Catholic Charities of Southwest Louisiana

NEWS FLASH!

SAINT JOSEPH REFUGE SHELTER FOR MEN IN THE WORKS BY CATHOLIC CHARITIES

The Diocese of Lake Charles announces that Catholic Charities of Southwest Louisiana is working to open Saint Joseph Refuge Shelter for Men in Lake Charles.

The property under consideration is located at 1017 Sixth Avenue in Lake Charles. A generous donation from Rick and Donna Guzman Richard and Empire of the Seed makes this project possible.

Catholic Charities has been committed to responding to the basic needs of the people of Southwest Louisiana since its foundation.

Sister Miriam MacLean, RSM, director of Catholic Charities, said, “Before Hurricane Laura struck in August 2020, Bishop (Glen John) Provost told me that he desired a shelter for the care of the most vulnerable. It is an essential part of the Diocese’s mission to care for those who are most vulnerable among us, and we are so humbled to be able to undertake this mission at Saint Joseph Refuge due to the generosity of local people in the spirit of the Gospel.”

The proposed development plan will rehabilitate the existing former school building and expand the existing structures to provide for overnight lodging, meals, laundry, and other crucial services such as help accessing education, job placement, daycare, and medical treatment in order to help people better their lives. Operational plans are still being formulated for the Saint Joseph Refuge Shelter for Men.

“We believe that our Lord wants us to care for the poor in our area,” said Sister Miriam. "We want to work with the local community to give the men in our area a refuge where they know they are loved by our Lord.”

A community information and hearing session will be held at Saint Henry Catholic Church, 1021 8th Avenue, at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 4. Questions or comments may also be sent to [email protected] After hearing from the local community, Catholic Charities hopes to renovate the current property and provide a much-needed refuge in Lake Charles.

If zoning approval is given for the project, Catholic Charities will begin raising funds. There will be giving opportunities to help with the cost of renovations and contribute to an endowment fund which will ensure successful operations for decades to come.

If you wish to support Saint Joseph Refuge Shelter for Men, please contact Catholic Charities of Southwest Louisiana, 1225 Second Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601, or go to www.catholiccharitiesswla.com.

[E]very poor, needy, suffering or dying person, every stranger, every prisoner, every infirm person is “the child” whom Joseph continues to protect. For this reason, Saint Joseph is invoked as protector of the unfortunate, the needy, exiles, the afflicted, the poor and the dying. Consequently, the Church cannot fail to show a special love for the least of our brothers and sisters, for Jesus showed a particular concern for them and personally identified with them. From Saint Joseph, we must learn that same care and responsibility. We must learn to love the child and his mother, to love the sacraments and charity, to love the Church and the poor. — Pope Francis, Patris Corde

If you are a Lake Charles City Resident and need help with your water bill, please click here for more information: https://www.catholiccharitiesswla.com/water-assistance-for-city-of-lake-charles-residents

Food Distribution Schedule

Tuesday, April 13: Our Lady Help of Christians, Jennings

Time: 12pm-2pm

Address: 710 N State St, Jennings

Wednesday, April 14: Saint Mary of the Lake, Big Lake, 11am-Noon

Address: 11054 LA-384

Thursday, April 15: Golden Arms

Time: 11am-12pm

Address: 1481 3rd St, Lake Charles

Friday, April 16: Catholic Charities, Lake Charles

Time: 9am-11am

Address: 1225 Second St.

Tuesday, April 20: St. Philip Neri, Kinder, 11am-12:30pm

Time: 11am-1pm

Address: 504 4th Ave, Kinder

Wednesday, April 21: St. Joseph, Vinton, 11am-12:30pm

Time: 11am-1pm

Address: 1502 Industrial St, Vinton

Thursday, April 22: St. Joseph, DeRidder, 11am-12:30pm

Time: 11am-1pm

Address: 1125 Blankenship Dr, DeRidder

Please call our main line 337-439-7436 for assistance. If you would like to donate, you can do so by clicking the Donate Now button, or sending a check to 1225 2nd Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601. Thank you for your generous support.

**Laundry Vouchers available for Ray's Laundry on Moeling Street**

Prayer for the Recovery of the Diocese of Lake Charles
following Hurricane Laura

Heavenly Father, Who willed that the fallen hut of David be rebuilt; that Your people return from exile to repopulate their lands, rebuild Jerusalem and restore the Temple; that Your Son, Jesus Christ, would be the new temple and that He would build a new Jerusalem, firmly set on the twelve apostles of the Lamb; look, Gracious Creator, upon our devastation now in the Diocese of Lake Charles and along the coast; rouse up in the hearts of many good and faithful workers the courage, perseverance, and fortitude to bring Your task to a successful completion, where what is recovered will give Your name glory and be protected from the onslaught of the Devil; put to flight lethargy of spirit and fortify our wills so that the good works of Your faithful people will be seen as fulfilling Your work; grant us understanding, God of all light and reason, so that we will comprehend Your ways and see in every suffering and tribulation an occasion to embrace Your will and grow in love for You. Grant, loving Father, through that same Jesus Christ, our Lord, all these prayers by the intercession of Our Lady Star of the Sea, You, who live and reign in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

The Most Reverend Glen John Provost
Bishop of Lake Charles
On the occasion of Hurricane Laura
August 27, 2020