About Immaculate Heart of Mary · Greenwood, Mississippi
Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church is a small but historically rich Roman Catholic parish located at 511 West Washington Street in Greenwood, Mississippi, in the heart of the Mississippi Delta. It belongs to the Diocese of Jackson and traces its origins to the earliest Catholic pioneers — river pilots, merchants and farmers — who settled the area after the town was incorporated in 1844. The parish was formally established in 1901 with a small frame church on Dewey and Washington Streets, heated by a potbellied stove and lit with coal oil lamps, and today it continues to serve Catholics across Leflore County with daily and weekend Masses, faith formation, Eucharistic Adoration, RCIA, and a vibrant youth program. Now over 120 years old, IHM celebrated its centennial in 2009 and remains an active faith community in the Delta.
- Established
- 1901
- Patron
- Immaculate Heart of Mary (Blessed Virgin Mary)
- Rector
- Father Andrew Nguyen
- Diocese
- Diocese of Jackson (Mississippi)
Why belong here
Immaculate Heart of Mary is a small, multigenerational Catholic family in the Mississippi Delta where everyone knows each other by name. The parish offers the full rhythm of Catholic life — daily Mass (Monday and Tuesday at noon; Wednesday through Friday at 7:30 a.m.), a Saturday Vigil and Sunday morning Mass, Saturday confessions, and Eucharistic Adoration after the Wednesday–Friday morning Mass — along with parish formation for every age: Faith Formation K–12, RCIA for adults, the Junior High CYO (grades 6–8) and the Catholic Youth Organization (grades 9–12), Bible study, the Madonna Circle, parish retreats, and beloved traditions like the Spaghetti Supper, the Halloween Carnival, and the Youth Can Make A Difference canned food drive. It is a parish that has been keeping the faith alive in the Delta for more than 120 years and welcomes newcomers as warmly as long-time parishioners.
Mass times at Immaculate Heart of Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. (or by appointment)
Adoration times
- 8:00 a.m. after the 7:30 a.m. Mass (Wednesday–Friday)
- Eucharistic Adoration in the Day Chapel of the Parish Life Center
Parish History
Immaculate Heart of Mary traces its roots to the Catholic pioneers who settled the Greenwood area after the town was incorporated in 1844, and was formally established as a parish in 1901 with the dedication of a small frame church at Dewey and Washington Streets. From itinerant priests on horseback to today's online bulletins, the parish has been shaped by more than twelve decades of faith and service in the Mississippi Delta.
- 1901: Small frame church built and dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
- 1909: First resident priest, Rev. Thomas McNamara, arrives; Lexington becomes a mission of Greenwood
- 1912: Father John Clerico appointed; about 100 Catholics in 26 families
- 1923–1924: Church enlarged with bell tower, electric lights installed at Midnight Mass on Dec. 24, 1924
- 1927: Rev. James McKenna assigned as first assistant priest; two Sunday Masses begin
- 1950: Franciscans (Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Province) first arrive
- 1951: Golden Jubilee; Msgr. Clerico designated a Domestic Prelate; stained glass and murals added
- 1962: Clerico Park given to the city as a public playground
- 1975–1976: Post-Vatican II renovation under Rev. Noonan; new Parish Center dedicated May 19, 1976
- 1988–1989: Church repainted and insulated; five rooms added to Parish Center under Msgr. Harkins
- 1998: Fr. Thomas Delaney becomes 10th pastor
- 2006: Extensive renovation and addition of narthex wing begins
- 2008: Rev. Gregory Plata, OFM becomes 11th pastor
- 2009: Centennial celebrated with special liturgies
Faith Formation and Religious Education (PSR)
IHM's Parish School of Religion provides formal Catholic religious education for students who attend area public schools and non-Catholic private schools, supplementing the formation that begins at home with parents as the first teachers of the faith. Children in 2nd grade are prepared for First Reconciliation and First Communion; youth in 10th grade begin a two-year preparation for Confirmation. More than fifty adults serve regularly as catechists, co-catechists and classroom aides across eleven classroom groups.
- Grades K–12 religious education
- First Reconciliation preparation (requires at least one prior year of formation)
- First Holy Communion preparation in 2nd grade Faith Formation
- Confirmation: Diocese of Jackson one-year preparation, beginning in 10th grade
- Over 50 adult catechists, co-catechists and classroom aides
RCIA — Becoming Catholic
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults at IHM is a step-by-step process for adults and older children who want to learn about the Christian faith and discern a call to live it out in the Catholic tradition. It emphasizes the lived experience of the Church and is open to unbaptized adults, adults baptized in another Christian denomination, and Catholic adults returning to the faith and the sacraments. Inquirers are invited to contact the parish office or use the form on the website to sign up.
- For unbaptized adults
- For adults baptized in a Protestant or other Christian denomination
- For Catholic adults returning to the faith and sacraments
- Sign up by calling the parish office or completing the online form
Youth Ministry (CYO)
The Catholic Youth Organization at IHM welcomes young people in two age groups: a Junior High CYO for grades 6–8 and a high school CYO for grades 9–12. The parish notes a particular need for adult volunteers to support the work of youth ministry, alongside the parish's broader formation programs.
- Junior High CYO (grades 6–8)
- Catholic Youth Organization (grades 9–12)
- Annual 'Youth Can Make A Difference' canned food drive
- Adult volunteers always needed
Parish Life and Community
Beyond Mass and sacraments, IHM sustains a busy parish life through adult faith groups, service projects and beloved Delta traditions. The parish history page especially highlights Bible study, the Madonna Circle, parish retreats, Eucharistic Adoration, the popular Spaghetti Supper, and the Halloween Carnival as events that 'proclaim to others that the Catholic faith and our parish is alive and well in the heart of the Delta.'
- Bible Study
- Madonna Circle
- Parish retreats
- Spaghetti Supper
- Halloween Carnival
- Youth Can Make A Difference canned food drive
- Sunday nursery (8:30 – 10:30 a.m.)
- Building Maintenance Fund second collection (first weekend of each month)
Clergy and Staff
Father Andrew Nguyen currently serves as pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary and has resumed Full Communion during Masses. The parish is supported by an administrative assistant, a parish communications coordinator, a parish bookkeeper, and a music director, with contact information published on the parish website.
- Pastor: Fr. Andrew Nguyen — [email protected]
- Administrative Assistant: Julie Butts — [email protected]
- Parish Communications: Mary Jane Faulkner — [email protected]
- Parish Bookkeeper: Holly Mooneyham — [email protected]
- Music Director: Paul Brown — [email protected]
Sacraments at IHM
Immaculate Heart of Mary prepares parishioners for the sacraments of initiation and marriage through age-appropriate formation and the policies of the Diocese of Jackson. The parish's Faith Formation and RCIA programs, together with its marriage preparation paperwork, are coordinated through the parish office.
- First Reconciliation
- First Holy Communion
- Confirmation
- Marriage (Diocese of Jackson Marriage Policy; IHM Wedding Reservation and Contract)
- RCIA for adults
Contact and Visit
Parishioners and visitors can reach IHM by phone, email, or in person at the church and Parish Life Center on West Washington Street in Greenwood. The parish publishes a Weekly Bulletin with the latest Mass-time changes and announcements, and maintains downloadable documents including sacramental preparation forms, a Time and Talent card, and marriage paperwork.
- Address: 511 West Washington Street, Greenwood, MS 38930
- Mailing: P.O. Box 313, Greenwood, MS 38935-0313
- Phone: (662) 453-3980
- Office Email: [email protected]
- Website: immaculateheartofmarycatholicchurch.com
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Thomas McNamara1909–c.1911
First resident priest of Greenwood; after Lexington's church and rectory burned in 1908, Greenwood Catholics built a rectory and gained a resident pastor.
- Rev. Amile Husserc.1911–1912
Succeeded Fr. McNamara.
- Father (later Msgr.) John Clerico1912–mid 20th century
Appointed 1912 when the parish had about 100 Catholics (26 families). Oversaw 1923 enlargement of the church (bell tower, electric lights) and was designated a Domestic Prelate with the title of Monsignor on October 21, 1951.
- Rev. James McKennafrom 1927 (assistant)
First assistant priest; allowed two Sunday Masses and care for missions in Anguilla, Belzoni, Indianola, Leland and Lexington.
- Rev. Noonanaround 1975
Led post-Vatican II renovation of the church and construction of the new Parish Center (dedicated May 19, 1976).
- Msgr. Harkinsaround 1988–1989
Oversaw 1988 church renovation (painting, insulation, kneelers, carpet) and 1989 addition of five rooms to the Parish Center.
- Rev. Thomas Delaneyfrom 1998
IHM's 10th pastor; former chaplain in Vicksburg and Greenville, known for his care of the sick and homebound.
- Rev. Gregory Plata, OFMfrom 2008
11th pastor; Franciscan of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Province. Completed church renovations and began work on the Parish Life Center, including the Day Chapel for daily Masses and Eucharistic Adoration. Led the parish's 2009 centennial celebrations.
- Father Sanchez
Referenced as 'Father Sanchez in the Parish Office' on the Faith Formation page for First Communion inquiries.
- Father Andrew Nguyencurrent
Current pastor; email [email protected]. Has resumed Full Communion during Masses.