A Brief History of the Church of the Holy Spirit
The Church of the Holy Spirit first came into being in 1977, as the Highland Mass Station . Father Robert Humitz of St. Patrick Parish and Father Frank Zielinski of St. Mary's Parish consented to celebrate with us on alternate Sundays. Our first Mass at Spring Mills School boasted of a full house of 525.
In October of 1977, Father Edward Farrell of (then) St. Agnes Parish in Detroit also began celebrating Mass with us, and was the catalyst in forming the Spirit-filled atmosphere of the yet-to-be-named parish. In May of 1978, our status went from a Mass Station to "Parish In Formation." Father John Howard was named as our first pastor. In December of 1978, we became the Territorial Parish of Holy Spirit .
January of 1979 ushered in our first pledge drive appealing to the approximately 300 original families. In March of that same year, a Building Committee was formed.
On January 27, 1980 , Father John Howard celebrated his last Mass for the Holy Spirit congregation. His death on April 9, 1980, was a cause of deep sorrow and loss for the entire parish.
In May of 1980, Father Leo Lulko was assigned and received as our second pastor, and currently continues in that ministry. He has been, and is, our spiritual guide and leader, and has seen us through the ground-breaking and building of the new church structure (dedicated on March 15, 1981) , as well as the forming of loving, caring community which attempts to reach out to all.
We are a Church community consisting of a Deacon, Mike Somervell, a CCE Coordinator, three Section Heads, a Christian Service Coordinator, an Adult Education-Worship Coordinator, Youth Minister, Administrative Secretary, CCE Secretary, 100 CCE teachers and helpers, and over 1600 families.
Since our founding, our needs have continually grown, and so has the physical plant. Thanks to the continued faith and financial support of our parish, an addition was constructed and dedicated on March 15, 1987 . Attached to the Church building, the addition provides 12 classrooms, increased office space, work areas and storage, provisions for Christian Service to serve the needy, kitchen facilities and space to gather socially.
In May of 2005, we completed the new additon of 12,000 square feet of office space, gathering area, conference room, Christian Service, storage rooms and a Perpetual Adoration Chapel. We very proud and grateful to God for our Chapel that remains open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
There exists within our parish structure an extremely active Men's and Usher's Club, Women's Club, Youth Group, Knights of Columbus, Parish Pastoral Council and allied Commissions. Constant spiritual guidance is available through our pre-marriage courses, pre-baptismal classes, RCIA for adults and RCIA/C for children programs, and devotion to the Rosary.
The Church of the Holy Spirit is seeking to bring about the Kingdom of God on this earth!
Our Mission Statement is: The Church of the Holy Spirit is a family formed by God to live an active faith under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We are challenged to proclaim the Good News of Jesus to all; to celebrate the realities of our faith through a joyful and meaningful Liturgy; to provide an education in keeping with all aspects, precepts and doctrines of the Catholic Church; to serve the human needs of others; and to share our faith and resources as God's family.
It is exciting to belong to this, our parish family!
Welcome !