NATCHEZ &045; The work carried out by Catholic Charities in Natchez exemplifies the fundamental teaching of the late John Paul II, whose humanitarian thrusts throughout the world became legend even before his death on Saturday.

&uot;John Paul certainly was a leader who believed heavily in Catholic social services,&uot; said Martha Mitternight, executive director of Catholic Charities.

The services performed by the Natchez office follow the basic tenets of the Catholic faith, including that the dignity of every human being must be ensured and that one’s dignity is never diminished by age or circumstances.

&uot;We have dignity because we’re made in the image and likeness of God,&uot; Mitternight said. &uot;And this is something John Paul lived out in his life. He called on world leaders and religious leaders and many countries to build their policies around that tenet.&uot;

Catholic Charities may be best known in the Natchez area for its emergency assistance to help families who are unable to meet their basic needs, such as clothing, food and shelter, Mitternight said.

With so many jobs lost in the area in the last couple of years, the impact has been felt not only by those who lost manufacturing jobs such as with International Paper but also by those who may have worked for IP families.

&uot;There has been a trickle-down effect to the poorest people, someone who might have done yard work, for example. They find themselves unable to put food on the table or pay the electric bill to keep the lights on,&uot; Mitternight said. &uot;Individuals and families really have to struggle to stay safe and secure in their homes.&uot;

The wide-ranging work of Catholic Charities also includes the Guardian Shelter, a place where family members may go to escape abusive situations in the home; and the sexual assault center, where both men and women who have been victims of sexual crimes may find comfort.

&uot;At the Guardian Shelter, we clothe, feed and provide therapy, and that is especially important for the children in those situations,&uot; she said. As for the victims of sexual assault, &uot; they have been victimized and humiliated; they have lost their feeling of self-worth. We help them to believe they are still children of God.&uot;

Early in his career, Pope John Paul II made a statement in a speech that continues to have deep meaning for Mitternight. &uot;He talked about the decisions we make as a community and as a nation, that we are morally tested as a society by ways we treat the needy,&uot; she said.

The quote comes from a speech the pope made in Canada in 1984:

&uot;The needs of the poor take priority over the desires of the rich: the rights of workers over the maximization of profits; the preservation of the environment over uncontrolled industrial expansion; production to meet social needs over production for military purposes.&uot;

Catholic Charities in Mississippi traces its roots to the mid 1800s, when orphanages were founded in Natchez. About 100 years later, the church began to move from orphanages to placement of children in adoptive homes. In 1963, Catholic Charities was incorporated and began focusing on maternity services, adoption and foster care.

Today, in addition to the emergency assistance, the organization goes out into the rural areas to assist in two important programs, Mitternight said.

One is Healthy Start, a program that sends social workers into homes where very young mothers or expectant mothers receive help in how to keep their babies safe, how to achieve economic independence and how to be good parents.

The other, Peaceful End, works with the elderly who may be facing the end of life, she said. &uot;We make sure they’re getting all they should from government services. And a lot of it is socialization. Many of them are so isolated and extremely lonely.&uot;

The work of Catholic Charities will go on as if nothing so dramatic as the death of a beloved pope has taken place. &uot;The wonderful thing about the church is it will go on, and we will continue to perform our mission,&uot; Mitternight said. &uot;We’re called to be a sign of Christ’s love. My hope and prayer is that the new pope will have the same charisma and leadership, and I believe that will be the case.&uot;

Images of John Paul will remain for a very long time, however, and they will continue to inspire her, Mitternight said.

&uot;One of the most powerful images I have of the pope is when he went to prison to meet the man who made the attempt on his life and he forgave him. It reminds me of the story of the prodigal son,&uot; she said. &uot;No matter how far afield we are from what God wants of us, he’ll always welcome us back.&uot;