Holy Spirit

History of Holy Spirit Parish

Holy Spirit Parish was established in 1972 by Archbishop Philip Hannan, its territory carved from St. Andrew the Apostle Parish to serve the rapidly growing Catholic population in several Westbank subdivisions: Tall Timbers, Forest Isles, Maple Leaf, Woodlawn Estates, and Park Timbers. The new parish opened with 149 families of African American, Latino, and Cajun heritage. In 1975, Archbishop Hannan welcomed Vietnamese refugees to the archdiocese and many made Holy Spirit their spiritual home. For its first three years the parish worshipped at the chapel of Our Lady of Holy Cross College, courtesy of the Marianite Sisters of Holy Cross. When that space became insufficient, Sunday Mass moved to the Mary Joseph residence operated by the Little Sisters of the Poor. When the Mary Joseph building developed foundation problems, both St. Stephen Lutheran Church and St. Philip's Episcopal Church offered their worship spaces — an ecumenical generosity that remains a point of parish pride. The St. Philip's choir even sang at Holy Spirit's first Mass in the borrowed Episcopal church. In 1980 the parish took a loan from the archdiocese and purchased a 2½-acre plot from the Jesuits on which to build the current multi-use church facility, with attached rectory and offices. In 1997 a Parish Life Center with classrooms, a parish hall, and kitchen/pantry facilities was added, more than doubling available space. The parish marked its 50th anniversary on October 23, 2022, with Archbishop Gregory Aymond presiding and founding pastor Msgr. Allen Roy, then 93, in attendance.

• Founded 1972 by Archbishop Philip Hannan
• Carved from St. Andrew the Apostle Parish
• First Mass at Our Lady of Holy Cross College chapel
• 1980: built current church on 2½ acres purchased from the Jesuits
• 1997: Parish Life Center expansion completed
• 50th anniversary celebrated October 23, 2022

Founding Pastor: Msgr. Allen Roy

Father Roy Allen — later Msgr. Allen Roy — was the founding pastor of Holy Spirit and the only priest the parish would know for nearly four decades. Ordained in the Marian Year of 1954, he led the parish from its founding in 1972 until his retirement after 39 years. He was named a monsignor in 1988. Msgr. Roy was beloved for his remarkable memory for names: he would greet nearly every parishioner by name as they came forward for Communion, sometimes learning a name by asking a newcomer to whisper it before receiving the Body of Christ. In the 1980s, with the parish rolls expanding to 500 families, Msgr. Roy was diagnosed with cancer and underwent three years of chemotherapy, returning to the parish only on weekends to celebrate Mass while laypeople took up parish leadership wherever possible. His cancer went into remission, and he continued to serve until retirement. In retirement he lived at Our Lady of Health Care Center, just a few blocks from the church he founded, and returned to celebrate the parish's 50th anniversary Mass in October 2022.

• Served as pastor 1972–2011 (approx. 39 years)
• Named Monsignor in 1988
• Ordained in 1954
• Famous for greeting every parishioner by name at Communion

Current Pastor and Staff

Holy Spirit is currently led by Father Pat Collum, who succeeded Msgr. Roy and delivered the homily at the 50th anniversary Mass in 2022. The parish is supported by a small, dedicated lay staff.

• Father Pat Collum — Pastor
• Elizabeth Poole-Sliman — Office Manager
• Pam Kamphuis — Music Director & Ministry Coordinator
• Lolita Lewis — Financial Manager
• James Patterson — Maintenance Manager

Devotions and Special Liturgies

Beyond the regular Mass and Reconciliation schedule, Holy Spirit maintains a number of beloved devotional practices, including an annual Pet Blessing that has become a parish tradition.

• Daily Rosary — Monday–Friday at 8:00 AM
• Mother of Perpetual Help Devotions — Tuesday after 8:30 AM Mass
• Way of the Cross — Monday and Friday at 8:30 AM
• 1st Saturday Healing Mass — 8:00 AM, followed by Adoration with Divine Mercy Chaplet, closing 9:30 AM
• Annual Pet Blessing

Parish Ministries and Faith Formation

Holy Spirit has long emphasized lay leadership, a tradition encouraged from the earliest years by Msgr. Roy. The parish hosts a number of ministries and formation opportunities for parishioners of all ages. The Neocatechumenal Way is present in the parish, and the People Program offers hands-on learning experiences for adults over 50. Religious education is coordinated by Music Director & Ministry Coordinator Pam Kamphuis.

• Daily Rosary
• Neocatechumenal Way
• Religious Education / Faith Formation
• Music Ministry
• Lay Leadership / Parish Council
• People Program (for adults 50+)
• Stewardship — Time, Talent, Treasure

Unique Offertory Tradition

One of Holy Spirit's most distinctive customs is its offertory practice. Instead of passing a collection basket during Mass, parishioners drop their tithes into a basket as they enter church. The practice was started by Msgr. Roy, who was told at the time that 'he was going to go broke.' Five decades later, the parish continues this tradition — a tangible expression of the family's shared stewardship and trust.

Visiting Holy Spirit

Holy Spirit Catholic Church is located at 6201 Stratford Place in the Algiers neighborhood of New Orleans (zip 70131), on the Westbank. The parish office can be reached at (504) 394-5492 or by email at [email protected]. Free parking is available on the parish grounds next to the church and Parish Life Center, and the parish is part of the Archdiocese of New Orleans.

• Address: 6201 Stratford Pl, New Orleans, LA 70131
• Phone: (504) 394-5492
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: holyspiritchurchnola.org
• Part of the Archdiocese of New Orleans