About Holy Spirit · Maryland Heights, Missouri
Holy Spirit Parish is a Roman Catholic community in Maryland Heights, Missouri, in the Archdiocese of St. Louis, serving the communities of Bridgeton and Maryland Heights. Founded in May 2004 from the merger of three parishes — St. Blaise, St. Lawrence the Martyr, and St. Mary's — it has grown into a dynamic faith community centered in the Eucharist and guided by the Holy Spirit. The parish operates a K-8 day school with preschool and pre-K, a Parish School of Religion (PSR), an active youth ministry, and a wide range of adult formation, outreach, and social programs. Its life is sustained by daily and Sunday Mass, perpetual adoration in its Adoration Chapel, and the service of a pastor, two permanent deacons, school and parish staff, and many volunteers.
- Established
- 2004
- Patron
- Holy Spirit
- Rector
- Reverend Eugene (Gene) Schaeffer (Parochial Administrator)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of St. Louis
Why belong here
Holy Spirit is a welcoming, Eucharist-centered community with something for every age and stage of life. Active parishioners can worship at multiple daily and weekend Masses, pray before the Blessed Sacrament in a near-perpetual Adoration Chapel, send children to the parish K-8 school or the Parish School of Religion, and join a robust roster of ministries — from youth ministry and Vacation Bible School to adult formation, outreach to the homebound and hospitalized, charismatic prayer groups, and stewardship groups. As a merged parish that has also welcomed former St. Jude parishioners under All Things New, Holy Spirit combines a strong liturgical life with hands-on charity and formation for the whole family.
Mass times at Holy Spirit
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00–4:45 p.m.
- Or by appointment (call 314-739-0230, leave a message)
Adoration times
- Adoration Chapel open 24 hours / 7 days except during Mass times
- Weekdays: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. (next day)
- Saturdays: 12:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Closed from 4:00 p.m. Saturday until 9:00 a.m. Monday
- Adoration / Benediction on Mondays 1:00–7:00 p.m., with Benediction approximately 6:50 p.m.
Our Parish
Holy Spirit Parish was founded in 2004 to serve the communities of Bridgeton and Maryland Heights. Centered in the Eucharist and guided by the Holy Spirit, it exists to be a joyful, accepting, and forgiving community that teaches and proclaims the Gospel, serves others, and praises God. The parish welcomes visitors and new members through its office, online registration form, and contact information listed on the website.
- Address: 3130 Parkwood Lane, Maryland Heights, MO 63043
- Phone: 314-739-0230; Fax: 314-739-0237
- Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.holyspiritstl.org
History
Formed in May 2004 from the merger of St. Blaise, St. Lawrence the Martyr, and St. Mary's Parishes, Holy Spirit brought together three congregations of north St. Louis County into one new faith family. As a dynamic, engaged community the parish walks in Christ's footsteps through homebound, nursing home and hospital visits, outreach to those with financial or physical needs, and a wide array of social programs for adults. As part of the All Things New initiative, Holy Spirit more recently adopted parishioners from St. Jude Parish in Overland, further expanding its family.
- Merged parishes: St. Blaise, St. Lawrence the Martyr, St. Mary's
- Recent expansion: adopted former St. Jude (Overland) parishioners under All Things New
Parish Staff
Pastoral leadership at Holy Spirit is currently in a period of transition. Reverend Eugene (Gene) Schaeffer serves as Parochial Administrator following the retirement of longtime pastor Fr. Bob Evans on July 1, 2025. Two permanent deacons — Deacon Scott Kaufman and Deacon James (Jim) DeNatale — assist with baptisms, homebound and nursing-home ministry, and preaching. Lay staff handle parish administration, faith formation, youth ministry, music, and the parish school.
- Fr. Gene Schaeffer — Parochial Administrator (ext. 103; [email protected])
- Deacon Scott Kaufman — Deacon, Baptism prep and homebound communion
- Deacon Jim DeNatale — Deacon, nursing home ministry
- Tara Stepanek — Pastoral Associate, Evangelization & Faith Formation (ext. 112)
- Kelly Whittemore — PSR Director (ext. 108)
- Donna Eisenbath — Director of Youth Ministry (314-954-1326)
- Jim Essner — Business Manager (ext. 104)
- Sr. Brenda Fritz — Director of Music
- Julie Spinner — Parish Secretary (PSR / calendar / room requests)
- Carol Breckle — Parish Secretary (bulletin / sacramental records)
- Fritz Long — School Principal (314-739-1934)
- Mary Stockton — School Secretary
- Joe Poelker — Maintenance
Sacraments
The parish prepares parishioners for the sacraments of initiation and offers ongoing pastoral care for those who are sick, homebound, or hospitalized. Baptisms are scheduled through a monthly parent and godparent class. Couples are asked to contact the pastor at least six months before marriage. First Eucharist is typically celebrated in second grade and Confirmation through a parish-wide program beginning in seventh grade.
- Baptism — class first Monday of the month at 7:00 p.m.; contact the Parish Office
- First Eucharist — typically 2nd grade through PSR or school
- Confirmation — parish-wide program starting in 7th grade
- Reconciliation — Saturdays 4:00–4:45 p.m. or by appointment
- Marriage — contact pastor at least 6 months in advance
- Communion to the homebound — call Parish Office
- Hospital visits — notify Parish Office of hospitalization
Education
Holy Spirit runs a complete Catholic education program for children from age 3 through eighth grade on its Parkwood Lane campus. The full-time K-8 school offers sound academics, Scripture and faith formation, and a service-oriented environment, while Preschool (3-year-olds) and Pre-K (4-year-olds) programs are housed in the Parish Annex. Children attending public or non-Catholic schools are served by the Parish School of Religion (PSR), which meets Tuesday evenings during the school year and partners with parents in passing on the Catholic faith.
- Holy Spirit Catholic School (K-8) — 3120 Parkwood Lane; Principal Fritz Long; 314-739-1934
- Preschool (3-year-olds) and Pre-K (4-year-olds) — Parish Annex, 3111 Parkwood Lane; 314-739-5020
- Parish School of Religion (PSR) — Tuesday evenings 6:30–7:45 p.m.
- PSR Reconciliation and Eucharist in 2nd grade; Confirmation preparation begins 7th grade
- PSR Scholarship Fund for families needing financial assistance
Ministries & Organizations
A wide array of ministries at Holy Spirit serve every age and interest: adult formation and RCIA, charismatic prayer groups and weekend retreats, Stephen Ministry, Faith in Action, and HandS outreach, plus parish committees that advise the pastor on faith formation and school policy. Youth ministry spans sixth through twelfth grade, offering the Luke 18 retreat, Confirmation preparation, Eat Pray Discuss, and Donuts and Discussion.
- PSR Advisory Board
- School Board (9 members; advises pastor on parish school)
- Home and School Association
- Vacation Bible School (ages 3–grade 5)
- Youth Ministry (6th–12th grade)
- Luke 18 high-school retreat team
- Confirmation preparation (7th–8th grade)
- Eat, Pray, Discuss (high school gatherings)
- Donuts and Discussion (post-Mass faith conversation)
- Venturing Crew 2954 (co-ed, ages 14–21)
- Adult Formation
- RCIA
- Stephen Ministry
- Faith in Action
- HandS outreach (314-739-9796)
- Charismatic prayer groups and weekend retreats
Outreach & Pastoral Care
Faith in Action, Stephen Ministry, HandS, and parish visitations form the backbone of Holy Spirit's outreach and pastoral care. Volunteers bring Holy Communion to the homebound, visit parishioners in nursing homes and hospitals, and respond to neighbors in need of financial or physical assistance. Daily Prayer Connection is also available through the parish office.
- Visits to the homebound, nursing homes, and hospitalized
- Faith in Action
- Stephen Ministry (ext. 130)
- HandS — 314-739-9796
- Daily Prayer Connection — 314-739-0230 ext. 132
Visit & Connect
New parishioners are invited to register online or at the parish office, and visitors are welcome at any Mass. Those unable to attend in person can join the live-streamed weekday and Sunday Masses on YouTube. The parish communicates regularly through its weekly bulletin, its website, and social media channels for the parish and youth ministry.
- Parish Registration Form available on the website / office
- Live-streamed Masses on YouTube: Holy Spirit Church Maryland Heights
- Youth Ministry social: facebook.com/hsyouth; instagram.com/hs_youth_stl
- Bulletin submissions: [email protected] or contact the parish office
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Bob Evansapproximately 2016 – July 1, 2025
Served as pastor for nearly nine years; retired effective July 1, 2025 at Archbishop Rozanski's approval due to chronic back issues and reaching his 70s.
- Rev. Eugene (Gene) Schaeffer2025–
Currently serves as Parochial Administrator following Fr. Evans' retirement; awaiting announcement of a new pastor.