Mercy Convent

(940)692-9770

Mercy Convent was established in 1984 as a House of Formation for candidates aspiring to become members of the Sisters of St. Mary. Sister Patricia was appointed Formation Director and Sister Ginny assisted her. For four years they welcomed women who were in the process of discerning their call to religious life.

At the same time, Sister Patricia was the Director of Adult Faith Formation and Sister Ginny was Director of Religious Education at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, a parish of 1,100 families in Wichita Falls, Texas. Other sisters joined the Mercy Community through the years. Sister Agnes Marie Curley, originally from Ireland, lived with Sister Patricia and Sister Ginny for eight years. As a retiree, Sister Agnes Marie kept busy as cook, housekeeper and the transmitter of many an Irish tale at the evening supper table.

In 2005, Sister Patricia was appointed Provincial Superior of the Western Province. She continued her residence in Mercy Community but spent much of her time traveling to Fort Worth for Provincial Council Meetings, Provincial Assemblies and general administration. She and Highway 287 have become well-acquainted in the last six years. Her appointment as Provincial will end in August, 2011.

Later, Sister Barbara Wilson joined the community for a time, working part-time in the parish and as leader of a Bible study group who still miss her loving presence today. Sister Clara Vo has been a recent member of the community enriching the sisters’ lives by sharing her background of experiences in Vietnam and her many talents in gardening, cooking and computer. Sister Mary Jean now brings a joyful presence to Mercy Community with her cat, Abbey. As a masterful early-childhood teacher, Sister remains in the hearts of hundreds of students and their parents who remember her gentle ways and dedicated teaching of the very young. She gives herself as a volunteer in the parish and to some of its home-bound members.

Bonnie, the Australian shepherd, has been a 9-year member of the Community, guarding and delighting the community with her sweet and loving nature. (And her constant wondering, “just where did that Abbey come from?!)

The sisters enjoy their membership in Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish—living only a few blocks from church and sharing a long history of events with its families.

Sister Patricia is Provincial Superior of the Western Province. She continued her residence in Mercy Community but spent much of her time traveling to Fort Worth for Provincial Council Meetings, Provincial Assemblies and general administration. She and Highway 287 have become well-acquainted in the last six years. Her appointment as Provincial will end in August, 2011.

Sister Ginny Vissing arrived in Wichita Falls in June, 1968, with four other Sisters of St. Mary to staff Our Lady Queen of Peace School (now called Notre Dame Elementary). They took up residence in a small home formerly lived in by Benedictine Sisters who had previously staffed the school. New to this area of North Texas, the five sisters were constantly amazed at the extremes of heat and chill, winds and storms, dust and drought. What was most striking, despite dramatic weather trends, was the extreme openness and friendliness of the people of the parish and of Wichita Falls in general.

Sister Ginny logged some 12 years as a teacher of children in primary grades. Becoming proficient with guitar and voice, she led many "guitar Masses" for the school’s student body in the 60s and 70s. Ever the proponent of good liturgy, she incorporated gestures, movement, mime and sometimes dance in the celebrations. In 1980, Sister Ginny took a dramatic turn in ministry and left the confines of the classroom and its demanding schedule. She assumed a new ministry as Director of Religious Education for the parish. Still retaining the ministry in music and liturgy for Notre Dame, she embarked on a brand new path of responsibilities.

For the last 30 years Sister Ginny has enjoyed this ministry in catechetics. She has organized Religious Education and sacramental preparation plus parent-involvement classes, and summer Bible programs for children. Working in collaboration with other parish staffers, she has assisted in creating activities for parishioners related to liturgical seasons. Sister Ginny (retired from guitar-strumming) still finds joy and fulfillment as she plays piano for Sunday liturgy, for parish funerals and various prayer services of the parish. She sums up these years by borrowing the title of a much loved-film, "It’s a wonderful life!" And she means it!

Sister Mary Jean now brings a joyful presence to Mercy Community with her cat, Abbey. As a masterful early-childhood teacher, Sister remains in the hearts of hundreds of students and their parents who remember her gentle ways and dedicated teaching of the very young. She gives herself as a volunteer in the parish and to some of its home-bound members. Volunteer: Tuesday AM: St. Vincent de paul Strore; Friday: Communion/ visit Sick; Thursday: Lector at Mass and friday Eucharist Minister at Children Mass.

Ministry:

* Religious Education Assistant And Sacristan at Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish .

* Arranger of flowers for the Church every Sunday, Wednesday and Friday.

* Serving at the altar every day for Mass and leading the songs for Mass.

Sister Clara's Florist room in the Church

Happy Halloween