About Us

Mater Misericordiae Catholic Parish

A Spiritan parish in Rumuomasi, Port Harcourt — where everyone matters. Discover our story, mission, clergy, and the community that gathers under Mary, Mother of Mercy.

Our story

History

No. 2 Arochukwu Street, Rumuomasi — a diversified family of faith in the Catholic Diocese of Port Harcourt.

Humble beginning

Mater Misericordiae began in 1957 as a small praying community of Catholic Shell Darcy staff at No. 1 Omasi Road, led by Patrick Opara Njoku. Their first Mass was celebrated on Christmas Day 1958 by Rev. Fr. Doyle from St. Mary’s Parish, Aggrey Road.

Permission from Bishop Whelan of Owerri Diocese opened the way for a church and school in Rumuomasi. The first edifice rose in 1959 on land provided through Chief V. N. Obilor and Mr. Adiele Amadi.

Named by mercy

In 1960, a violent storm destroyed the building while children were learning — yet no one was harmed. The people saw Mary’s protection and named the church Mater Misericordiae, Mother of Mercy. Bishop G. M. P. Okoye, CSSp, pronounced it a parish in 1962; with a parish house completed in 1965, Rev. Fr. Horrigan became the first parish priest.

War, rebuilding, and the church of crosses

The civil war scattered clergy and faithful; soldiers occupied the premises. After the war, successive priests and lay leaders restored worship and raised a new church — completed in 1979 and known as “the church of crosses” for its distinctive perforated walls.

Consolidation to the present

From Rev. Fr. Aloysius Obi, CSSp (1979), through Spiritan pastors who built zones, expanded the church, dedicated a renewed sanctuary in 2001, and founded schools and apostolates, the parish has grown into a vibrant family of faith. Since 2022, Rev. Fr. Sabinus Nwosu, CSSp, has served as parish priest.

What we do

Mission

To spread the Gospel message as Christ directed, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and in keeping with the Traditions of the Church.

Where we are going

Vision

To build a family united in love, where cultural diversities and gifts are harnessed for the common good of the members.

Mater Misericordiae Parish… where everyone matters.

How we live

Core Values

These values flow from our patron, our motto, and the Gospel we proclaim.

Mercy

We live under the mantle of Mary, Mother of Mercy, extending compassion to every person who seeks Christ among us.

Unity in diversity

We welcome the gifts of many cultures and backgrounds, harnessing them for the common good of the parish family.

Gospel fidelity

We proclaim Christ as He directed, guided by the Holy Spirit and faithful to the Traditions of the Church.

Belonging

Where everyone matters — every parishioner is known, valued, and invited to share in the life of the Church.

Prayer

From the Rosary gatherings of our founders to weekly Eucharistic Adoration, prayer remains the heart of our community.

Service

We serve through education, charity, pastoral care, and the quiet works of mercy that build up the Body of Christ.

Parish Patron

Under her mantle

Mary, Mother of Mercy

Mater Misericordiae — Mother of Mercy — is our name and our intercessor. After the miraculous preservation of children during the 1960 storm, the community entrusted itself to Our Lady under this title. We continue to seek her protection and to mirror her merciful heart in worship, charity, and daily Christian living.

Mary, Mother of Mercy, pray for us.

Lord and Giver of Life

The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit — Lord and Giver of Life — is the fire who gathers this parish in one faith. Entrusted to the Congregation of the Holy Spirit, we live by His gifts of wisdom, courage, and charity. We ask the Spirit to kindle in us the mercy we receive under the mantle of Mary, so that worship, mission, and daily Christian living may bear fruit.

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful.

Milestones

Timeline

Key moments from a praying community in 1957 to the parish family of today.

  1. 1957

    Humble beginning

    Catholic staff of Shell Darcy gather at No. 1 Omasi Road under Patrick Opara Njoku to pray the Rosary.

  2. 1958

    First Mass

    Christmas Day Mass is celebrated by Rev. Fr. Doyle from St. Mary’s Parish, Aggrey Road.

  3. 1959

    Church and school

    The first building serving as church and school is erected on land provided through Chief V. N. Obilor and Mr. Adiele Amadi.

  4. 1960

    Mother of Mercy

    A violent storm destroys the building while children are learning — with no casualties. The community names the church Mater Misericordiae.

  5. 1962

    Parish status

    Bishop G. M. P. Okoye, CSSp, pronounces Mater Misericordiae a parish of the Diocese of Port Harcourt.

  6. 1965

    Full parish life

    With the parish house complete, Rev. Fr. Horrigan becomes the first parish priest.

  7. 1967–1975

    War and recovery

    Civil war scatters the flock; the premises are occupied. Successive priests and lay leaders reclaim and rebuild community life.

  8. 1979

    Church of crosses

    The distinctive church building with cross-shaped wall perforations is completed. Rev. Fr. Aloysius Obi, CSSp, begins a long pastoral tenure.

  9. 1990s

    Zones and growth

    Basic Christian communities (zones) are established. The parish continues to expand under Spiritan pastoral care.

  10. 2001

    Dedication

    The expanded church is dedicated by Bishop A. O. Makozi. A parish secretariat and Mater Amabilis Kitchen follow in these years.

  11. 2022

    Present mission

    Rev. Fr. Sabinus Nwosu, CSSp, becomes parish priest, shepherding every aspect of parish life today.