About Most Merciful Jesus · Madison, Alabama
Most Merciful Jesus Catholic Parish (lovingly called 'Mercy Parish') is a young, growing Catholic community in Madison, Alabama, founded in 2015 under the Diocese of Birmingham to serve the booming Madison and Limestone County Catholic population. The parish is pastored by founding pastor Father Joy Chalissery and currently celebrates Mass in a multi-purpose building (MPB) on its 25-acre Segers Road campus while raising funds for a permanent church. With about 545 registered families and roughly 48 active ministries, Mercy Parish is 100% volunteer-led and is known for live-streamed daily Masses, a strong faith formation program, and a thriving Knights of Columbus council.
- Established
- 2015
- Patron
- The Most Merciful Jesus (Divine Mercy)
- Rector
- Father Joy Chalissery (founding pastor)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Birmingham
Why belong here
Mercy Parish is a young, 100% volunteer-led Catholic community that has already outgrown its multi-purpose building but feels more like a family than an institution. With daily live-streamed Masses, a robust faith formation program, 48 active ministries, a Knights of Columbus council, youth programs, singles ministry, prayer warriors, and a Cursillo movement, there's a place for every age and stage of life. The parish's motto — 'merciful like the Father' — is lived out in its Jubilee of Mercy heritage and its ambitious plan to build a permanent church and chapel for the Madison and Limestone Catholic community.
Mass times at Most Merciful Jesus
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays from 3:30–4:30 pm
Adoration times
- Fridays from 9:00–10:00 am
- Saturday evenings from 4:00–4:30 pm
- Holy Hour on Fridays after daily Mass
History of Most Merciful Jesus Parish
The seeds of Most Merciful Jesus were planted in 2009 when priests and a bishop met at St. John the Baptist to discuss Madison's growing Catholic population. After three years of study, the Diocese of Birmingham purchased 25 acres on Segers Road in 2012. Father Joy Chalissery was tapped as founding pastor in 2015, and on December 28, 2015 — his 25th ordination anniversary — Bishop Robert J. Baker signed the Decree of Canonical Establishment. The parish's name was providentially chosen during Pope Francis's Jubilee Year of Mercy.
- 2009: Initial priestly meeting at St. John the Baptist about a possible new parish
- June 2012: Diocese of Birmingham purchases 25 acres on Segers Road, Madison
- Feb 2015: Father Joy Chalissery approached to be founding pastor
- May 2015: Father Joy begins one-year assignment at St. John the Baptist
- Oct 2015: New parish publicly announced
- Dec 8, 2015: Pope Francis opens the Jubilee Year of Mercy
- Dec 28, 2015: Decree of Canonical Establishment issued — parish named Most Merciful Jesus
- Aug 2016: Multi-purpose hall groundbreaking
- Apr 1, 2017: Bishop Baker dedicates the multi-purpose hall
- Aug 2020: Mortgage burning live-streamed during COVID-19
- Mid-2023: Ellis Architects completes final review and 10-phase site master plan
Worship Schedule & Live-Streamed Mass
Mercy Parish celebrates the Eucharist Tuesday through Friday at 8:30 am (with Rosary at 8:00 am), a Saturday Vigil at 5:00 pm, and two Sunday Masses at 8:30 am and 11:30 am. Weekday and Saturday Vigil Masses are live-streamed for homebound parishioners and travelers. The Saturday vigil includes a Rosary at 4:30 pm.
- Daily Mass: Tue–Fri 8:30 am (Rosary 8:00 am) — Live-Streamed
- Saturday Vigil: 5:00 pm (Rosary 4:30 pm) — Live-Streamed
- Sunday: 8:30 am (Rosary 8:00 am) and 11:30 am
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Religious Education classes for children meet in the classrooms of the Mercy Parish MPB every Sunday during the school year. Registration for the 2026-2027 Faith Formation year opens June 7 through July 12. Registered Mercy Parish families may also send their children to St. John's Catholic School (stjohnb.com) at the parishioner tuition rate — a partnership between the two Madison parishes.
- Faith Formation held Sundays in the MPB classrooms during the school year
- 2026-2027 Registration: June 7 – July 12
- St. John's Catholic School (stjohnb.com) — parishioner tuition rate available
Parish Ministries & Groups
With roughly 48 active ministries, Mercy Parish has a place for nearly every interest and life stage. The parish publishes a Ministry Booklet with a short description of each ministry, and a Ministry Directory with contact information. Getting involved typically begins with the Time and Talent survey on the parish website.
- Mercy Prayer Warriors
- Knights of Columbus — Merciful Jesus Council
- Cursillo Movement (Men's & Women's Weekends at St. Bernard Abbey)
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion & Lectors
- Ushers & Greeters
- Agape Ministry (fellowship refreshments)
- Ignite the Spirit (youth events)
- Mercy Singles (adults)
- Vacation Bible School (VBS)
- Time and Talent volunteer program
Knights of Columbus — Merciful Jesus Council
The parish's Knights of Columbus council lives out the Order's principles of charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism through parish programs and major fraternal events. They support Faith, Family, Community and Life initiatives and host events such as the annual Intellectual Disabilities Drive and the Mercy Parish BBQ Competition.
- Annual Intellectual Disabilities Drive
- Mercy Parish BBQ Competition
- Faith, Family, Community and Life programs
Cursillo Movement
Mercy Parish promotes Cursillo, a recognized charism of the Catholic Church founded on small friendship groups. Weekends are held at St. Bernard Abbey in Cullman, AL. The Men's Weekend is August 13-16, 2026, and the Women's Weekend is April 8-11, 2027. Contact: Kenric Smith at [email protected].
- Men's Cursillo: August 13-16, 2026 at St. Bernard Abbey
- Women's Cursillo: April 8-11, 2027 at St. Bernard Abbey
Prayer Warriors
Mercy Prayer Warriors is a dedicated prayer group praying for the special requests of parishioners. Anyone can request prayer or join the ministry by emailing [email protected].
- Email: [email protected]
Capital Campaign & New Church Campus
Having outgrown the multi-purpose building, Mercy Parish has launched a capital campaign to build a permanent church, chapel, columbarium, education building, recreational field, and rectory. The initial phase — site work plus construction of the main level of the two-level church and chapel — is estimated at $20 million. The parish aims to raise $7.5 million in three years, combined with $2.7 million already in the construction fund, to qualify for a $10 million matching loan from the Diocese of Birmingham. Ellis Architects completed the 10-phase master plan in mid-2023, and Father Joy kicked off the pledge drive in September 2025. A Rosary Chain for the successful planning and construction of the new church runs each month in 2025.
- $20 million total estimated cost (initial phase)
- Goal: raise $7.5 million in 3 years to qualify for $10 million matching diocesan loan
- Includes church, chapel, columbarium, education building, recreational field, rectory
- Architect: Ellis Architects
- Pledge drive kicked off September 2025
Parish Registration & Becoming a Member
Parishioners are encouraged to register as a sign of faith, belonging, and community commitment. Registration ensures accurate sacramental records, makes it easier to receive the sacraments of initiation and marriage, and is required to receive a letter of eligibility to serve as a godparent or sponsor. Forms are available online and in the gathering area of the MPB.
- Charter / Founding Members: families registered between July 1 and October 31, 2016
- Registration available online and in the gathering area
- Time and Talent survey helps match parishioners with ministries
Sacraments & Parish Life
Beyond Mass and Confession, Mercy Parish prepares parishioners for Baptism, Marriage, and other sacraments of initiation. Registration with the parish is a prerequisite for receiving sacramental preparation and for sponsor/godparent letters.
- Sacrament of Reconciliation: Saturdays 3:30–4:30 pm
- Eucharistic Adoration: Fridays & Saturdays
- Sacramental prep requires parish registration
Parish Staff & Contact
The parish office is staffed Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9:30 am to noon. Inquiries can be sent to the office email or directly to Father Joy.
- Pastor: Fr. Joy Chalissery — [email protected]
- Office Administrator: Ms. Elizabeth Doty
- Parish Office: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Tue / Thu / Fri 9:30 am – Noon
- Phone: 256-325-0695
- Address: 10509 Segers Road, Madison, AL 35756
Annual Events & Fellowship
Mercy Parish hosts annual ministry meetings and parish-wide events such as Bless Fest (a fundraiser), Vacation Bible School, the Knights' BBQ Competition, Mercy Singles gatherings, and the celebration of major anniversaries like the parish's 10th Anniversary.
- Annual Ministry Meetings (EMHC, Lectors, Ushers, Greeters, Agape, Town Hall)
- Bless Fest (May 3-4, 2025 fundraiser)
- Vacation Bible School (VBS 2026)
- 10th Anniversary Celebration
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Joy Chalissery2015–present
Founding pastor. Approached by the Diocese of Birmingham Priest Personnel Board in February 2015; appointed by Bishop Robert J. Baker via the Decree of Canonical Establishment on December 28, 2015 (the priest's 25th ordination anniversary). Previously pastored Our Lady, Queen of the Universe in Huntsville for 13 years.