Our Mother of Mercy Parish 75th Anniversary “Front to the Back” Gift.

1. O u r Mo t h er o f Mer cy
Pari sh 7 5 t h Ann i ver sar y
“Fro n t t o t h e B ac k” Gi f t. 1937 2012 T h e R om an
Cat h ol i c Fait h
Our Goal is $275,000.00 in this
Anniversary year to help repair and upgrade Beaumont was a rapidly growing city as the oil industry boomed during World War I
Co m muni t y o f
the church for the future. There will be four and the years immediately following. Father Alexis LaPlante who had established the
Blessed Sacrament Parish in down-town Beaumont soon realized the need for another
parish in the rapidly growing suburbs. Property for a cemetery had been purchased in
Ou r Mo t he r o f
goals for this special project this year.
Me rc y Ch urc h
Pear Orchard and in 1926 additional property was purchased on Broussard Street
across from the cemetery. This area was still rural with unpaved streets and remnants
of the Pear Orchards that gave it its name. A mission chapel was built in 1927, donated
New Handicapped Bathrooms/
An d
by a benefactor from Philadelphia. The Church was served as a mission from Blessed
Sacrament by Father LaPlante and his assistants.
Cry Room In 1927, a school was built and opened with an enrollment of 134 pupils and three lay
teachers. In 1937, Our Mother of Mercy became a parish with the appointment of
Father Francis Tighe, S.S.J., as pastor. A rectory was built with the generous aid of Mr.
John Phelan, a local benefactor. For 2 years the developing mission at Orange, Texas,
$50,000.00 was attached to Our Mother of Mercy. A mission station was also served at Silver City.
In 1939, while Father Thomas Foley, S.S.J., was pastor, a new two story school was
built, the second story being the convent. The Holy Ghost Sisters from San Antonio
arrived and took over the management of the school. The school was built at a cost of
New Church Lighting and $7,300.00.
In 1948, while Father Thomas Brophy, S.S.J., was pastor, a new convent was built and
Electrical Refitting the old convent was converted into additional classrooms. By this time the school
enrollment had risen to 400 and the congregation was listed at 1,800.
During the years of World War II, the growth of Beaumont accelerated. It became
increasingly evident that the parish needed larger facilities. Moreover the parish was
$115,000.00 growing to the west and the present location could not be enlarged.
In the late 1940s, the priest from Our Mother of Mercy began visiting the town of China,
12 miles west of Houston on a regular basis. In 1951, an acre of land was obtained and
a small chapel built at a cost of $12,000.00. This was dedicated as St. Alphonsus
mission and continued to be served by the priests of Our Mother of Mercy until it
Reduce the Debt to the became an independent parish in 1975.
In 1958, while Father Charles Hanks, S.S.J., was pastor, 10 acres of land was pur-
Diocese chased at Sarah and Warren Streets at a cost of $25, 000.00 and plans were developed
for a new church. The Josephite Society donated $10,000.00 towards this purchase.
In 1962, while Father Charles Crowley, S.S.J., was pastor, the construction of a new
church was began at the new site. On September 23, 1962, the corner stone was laid
$100,000.00 and the church was completed and dedicated early in 1963. The church was capable of
seating 800 persons. A new rectory was completed in June of 1964 and the official
address for the parish changed from the old Broussard Street listing to the new Sarah
Street location.
In the summer of 1964, the annual convention of the Knights of St. Peter Claver was
75th Anniversary Special held in Beaumont. All of the convention Masses were held at the new church. In 1974,
a new school and hall were completed and in 1977, a new rectory. The temporary
Events & Spiritual Materials
rectory was converted into a convent, completing the transfer of all parish facilities to
the new site. Celebrating our
From 1978 to 1987, while Father Raymond Woodka, S.S.J., was pastor, the parish
continued to grow internally. The Parish Council was reorganized with commissions 75th Anniversary
that were concerned with all phases of Parish life. An excellent Gospel Choir was
$10,000.00 organized and developed.
In 1982, the church, now 20 years old, was completely renovated and a new organ
1937-2012
purchased. An additional 4 acres of land was purchased for future developmental
needs. Our Spirit Rejoices in
In 1984, the parish hall was enlarged. In 1987, Our Mother of Mercy Parish celebrated
its 50th Anniversary. On July 12, 1987, the memorial Mass was celebrated with the
Mayor of Beaumont in attendance.
God Our Savior!
Fr. Edward Eichman, SSJ served during the time period of 1987-1991 with his faithful- January 22, 2012 - December 25, 2012
ness. Fr. Paul Oberg SSJ served from 1991-1992 until the arrival of Fr. Ray Bomberger Very Rev. Henry J Davis, S.S.J.
SSJ served from 1993-2001. It was during this time that the North Side Hall addition
was built and the life of the ministry of the parish continued to flourish. Fr. David Rev. Ugoehukwu Jerome Cletus, S.S.J.
Frueh, SSJ 2001-2003 was pastor until his departure then Fr. Patrick Healy SSJ, 2003- Bro. George B. Ajuruchi, S.S.J.
2005, arrived to bring the parish more stability on a financial level until Hurricanes
Katrina and Rita devastated the area. However after the winds died down a man from
the east came to town to rebuild not just one church but two churches. Fr. Henry
Davis, SSJ arrived in 2005 and became the first African American pastor of OMOM.
During this time a storage building and the St. Martin de Porres Family Life Center was
erected and the people were strengthened throughout the parish by workshops and
opportunity to host them for the larger Diocese.

2. Ou r Mo t he r of Me rcy 75 th Ann i ve rsar y Ce l e b rat i on
Gift Donation Form
What Can You Do to Rejoice in God
our Savior this Anniversary Year? Schedule of Events Name:_________________________
January 22nd Opening Celebration 10:00 a.m.
EVANGELIZE! Our hope this year is to Address:_______________________
bring HOME 75 former parishioners to February 1st Bishop Faith Appeal Kick off meeting.
7:00 p.m. City__________________State:____
OMOM and You can be
that disciple to bring the February 3rd Gospel Extravaganza Julie Rogers Telephone:_____________________
person back home. Also Theater 7:00 p.m.
E-Mail:________________________
to introduce 75 new peo- February 4th Mardi Gras Ball 9:00 p.m. –1:00 a.m.
ple to our faith commu- Church Envelope Number _______
February 11-12 Married Couples Weekend at all the
nity. You can take home Gift Amount;______________
Masses—Renewal of Vows
an extra parish bulletin
and give it out to a person who might be
March 7th –12th Lenten Revival - Rev. Antoine Single: $75.00 Family $175.00
looking for a Church to belong to. You can
Leason, S.V.D.
Benefactor $275.00
invite them to church, Bible Study, Rite of March 17-18 Bring a Friend to Church Day
Gifts at $175.00 or higher will be re-
Christian Initiation Classes, Zumba Classes,
April 1, 2012 - April 8, 2012 Holy Week & membered with a special recognition on
Religious Education classes and even intro- a wall plaque. Please print exactly how
Easter Sunday
duce them to the priests of the parish. you want your name to appear on the
May 6th May Procession and Crowning plaque.
WORSHIP AND PRAYER! We can not
May 15th Confirmation 6:30 p.m.
let this opportunity to pass us by without
committing ourselves to Worship and May 20th Graduation Mass Class of 2012
Prayer. As a gift to start us on
June 4– July 6 Vacation Bible School Summer Camp
to the path to worship, each
parishioner will be given a ro- June 23rd Friends and Family Picnic
sary and a prayer card. The July 14 75th Anniversary Banquet
Rosary is obvious in direct rela-
August 2012 Youth Get Together Event
tionship to Mary, Our Mother
of Mercy and also the wonder- September 8 Bazaar Zydeco Dance
ful life of our Savior Jesus
September 15-16 75th Annual Bazaar
Christ. The call is to pray a total of 75 min-
utes a week in additional to Sunday Worship. September 30th Closing 75th Anniversary Mass
Ten minutes a day is all it takes to be found October 21 Rosa Mystica Celebration
worthy as a Child of God. A parishioner of Our Spirit Rejoices in God Our
November 18th Youth Anniversary Mass
OMOM is a believer in the power of Prayer Savoir.
and the Eucharist. Also, the person fosters Our Mother of Mercy, Pray for Us.
Unity of the Parish and represents the parish