Our Mother of Mercy celebrates 95 years of faith and community
La'Wonda Peoples opens Our Mother of Mercy's 95th Anniversary reception. (NTC/Richard Rodriguez)
FORT WORTH — La’Wonda Peoples emceed the closing reception on the year-long commemoration of Our Mother of Mercy Parish’s 95th anniversary.
The president of the parish council opened her introductory remarks by saying, “95 years is a very long time, and while our church has had its fair share of ups and downs, we thank God to still be in existence after 95 years … and we have no plans to go anywhere.”

“Just to heaven,” yelled someone in the audience.
That someone was Bishop Michael Olson.
Our Mother of Mercy in Fort Worth, the only historically African American Catholic parish in the Diocese of Fort Worth, concluded its anniversary festivities on Jan.19 with Mass celebrated by Bishop Olson, followed by a reception featuring music, dance, and addresses from parish members and local leaders.
History right here
More than a year ago, the parish council began to plan how to mark the milestone anniversary, which was Jan. 14, 2024.
Most years during February’s Black History Month, the parish, located just southeast of downtown Fort Worth, researches and publicly recognizes the contributions of famous Black individuals.

A Knight of St. Peter Claver and members of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Knights of St. Peter of Claver share the sign of peace during the 95th Anniversary Mass at Our Mother of Mercy Parish in Fort Worth. (NTC/Richard Rodriguez)
However, last year the parish council realized, “We’ve got history right here in our own church. Let’s celebrate our own people,” recalled Mary Battle, a 15-year member who serves as a lector and is a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Knights of St. Peter Claver, St. Anne’s Altar Society, St. Vincent de Paul Society, and choir.
Instead of choosing national figures, Battle interviewed four elder members and shared their accomplishments with the parish each week in February.
Peoples explained, “These seniors are critical to the church. We want to make them feel special.”
The recognition was so warmly received by parishioners that February was just the start.
Over the course of the year, Battle interviewed more than 20 longstanding members, some of whom had belonged to the parish for 70 years. Battle or a teenager would present their biographies to the parish. Some prominent deceased members and individuals from other countries were also acknowledged.
The parish also began social activities, such as field trips and bingo. The enthusiasm and sense of community they generated convinced the parish council to continue the gatherings indefinitely.
A special purpose
In 1928, when this region was part of the Diocese of Dallas, Bishop Joseph Lynch reached out to the St. Joseph Society of the Sacred Heart to establish a parish in Fort Worth for African Americans.
Father Narcisse Denis, SSJ, celebrated the first Mass in January 1929 with 50 Catholics, and by June, he and parishioners constructed a 150-seat church. A school, staffed by Sisters of the Holy Spirit, opened in September with 59 students.

By 1952, the church and school moved to its present site on East Terrell Avenue to accommodate a larger sanctuary for parishioners and more classrooms for the student body of 250. The school closed in 2016.
Bishop Olson designated Our Mother of Mercy as the primary Door of Mercy for the diocese during the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy announced by Pope Francis from Dec. 8, 2015, to Nov. 20, 2016.
Peoples moved to Fort Worth more than 40 years ago. “When I found out about this church, I was in heaven. It felt like home from the beginning,” she said.
The primary element that sets the parish apart, Peoples continued, is the Gospel Mass choir, which led the congregation in singing at the Mass and performed at the reception.
This far by faith
Bishop Olson opened the Mass with a prayer of gratitude for the “presence, the witness, and the ministry of this community of faith.”
He commended the parish during the homily, saying, “Our Mother of Mercy, for 95 years, has strived to live by [the Blessed Virgin Mary’s] example and ask her for her intercession. … That is the particular legacy of Our Mother of Mercy Parish. Throughout its 95 years, which has never been easy — but the Lord didn’t promise us that it would be easy — it has been faithful to the Way of the Cross and the road of fidelity to the Gospel.”
At the reception, he added, “I want to thank you very much for your witness, especially the way you live the Gospel with each other in the parish, and with others who share our faith but not fully, who are from other denominations, and also with those who will only meet the Lord, perhaps, through you.”
The event featured a keynote address from Ralph McCloud, who as a child attended “the Catholic church” and “the Catholic school,” as the neighborhood referred to Our Mother of Mercy.

McCloud served on the Fort Worth City Council and is the former director of the USCCB’s Catholic Campaign for Human Development.
Texas State Representative Nicole Collier and a staff member from Fort Worth City Councilman Chris Nettle’s office both read proclamations honoring Our Mother of Mercy’s 95 years of service.
Tarrant County Commissioner Roderick Miles and U.S. Representative Marc Veasey also sent certificates of recognition.
Peoples joked that planning is already underway for the parish’s 100th anniversary, but Deacon Tom Giovannatti, parish life coordinator, suggested that parishioners focus on a different effort first.
He encouraged the faithful to invite others to come back to the Church. “If you have family, if you’ve got friends — this is the most comfortable family I’ve ever been in. … If you don’t have a family, come here; we’ll find you one. There have to be more people who need our parish,” he said.
“People are looking for a home where they can feel the presence of [Jesus] all the time, not just in the Eucharist, but in the spirit of the people,” he said.
As parishioners make plans to go to heaven, invite friends and family to come along.