Easter 2026

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Happy Easter! There is something powerful about seeing our church filled with joy, families gathered together, and hearts lifted by the simple but life-changing truth we celebrate today: Jesus Christ is risen.

 

The Resurrection is not just something that happened long ago. It is something God continues to do in our lives right now. Even when the world feels uncertain, divided, or overwhelming, Easter reminds us that hope is real. God is still bringing new life. God is still opening new paths forward. And God is still calling us to walk together.

That is one of the greatest gifts of parish life. Holy Spirit Catholic Church is not simply a place we attend — it is a faith family. Here we are meant to be known, supported, encouraged, and challenged to grow. We pray for one another. We celebrate together. We carry each other through difficult seasons. In a world where many people feel alone, the Church can be a place where we truly belong.

 

If you are visiting today, returning after some time away, or simply wondering how to get more connected, Easter is a beautiful time to take a step. Consider getting involved in a ministry, joining a small group, serving others, or just introducing yourself to someone new. Faith becomes stronger and life becomes richer when we share the journey.

My prayer this Easter is that you not only celebrate the Resurrection but experience it. May the Risen Lord fill your hearts and homes with peace, joy, and lasting hope.

In Christ,

Fr. Ballman

Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Join us to celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord today, Sunday, April 5:

8:00 AM - Church
10:00 AM - Church
10:00 AM - McDonough Hall
12:00 PM - Church
2:00 PM - Church (Spanish)

Join members of our Latino Community for a Festival of Flavor and Culture (formerly Taste of Mexico) next Sunday, April 12, from 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM in McDonough Hall. Enjoy fellowship, homemade delicacies and folkloric music.

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

All men of the parish are invited to the next Men’s Club gathering on Monday, April 6, at 6:30 PM in McDonough Hall (note bulletin incorrectly states the location as Malta Hall). Our guest speaker, Duncan Gibbs, will present: “What the Young Get Wrong and the Old Wish They Knew About Retirement.” The cost is $15 and includes dinner. RSVP on the parish website if you can attend.

A parishioner at Christ the King, Duncan is real estate professional with more than 35 years of experience and founder of Tristar Real Estate Investments. He is the creator and host of The Retirement Spy, a platform focused on the often-overlooked non-financial aspects of retirement. Duncan will explore how the pursuit of purpose, meaning, and identity in retirement transcends generational differences. He will offer practical insights on navigating the transition into “Phase Two” of life, emphasizing fulfillment, structure, and intentional living beyond one’s primary career. In fact, Duncan interviewed HSCC parishioners Nancy and Jim Ewing in a recent episode of The Retirement Spy, which you can watch here.

What is Divine Mercy Sunday?
In 1931, Jesus appeared to Sr. Faustina in Poland and expressed his desire for a feast celebrating his mercy. The Feast of Mercy was to be on the Sunday after Easter.

The Chaplet of Divine Mercy
St. Faustina wrote that Jesus said to her, “At the hour of their death, I defend as My own glory every soul that will say this chaplet; or when others say it for a dying person “ (Divine Mercy in My Soul, no. 811).

The Divine Mercy Chaplet will be prayed in St. Mary’s Chapel on Sunday, April 12:

10:00 AM - English
11:00 AM - English
  2:00 PM - Spanish

We will also have confessions from 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM.

Plenary Indulgences are available:
The Church has made Divine Mercy Sunday an occasion for receiving a plenary indulgence, “the remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sin whose guilt has already been forgiven” (CCC, no. 1471). The plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful under the usual conditions: (Confession, Eucharist, prayer for the intentions of the Pope, and complete detachment from sin, even venial sin). The faithful may either take part in the prayers and devotions held in honor of Divine Mercy in any church or chapel or recite the Our Father and Creed in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament exposed or reserved in the tabernacle, adding a devout prayer to the merciful Lord Jesus.

Our next Wednesday "Knight" Dinner is April 15, and the Knights are planning the best chili you'll find East (or West) of the Pecos! Each participating Knight is bringing his best. And if you're willing to taste all the entries, you get to vote for the winner! Besides the heat-in-a-bowl chili, we'll be offering an amazing number of condiments and sides! The price is $15 per adult, $5 per child, with a family "max" of $35. RSVP if you will attend.

All parishioners are invited to the nearly-sold-out inaugural Once Upon a Tile Mahjong fundraising event with all proceeds benefiting Catholic Charities Atlanta’s Read to Succeed literacy initiative. Sponsored in full by Bold Monk Brewing Co. and presented by Buckhead Mahjong, Once Upon a Tile willl take place on Monday, April 20, from 9:30 AM - 1:00 PM, at Bold Monk Brewing Co. The cost is $600 per table of four. Book your spot here.

Holy Spirit Catholic Church is a proud supporter of the Read to Succeed initiative which aims to boost literacy by providing new books to children of homeless, low-income, and refugee families in the Greater Atlanta area.

Spring is in the air! Are you finally ready to clean out that attic, basement, or maybe your adult child’s bedroom who moved out years ago? How do you decide what makes the cut, and where do you go from there?  Join the Women’s Club on Monday, April 13, in McDonough Hall as the Women's Club welcomes Nancy Meck of Meck Organizing.  Nancy will walk us through all the steps we need to take to get the job done! Sign up online for the 11:30 AM program, or join us in the evening for the 6:30 PM program. Lunch or dinner is included in the $20 cost. 

RSVP for the Morning Session Here

RSVP for the Evening Session Here 

Nancy is a professional organizer and is the founder of Meck Organizing. Learn more about Nancy and her company at meckorganizing.com.

Join us for the April Women’s Club Thursday Social at The Chastain on April 30, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. The address is:  4320 Powers Ferry Road NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30342. Enjoy a relaxed and joyful evening of fellowship at The Chastain! Come unwind, connect with friends old and new, and enjoy a beautiful setting together.

The Women's Club service initiative for the year is a partnership with the Community Assistance Center in Sandy Springs, which serves many parishioners. CAC focuses on providing basic needs assistance to prevent homelessness and hunger, while promoting self-sufficiency. They offer financial assistance, have three food pantry locations, and operate a thrift store. They also offer youth programs, adult education, a career center, and tax preparation assistance.  Please see the CAC website for details on all the valuable services they provide to the community.

In-Person Service Event
Holy Spirit's Women's Club will conduct an in-person service event on Wednesday, April 29. We will return to the Community Assistance Center on Northwood Drive, where we will sort items for their food pantry and assist in the market. We need a total of 10 volunteers, consisting of two shifts with five volunteers each. Shifts are 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM and 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM. Please see the SignUp Genius for details. 
 
Toiletry Drive
From now through April, we will collect toiletries for the women served by the food pantry:  shampoo and conditioner, deodorant, disposable razors, shaving cream, feminine products, bar soaps, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and dental floss.

How to Donate

1.  Bring to meetings through April
2.  Order via Amazon wishlist

 

The Women's Club is excited to work again with Flower Power for their Spring fundraising program. Dahlias, peonies, lily of the valley, and other gifts for sale now at Flower Power, through May 15. Orders ship in April and will be delivered directly to each address for a flat fee of $6.99 per order. These will make great Mother's Day gifts!

Thank you, Holy Spirit parish family, for the love and support you have shown Mom Jazz and her daughters, Iriyah and Xyla, through our Marillac Moms ministry. With a baby boy due in August, this beautiful family is experiencing new stability and hope.

 

Marillac Moms offers transitional housing for pregnant women and children facing homelessness. Managed by St. Vincent de Paul Georgia. Supported by our Holy Spirit Catholic Church community.

Follow the journey: hsccatl.com/marillacmoms

This Easter season, we are grateful for the generosity you share with neighbors who are struggling. Because of you, St. Vincent de Paul at Holy Spirit can walk alongside families in need, offering practical help, friendship, and renewed hope.

The Resurrection reminds us that even in hardship, new life is possible. Thank you for helping us feed, clothe, house, and heal our neighbors.

If you feel called to grow in faith through service and friendship, we invite you to join us at our next meeting on April 7 in the Lower Level of the Administration Building. Fellowship begins at 6:30 PM, and the meeting begins at 7:00 PM.

Questions? Email us at SVDP@hsccatl.com.

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 winter and spring. 

April 26 - The Glory of the Lord: Reflections on the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary - Alycia Murtha

May 3 - Jonah: The Short but Powerful Story of a Failed Prophet - Deacon Steve Demko

May 17 - The Examen:  Applying the Rules of Discernment - Seminarian Oswaldo (Ozzy) Franco

Save the Dates of June 8 - 12 for Holy Spirit’s Vacation Bible School where children can take “The Great Journey with Jesus Through the Church Year.” Registration is curreintly underway at hsccatl.com/vbs.

Religious Education registration for the 2026-2027 school year for both children and teens is underway. You may register online here. Volunteers are needed to serve as catechists and co-catechists. Please consider giving of your time and talent bringing the faith to the young people of our parish.