About Holy Spirit · Hawkins, Texas
Holy Spirit Catholic Church is a parish of the Diocese of Tyler located at 1612 FM 2869 in Hawkins, Texas, on five wooded acres donated by Dallas businessman Trammel Crow. Serving the Holly Lake Ranch community and surrounding East Texas area, the parish was founded in 1999 as a mission of St. Anthony Church in Longview and built its current church, which was completed on January 12, 2003. The congregation is small but notably active — the parish's Rosary Ladies have hand-made and shipped roughly 21,500 rosaries around the world, and the community runs a Knights of Columbus council, a food bank, prayer blanket ministry, faith formation classes, and seasonal Soup Suppers and Fish Fries.
- Established
- 1999
- Patron
- Holy Spirit
- Rector
- Fr. Francis O'Dowd, PP; VF
- Diocese
- Diocese of Tyler
Why belong here
Holy Spirit Catholic Church is a small, warm congregation where it is easy to get involved — the parish explicitly says "there is a place for everyone to serve." Members can join the Rosary Makers (the parish has shipped roughly 21,500 rosaries worldwide), the Knights of Columbus Council 15174, the Legion of Mary, faith formation catechists, the Gabriel Project pro-life outreach, the food bank, the prayer blanket ministry, the choir, or the funeral meal committee, plus seasonal events like Soup Suppers, Fish Fries, and the Annual International Food Fest.
Mass times at Holy Spirit
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 45 minutes prior to Mass (approx. 4:15 PM)
- Sunday: 45 minutes prior to Mass (approx. 7:45 AM – 8:15 AM)
Adoration times
- Tuesday: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM (per third-party listing; verify with parish bulletin)
Our Story & Parish History
Holy Spirit Catholic Church traces its origin to a January 18, 1999 meeting between a small group of Holly Lake Ranch residents and Bishop Carmody at the diocesan office in Tyler. The Bishop warmly received the proposal and the parish was established as a mission of St. Anthony Church in Longview, with Jesuit Father Ben Smylie appointed as Priest-in-Charge. Dallas businessman Trammel Crow donated the five-acre site, and the current church was completed on January 12, 2003. Since then the parish has been led in turn by Fr. Ben Smylie, SJ (until his passing), Msgr. John Flynn (briefly), Fr. Ron Diegel (2005, nine years), Fr. Mike Snyder (nine years), Rev. Fr. Timothy Kelly (welcomed 2023) and Fr. Ariel (joined 2024 as Priest in Residence). The current Parish Priest is Fr. Francis O'Dowd, PP; VF.
- 1999: Parish established as a mission of St. Anthony, Longview, under Fr. Ben Smylie, SJ
- January 12, 2003: Current church building completed on five acres donated by Trammel Crow
- October 31, 2010: Knights of Columbus Council 15174 chartered with 41 founding members
- 2023: Rev. Fr. Timothy Kelly welcomed as parish shepherd
- 2024: Fr. Ariel joined as Priest in Residence
- Parish incorporated as Texas non-profit corporation "Holy Spirit Catholic Church - Holly Lake Ranch"
Who We Are
The parish describes itself as "faith filled, warm, generous and supportive." Holy Spirit is a relatively small parish serving the Holly Lake Ranch community and the surrounding East Texas area, with a strong culture of lay involvement in every dimension of parish life — liturgical, social, charitable, and devotional. Visitors and newcomers can expect a personal welcome from the Hospitality Committee, an invitation to stay after Sunday Mass for coffee and doughnuts (or Knights of Columbus breakfast), and many ways to plug into service.
- Approximately 21,500 rosaries made by parish Rosary Ladies and shipped worldwide
- Welcoming committee extends hospitality to visitors and new parishioners
- Coffee & donuts served after Sunday Mass; Knights of Columbus host breakfast periodically
Clergy and Staff
Holy Spirit is currently served by Fr. Francis O'Dowd, PP; VF, as Parish Priest, with Fr. Ariel in Residence. Permanent Deacon John Erdag assists in liturgical ministry and parish life. Bridget Rich serves as parish secretary and can be reached at 949-285-5695.
- Fr. Francis O'Dowd — Parish Priest, VF
- Fr. Ariel — Priest in Residence (since 2024)
- Deacon John Erdag — Permanent Deacon
- Bridget Rich — Parish Secretary (949-285-5695)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation classes are held on Sunday after Mass in the Parish Hall and are open to everyone — Catholic, non-Catholic, and aspiring Catholics. Three age-grouped classes cover ages 4–10, 11–14, and adults, focusing on the fundamentals of the Christian Faith in a fun and inviting environment. Catechists are always needed and training is provided.
- Ages 4–10 class
- Ages 11–14 class
- Adult Faith Formation
- RCIA for those preparing to enter the Catholic Church (Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation)
- Vacation Bible School (VBS)
Liturgical Ministries
A wide range of lay liturgical ministries support Mass and the other sacraments. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are commissioned by the Bishop after training; lectors proclaim the readings; altar servers assist at Mass after First Communion; ushers welcome and assist the assembly; and the Holy Spirit Acolyte Program is a year-long diocesan formation culminating in institution by the Bishop. The Ministry of Music provides music for weekend Masses, holy days, weddings, funerals, and Reconciliation services.
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (Bishop-commissioned)
- Lectors / Scripture Readers
- Altar Servers (after First Communion)
- Ushers
- Holy Spirit Acolyte Program (diocesan, instituted by the Bishop)
- Ministry of Music / Choir
- Altar Linen Laundering Ministry
Parish Life, Outreach & Charity
Outreach and fellowship are central to Holy Spirit's identity. The parish operates a food bank that distributes food weekly to 40–80 individuals, partners with the Gabriel Project (a diocesan pro-life support network for women in crisis pregnancies), and runs a Prayer Blanket Ministry that blesses handmade blankets for those facing surgery or illness. The parish hall hosts Soup Suppers, Fish Fries, and the Annual International Food Fest with food vendors from around the world, while the Angel Tree program supports families at Christmas.
- Food Bank (weekly distribution; serves 40–80 individuals)
- Gabriel Project (pro-life crisis pregnancy support; parish coordinator Nancy Mullen)
- Prayer Blanket Ministry (blankets blessed at Mass)
- Knights of Columbus Council 15174 — charity, unity, fraternity, patriotism
- Legion of Mary — Active and Auxiliary members
- Angel Tree, Soup Suppers, Fish Fries, Annual International Food Fest
- Funeral Meal Committee
Devotions & Prayer Life
Devotional life at Holy Spirit centers on the Rosary. The Rosary Ladies meet on Friday mornings to make rosaries — roughly 21,500 have been shipped around the world to spread the message of the Rosary. A Wednesday prayer group gathers in the Church from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM to pray two rosaries for an end to abortion, euthanasia, and all sins against the sanctity of human life, with members offering up their fasts.
- Rosary Makers — Fridays in the Parish Hall
- Wednesday Rosary for Life — 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM in the Church
- Parish Boutique — devotionals, custom rosaries and repairs
- Meditation/Prayer Garden — open to the Holly Lake Ranch community
Parish Governance & Councils
Holy Spirit operates under a Parish Pastoral Council of six to twelve lay members (appointed by the pastor, elected by parishioners, or a combination), with three-year terms and a limit of two consecutive terms. The Finance Committee is a five-member group that meets quarterly with the pastor, business manager, and office secretary to oversee the parish's finances and advise the pastor. A Fundraising Committee develops events throughout the year to bridge gaps between parishioner contributions and essential expenditures, including debt reduction.
- Parish Pastoral Council (6–12 lay members)
- Finance Committee (5 members, quarterly)
- Fundraising Committee
Visit Us — Location, Hours & Contact
The parish office is open Tuesday through Friday, 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM. The mailing/visiting address is 1612 FM 2869, Hawkins, TX 75765, and the parish is part of the Diocese of Tyler. Visitors are encouraged to use the parish's website map page for driving directions and to consult the weekly bulletin for the most current schedule information, especially around Holy Days.
- Address: 1612 FM 2869, Hawkins, TX 75765
- Office Phone: 903-769-3235
- Emergency Phone: 936-526-1296
- Email: [email protected]
- Webmaster: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Tuesday–Friday, 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM
- Diocese: Diocese of Tyler
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Ben Smylie, SJ (Jesuit)1999 – until his passing
Founding Priest-in-Charge; appointed by Bishop Carmody when the parish was a mission of St. Anthony, Longview.
- Msgr. John FlynnAfter Fr. Ben's death (a few months)
Served the parish briefly during the transition.
- Fr. Ron Diegel2005 – approx. 2014 (nine years)
Appointed by the Bishop; later reassigned to Longview.
- Fr. Mike Snyderapprox. 2014 – approx. 2023 (nine years)
Led worship for the following nine years.
- Rev. Fr. Timothy Kelly2023 – present transition
Welcomed in 2023 as the parish's new shepherd.
- Fr. Ariel2024 – present
Joined as Priest in Residence, bringing his gifts and dedication to the parish.