In 1980, Bishop Francis Quinn made the decision: Redding would be assigned a new parish on the east side of the Sacramento River to serve the rapidly growing population in the area. Catholic families at that time were attending St. Joseph Church or the mission in Palo Cedro known as the St. Francis Center. Over four hundred families would have to transfer membership. They were apprehensive and uncertain. How could they move to a new parish where there was no pastor and no church? Bishop Quinn offered the new parish property off Shasta View Drive. Fr. Thomas Bland became the founding Pastor.
Since there still was no building, the newly assigned parishioners of what was to become Our Lady of Mercy Parish celebrated Mass in different locations – St. Francis Center and Lawncrest Memorial. The community’s journey was like the Israelites journey to the Promised Land. Architects from Woodward and Nichols were commissioned to design the new church. It would follow an early Spanish Mission theme. Eventually, stained glass windows were added along with an Adoration Room. The church purchased a house on Keylod Street as a rectory and Fr. Bland moved in. Bishop Quinn officiated at the first mass in the new church on October 2, 1983.
Our Lady of Mercy Parish has been a blessing to all who come for the sacraments. The welcoming spirit is evident at all the liturgies. The heart of this parish is generous not only in its sharing of treasure with the missions and local charitable organizations but also through active participation in many ministries. Its greatest treasure, one can say, is the parishioners. When Our Lady of Mercy appeared to St. Peter Nolasco, she asked him to free prisoners. He and his community literally exchanged their lives for those unjustly imprisoned. The community of Our Lady of Mercy seeks, through faith and loving service, to continue this mission, to free those who are in the chains of ignorance, those shackled by poverty and those imprisoned by sin.
Older parishes can boast of a history of many years and even a century-plus of existence. Our Lady of Mercy, although young in age, is full of grace and energy that is shaping the present reality from East Redding to Mount Lassen. It is a vibrant part of the Church of Sacramento and Shasta County. It is very diverse consisting of many ethnic groups: Hispanics from Mexico, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Peru, Venezuela, and Puerto Rico; Filipinos from different regions of the Philippines; African Americans, Native Americans, Asians from India, Japan, Vietnam and other Asian nations, and Anglos from France, Belgium, Poland, Italy, Canada, Germany, and many other European countries.
The parish has also been blessed by the presence and ministry of the Sisters of Mercy. Special thanks for their exemplary faith and active participation in the parish life.
Mary Queen of Peace Mission in Shingletown, located on the West Side of Shingletown, is a new part of the parish history. This community is alive and growing. Although designated as a mission, it has a pastoral/finance council, a full religious education program for children, marriage prep team, liturgical ministries and a vision that sees its presence in Shingletown as an opportunity for evangelization and growth.
Our Lady of Mercy is a testimony to many years of grace and a living promise of more grace to come. In 30 years, Our Lady of Mercy grew from a parish of four hundred twenty five families to over 1800.
Our Lady has truly shown mercy on Redding’s faithful group of parishioners on the east side of the Sacramento River!
Excerpts from Fr. Steven Avella’s and Fr. Michael Hebda’s Writings about OLM