We are glad you asked
We celebrate Mass every Sunday at 5:00 PM at the Getsemani Center, 412 E 19th Street in Georgetown, Texas. Feel free to arrive a few minutes early to settle in.
Not at all. Everyone is welcome here. Whatever your background or beliefs, and wherever you are on your journey, we'd like to offer you fellowship and walk with you. There is no expectation or pressure to think the 'right' things, or to participate more than the Spirit moves you. Whether it's your first time or your hundredth, you are welcome to simply sit back and take it all in.
Mass is a warm, reverent gathering of about an hour, with Scripture, prayer, music, and Holy Communion. You are free to take part as much or as little as you wish, and you will never be pressured to participate.
Whatever feels comfortable. Some people dress up and many come casual, and you will fit in either way.
You can park on either side of the street in front of the building, and there is a restroom on site. The building does not currently have a wheelchair ramp, so if you have mobility or other accessibility needs, please let us know ahead of time and we will do everything we can to help you take part comfortably.
Yes, always. Children are a joy and a blessing, and a welcome part of our worship, so movement, questions, and a little noise are more than alright.
Rooted in the living Catholic tradition and inspired by the Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit Catholic Church is an inclusive community where every person is welcomed, cherished, and called by name. We worship God with beauty and reverence, celebrate the sacraments as signs of unconditional grace, and commit ourselves to the work of justice, compassion, and reconciliation. Guided by the Gospel and sustained by prayer, we strive to build a world where the dignity of all creation is honored and the love of Christ is made visible in word and deed.
Holy Spirit Catholic Church offers a rich array of spiritual services centered around the seven sacraments, including baptism, confirmation, Eucharist, reconciliation, anointing of the sick, holy orders, and matrimony. We gather every Sunday at 5 PM to share in worship, prayer, and community. Our services are designed to nourish your spirit and strengthen your faith journey, allowing you to experience the love of God in a welcoming and compassionate atmosphere. Join us each week as we celebrate the sacred and embrace the beauty of our diverse community.
Independent Catholicism arose in the 19th and 20th centuries as a response to the desire for a more inclusive and diverse expression of the Catholic faith. This movement seeks to honor the core teachings of the Catholic Church while promoting a welcoming environment for all individuals, regardless of their backgrounds or life choices. In the United States, independent Catholic congregations have flourished, emphasizing the importance of community, justice, and inclusivity. At Holy Spirit Catholic Church, we proudly embrace this tradition by affirming the unconditional love and compassion of God for everyone. Our doors are open to all people, regardless of race, orientation, gender, or marital status. We believe that every individual deserves to participate fully in the life of the Church. This means divorced and/or remarried individuals are warmly welcomed to receive any sacrament for which they otherwise dutifully and legally qualify. It also means that folks who are in a same-sex relationship seeking marriage can also seek any and all of the Church's sacraments for which they otherwise legally and dutifully qualify. Our mission is to create a nurturing spiritual community where everyone can find a sense of belonging and connection.
We are not part of the Roman Catholic Church, though we share the same core faith: the Scriptures, the creeds, and the sacraments. What sets us apart is our unconditional welcome. Every person is invited to take part fully in the life of the Church, without exception. Our parish is affiliated with the Independent Catholic Ordinariate, and we pray for visible communion with the entire body of the Church.
Yes! They are administered by validly-consecrated bishops and validly-ordained priests and deacons. Religious scholar William J. Whalen notes: "We have no reason to doubt that the Old Catholic Orders are valid." Old Catholicism is a term used to describe many streams of Independent Catholicism around the world. He goes on to say that "Apostolic Succession does not depend on obedience to the See of Peter, but rather on the objective line of succession from Apostolic sources, the proper matter and form, and the proper intention…. Likewise Old Catholic bishops are bishops in Apostolic Succession [and]… the Old Catholics, like the Orthodox, possess a valid priesthood."
We cannot promise how the people you love will respond, because that depends on your family. Some Roman Catholic relatives warmly embrace a loved one's home in an Independent Catholic parish, while others may have questions, especially if our tradition is new to them. What we can promise is that we will meet you and your family with openness and respect. Many who worship with us have walked this same road, and Father Brett is always glad to talk with you, or with a family member who has concerns, about who we are and what we believe. You do not have to navigate it alone.
Inclusivity is at the heart of Holy Spirit Catholic Church's mission. We believe in the inherent dignity and worth of every person, regardless of race, orientation, gender, or marital status. Our church actively strives to create a welcoming space for all individuals, encouraging diverse voices and experiences to enrich our community. Through our teachings, outreach programs, and communal activities, we promote understanding, acceptance, and love. We invite everyone to join us on this journey of faith, where every person is valued and celebrated as a beloved member of God's creation.
Yes. We keep an open table, and everyone who hungers for Christ is welcome to receive, without exception, wherever you are on your journey of faith.
Always. If you have celiac disease or a gluten sensitivity, just let a minister know before Mass and we will make sure you can receive with everyone else.
Yes, gladly. If you or someone you love cannot join us for Mass, reach out to Father Brett or a minister and we will arrange a visit so that no one is kept from the Eucharist.
Yes. We live-stream Sunday Mass on our Facebook page every Sunday at 5:00 PM, and recordings stay there to watch anytime. No Facebook account is needed.
We do. Feast days and special celebrations are posted on our Calendar, so check there for what is coming up.
We would be honored. Reach out to Father Brett and we will help you plan a joyful celebration and walk with you through preparation. You can learn more on our Baptism page.
Absolutely. We warmly welcome children of every age for baptism, and we would be honored to celebrate this sacrament with your family. Baptism here is a joyful beginning and a welcome into the family of faith, offered freely and without precondition. You can learn more on our Baptism page, or reach out to Father Brett to begin planning.
Simply reach out. We prepare people gladly, without long programs or prerequisites, because the sacraments are gifts freely given by God's grace and never earned. Both children and adults are welcome.
Yes. We celebrate Matrimony for every couple who seeks to pledge their lives to one another, including those remarrying after divorce and same-sex couples. Reach out early so we can journey with you through preparation.
We do, and we would love to help make your celebration meaningful and sacred. Visit our Quinceañeras & Sweet 16s page or get in touch to start planning.
Father Brett is glad to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation by appointment or before Sunday Mass. There is nothing you could bring that God's mercy cannot meet, so simply reach out.
Please contact Father Brett. Whether at home, in the hospital, or here at the Getsemani Center, he is always ready to come and pray for healing and comfort. Read more on our Anointing of the Sick page.
Yes. Our Grief Support ministry offers a caring space for anyone walking through loss. Reach out and we will let you know when the group meets.
When someone you love dies, we walk with you. We would be honored to help you plan a funeral Mass or memorial that honors your loved one and comforts those who mourn. Reach out to Father Brett whenever you are ready.
Of course. If you or someone you love would like prayers, a visit at home or in the hospital, or the Anointing of the Sick, please contact Father Brett. No one should feel alone.
The simplest way is to come to Mass and introduce yourself; we would love to meet you. There is a short sign-up for those who'd like to formally join the parish, but you don't need it to belong here, and you certainly don't need it to walk through the door. If you would like to get more involved, just let us know.
Your place in this community does not simply end when your address changes. If you move, we are glad to help you find an Independent Catholic community near your new home, and you are always welcome to stay connected with us, including through our online prayer gatherings. Wherever you land, you carry your faith and your belonging with you, so please keep in touch and let us know how we can support you in the transition.
There are many ways to serve, from liturgy and music to outreach and grief support. Speak with Father Brett or a minister after Mass, or reach out, and we will help you find a place that fits your gifts.
Our weekly prayer meeting is for members and aspirants of the Advocates of St. Sebastian, a society of apostolic life that unites laity and clergy in the prayer of the hours. Through it, Independent Catholics from across the globe pray together, joining their voices in the daily prayer of the Church. If you would like to learn more or take part, please reach out to Father Brett.
Our pastor is Father Brett, an Independent Catholic priest and hospice chaplain, alongside Deacon Elsa. You can read more about them on our Our Clergy page.
Offerings are gratefully received at Sunday Mass, and every gift helps sustain our ministries and our welcome. If you would like to give another way, please reach out.
Call us at (512) 387-6987, email [email protected], or message us on Facebook. We are always glad to hear from you.
