BY: BISHOP LOUIS F. KIHNEMAN III – BISHOP OF BILOXI

God has identified himself with the hungry, the sick, the naked, the homeless; hunger not only for bread, but for love, for care, to be somebody to someone; nakedness, not for clothing only, but nakedness of that compassion that very few people give to the unknown; homelessness, not only just for a shelter made from stone but for that homelessness that comes from having no one to call your own.
St. Teresa of Calcutta (2001). “Mother Teresa: Essential Writings”

On behalf of Catholic Charities of South Mississippi, I am pleased to announce the opening of Mercy Cross Center in Biloxi to serve those in our community who are in great need. Mercy Cross Center is a day shelter designed to provide basic needs support such as showers, laundry, mail services, clothing, and respite while also being a centralized service center, providing space for all social service providers and other helping entities to serve this most vulnerable population.

The need for the project has been an outstanding concern since I arrived in the Diocese of Biloxi as your bishop in 2017 because I could see a real need for such a ministry. However, the need for this center really hit home for me last summer when eight members of our community who have no homes died from heat exposure. That was the final motivation for me to get this project up and going so that we do not lose any more members of our community without homes due to excessive heat.

The Mercy Cross Center is located on the former campus of Mercy Cross High School that was destroyed in Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The gymnasium and field house survived the storm and are being refitted to serve those in our community who are in great need.

We are close to dedicating and opening our facilities on May 28, 2024 to provide access to ministries and services to help those without homes to transition to a more stable living situation.

The Mercy Cross Center will be the first multi-agency center in our area aimed at providing comprehensive services to our community members who need them. The Center strives to eliminate barriers for both those in need in our community and providers by bringing community partners together to minister to the specific needs of this community.

The Mercy Cross Center and its partners will offer a range of essential services to support individuals experiencing the need for a day shelter. Many needs will be met with our partners:

Loaves and Fishes, to provide meals
Back Bay Mission
Open Doors, to help provide housing opportunities in the area
Memorial Hospital, to provide physicians to address healthcare needs
St. Vincent de Paul Pharmacy, to provide medicine as needed
Pine Belt Mental Health, to provide help to those in crisis or with mental health needs
Work Force, to provide job training, teach interview skills, complete an application for employment, and/or compose a résumé
City of Biloxi, to provide a helpful police presence and other support
A Team, to help our clients with legal concerns; advocacy, substance abuse support, and other partners and services.

These services are designed to address immediate needs and empower individuals on their journey towards stability and self-sufficiency. By addressing the various aspects of those without homes, Mercy Cross Center and its partners strive to not only meet immediate and basic needs but to also work towards long-term solutions that empower individuals to rebuild their lives and reintegrate into society. The impact of such a center extends beyond individuals, benefiting the community by fostering compassion, providing an opportunity for healing and assistance to some of the most vulnerable in our community, and improving overall quality of life.

The services at Mercy Cross Center will be needs based driven, meaning that services will be provided that will help individuals on their journey to return to being active members of society. Center staff will work to either provide the services needed or establish a partnership with a provider to come to the Center to meet with the person in need.

The Mercy Cross Center is committed to making a positive impact in the lives of those who are without a home, supporting those in need, and ultimately decrease the number of individuals in our local community who are without housing. This is not a permanent residence for people, but a Day center. This Day center will enable folks to find healing and learn the skills they need to move to finding work and a more-permanent housing situation.

Our intention is to minister to the whole person – mind, body and spirit.

Our goal is to provide a drug and alcohol-free facility that is a safe place for the neediest of our neighbors to move towards stability and find their place in society.

I encourage volunteers to get involved in this most worthwhile ministry, Monday-Friday 8:00 am – 4:00 pm. Loaves and Fishes currently serves breakfast and lunch three times a week (Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday) and is looking to expand to four days a week.

There is a need for doctors and nurses, and your help would be greatly appreciated.

We are also looking for people who are willing to mentor or to walk with folks to get to know them and let them know they are loved.

As we embark on this exciting journey, we will need much help from the community. In addition to volunteers, we also need donations of gently used, clean clothing, hygiene items, laundry items, sleeping bags, etc., and especially your prayers. For more information and ways to get involved, please contact Pam Leach at pleach@biloxidiocese.org.

The people who will be ministered to at the Mercy Cross Center are those who are on the extreme periphery of society. It is our prayer and our hope that we will enable them to transition into society and learn that they are not alone and that they are loved by God through us. “And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me’” (Matthew 25:40)

Everyone is invited to join us for the blessing of Mercy Cross Center as we embark on this important mission to serve and uplift our brothers and sisters most in need. Please RSVP by emailing rsvp@biloxidiocese.org.

Date: May 28, 2024 at 10:00am
Location: 390 Crusaders Drive, Biloxi, MS 39530

To donate to this ministry, please use the QR code or visit: https://biloxidiocese.org/mc-center