Holy Spirit Catholic Community
"Embrace The Spirit of Holy Spirit"
Street Address---4400 Continental Drive---Mailing Address--3930 East Lake Butte, Montana 59701
406-494-5078---Fax 406-494-5726
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Holy Spirit Catholic Community "Embrace The Spirit of Holy Spirit" Street Address---4400 Continental Drive---Mailing Address--3930 East Lake Butte, Montana 59701 406-494-5078---Fax 406-494-5726
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Parish History
Come And Journey With Us Stories have moved to link above
Shared Memories” The stories below are captured shared memories of our parish family. If you have a story (favorite memory, family story, celebration, ministry experience, favorite priest story, most embarrassing story etc.). Whether it was 25, 10 or 5 year’s ago or last week! And would like you to share it with your parish family please contact “Shared Memories” project coordinator Liz Simonich 782-1872.
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY RELAY FOR LIFE REFLECTIONS FROM CAROL SIMON
I want to thank all the members of our Holy Spirit family who took part in the relay. Those who walked, those who purchased luminaries or gave cash donations; we couldn’t have done it without any of you. Our team turned in $1,183 strictly from cash donations and luminaries sold, either in honor of a cancer survivor or in memory of our cancer victims. And our team—what a great team! So many thanks to each of you. There was someone from our team on the track all through the night. There was music all night long, games played, and you could stop by the concessions for food and drink at any time. The survivor walk saw some of our Holy Spirit family in Marlene and John Bublich, Esther Spear, Mary Kay Craig and Frank Simon. Marlene and John Bublich and Esther and Bob Spear were also part of our team, along with Rosalie, Tyler and Hailey Hackett, Shirley, Monica and Kathy Ruckdaschel; Tony, Teresa and Amanda Roth; Marilyn and Doug Cameron; Sandy and Tommy Cooney; and, Lindsey and Steve Kambich. Lindsey walked around the track 80 times to make her own goal of 20 miles. Steve Kambich took second place in a contest where each contestant had to make a costume from a huge box or wallpaper samples. Tommy Cooney and Tyler Hackett, both 12, met Friday night and were fast friends by the end of the relay. Breakfast was served between 7:00 and 8:30 a.m. and then everyone took to the track for more rounds. The closing ceremony began about 10:45 a.m. and we cleaned up our campsites and were headed home by noon. Again, thank you so much to all team members and walkers—what a wonderful group. I think we all came away feeling that we had acquired some valuable new friends...Carol Simon
Narrative compiled by Virginia Trainor Goodfellow--- For the Rite of Dedication Holy Spirit Parish December 11, 1994 Because Bishop Eldon Curtis felt there would be a population shift from the north side of Butte to the south, land had been purchased for a new parish south of Butte. In a letter dated July 6, 1978, it was announced to the people of Butte who lived the area south of of the Interstate Highway and east of Harrison Avenue that Holy Spirit Parish was a reality. Holy Savior Parish had been disbanded. Shortly before the church, convent and school were buried by the growing Berkley Pit, the rectory was moved to its present location at 3930 East Lake. Father Joseph Patrick Sullivan was appointed as the first pastor. Holy Spirit commenced as a parish on the weekend of July 8-9, 1978 using the Home Atherton Fire Hall for its four Masses. This was a temporary home for Holy Spirit until the renovated rectory was completed and the basement became a Chapel for the parish which seated 120 people. Because of the size, the number of weekend liturgies was expanded to five. Father James McCarthy traveled from Carroll College each weekend to assist with the liturgies. In July 1980 he became pastor of St. Catherine Church in Boulder MT. and Father Edward Courtney began his weekend ministry at Holy Spirit. In February of 1983 Father Courtney was named Administrator of Holy Spirit in absence of Father Joe Pat Sullivan, who was later assigned as Assistant Pastor at St. Richards Parish in Columbia Falls, MT. Father James Burns was appointed Pastor of Holy Spirit in July 1983 where he remained until his death in March of 1994. In 1979, pastoral associates were appointed to Holy Spirit, beginning with Sister Maureen Hall SCL. Sister Kathleen O'Sullivan, BVM, followed in 1984. In August of 1993 Sister Sharon Smith replaced Sister Kathleen when she retired. The basement chapel soon became overcrowded and because of fire regulations it was suggested that we find a larger place to worship. In 1983 when Hawthorne School closed its doors, the parish, still a pilgrim church took up residence in two converted classrooms of the school. This remained home for Holy Spirit until December 19, 1993 when our building was completed and ready for occupancy. Father Jim Burns worked tirelessly to make this parish center a reality. He was so happy when we finally moved into it. The parish that had moved so much now had a place to call home. It is sad he is not here to celebrate this happy day with us., but we can be sure he is present in spirit. We celebrate this dedication today with prayers, gratitude and memories of all who served and helped prepare this day.
THE LEGEND OF THE CHRISTMAS BASKETS
Submitted by Esther Spear Soon after the Holy Spirit Parish was established (July l978) Fr. Joe Pat Sullivan decided that it would be a great project for the Parish to start a yearly Christmas project for the less fortunate. It started with 12 baskets in the front room of the rectory. Parishioners took pride in delivering the baskets to the needy. Soon it grew into becoming a project of 60 baskets or more for many years. Families were given food for a complete Christmas dinner, plus money for gifts, and staples, such as soups, cereals, etc. Parishioners contributed food money and gifts. Turkeys, presents for the children and additional food was purchased by the Parish with monies collected. After sevcral years of accepting names by phone, it was decided to become involved with the Mining City Christmas Program. Due to getting the same names every year, it was decided that we would get our names from the Human Resources to avoid duplications of baskets received from other organizations. A Special Needs Fund was established by Fr. Jim Burns which was built up by contributions for the Christmas Baskets and used during the year to help needy people. Since then we now have a monthly envelope for parishioners to contribute on a regular basis, and it, plus the balance received from contributions for the Christmas Baskets is used all year to help people with various needs. Three years ago, we decided to have a "Giving Tree" for parishioners to pick names of children who were on our Christmas List, so that every child in every family would get a present. It has worked out very well. For the past 20 years, it has been a gratifying experience and a great community builder, not only to those who have donated their time, talent and blessings with the less fortunate, but to those families who receive a lift to make their holidays a little lighter and brighter. This year it was decided by the Council and staff to make some minor changes regarding our participation in our yearly endeavor to help the needy. It was decided to do what has been done in the past years, to get 50 names from the Human Resources, put up a "Giving Tree" with the names of children for parishioners to select and buy presents. They then would be brought to the Parish Center and delivered to each family with a gift certificate for food to be purchased at East Gate IGA. It was decided that this would be a better way instead of having to purchase the food, assemble, and deliver, although it has been a great community builder. AGAIN, THANKS TO ALL OF YOU WHO HAVE BEEN SO GENEROUS IN DONATING, AND HELPING IN THE ASSEMBLY AND DELIVERY OF THE BASKETS IN THE PAST YEARS. (Note: We will still need people to deliver presents and certificates to families. More information will be put in bulletins in weeks to come).
By Marlene (Sutey) Sample.
My folks, Ann and John Sutey and I, were with Holy Sprit from the beginning with
services in the fire hall and the basement of the rectory. And also "Holy
Hawthorne" My dad said he wanted to start out in the beginning to support our
Catholic community. We three had the added incentive of Father Joe Pat Sullivan
as our priest. I remember every week, the three of us would go to the basement
Chapel sitting behind Mary Ann Lanch and her folks. Always having a little
visit as our folks were old friends. My dad would always joke about our
basement chapel but he loved the closeness of it. We all did. Our very special
memory of the Chapel was having my grandson baptized by Father Butori and Father
Burns. My daughter Cindy Sample Starcevich and her husband were godparents.
Cindy lost her battle with leukemia shortly after that. Our transition to "Holy
Hawthorne" was wonderful as now we had a bigger room and everyone was thrilled.
We met Marlene and John Bublich and since John was Austrian my dad and John had
many wonderful conversations. My dad was buried from "Holy Hawthorne" and of
course that is a memory I will never forget. We were getting ready to move to
our new church when dad passed away and I always wished he could have lived to
see the church. Throughout these changes Father Burns was a guiding light and
wonderful presence. Then my Mom passed away in 1999. I remember one lady telling
me "what a wonderful funeral - your Mom would have loved it!!! This was due to
our wonderful ladies of the church and of course our Father Butori. My cousins
Joe and Anthony Sutey came from Washington to sing "Ave Maria" and speak about
my Mom and dad and their life. I look back over the years and the many wonderful
people who have touched the lives of myself and my family and I feel blessed to
have been a part of Holy Spirit. The wonderful priests, deacon, Nuns and people
are like coming home to all of us. I hope I have added a little to a wonderful
time we all cherish.
By Sam and Penny Larango We have been fortunate enough to be members of Holy Spirit parish since it opened in 1978. We attended our first Mass at the Home-Atherton Fire Hall. We have been blessed with wonderful priests, but we felt we had a special bond with Father Jim Burns. Father Burns married both of our children - Mike to Lynette Pattinson and Michelle to Mike Kelly. He also baptized our daughter-in-law, Lynette, and four of our five grandchildren—Brianne, Matthew, Jake and Ashley. For this reason there was always a special feeling for Father Burns.
(By Carol McGrath) Dan and I began attending mass at Holy Spirit when it first started. It was quite a change from the spacious environment of St. Ann’s and we quickly learned what togetherness was all about. I remember one of the liturgies at the fire hall. It was hot and I was about eleven months pregnant and very miserable. Father Joe Pat half joked that if there was a fire, we would have to evacuate the building so they could use it. He said he was telling us in advance because if the alarm went off we’d all be deaf before he could get the message to us. After the service, the men would put the chairs back and restore the fire hall to its former function. The basement of the rectory was probably one of the most cloistered places we ever met. It was crowded and every single inch of space was used for seating. There was no room for anyone to wander. I remember a particular liturgy when Father Joe Pat was giving his homily and our son, Jared, was acting up. He kept making goofy noises and poking at his sister. After two minutes of dirty looks and a pinch to the leg that would have disabled an adult, I had enough. I took Jared up the stairs and outside. I was so angry I forgot where I was. I proceeded to glare at him and growled that I would beat his a_ _ if he didn’t shape up. I could hear a bit of laughter and as I turned to look I realized that I had left the door open at the bottom of the stairs. I was transformed from Mommy Dearest to Mrs. Cleaver and I threw my arms around this little body and gave him a bear hug and whispered in his ear. You damned well better behave yourself...and smile like you enjoyed this talk. I grabbed his little arm and we went back down stairs.
Refreshments—by Gene Ashby
Mario Uggetti getting birthday cake ready for mass in the commons Most always the last announcement by Deacon Dan every Sunday is an invitation for all to enjoy refreshments after Mass. Coffee, juice and a variety of goodies are always available. In the last few years, birthday cake is offered once a month in honor of birthdays for that particular month. Upon hearing this invitation did you ever wonder when this practice was started at Holy Spirit? Well, as near as I can recollect it all began when Mass was celebrated in the “Sacred Cellar.” When the parish was newly established, Father Joe Pat decided that a cup of coffee after Mass was a good way to get everyone acquainted. So the first get-togethers were held in Esther Spear’s office or the main floor of the house. Once the basement was finished, plumbing, paneling, cupboards, etc., the coffee clutch was relocated to the south end of the basement. With the remodeling complete juice along with doughnuts and sweet breads were added to accommodate the younger folks. As we grew in numbers and a larger facility was required, the parish moved to Holy Hawthorne where the refreshments stand was re-established in the faculty kitchen. To this day I don’t know who bought or delivered the doughnuts and sweet breads, but these were always bakery fresh. Upon contemplating our permanent home, one of the primary considerations was to ensure the design included a kitchen so that after Mass refreshments could be continued as well as being able to accommodate other occasions requiring a food service type option. If your re-collection of after Mass refreshments is different from this scenario, please send your story to Liz Simonich...we’d love to hear from you. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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