and crisis.

Give online: hsccatl.com/iGiveCatholic.

The Knights of Columbus Annual Monastery Goods Sale is Here!

Support the monks at the Monastery of the Holy Spirit this holiday season by purchasing delicious, high-quality Monastery goods through the Knights of Columbus. From artisanal fruit cake and biscotti to rich honey, decadent fudge, and freshly roasted coffee, there’s something for everyone on your list—or treat yourself!

Order Deadline: December 1
Pickup Dates: December 6 &7 | Pope’s Room after Mass

Get a head start on your Christmas shopping or find the perfect client gift, all while supporting the monks. Place your order online.

Be A Christmas Angel with the St. Vincent de Paul Society

Our Christmas Angel program is underway, and we invite you to share the spirit of giving with our Latino community this holiday season.

Before the pandemic, we celebrated with wrapped gifts. Today, out of care and respect, we give cash gifts instead—so parents can choose the perfect presents for their children. Why cash? Because while Santa might know exactly what each child wants, we don’t. By empowering parents to shop for their own families, we give not only joy—but also dignity and grace—to our hermanos y hermanas.

This year, our goal is $35,000, with a suggested gift of $100 per person. Your generosity directly determines how many families we can bless with the magic of Christmas.

Donate online at hsccatl.com/christmasangel or in person the weekends of November 23, November 30, and December 7 (cash/check). You may also drop off your contribution at the parish office. All checks should be made payable to Holy Spirit Catholic Church with “Christmas Angel” in the memo line.

Serve with Love: Volunteer with Holy Spirit’s Homeless Ministry this Winter

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 1 through March 31. 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.

This year we will be covering every Wednesday night during the shelter season. Two of those nights will be the day before Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve, so please be careful when you sign up. The Sign Up Genius page will be shared with everyone who expresses interest in participating. Children are welcome if accompanied by a parent. If you or your family would like to volunteer, please contact Kevin Skedsvold at koskedsvold@rhs-law.com to be added to the distribution list.

A Christmas Keepsake that Supports Mothers and Babies in Bethlehem

Members from the Sovereign Military Order of Malta are pleased to announce our 2025 Christmas ornament: Our Lady of the Rosary. These beautiful ornaments are $30 each or $25 each for two or more ornaments. All proceeds will benefit Holy Family Hospital in Bethlehem, located just 1,500 steps away from where Jesus was born. Holy Family Hospital is the premier maternity hospital and newborn critical care center for the Bethlehem region and is the only hospital in the region that can deliver and save babies born before 32 weeks, some weighing as little as one pound.

Orders may be placed online with pick up in the parish office. In person sales will take place the weekend of November 29 and 30.

Acoustic Guitarist Needed for Contemporary Choir

Our Sunday evening Contemporary Choir is in search of an acoustic guitarist who can accompany the ensemble each week at our 5:30 PM Mass. Rehearsals are from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM on Sundays. For more information, please contact Jeff Simpson.

Sunday Morning Adult Faith Formation Fall Schedule

Looking to grow deeper in your faith? Our Sunday morning Adult Faith Formation program is the perfect place to learn, share, and grow together. Mark your calendar and join us at 10:00 AM in McDonough Hall on select Sunday mornings throughout the Fall.

November 16 - What Christian Freedom Really Means - Deacon McCarthy

December 7 - St. Francis of Assisi: The Most Admired & Least Imitated Saint - Deacon McCarthy

December 14 - Nativity Narratives - Deacon Steve Demko

Women's Morning of Reflection

All women are invited to a special retreat on Saturday, November 22, in Malta Hall. The morning will begin with the parish Mass at 8:30 AM, followed by brunch, presentations on the topic "Jesus: the Model of Evangelization", and confession. These monthly retreats are sponsored by Regnum Christi and aim to provide the tools to grow in faith and become witnesses of the gospel. For more information, please contact Denise Gunderson.

Considering the Faith? Enroll in the 2026 O.C.I.A. Program

We are now enrolling for the Easter 2026 session of our Order of Christian Initiation (OCIA) program which will begin on Sunday, January 4, and conclude on Sunday, May 17, with reception into full communion with the Roman Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil Mass on Saturday, April 4. The class meets on Sunday mornings in the parish office building from 10:00 AM - 11:15 AM, with Mass offered either before or after at 8:30 AM or 11:30 AM. The class will not meet on MLK, Easter, or Mother’s Day weekends. A nominal fee of $35 is required to register for the course; this fee helps offset the costs of books and other materials.

Because acceptance into the program requires pastoral approval, prospective OCIA participants should begin gathering sacramental documents now, including, if applicable, certificates of baptism and marriage. Remote and in-person interviews with participants are now being held; please e-mail Dr. David King to arrange registration. The deadline for registration is Sunday, December 14.

Living the Gospel as the Body of Christ

Part of Something Greater: It's Not Too Late to Support Our Offertory Campaign