Born in Calgary in 1951 as one of two children, Father David attended local Catholic schools. He earned a Bachelor of Education from the University of Calgary and taught for three years before attending Mount Angel Seminary in Oregon from 1985 to 1990. Ordained a priest on May 25, 1990, he served in various parishes in and around Calgary and has been the Pastor of Holy Spirit Parish since 2017. He follows a family tradition of religious service, with a great-uncle and great-aunt both having been a priest and a Benedictine nun, respectively. His mother once missed an opportunity to have dinner with Cardinal John Paul (who later became Pope John Paul II!) because she needed to go shopping, a decision she always regretted.
Born in Kerala, South India in 1952, Fr. Joe moved to Karnataka with his family in 1953. He has four sisters and two brothers. After high school, he joined the Seminary in Thalassery in 1969 and was ordained a priest 10 years later on December 31, 1979. He served in the Diocese of Thalassery and Belthangady, India for 23 years before moving to the Diocese of Calgary in January 2002. He has served in various parishes and hospitals in and around Calgary since moving to Alberta, currently serving as Associate Pastor at Holy Spirit Parish. In his family, he has an uncle and a nephew who are priests and two nieces who are nuns.
Bennet was born in Kerala, South India. He completed his Masters in Social Work in 2005. For six years, he worked in the mental health sector and at the child helpline in India. He moved to Calgary in 2011, and was employed in various organizations, such as Walmart, Supply Chain Management, Alpha House, CMHA (Canadian Mental Health Association) and Supported Lifestyles Ltd. He realized his call to the priesthood in 2017-18 and joined the seminary in 2019. He has completed five years of seminary formation at St. Joseph Seminary in Edmonton and is currently on his one-year internship year at Holy Spirit Parish.
Born in 1954 in Birch Hills, Saskatchewan, Deacon Paul is the seventh of eleven children. Baptized in his family farmhouse, he began studying Latin at age seven to serve as an altar server. He earned a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering in Saskatoon and married Julie Hyggen, who holds a Bachelor of Nursing, in 1977. They have three children and eight grandchildren. Ordained as a Deacon, he has served at Holy Spirit Parish since 2002. After retiring from the oil industry at 60, he now enjoys his hobby farm near Glennifer Lake and spends his winters in Encantada, AZ.
Born in San Salvador, El Salvador, Deacon Alex moved to Mexico City with his wife Margarita and their first-born son, Alex, in 1981. Their second son, Jose Daniel, was born in Mexico City during their three-year stay there. In 1984, the family relocated to Calgary, where their third son Roberto was born. They became active members of the Hispanic Catholic community within the church, and it became an integral part of their lives. On June 24, 2002, he was ordained to the Sacred Order of the Permanent Diaconate for the Diocese of Calgary and has since served in various parishes, currently serving the Hispanic Ministry at Holy Spirit Parish.
Deacon Carlos was born in Argentina in 1951. He is married to Cristina Rieter, and together they have two daughters, Celeste and Cecilia, as well as three grandchildren: Millie, Franco, and Michelle. Ordained as a Permanent Deacon in 1996, Deacon Carlos and his family moved to Canada in 2023 as Permanent Residents, marking a new chapter in their lives. On August 1, 2023, he was incardinated in the Diocese of Calgary, where Bishop McGrattan assigned him to Holy Spirit Parish. This opportunity has brought him great joy, allowing him to serve in the Hispanic Ministry.
Originally from Regina, Saskatchewan, Leanne is a proud Saskatchewan Roughrider owner, season ticket holder, and dedicated fan. She is married and the loving mother of two boys. Cheering for her boys at their hockey and baseball games is where she spends most of her time. A true sports enthusiast, she applies the strategic skills she uses in the office to her curling game! When she’s not busy supporting her kids, Leanne enjoys spending quality time with family and friends, enjoying cards and board games together. Leanne joined the Holy Spirit Parish team in May 2023, where she brings her expertise and passion for numbers to the role.
Lizy, her husband Joe, and their two children moved to Calgary in 2006 from Dubai. Lizy was born and raised in Kerala, India. After marrying Joe, Lizy lived in various places in India and abroad due to Joe’s work as an engineer in the energy industry. Lizy holds a master’s degree in history from Mahatma Gandhi University and has been working for the Calgary Diocese for 14 years. She is a dedicated volunteer for many Catholic outreach ministries, assisting both youth and elderly homes. Since November 2022, she has been honored and joyful to serve at Holy Spirit Parish.
Cecilia Dabbagh
Sacramental Coordinator, RCIA
(403) 251-3381
Born in Medicine Hat and raised in Calgary, Cecilia is the oldest of seven children. She is happily married and a devoted mother of four. Cecilia holds an undergraduate degree in Theology and Human Life Studies, as well as a Master’s Degree in Theology from Franciscan University. She joined the Holy Spirit Parish team in 2018, bringing her passion for faith and community to her role.
