Greetings! As a former journalist, I had to find the right words and video to accurately share the day's headlines under tight deadlines. Now here I am, as Holy Spirit's Director of Communications struggling to trying to find the words to share who I am, what I do, and how I can serve you, our faith community. I'm grateful my deadline is quite a ways away in my reporter head (as of this writing it is noon on a Thursday). The e-Bulletin goes out to you, our parish community every Saturday at 11am.

First, I've been a member of Holy Spirit since Las Vegas became my home in September 2020. My husband Justin and our two children, Tyson and Vivienne chose to move here from the Seattle area because frankly, we could! I had just left my 20 year career as a news anchor and reporter to run an online business, my children were learning remotely, and my husband also worked from home. So, why not leave the rainy Pacific Northwest to the desert oasis? Why not join my retired parents who left Michigan after 40 years? My parents have been members of Holy Spirits and it was a no-brainer for us to join the church too. I am so grateful we did. My husband and I joined Scott Knisley's music ministry. Our daughter, with the help of Anna Forsberg, Director of Children's Ministry and Faith Formation, prepared to receive her First Communion, and our son attends The Edge led by Louie Latina, Director of Youth Ministry. This community became our immediate family even when the pandemic kept us online and not face-to-face. It greatly helped to have a faith home being new to a city, but especially after my mother, Erlinda Calderon succumbed to cancer on Christmas Eve, 2020. The love and prayers we received during that time meant the world to us, my father and sister -- and we were newcomers to the parish!

Although I was challenged enough with demands of motherhood and a successful business, I was looking for a way to use my storytelling skills again. The job had to be just right: No 2am alarm to be on the air by 430am (my former schedule broadcasting schedule), remote work a must, and it would be the icing on the cake if somehow I could share my faith. So when Fr. Bill made an announcement Holy Spirit was looking for a Director of Communications, it was an answered prayer. Funny thing is, if you asked me when I was in college what I would be doing for a living, I don't think "communications for a church" would have even crossed my mind. It's funny how God brings us what we need when we need it, and not necessarily how we envisioned it!

So what do I do and how can I help you? I am here to share the stories within our loving and inclusive faith community. I help connect people within the church and grow in their faith. Are you a volunteer in one of our ministries and have an event coming up? Is there a church-affiliated fundraiser you want our community to know about? Are you looking to connect virtually with our church? Did you attend a church event and have video or photos you would like to share? Do you have something that needs to be communicated with our parishoners? Would you like to connect with us on social media? That and so much more is where I come in. Please submit items by email before Wednesday at noon each week to be included in the e-Bulletin and in mass announcements.

Ok I gotta run. I'm helping Louie and Fr Bill produce this week's Cheers video! 

I look forward to connecting with you,

Rachel C Young

Director of Communications

LSM Is proud to announce our very first book drive at Bishop Gorman High School! Do you have books appropriate for kindergarten to 6th grade?

Bring them to Room 109 at Bishop Gorman High School before January 21

to support the LSM International Book Drive. BGHS has a goal to send 800 or more books to the Palusapis Integrated School in the Philippines.

For complete information, download the flyer below. 

Many of our programs met for the first time since December. This includes Walking with Purpose which meets in the Upper Room on Thursday mornings from 9-11am. Although the group has been meeting since September, it is not too late to check it out. It exists to help all women and girls to know Jesus Christ personally by making Scripture and the teachings of the Catholic Church relevant and applicable. The bible study also has videos which can be viewed at walkingwithpurpose.com/videos.  Learn more about WWP: https://walkingwithpurpose.com/about/ or connect with parishoner Mary Ann Tingley: matingley100@gmail.com

Read the Readings from this Sunday, the Second in Ordinary Time

Until Grace 

I knew I was broken but there was no one that I could tell 

Praying felt like I was throwing pennies in a wishing well 

And I started believing I was cursed to carry this weight 

I was listing the reasons of why I should walk away 

Until Grace called my name 

Oh, I didn’t know I could be free 

Until Grace found me 

Until Grace broke these chains 

Oh, I didn’t know I could be free 

Until Grace found Your Grace found me

I might be looking at a future full of question marks 

But I don’t to have all of the answers if You have my heart 

In You I’m finding redemption a little more with every breath 

Brand new like the morning and I’ll never forget that… 

Until Grace called my name
Oh, I didn’t know I could be free
Until Grace found me
Until Grace broke these chains
Oh, I didn’t know I could be free
Until Grace found Your Grace found me

You came like force of nature Knocked down every wall I made You rescued my soul when I thought There was no escape (repeat)