Our Lady of Mercy Roman Catholic Church
124 North Camille Street
Opelousas, LA 70570
(337) 942-4174
(337) 942-1476 (FAX)

 Dear Visitor: 

The other members of the clergy and the parishioners of Our Lady of Mercy Church join me in extending a heartfelt welcome to you.  I trust that you will find our website interesting, informative, and easy to access.  Visit the site often to keep up with the people and activities of the parish. 

Another website www.catholicopelousas.org, which lists the four Catholic parishes in Opelousas, reminds us of our interdependence.  We belong to a larger whole – the Diocese of Lafayette and the universal Church! 

Our Lady of Mercy Parish will celebrate in 2006 the 60^th anniversary of its establishment as a parish in the Lafayette diocese.  Mr. Emmett Ledoux, a parishioner, wrote the following about the construction of this beautiful place of worship. 

I REMEMBER watching the construction of the church from the first to the last day, as Louise and I lived across the street at the time.  The workmen would have to haul concrete in wheelbarrows to make the foundation, and were only paid 25 cents per hour. …  One day Father Colliard came over with some very small oak trees, and asked me if I would plant them in front of the church.  I had worked very hard that day and I was extremely tired, and I asked Father if I could plant them the next day, but he said that a man as young as I could plant them that day – and I did.  The trees are still standing. 

Like an oak tree, Our Lady of Mercy Parish has grown spiritually over the past sixty years thanks to the graces bestowed by the Most Blessed Trinity and to the work of dedicated clergy and parishioners.  Laborers in the Lord’s vineyard have planted and watered, but God gave the growth (1 Corinthians 3:6). 

With best wishes and a prayer that the one who began the good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6) in the light and love of heaven, I remain 

Sincerely in Our Lord, 

(Reverend Father) Jefferson J. DeBlanc, Jr.
Pastor