Appreciation for Father Phillips
Associate Pastor
Rev. Father Jonathan Phillips, Parochial Vicar enthusiastically accepted his first priestly assignment to Holy Spirit Catholic Church July 1st, 2016. He immediately took on leadership roles to assist Father Rudi with the incredible number of ministries that Holy Spirit offers to its parishioners and the community. Father Phillips’ dedication to our parish was felt by everyone from tots to teens, as well as the young to not-so young adults. Always taking time to listen and cultivate a priestly relationship with parishioners, Fr. Phillips became a source of spiritual direction to us through personal conversations, the reception of the sacraments, prayerful consultations, and effectively delivered homilies.
Bishop Robert M. Coerver, S.T.L., M.S. announced assignments and reassignments of some priests and seminarians within the diocese during April. Fortunately for St. Michael’s parish, and unfortunately for us here at Holy Spirit, Fr. Phillips will begin his new assignment in Levelland July 1st 2017. One focus Father Phillips has been tasked with is to develop a strong campus ministry at South Plains College.
Here at Holy Spirit, we were fortunate to have him for a year, were mindful of him in our prayers and parish activities, and he will be greatly missed. With appreciation our prayers go with you Father Phillips. Father Phillips
Dear Parishioners of Holy Spirit,
I am happy to welcome Fr. Joseph Palacios as our first Associate Pastor to Holy Spirit (July 1, 2012). I pray that our parish will be a beautiful opportunity to begin his Priestly Ministry. Holy Spirit has been a beautiful mosaic for my own Priestly Ministry. As I reflect on my years and ministry. I thank God for all the blessings He has given to me.I am excited at the events of the coming months. We will begin the Year of Faith on October 11, 2012 and continue to the Feast of Christ the King, November 24, 2013. In Advent we will begin an enrichment program to develop our faith awareness, called “Arise Together in Christ”. I will be seeking volunteers to launch this program as a Parish Planning Team so we can reach out to the Evangelization of God’s People. I will need volunteers who would like to be leaders for the small group discussions. If you are interested, please call the office, leave your name, phone number or email address or complete the area below and submit to the office. I will let you know when we will have training sessions for this program.Our parish will be 14 years established this September. I am deeply grateful to our devoted parishioners who have so graciously worked with me to accomplish each of the 3 phases we have done: Phase I – The Gathering Hall and McGivney Hall, etc., Phase II – The Church and office space, Phase III – The new Educational Building. It has been exciting and a great experience to work with you and visibly see the various accomplishments over these 14 years at Holy Spirit. I pray that we can continue to see the progress in the years to come. We need more of our new parishioners to come forward to have a sense of belonging in the work of our parish family.As you take your vacation this summer, please enjoy it but please do not take any vacations from church. You can always check the locations of the Catholic Churches on-line; just enter “Catholic Churches, then the city and state you are visiting. Once again have a blessed Summer, and may God bless each of you,
Father Joseph Palacios July 2015
Monsignor Gene Driscoll Emeritus
Our Founding Pastor
Monsignor Gene’s presence continues to be a blessing to our parish. Msgr. Gene celebrates private Masses daily. If you would like to request a Mass for a special intention, please call the parish office to make your request. He is often available to hear your confession during our regularly scheduled Sacrament of Reconciliation on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
Monsignor Eugene J. Driscoll, the youngest of seven children, was born in Philadelphia and attended Catholic schools there. Ordained to the Society of Mary (Marists) 35 years ago, his first assignment was as assistant pastor at Saint Pius X parish in Bedford, Ohio from 1970 through 1974. Monsignor Driscoll then went to Our Lady of Assumption in Atlanta, Georgia as pastor. In 1976 he returned to Saint Pius X as pastor. He also served as chaplain to the police and fire departments. He left Bedford in 1983 to become Provincial of the Washington, D.C. Province of the Marists where he was responsible for the welfare of 130 priests. Then he was called to the missionary Diocese of Lubbock and became pastor of Sacred Heart parish in Plainview. In 1996 he became the Pastoral Administrator of St. Elizabeth University Parish in Lubbock. In 1998, while serving as associate pastor at Christ the King, Bishop Placido Rodriguez asked him to establish a new parish, to be named Holy Spirit, in southwest Lubbock.
“Father” Gene was accorded the title Monsignor and Chaplain of His Holiness by Pope John Paul II on January 16, 2004. In celebration, a parish-wide dinner was held where many accolades were gratefully bestowed on the founding pastor of Holy Spirit.
Photos: 2008 Parish Dedication