Holy Spirit Parish has a unique origin – it began in an elementary school! In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Calgary experienced rapid growth, especially in Southwest Calgary. As a result, there was an urgent need for a new parish to serve the Catholic families in the Braeside, Palliser, Bayview, and Oakridge communities. In response, Bishop Paul O’Byrne established Holy Spirit Parish on August 18, 1974, appointing Fr. Greg McLellan as its first parish priest. Initially, services were held at St. Benedict School for 350 families, but it did not take long for the parish to outgrow the school’s capacity.

In February 1975, a Building Committee was established to plan the expansion of the school site. It was determined that the best approach would be to build a church directly connected to the school, allowing for shared spaces between the two facilities. Site groundbreaking took place on February 27, 1977, and the new church officially opened on October 22, 1977. Within a short period, the parish grew to 750 families.

As suburban growth continued, it became evident that the existing facilities were insufficient to meet the physical and spiritual needs of the expanding parish. In February 1982, Fr. Alex MacLennan was appointed parish priest, followed six months later by Fr. Joe Toole.

By this time, the parish had grown to over 1,000 families, prompting discussions about either expanding the current building or relocating to a new building site. By 1985, plans for a new church were embraced, and land was acquired. The “Growing with the Spirit” campaign was launched to support fundraising efforts, which surpassed expectations due to the generosity of our parishioners.

The sod turning ceremony for the new church took place on May 3rd, 1987, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the community. As construction progressed, the structure began to rise, sparking hope and anticipation among parishioners who eagerly envisioned their future gatherings. The final Mass at St. Benedict School on June 25, 1988 was a bittersweet farewell, filled with cherished memories. The following day, the Blessing of our new church brought everyone together in joyful reverence, filling the impressive new space with a sense of community and celebration. Six months later, the Knights of Columbus generously financed the installation of a new sound system, and in March 1989, the Catholic Women’s League planned and financed a new kitchen, ensuring the church would be a hub of fellowship for years to come.

In April 1989, a second campaign, “Together in the Spirit,” was launched to fund Phase Two, which included the construction of the administrative area, meeting rooms, library, and parish offices. Once again, parishioners generously contributed their time, talents, and donations. By the fall of 1990, Phase Two was completed, and the parish had grown to approximately 2,000 families.

Throughout the 1990s, Holy Spirit Parish continued to grow and thrive, thanks in large part to the foundational work of Fr. Toole, who nurtured not only the church building but also the vibrant faith community that developed around it. Appointed before the church was built, he played a crucial role in its construction and in fostering a welcoming environment where worshippers became like family. In August 1993, Bishop O’Byrne appointed Fr. Tim Boyle as the new pastor, who built upon Fr. Toole’s legacy. Enhancements during this time included a new baptismal font and a renovated entrance to the nave.

As the years progressed, the parish grew in many ways. In 1996, Our Lady of Peace, Tsuut’ina Nation, became a mission of Holy Spirit parish. As such, our clergy celebrates Mass and provides sacraments to their church which is located on a reserve that borders the southwestern city limits of Calgary.

Tragedy struck on the long weekend of May 1998 when an unknown arsonist set fire to the Holy Spirit Church Office, Jubilee Room and gathering areas of the church, causing significant damage. However, the true spirit of our parish emerged as hundreds of volunteers rallied to assist with the restoration. By fall 1998, Holy Spirit was restored to its former glory, incorporating welcome modifications into the repaired areas. By this time, the congregation had grown to over 2,780 families.

In 2009, with guidance from the Holy Spirit and approval from Bishop Henry, we welcomed the Hispanic community into our parish, providing Spanish-speaking Masses and sacraments for those in the south quadrant of the city who previously had to travel to the north quadrant for these services. The success of the Hispanic programs and ministries at Holy Spirit Parish is the result of the dedicated collective efforts of many priests, deacons, and volunteers. Numerous priests have traveled to our parish, and continue to do so, to celebrate Spanish-speaking Masses, ensuring that the Hispanic community remains connected and spiritually nourished, especially when non-Spanish-speaking priests are assigned to our church.

Holy Spirit Parish has grown in remarkable ways over the years, celebrating its 25th Anniversary with the theme “Celebrating in the Spirit” and recently marking its 50th Anniversary with the theme “Life in the Spirit.” This choice of theme reflects the parish community’s resilience, especially during the challenging COVID years, when liturgical celebrations were profoundly impacted. A dedicated group of parishioners implemented stringent safety protocols to keep the church’s doors open, allowing Sunday and daily Masses to continue alongside daily Eucharistic Adoration. Recognizing the lasting impact of the pandemic, the 50th Anniversary Planning Committee focused on ‘rebuilding,’ emphasizing a renewed sense of community and faith. The Anniversary Mass was celebrated on Pentecost, May 19, 2024, with Bishop McGrattan as the celebrant and it took place in a vibrant sea of red, as many parishioners donned the color in celebration. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, a year-long celebration was planned, centering on hospitality and prayer. Each month features different activities designed to strengthen our parish family, ensuring that “Life in the Spirit” continues to flourish.

Fifty years ago, Holy Spirit Parish began its journey serving just four communities. Over the decades, the number of communities has expanded to eight, which include the following: Bayview, Braeside, Cedarbrae, Oakridge, Palliser, Pump Hill, Woodbine, and Woodlands. Throughout this remarkable journey, many devoted priests have served and nurtured our parish community, along with deacons who have provided invaluable support. We have three affiliated Catholic schools within our boundaries: St. Benedict School, St. Jude School, and St. Cyril School, each contributing to the faith and education of our children.

As of 2024, Holy Spirit Parish serves around 3,500 parishioners. Our current Pastor, Fr. David Meadows, captured our parish journey perfectly when he said, “The parish has evolved from a new suburban community filled with young families to a dynamic inner-city parish, where the demographics have shifted to include a significant number of elderly members. Over time, we have also embraced a rich multicultural tapestry, welcoming parishioners from South America, Asia, and Africa.”

We are blessed with dedicated volunteers who contribute across all facets of our parish. Our parishioners have consistently shared their talents with various organizations, ministries, and services, embodying the true spirit of a vibrant parish community. Their generous support for fundraising efforts has greatly benefited our parish over the past five decades. In reflecting on our journey, we express our gratitude for the dedication and support of our past and present clergy and parishioners who have shaped our parish family from the very beginning.