About Church of the Holy Spirit · Goddard, Kansas
The Church of the Holy Spirit is a Roman Catholic parish in Goddard, Kansas, belonging to the Diocese of Wichita. Established in 1998, it serves roughly 438 families (about 1,423 individual Catholics) in the western Wichita suburbs, offering weekend and weekday Masses, a Catholic grade school (PreK-8), a preschool, perpetual Eucharistic Adoration, and a full schedule of lay ministries. The parish identifies itself as 'a Catholic Family living as disciples of Jesus Christ through Hospitality, Prayer, Formation, and Service.' Livestreamed Sunday and weekday Masses are available via the parish website and the 'Holy Spirit Goddard' YouTube channel.
- Established
- 1998
- Patron
- Holy Spirit
- Rector
- Reverend Joseph A. 'Joe' Eckberg
- Diocese
- Diocese of Wichita
Why belong here
Parishioners are invited into a community centered on the Eucharist and organized around four pillars — Hospitality, Prayer, Formation, and Service. The parish offers daily and weekend Mass with livestream options, perpetual Eucharistic Adoration in its chapel, daily confession, a PreK-8 Catholic school and preschool on campus, an active Knights of Columbus council, St. Vincent de Paul outreach, Harvest House, the Lord's Diner support, Marriage & Natural Family Planning ministry, Small Group Discipleship, OCIA, PSR, Catholic Youth Ministry, retreats for high schoolers, and dozens of lay ministries coordinated by named parishioners. It is a young, still-growing parish (founded only in 1998) where new families can easily find a way to serve and be served.
Mass times at Church of the Holy Spirit
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday – Friday: 7:30 AM
- Saturday: 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM
- Or anytime by appointment
Adoration times
- Mon. – Fri.: 8:30 AM – 10:00 PM in the chapel (perpetual adoration listed by the diocese)
- Children's Adoration offered as a separate ministry (contact Anna Koontz)
Parish Mission and Identity
The parish mission statement, posted on the official website, reads: 'Inspired by the Holy Spirit and centered in the Eucharist, we are a Catholic Family living as disciples of Jesus Christ through Hospitality, Prayer, Formation, and Service.' Holy Spirit Catholic School extends this with its own vision: 'Working with Christ to form articulate, faith-filled stewards,' forming students academically, spiritually, physically, and socially to make lifelong contributions in the name of Jesus Christ.
- Parish motto/pillars: Hospitality, Prayer, Formation, Service
- School vision: articulate, faith-filled stewards
- Diocese of Wichita affiliation
History of the Parish
Church of the Holy Spirit was established on August 2, 1998 by Bishop Eugene Gerber of the Diocese of Wichita. In its earliest years the parish had no purpose-built church — the existing farmhouse was repurposed for offices and meeting rooms (with the living room serving as a daily Mass chapel), and Sunday Masses were held at the Goddard High School Auditorium. On March 25, 2001 the parish broke ground on phase one of its master plan, which was completed and blessed by Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted on December 1, 2001. The August 2009 opening of a preschool, the 2016 addition of the St. Rita Education Center, and the June 2017 completion of an Art and Activity Center mark the next major growth phases.
- Founded August 2, 1998 by Bishop Eugene Gerber
- Groundbreaking March 25, 2001; phase one blessed December 1, 2001 by Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted
- Preschool opened August 2009
- St. Rita Education Center added 2016
- Art and Activity Center completed June 2017
Livestream Masses
Sunday 10:00 AM and weekday 8:00 AM (Tuesday–Friday) Masses are livestreamed on holyspiritwichita.com/live and on the parish's YouTube channel branded 'Holy Spirit Goddard.'
- Sunday 10:00 AM livestream
- Weekday 8:00 AM (Tues.–Fri.) livestream
- holyspiritwichita.com/live
- YouTube channel: Holy Spirit Goddard
Parish Staff
The parish and school share a small, named staff published on the parish website and in the bulletin PDF. Father Joe Eckberg serves as pastor; Brandon Relph is the school principal; Vallin Akers is the business manager; Kimberly Pritchett is the administrative assistant; Madeline Blaschke is the office assistant; and Tristan Holtry is the maintenance coordinator. Craig Bay is listed as the Catholic Youth Ministry volunteer.
- Pastor: Fr. Joe Eckberg
- Principal: Mr. Brandon Relph
- Business Manager: Mrs. Vallin Akers
- Administrative Assistant: Mrs. Kimberly Pritchett
- Office Assistant: Mrs. Madeline Blaschke
- Maintenance Coordinator: Mr. Tristan Holtry
- Catholic Youth Ministry volunteer: Craig Bay
Holy Spirit Catholic School (PreK–8)
Holy Spirit Catholic School is the parish school, a preschool through 8th grade program on the same campus. The school's mission is to form students academically, spiritually, physically, and socially 'to make lifelong contributions in the name of Jesus Christ.' It is listed among the Diocese of Wichita's Catholic schools. The school office can be reached at (316) 794-8139.
- Grades: Preschool through 8
- Mission: articulate, faith-filled stewards
- Office hours: 7:30 AM – 3:45 PM on school days
- Latchkey: 7:15–7:40 AM and 3:20–5:30 PM
- Address: 18218 W. Hwy 54, Goddard, KS 67052
Preschool
A preschool for ages 3–5 was opened in August 2009 and is housed in Charity Hall on campus. Full-day preschool runs 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM and half-day preschool 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM.
- Ages 3–5
- Opened August 2009
- Located in Charity Hall
- Full day: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Half day: 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Parish Ministries and Lay Life
The parish publishes a detailed 'Time and Talent Ministry Contact List' naming a coordinator and phone number for each ministry. Liturgical roles include Altar Servers, Eucharistic Ministers, Greeters, Lectors, Offertory, and Ushers. Faith-formation ministries include O.C.I.A., PSR (Parish School of Religion), Catholic Youth Ministry, Children's Liturgy, Little Flowers, and retreats for high schoolers. Outreach includes St. Vincent de Paul, Harvest House, the Lord's Diner, Make a Meal, Marriage & Natural Family Planning, Respect Life Committee, and Visit the Homebound. Discipleship includes Called & Gifted, Small Group Discipleship, Prayer Line, and Adoration.
- Liturgical: Altar Servers, Eucharistic Ministers, Greeters, Lectors, Offertory, Ushers, Sacristans
- Faith Formation: O.C.I.A., PSR, Catholic Youth Ministry, Children's Liturgy, Little Flowers, Christ's Light in All Youth Retreat, Teens Encounter Christ Retreat, Prayer and Action
- Outreach: St. Vincent de Paul, Harvest House, The Lord's Diner, Make a Meal, Marriage & Natural Family Planning, Respect Life, Visit the Homebound
- Community: Knights of Columbus, Altar Society, Hospitality (Coffee & Donuts), Parish Auction Team, Music Ministry, School Volunteer, Church Cleaning, Grounds Maintenance, Weekly Collection Counters
Sacraments
Information about the sacraments is published through the ministries list and bulletin. Baptism is prepared through Baptismal Prep Facilitators (Kimberly Pritchett). The O.C.I.A. (formerly RCIA) process for adults is coordinated through Father Eckberg. Marriage preparation and Natural Family Planning are supported through the Marriage Ministry. Reconciliation is offered at scheduled times listed on the parish website. The Blessed Sacrament Chapel supports perpetual Adoration, and Anointing of the Sick can be requested through the parish office.
- Baptism preparation (Kimberly Pritchett)
- O.C.I.A. (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults)
- First Reconciliation and First Eucharist (through PSR and school)
- Marriage preparation & Natural Family Planning (Ellen Goodwin)
- Anointing of the Sick by appointment
Campus, Buildings, and Practical Info
The parish and school share a single campus on West Highway 54 in Goddard. The original 2001 phase includes the church (seating ~600), a school wing with nine classrooms, social halls, sacristy, reconciliation room, hospitality area, bride's room, and a Blessed Sacrament Chapel. In 2016 the St. Rita Education Center added a breakroom, conference room, principal's office, nursing station, and receptionist area, with the library and music room in Charity Hall. Charity Hall also functions as a designated safe room for emergencies. The Art and Activity Center, completed in June 2017, includes an auditorium used for sports and social events.
- Address: 18218 W. Hwy 54, Goddard, KS 67052
- Parish phone: (316) 794-3496
- School phone: (316) 794-8139
- Email: [email protected]
- Bulletin email: [email protected]
- Church open 7:30 AM – 7:30 PM Mon.–Fri.; 7:30 AM – 6:30 PM Sat.–Sun.
- Charity Hall designated as emergency safe room
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father H. Setter1998–2007
Founding pastor at the parish's 1998 establishment by Bishop Eugene Gerber.
- Father Joseph Gile2007–2008
- Father Michael Nolan2008–2017
Served during the 2009 opening of preschool and expansion of ministries.
- Father Matthew Marney2017–2022
Served during the opening of the Art and Activity Center (June 2017).
- Father Joe Eckberg2022–present
Current pastor; also listed as O.C.I.A. (formerly RCIA) candidate and sponsor contact.