About Holy Spirit Catholic Mission Church

Mission Statement

Under the direction of Bishop Calvo, members of the Holy Spirit Catholic Mission are of the Traditional Rite of the Roman Catholic Church in the Diocese of Reno.

We believe in the restoration of all things in Jesus through Mary, our Patroness. We also believe in the presence of the Holy Spirit in the Church of Christ and rely on His guidance.

In response to God's call, we endeavor to work daily towards perfection and seek the sanctification of the whole world through prayers and the sacraments and in union with the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.

We believe in seeing Christ in others and minister to them, especially the marginal, the needy, trusting in the exhortation of Jesus, "Whatsoever you do to the least of my brethren, that you do unto me." 

We are dedicated to educating the whole person through supervision of the education of our children or undertaking home schooling and building a virile and vibrant community. 

We foster the unity of the members of the mystical body of Christ not only through sharing of the word, prayer, and sacraments, but also through fellowship and cooperation in building a loyal and strong support for our Ordinary and successors of Peter.

Pastor: Father Larry Morrison
Assigned Priest: Father Arlon Vergara
Church Phone: (775) 849-7764

A word from and about Father Loy

"I want to welcome everyone to Holy Spirit Mission. I love all of our members. My purpose here is to teach what has been taught for 2,000 years - Jesus Christ."

Fr. Loy was born and raised in the Philippines. He entered the priesthood and became a chaplain in the Philippine army during the reign of Ferdinand Marcos. He came to the United States to the old diocese of Reno in Las Vegas in 1989 after a brief stay in North Hollywood. Because of family in Reno he asked to come to Reno and serve the diocese here. A Catholic as a small boy Fr. Loy recalls, "I remember being an altar boy in at least the fourth grade". He remembers the Latin Mass fondly and volunteered to serve our mission when the need arose. His current duties include chaplain at Renown and V.A. hospitals.

Note: When we asked Father to provide a brief biography for our web site he wanted to make sure that people understood that "This is not about me, it is about Jesus Christ."

Pastoral Assistant: Enola White
Phone: (775) 849-9226
Mission eMail: whwhite@gbis.com
Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada has many programs that can assist you. Call them at (775) 322-7073 or online at www.ccsnn.org

We are home to the Traditional Latin Mass

Holy Spirit is unique in the Diocese of Reno. In light of the papal indult of October 1984, Bishop Phillip Straling approved the celebration of the 1962 Ordo Missae. Friar Cyril Apassa was appointed Parochial Vicar of St. Rose of Lima Parish to serve the Tridentine Rite community at Holy Spirit effective July 29, 1997. On February 28, 2007, Bishop Randolph Calvo continued Friar Apassa's appointment and granted the same permission as Bishop Straling. Father Torrente has been been assigned since Friar Apassa's retirement.

At Holy Spirit Catholic Mission the Most Blessed Sacrament is the heart and center of our community. We believe that the Blessed Sacrament is the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Our Lord Jesus Christ. An Ancient Mass is Christ-centered, not man-centered. We are a community of Catholics who seek to be raised to God though the Most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in anticipation of an eternity with Him.

Why Mass In Latin?

Latin has been used in the Mass since the time of St. Peter while he was in Rome circa A.D. 60. It has been the official language of the church since the third century. Even today all official church documents are written in Latin. The beauty of the Latin language rests in the fact it does not change, therefore words remain very precise to their meaning. This is what we mean by a "dead" language, and it has given the church the ability to preserve, down through the centuries, the Truth revealed by Jesus Christ and handed down to us through the Apostles.

Participation

While it is true that the congregation is silent during the Tridentine Mass, we are anything but inactive. This concept was first proposed as a reform from the Second Vatican Council. The Holy Mass is a prayer itself, and the highest prayer that exists. It is the sacrifice dedicated by our Redeemer at the Cross, and repeated everyday at the Altar.

If you wish to hear the Mass as it should be heard, you must follow with the eye heart and mouth all that happens at the Altar. Further you must pray with the Priest the holy words said by him in the name of Christ and which Christ says by him. You have to associate your heart with the holy feelings which are contained in these words and in this manner. You ought to follow all that happens on the altar. When acting this way you have prayed the Holy Mass.

Posture

Because the Traditional Latin Mass is centered on prayer and the adoration of God, most of the Mass is spent on one's knees. Kneeling is an expression of reverence and worship. It conforms to the entire atmosphere surrounding the ancient rites. Along with this attitude of worship those who have prepared themselves properly and who approach the Altar to receive Out Lord in Holy Communion, do so kneeling and on the tongue. Receiving Communion in the hand has never been part of the Traditional Latin Mass, and in order to preserve the integrity of the rite, Communion is always received in the above-mentioned manner.

Eucharistic Fast

The Discipline of 1962 -- The complete fast from all food and drink (except water or medicine) for three hours before the reception of Holy Communion. In the document lessening the fast to three hours, the Pope still encouraged those who were able to maintain the midnight fast which was the previous discipline. Under the New Code of Cannon Law, the Fast for Holy Communion is one hour before the reception of the Holy Eucharist. However, the Pope encouraged those who are able, to maintain the previous discipline.