Introducing: Melissa Phinney
We are happy to announce that Holy Spirit has hired Melissa Phinney as our Director of Religious Education. Melissa will begin her role on July 14.
A Note from Melissa:
My husband, Josh, and I have been happily married for over 16 years. I love spending my free time exploring the outdoors, especially through hiking. I earned my undergraduate degree in Political Science from Iowa State University and later completed a Master's in Theology with a concentration in Dogma. After 21 years of service, I retired from the Army Reserves.
Faith is a deep passion of mine, and I love sharing it with others. A fun fact about me—I have a collection of saint socks and always wear a different pair, so feel free to ask which saint I’m representing! I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining the team at Holy Spirit and look forward to meeting everyone and starting this exciting new chapter.
- Melissa
Important Announcement
Dear Holy Spirit Community,
I have some big news to share. I recently found out that I am receiving a new assignment starting in July. I know this comes as a surprise to you all. This change has come about because for the last year or so I have been dealing with some health challenges. Early this spring, I made Archbishop Hebda aware of this and we have discerned together that it would be good for me to have a different assignment that will allow me to have the time I need to get healthy and that it would be good for Holy Spirit to have a pastor who is able to fully devote himself to the mission of the parish. I want you to know that I have loved being here at Holy Spirit and building relationships with you all over these last three years and it saddens me greatly to be leaving. At the same time, I am at peace with Archbishop’s decision and feel like it is the best thing for me and Holy Spirit at this time. Starting in July, I will be an associate pastor at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in St. Michael, MN. My last weekend here at Holy Spirit will be June 21st and 22nd.
I am excited to announce that Fr. Tom Margevicius will be the new pastor of Holy Spirit. Fr. Tom is a good friend and brother Companion of Christ. Fr. Tom was ordained in 1999 and is currently the pastor of four churches around LaCenter, Minnesota and is the Director of Worship for the Archdiocese. Before these assignments, Fr. Tom taught at the seminary and was actually my homiletics and liturgy professor so if you like my preaching, you’re going to love his!
Please pray for me and Fr. Tom in this time of transition and know of my prayers for all of you!
Introducing: Catechism Corner
Didn't make it to Ask a Priest, but still have a question about the faith? Introducing: Catechism Corner! Click here to submit your question.
Every two weeks, a question will be chosen and an answer will be posted on the bulletin board by the main entrance. The first answer is coming soon. All questions are anonymous. Stop by and enjoy a 30-second lesson on our faith!
France Pilgrimage | Oct. 6–17, 2025
As you may recall, our parish was planning on going on a joint pilgrimage with St. Joe’s in West St. Paul to the Holy Land in the Fall of 2024. With the ongoing conflict there, we have decided to change destinations to France.
We will stop at many holy and historical sites all over the country including the newly restored Notre Dame Cathedral, Mont Saint-Michel, Omaha Beach, and Lourdes. More details will be coming shortly, but for now mark your calendars!
Thank You
Volunteers tied nearly 40 fleece blankets for the children served by My Very Own Bed in September. Read their thank-you note below:
Dear Friends,
Thank you for hosting your first annual Dream Kit Donation Drive for My Very Own Bed. In addition to the beautiful blankets you already donated, you collected and donated another 14 sets of sheets, 8 pillows, 4 stuffed animals, 4 mattress pads, and 31 books.
As we shared with you last month, we are excited to have celebrated ten years since Michael Allen formed this 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and began renting a UHaul truck and delivering beds to kids, 11 in that first year. Ten years later, we have reached over 8,500 children. It’s people like you and communities like Holy Spirit that helped us reach these milestones.