Holy Spirit

Parish History

Holy Spirit was officially established on August 12, 1964, by Archbishop Robert E. Lucey, formed from families of Blessed Sacrament and St. Mary Magdalen parishes. Its first Mass was celebrated three days later in the chapel of Mount Sacred Heart Convent. The parish grew from 500 founding families to roughly 4,700 registered households through more than 60 years of building campaigns, pastoral transitions, and two major parish carve-outs (St. Mark in 1976 and St. Francis of Assisi in 1980). The current church building, dedicated in 1972, was rededicated after a major renovation by Archbishop Patrick Flores on August 8, 1993, and the façade sculpture of the descent of the Holy Spirit was installed to mark the parish's name.

• Founded August 12, 1964, by Archbishop Robert E. Lucey
• First pastor: Monsignor Bernard F. Popp
• Church dedicated December 17, 1972
• Family Center dedicated December 1, 1985
• Church rededicated August 8, 1993, by Archbishop Patrick Flores
• West Avenue sports complex dedicated April 2006
• Spirit Park opened in 2012

Welcome and Mission

In his welcome message, Pastor Fr. Mark Dreves invites visitors to explore the parish's many programs, services, and activities. The parish describes itself as a Faith Community celebrating the sacraments and worshiping together; a Growing Community preaching, teaching, and learning the message of Jesus Christ; a Serving Community called to identify and respond to the needs of God's people; and a Supportive Community assisting Christians to be living witnesses of the Gospel.

Our Pastoral Team and Staff

The parish is served by a pastor and two parochial vicars, alongside a large lay staff in faith formation, worship and music, business, and facilities.

• Fr. Mark Dreves — Pastor
• Fr. Anand Yellanki — Parochial Vicar
• Fr. Luis De La Cruz — Parochial Vicar (Spanish Ministry)
• Faith Formation Office: Sr. Frances Briseno (Director), Oralia Jasso (Administrative Assistant), Hannah Reich (Youth Minister), Sr. Christi Sanchez (RE Elementary Coordinator)
• Office of Worship & Music: Letty Spain (Director), Lauren Chacon (Admin Assistant), Dan Chavarria (Social Media Coordinator), and music ministers Jose Gonzalez, Martha Klein, Maria Alicia Lopez, David Molina, Adam Olmos, Israel Salgado, Anthony Wittig
• Business Office: Jessica Acevedo (Business Manager), Sylvia Frei (Accountant A/R), Mary Garza (Accountant A/P)
• Facilities: Mauro Martinez (Facilities Manager), Juan Julian (Maintenance Supervisor), Joe Acosta, Miguel De Leon

Faith Formation

The Office of Faith Formation provides Catholic formation for children, teens, and adults through strong catechetical programs, community-building, and charitable service opportunities. The goal is to foster an environment for the development of faith that makes a difference in parishioners' lives and in the world. For information, contact the Faith Formation Office at (210) 341-1397.

Adult Faith Formation

Adult Faith Formation serves as the nucleus of parish catechesis and the foundation for all programs serving families with children. It draws on the 1999 USCCB Pastoral Plan for Adult Faith Formation, 'Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us,' to help adults grow in knowledge, faith, and fellowship. Programs include RCIA for adults, Confirmation preparation for Catholics needing to complete their initiation, parent sessions for sacrament preparation (Baptism, First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Teen Confirmation), lectures, and a variety of Scripture Study groups that meet weekly, year-round, or during Advent and Lent.

• RCIA for Adults
• Adult Confirmation
• Parent sacrament-preparation sessions
• Scripture Study Groups (weekly, year-round, and seasonal)

Sacraments

Holy Spirit prepares parishioners of all ages for the sacraments of initiation and other rites through age-appropriate programs. Adults who have never been baptized, as well as those baptized in other Christian communities, journey through the RCIA process, culminating in Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil. Children older than 7 who have never been baptized participate in a two-year RCIA adapted for Children. Infants and young children are baptized after a preparation process that includes registration, a meeting with a deacon, baptismal preparation paperwork, and a class for parents.

• Baptism — infants, children 7+, teens, and adults
• First Reconciliation and First Eucharist
• Confirmation (teens and adults)
• Marriage Preparation
• Anointing of the Sick — call (210) 341-1395
• RCIA / RCIA adapted for Children

Evangelization and Outreach

The parish's Evangelization ministry welcomes those exploring Catholicism, returning Catholics, and adults who missed sacraments such as First Communion or Confirmation. The office helps people find the right program for their situation, including RCIA and adult Confirmation preparation. The parish also supports a wide range of Christian Service and outreach programs through which parishioners identify and respond to the needs of God's people in the wider San Antonio community.

• RCIA for newcomers and returning Catholics
• Adult Confirmation preparation
• Christian Service and outreach programs

Worship and Music

The Office of Worship and Music, led by Director Letty Spain, coordinates the liturgical music program of the parish. A team of cantors and instrumentalists — including Jose Gonzalez, Martha Klein, Maria Alicia Lopez, David Molina, Adam Olmos, Israel Salgado, and Anthony Wittig — supports the sung prayer of the English and Spanish Masses. A Social Media Coordinator helps extend the parish's liturgical and musical life online.

Holy Spirit Catholic School

Holy Spirit Catholic School is a PK3 through 8th-grade Catholic school on the parish campus, operated under the Archdiocese of San Antonio. For over 50 years the school has provided excellence in education, consistently high standardized test scores, and integration of technology within its curriculum, while nurturing students to reach their personal best. The school shares the parish's athletic fields and Family Center facilities and is currently undergoing building alterations, with new meeting rooms, restrooms, Sanctuary, and Adoration Chapel work scheduled for completion in 2026.

• PK3–8th grade Catholic school on the parish campus
• Phone: (210) 349-1169
• Address: 770 W Ramsey, San Antonio, TX 78216
• Office hours Monday–Friday, 7:15 AM – 3:45 PM
• More than 50 years of operation under the Archdiocese of San Antonio

Parish Campus and Facilities

The Holy Spirit campus has grown continuously since 1964. It now includes the church, a rectory (housing two priests, dedicated September 2004), the Family Center (banquet room, cafeteria, gymnasium, library, administrative offices, clinic, classrooms, and meeting rooms), a two-level parish-office addition (completed 1998), the West Avenue sports complex with baseball, softball, and football/soccer fields (dedicated April 2006), and Spirit Park (2012), which offers playground facilities, basketball pads, picnic areas, and a barbecue area. Total parking capacity stands at 418 vehicles, and current capital projects include a 2026 renovation of the Family Center's meeting rooms, restrooms, Sanctuary, and Adoration Chapel.

Getting Involved and Ministries

The parish website lists a full directory of ministries and contacts, inviting parishioners to join Family Life groups, prayer and retreat groups, Bible Study groups, Christian Service and outreach programs, music ministry, youth ministry, the parish athletic association, and the Faith Formation team. A Ministry Contact Form on the website helps newcomers and current parishioners find their place in parish life.

• Family Life groups
• Prayer and retreat groups
• Bible Study groups
• Christian Service and outreach
• Music Ministry
• Youth Ministry
• Parish Athletic Association

Contact and Visit

The parish office is open to answer questions about Mass times, sacraments, registration, and ministry involvement. The main church address is 8134 Blanco Road, San Antonio, TX 78216, and the parish office is located at 758 W Ramsey Road, San Antonio, TX 78216. The parish is approximately one mile north of Loop 410 on Blanco Road, with parking available for 418 vehicles.

• Phone: (210) 341-1395
• Address: 8134 Blanco Road, San Antonio, TX 78216
• Parish Office: 758 W Ramsey Road, San Antonio, TX 78216
• Website: www.holyspiritsa.org