About Holy Spirit · New Castle, Delaware
Holy Spirit is a Roman Catholic parish at 12 Winder Road in New Castle, Delaware, in the Diocese of Wilmington. Founded in 1953 to serve the growing Catholic population in the Garfield Park area, the parish today operates as a sister parish with the historic St. Peter the Apostle (downtown New Castle) under a single pastor. Holy Spirit is best known as the home of the Shrine of Our Lady, Queen of Peace — a striking 33-foot stainless steel statue of the Virgin Mary dedicated in 2007 and visible to travelers crossing the Delaware Memorial Bridge from New Jersey.
- Established
- 1953
- Patron
- Holy Spirit (the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity)
- Rector
- Rev. Timothy M. Nolan
- Diocese
- Diocese of Wilmington
Why belong here
Holy Spirit offers an intimate, mid-sized parish experience with weekly Mass, Saturday confessions, and a clear devotional identity rooted in Marian devotion — including its famous outdoor Shrine of Our Lady, Queen of Peace. Because it shares a pastor and ministries with sister parish St. Peter the Apostle, parishioners benefit from the combined liturgical, educational, and charitable programs of both communities, including Religious Education, RCIA, Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent de Paul, and the parish-run St. Peter Catholic School. For Catholics in the Winder Road / Garfield Park / New Castle corridor looking for traditional worship, frequent confession, and a parish with real regional visibility, Holy Spirit is a welcoming home.
Mass times at Holy Spirit
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM (per the parish 'About Us' page and Discover Mass listing)
About Holy Spirit Parish
Holy Spirit is a Roman Catholic parish in New Castle, Delaware, in the Diocese of Wilmington, founded in 1953 (parish registry notes first record it as a mission of St. Peter the Apostle from September 1954). Today it shares its pastor, offices, and many ministries with its sister parish, St. Peter the Apostle, in historic downtown New Castle. The parish is especially known for the Shrine of Our Lady, Queen of Peace on its grounds — one of the most visible Marian landmarks in the region.
- Founded 1953
- Diocese of Wilmington
- 12 Winder Road, New Castle, DE 19720
- Part of St. Peter & Holy Spirit Parish (sister parishes since 2016)
History of the Parish
The parish was established in 1953 to serve Catholics settling in the Garfield Park / Winder Road area of New Castle. Its defining moment, however, came in 2007, when Bishop Michael A. Saltarelli dedicated the 33-foot Shrine of Our Lady, Queen of Peace, designed by Wilmington sculptor Charles C. Parks and inspired by a smaller statue Parks had made for Father John J. Sweeney of Our Lady of Peace Parish in Santa Clara, California in 1982. The shrine's development started with small parish meetings in the fall of 1999 and was preceded by more than 500,000 rosaries prayed for its intention.
- 1953 — parish founded for Garfield Park area
- 1954 — first appears in diocesan registers as a mission of St. Peter the Apostle
- 1999 — shrine planning begins with parish meetings
- May 26, 2007 — Bishop Saltarelli dedicates the Shrine of Our Lady, Queen of Peace
- 2016 — Father Timothy Nolan becomes pastor of both parishes; sister-parish model begins
The Shrine of Our Lady, Queen of Peace
The shrine is the parish's signature feature. The 33-foot, 8,700-pound stainless-steel statue depicts the Virgin Mary with arms outstretched — a visual plea for peace visible from I-295 and the Delaware Memorial Bridge, which carry tens of thousands of vehicles a day between Delaware and New Jersey. The shrine was created by sculptor Charles C. Parks and dedicated on May 26, 2007 by Bishop Michael A. Saltarelli. Donations to support ongoing site maintenance are accepted; checks are made payable to 'Our Lady Queen of Peace Statue' and can be sent via the St. John the Beloved Knights of Columbus (sjbkofcde.org).
- 33 ft tall, 8,700 lbs, stainless steel
- Designer: Charles C. Parks (Wilmington, DE)
- Cost: approximately $500,000
- Dedicated May 26, 2007 by Bishop Michael A. Saltarelli
- Location: south side of Holy Spirit parish grounds, 12 Winder Road
- Powered by the prayers of more than 500,000 rosaries
Sacraments
The parish prepares Catholics for each of the seven sacraments in collaboration with the Diocese of Wilmington. Baptism is offered to children under age 7 after a preparation session, with the additional requirement that the family be registered in the parish for at least six months. First Communion and Confirmation require the diocese-mandated two consecutive years of religious education. Confession is available every Saturday at 3:00 PM. Couples must contact the parish office at least one year before their wedding.
- Baptism (children under 7)
- First Eucharist & Confirmation (2 years of preparation)
- Reconciliation (Saturday 3 PM)
- Anointing of the Sick (by appointment)
- Matrimony (1 year notice required)
- Communion to the homebound / sick and elderly
Parish Staff & Clergy
Holy Spirit is led by pastor Reverend Timothy M. Nolan, who also serves as pastor of the sister parish St. Peter the Apostle. He is assisted by three permanent deacons: Thomas G. Halko, Christopher Moran, and Patrick Johnston. The combined parish office is staffed at the St. Peter the Apostle rectory, 521 Harmony Street, New Castle.
- Pastor: Rev. Timothy M. Nolan
- Deacon Thomas G. Halko
- Deacon Christopher Moran
- Deacon Patrick Johnston
- Parish Office: 521 Harmony Street, New Castle, DE 19720
Liturgical Ministries
Parishioners serve in a wide range of liturgical roles at both Holy Spirit and St. Peter the Apostle. Cantors lead the assembly's song; lectors proclaim the Scriptures; altar servers (grades 3–12) assist priests and deacons; and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion distribute the Eucharist at Mass and bring Communion to the homebound. The combined Adult Choir rehearses Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:00 PM, September through May, and sings at Sunday Masses and special liturgies. The Environment Committee maintains the beauty and sacredness of the worship space.
- Cantors
- Lectors
- Altar Servers (grades 3–12)
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Adult Choir (Tue evenings, Sep–May)
- Environment Committee
Faith Formation, School & RCIA
Children in grades 1 through 8 who attend public school or non-Catholic private schools are served by the combined Religious Education Program. Sacramental preparation classes — for Baptism, First Communion, First Confession, and Confirmation — are scheduled and announced in the parish bulletin. RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) welcomes adults inquiring into the Catholic faith or preparing for Baptism, Confirmation, or full reception into the Church. St. Peter Catholic School, operated by the combined parish community, offers Catholic education from Pre-K through Grade 8.
- Religious Education (Grades 1–8)
- Sacramental Preparation Programs
- RCIA for adults
- St. Peter Catholic School (Pre-K–Grade 8)
Parish Life & Organizations
Parish life at Holy Spirit is shaped by long-standing devotional and social groups. The Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary promotes devotion to Mary and supports the parish through prayer and acts of charity; all women of the parish are welcome. The Christmas Bazaar is a major annual social and fundraising event. The Old New Castle Run has evolved into the Fallen Heroes 5K Run/Walk, raising money for the Elizabeth Loncki Scholarship Fund. The Knights of Columbus Bishop Becker Council supports the parish liturgically, spiritually, and socially and aids partner charities including Birthright, Bayard House, and the St. Vincent de Paul Society.
- BVM Sodality
- Christmas Bazaar
- Fallen Heroes 5K Run/Walk (Elizabeth Loncki Scholarship)
- Knights of Columbus – Bishop Becker Council
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
Annual Diocesan Marian Pilgrimage
Because of the shrine, Holy Spirit has become the regular site of the Diocese of Wilmington's annual Marian Pilgrimage. The day typically begins at 1:00 PM with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, followed by Benediction, an opportunity for confession and visits to the shrine, Mass celebrated by the diocesan bishop, and a concluding rosary. The pilgrimage draws Catholics from across the diocese to honor the Blessed Virgin and to pray for peace.
- Exposition and Benediction
- Confession (2:00–3:00 PM)
- Mass celebrated by Bishop of Wilmington
- Recitation of the Rosary
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Arthur B. Fiorec. 1998
Became pastor of St. Peter the Apostle in 1998, the period when Holy Spirit's shrine effort took shape.
- Father John P. Klevence2009
Became pastor of Saint Peter the Apostle in July 2009.
- Father Steven B. Giuliano2012
Became pastor of Saint Peter the Apostle in 2012.
- Father Timothy M. Nolan2016–present
Became pastor of both Saint Peter the Apostle and Holy Spirit in 2016, formally creating the sister-parish arrangement.