In the fall of 1953, with counsel and encouragement of Monsignor O’Connell of Nativity Parish, several women of the West Biloxi area, under the leadership of Mrs. Willis Luxich, banded together to raise funds for the erection of a mission chapel. The first meeting of this group was held at the J.T. Swetman home in October and the name of “St. Cabrini League” was adopted. Later, at the suggestion of Monsignor O’Connell, the name was changed to Our Lady of Fatima League. Nativity Parish conducted a Fund Raising Drive in 1955 and funds collected were earmarked for development of a mission. Property was purchased through the generosity of Most Reverend Richard O. Gerow, then Bishop of the Diocese, and an all-purpose building (Monica Hall) was completed. The first Mass was offered on September 8, 1955, with Monsignor O’Connell as the Celebrant.
Midnight Mass was celebrated that year and 1955-56 saw many first: the first wedding, first catechism classes and First Holy Communion, first Baptisms, and organization of the Legion of Mary and the “Men of Fatima” – a forerunner of the Holy Name Society. On May 5, 1957, Bishop Gerow and Monsignor O’Connell dedicated the Fatima Center and Shrine to Our Lady of Fatima. The Altar Society began in May 1958 and Confirmation took place in June 1958.
The Fatima Mission continued to be served from Nativity until 1957. On September 18, the establishment of Our Lady of Fatima Parish was announced and the Reverend Paul Hession was appointed Pastor. A Parish Development Campaign was organized early in 1958 to raise funds for an elementary school and rectory. Open house was held for the new rectory on November 23, 1958. On September 20, 1959, Bishop Gerow came to Fatima again for ground breaking for the school and temporary church. In the fall of 1961, four Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Order of Youghal, Ireland, arrived to establish a convent and staff the school. The first day of school was September 11, 1961, with an enrollment of 250. The Presentation of Sisters staff the school from 1961-1995.
On June 9, 1967, Father Hession celebrated his Silver Jubilee Mass and then transferred to become rector of St. Mary’s Cathedral in Natchez. Monsignor Thomas E. Williams came to Fatima in 1967. After years of saving, the debt on the parish was paid up in 1970 and the parish then began to set its sights on a new church. The Church was dedicated on November 13, 1975. Monsignor retired in 1979 and remained at Fatima as Pastor Emeritus until his death in March, 1983. Reverend John O’Brien succeeded Monsignor Williams and served until 1985 when Reverend Francis Farrell became pastor. Father O’Brien s retired and lives in Bay St. Louis. Father Farrell was elevated to Monsignor on July 9, 1989. He initiated the building of the parish center, renovation of the rectory and major additions to the school. He retired on December 31, 2000 and died August 12, 2017.
Reverend Patrick Mockler became our Pastor on January 20, 2001. He served Fatima previously as an Associate with Father O’Brien and Father Farrell.See the section on our Retired Priests homes built through the efforts of Fr. Paddy and the many parishioners of the Diocese of Biloxi that he recruited to help with their construction.
Reverend Henry McInerney our present pastor came to us on January 15, 2014. Fr. Henry has added new carpet to sections of our Church, helped the school purchase an upgraded bus that is able to be used by the parish as well, resurfaced the asphalt parking lots around the Church and replaced much of the conrete parking areas around the Parish Hall. He has encouraged parishioners to take advantage of the Prayer/Adoration Chapel that was finished just prior to his arrival as Pastor, added a more secure Tabernacle in the Prayer Chapel for the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, instituted a 50 year plus anniversary celebration for parishioners and snow birds alike around Valentines Day. Unfortunately, due to the Coronavirus 19, we have been able to have this wonderful get-together in 2020 or 2021.