Our Lady of Mercy

About Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church

Welcome to Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church. The community of believers gathered in the name of Our Lady is committed to her witness to the Divine Mercy of Jesus Christ. Coming together around the Holy Eucharist, parishioners profess their faith in the source and summit of prayer — the living presence of Christ's memorial among us. In the proclamation of the Word and the celebration of the Eucharist, the parish finds its sacred calling to be children of the Father, heirs to the truth of Jesus Christ, and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

History of the Parish

Our Lady of Mercy was established in June 1974 when Archbishop Coleman Carroll carved the new parish out of sections of Saint Ambrose and Saint Elizabeth of Hungary. He placed Father Leonard Stachura as the founding pastor and sent him to build a parish in the Deerfield Beach and Pompano Beach communities — famously, with nothing. Over the next eight years the growing faith community constructed and dedicated their own church in 1982, with the first Mass celebrated on Christmas Eve of that year. Under successive pastors, the parish built a reputation for outreach, including its partnership with nearby Holy Cross Hospital for a Parish Nurse Program and its support for Women in Distress of Broward County.

• Founded: June 1974
• Formed from Saint Ambrose and Saint Elizabeth of Hungary parishes
• First Pastor: Father Leonard Stachura
• Archbishop at founding: Coleman F. Carroll
• Church dedicated: 1982
• First Mass in new church: Christmas Eve 1982

Faith Formation & Religious Education

Faith Formation at Our Lady of Mercy is more than religious instruction — its goal is to facilitate growth in faith that encourages Catholics, both young and adult, to live out the Gospels and become better disciples of Jesus Christ. The program prepares members to proclaim the Good News, gives a deeper understanding of the Sacraments, and establishes standards of a good Catholic life. Classes prepare children for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Communion so that they may come to understand the most holy sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

• Children: Grades K–9 (First Reconciliation and First Communion preparation)
• Youth: Grades 9–12 (Confirmation preparation and faith support)
• Young Adults: Ages 18–25 (socializing, community service, job help, spiritual direction)
• Adults: ongoing faith formation
• Registration fee: $125 for one child; $175 for two or more

Youth & Young Adult Ministry

The parish runs dedicated youth and young adult programs recognizing that high school is a pivotal time and that young adulthood brings its own challenges. The high school program reviews the faith in preparation for Confirmation and teaches teens to turn to their faith and parish community in times of hardship. The young adult program (ages 18–25) provides opportunities for socializing, community service, finding jobs, and spiritual direction. The parish is also recruiting new catechists for Grades 4, 6, and 9 for the upcoming school year, and Altar Server Training is offered for children who want to be active liturgical ministers.

• Youth Ministry (Grades 9–12)
• Young Adult Ministry (Ages 18–25)
• Catechist recruitment for Grades 4, 6, and 9
• Altar Server training

Parish Outreach & Charity

Outreach is a defining mark of Our Lady of Mercy. The parish food pantry is open every Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. to help individuals and families in the community facing food insecurity, and the parish conducts an annual Back-to-School Backpack & School Supplies Drive to ensure local children are equipped for the school year. The Parish Nurse Program, supported by nearby Holy Cross Hospital, provides personal health counseling, support groups, and weekly health talks.

• Food Pantry — Wednesdays 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
• Back-to-School Backpack & School Supplies Drive
• Parish Nurse Program (with Holy Cross Hospital)
• Respect Life Ministry
• Women in Distress (WID) of Broward County support

Liturgy & Music

Music at Our Lady of Mercy is directed by Music Director Jeanine Weaver, who serves alongside the pastor and parish staff to support the sung liturgy of the Mass in English, Spanish, and (seasonally) French.

• Music Director: Jeanine Weaver

Clergy & Staff

Our Lady of Mercy is served by Very Reverend Fr. Paul VI Karenga as Administrator. He was born in Burkina Faso, West Africa, and was ordained to the priesthood in 2002 in Koupela. He holds a license in Theology from Saint John Baptist Major Seminary in Ouagadougou, and an LL.M. (2014) and Juris Science Doctorate in Intercultural Human Rights (2020) from St. Thomas University School of Law in Miami. He is the published author of 'A West African Model to Address Human Trafficking' (Springer Nature, 2022). After eight years as parochial vicar at St. Mark the Evangelist Church (2015–2023), he was appointed Administrator of Our Lady of Mercy in June 2023. He speaks Moore, French, English, and Italian, and can read German and Latin while currently learning Spanish. Jeanine Weaver serves as Music Director and the Office Coordinator handles parish office operations at (954) 421-3246.

• Fr. Paul VI Karenga — Pastor (Administrator, since June 2023)
• Jeanine Weaver — Music Director
• Office Coordinator (parish office)

Contact, Location & Office Hours

Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church is located at 5201 North Military Trail, Deerfield Beach, FL 33064, in Broward County. The parish office can be reached at (954) 421-3246 or by email at [email protected]. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; the office is closed on Saturday and Sunday.

• Address: 5201 North Military Trail, Deerfield Beach, FL 33064
• Phone: (954) 421-3246
• Fax: (954) 421-1973
• Email: [email protected]
• Office hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (closed Sat–Sun)