The History of Our Lady of Mercy Parish
The history of our Parish Faith Community is like that of really any family. Not much is written down. Most of it is in the memories of the people who are part of the family. Therefore, we would ask that as you read this history you keep in mind your memories of the priests, sisters, brothers, teachers, parish workers and members of the community from the past. Anyone having further information about these years of the parish life please contact us with your information so we will update this and other parish history files. The past is important it makes us who we are and helps us continue a tradition toward the future for those who will become members of Our Lady of Mercy Community continuing to keep it "Second to None".
 | Among the more important blessings showered on Our Lady of Mercy Parish have been the educational services Provided for children of the Parish by two great teaching orders of Nuns, These are the Sisters of the Third Order of St. Dominic, Congregation of the Holy Name, who staff out school, and the Sisters of the Holy Family who provide catechetical instruction for Catholic boys and gifts attending public schools. |
The Holy Family Sisters fill an important void in their work with public school students. The manner in which these youngsters are prepared for the reception of the sacraments of Holy Communion and Confirmation has been most outstanding.
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With the observance this month of its third anniversary, Out Lady of Mercy Parish has completed a building program
without equal in the 10 year history of the San Francisco Archdiocese.
Founded in April, 1954, the first Mass was celebrated on Sunday, May16, 1954. The makeshift chapel in the basement of A temporary rectory at 692 North Mayfair Avenue was reminiscent of the very start of Christianity itself - the Stable at Bethlehem. |  |
Five months later a second temporary chapel was established on the second floor of the Medical-Dental Building in the Westlake Shopping District. With Catholic education receiving the highest priority in the parish building plans, construction on a school was started on January 3, 1955. Within 16 months of the celebration of the first Mass, classes were started in four grades in the attractive, modern school.
With no pause in the accelerated construction program, work on the erection of a new church commented even before the school building was completed. The first Mass in the new church was celebrated on May 27, 1956, little more than two years after Archbishop John J. Mitty had created the parish.
Before the end of 1954 the parish included an attractive convent And rectory. Encouraged by the enthusiasm and hard work of his people, Father Richard W. Power, the first pastor, attempted a bold program and achieved dramatic results. But like so much of the work of Christ, the task is far from complete,
A substantial financial debt must be liquidated. Hundreds of our children have not yet seen accommodated in our school. This can be done only through the erection of a second school building. This goal, however ambitious it may seem, remains the all-prevailing dream of Father Power.
"Through the devotion and sacrifice of hundreds of families in making and completing substantial building fund pledges, a sizeable portion of our expenses have been met- But the continuing need to lower our debt and end interest payments makes our Westlake Festival an important undertaking.With the help of the same Divine Grace which has flowed so abundantly among us, this intention can be realized".
| Related Pages | OLM Staff and Schedule, 1957 | The First OLM Westlake Festival! |
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In designing the buildings which will would some day constitute the permanent physical plant of this parish, your pastor has Msgr. Power established the following five- phase building sequence:
In deciding to erect a school first, even before a temporary church, Father Power had followed what most of us readily recognize as a wise course. Pope after Pope has stressed the need for Catholic education, and reminded parents of their obligations in this respect. The Holy Fathers have asked that other buildings be delayed to achieve this useful and practical end. |
Construction of our school commenced January 3, 1955. It was ready for classes in September. The first scholastic year found at least four and possibly five grades functioning, depending on the availability of Nuns. One class was added each year until the full total of eight were in session.
Our school was staffed by the Dominican Nuns of San Rafael, one of the finest teaching orders in the country. At first, they resided at St. Rose Academy in San Francisco. Adding to their regular burdens of caring for our children was a daily round trip of 16 miles between their convent and the school.
If only out of a sense of common gratitude, the parish hastened the erection of a convent in Westlake to lighten their burden. Members of Our Lady of Mercy Parish should consider themselves most fortunate as a new unit, to be able to obtain the services of teaching sisters. Msgr. Power stated,
There are several parishes in Northern California, including long-established ones, which have schools standing idle because of a general shortage of vocations. The Dominican Nuns operate schools where the annual tuition rates are as high per pupil as the amount of the pledge which most of us will make in the forthcoming building fund drive. The school will cost $186,000 to construct and another $20,000 to furnish. It will include eight classrooms and will be expandable. Our architect, Vincent G. Paney, is taking advantage of the latest construction techniques in order to hold our costs to a minimum. The school will be modern, comfortable and adequate, without unnecessary frills.
Anyone having further information about these years of the parish life please contact us with your information.
This was a time of transition. Father Duggan stayed with the parish for only one year following the death of Msgr. Power.
Anyone having further information about these years of the parish life please contact us with your information.
This time in the parish saw continued growth and development of the parish school, the renovation of the church interior under the guidelines of Vatican Council II, the installation of the Rufatti Organ for Parish Worship as well as the beginning of a project of beautification which we now call the installation of the Faceted Glass Windows - Our Parish Art Gallery. Fr. Ryan had a sense of beauty and art which helped make our church something to be both admired as well as a place where a community could gather and pray together. The parish also saw development of fine tradition of education in the Parish School which attained the status of a Five Star School. The Parish Religious Education Program directed by The Holy family Sisters made a transition of leadership to Sister John Minetta who is presently its Leader.
Anyone having further information about these years of the parish life please contact us with your information.
Fr. Curso came to Our Lady of Mercy from St. Anne Parish in San Francisco at the time Fr. Ryan became very ill. He helped Fr. Ryan and the Parish during this difficult period of change and transition. Since assuming the role of Pastor, he has undertaken to recap the history of our community, begin building a parish community that has ownership of its identity and is moving toward the Third Millenium with gusto. This tedious task takes much time and energy both in planning. listening and implementing. Various projects and boards have been begun in this process. The whole concept of W E S T Lake as the identity moniker and logo for our parish family comes from a vision of our Catholic Community that presumes involvement, ownership and a community vision that is dynamic.
During the course of Fr. Curso's pastorate, he had invited the RVM Sisters to get involved in Our Lady of Mercy parish. Sr. Olive Kingsbury, RVM was sent by her Congregation. As Parish Sister she takes charge of Baptismal Preparation, Marriage Preparation, Coordinator of Renew 2000 and other parish programs. In August, 1997 Sr. Nicolina Estevez, RVM joined her and taught first grade for two years at OLM school. Then in May 1999, Sr. Margie Aguilar, RVM joined them and served as Assistant to the Director of Religious Education in the Parish. A year later, Sr. Margie was assigned as Director of Religious Education Program of the parish.
Fr. Bill is our current pastor. He delights us with his down-to-earth, riveting, witty and holy homilies.
See Staff Page.
See Art galleries.
In years to come you will be able to gaze upon your parish plant with pride and admiration, and you will be able to share its everlasting glory."
We have the challenge through our exercise of membership, ownership and participation to carry on this fine tradition that is "SECOND TO NONE" in our day and for our future. We are Our Lady of Mercy W E S T LAKE and we must continue to work for the formation, growth, financing and development of this community VISION.
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