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Parish HistoryBishop William A. O'Connor established Our Lady of the Holy Spirit Parish, Mt. Zion on July 10, 1974. Our first pastor was Father Frank Corbett who celebrated Mass in various places including the local school and funeral home. This practice continued until a suitable permanent home for our parish was established. On July 11, 1976, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the new church building. The first Mass was offered in the new church on Christmas Eve, 1976. Many parishioners enthusiastically helped to build the new church building in 1976. Therefore, when the desire for a social gathering place for fellowship, as well as the crucial need for classrooms for the parish school of religion necessitated the building of a parish hall, we again turned to our parishioners. The families of Our Lady of the Holy Spirit answered the call and on May 5, 1980, mostly parish volunteers completed the hall. The Learning Center with classrooms and a youth room, Coordinator's Office, Conference Room, storage, bathrooms and enlarged parking lot was completed in June of 2002. Work on the renovation of the church, including more seating, a new sanctuary, skylight and improvements in the Eucharistic Chapel was completed in the Fall of 2003. In January of 2005 the parish office was moved from the parish house (rectory) to the Learning Center with an updated phone system and computers as well as internet access. Over the years the Parish has continued to grow and flourish under the direction of the successive pastoral leaders - Fathers Steve Pohlman, Robert Becker, James O'Shea and now Deacon James (Jim) Ghiglione as the Parish Life Coordinator (with Fr. Joe Molloy from Holy Family in Decatur as Sacramental Priest) The continued spiritual and physical growth and excitement of the parish is due in large part to the love and dedication of the faithful parish family. May the Lord continue to bless us as a catholic community of faith and fellowship. And may the Lord who has begun this good work in us, bring it to fulfillment.
A History of Parish Pastoral LeadersCurrently, Deacon James (Jim) Ghiglione is the Parish Life Coordinator with Father Joseph Molloy from Holy Family parish in Decatur as the Sacramental Priest.
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