Ballet Magnificat, America’s premier Christian ballet company, is returning to the Natchez City Auditorium for the second year on Friday, June 18 performing “Deliver Us.”

Ballet Magnificat Alpha Company is an internationally-known organization dedicated to presenting the good news of Jesus Christ to the world, ministering to audiences through dance. This year’s performance will transport the audience to a pivotal point in history, providing a glimpse of another deliverer, Jesus Christ.

Kathy Thibodeaux, founder and artistic director, will be performing at this event along with the dancers to bring spiritual concepts to life through the powerful medium of dance.

Again this year, we are proud to announce that Parkway Baptist Church is sponsoring the return of this event to benefit Catholic Charities Inc., The Guardian Shelter for Battered Families, a safe-haven for women survivors of domestic violence and their children.

The Guardian Shelter serves an 11-county area of Southwest Mississippi and neighboring parishes of Central Louisiana with a 30-45 day emergency shelter and second stage supportive housing program.

Domestic violence continues to threaten the women and children who live in dysfunctional and violent homes every day. The continued economic struggles of our society have had an impact on all aspects of families in these situations and the agencies who provide services to the victims.

In the past few years, funds have decreased and the violence has increased.

Proceeds from Ballet Magnificat will financially support our ongoing efforts to change and save the lives of women and children at risk. With the aid of our local community, we are able to provide a quality care program designed to compassionately and professionally serve victims of domestic violence.

The staff of The Guardian Shelter, Catholic Charities, Inc. invites everyone to come and share this evening with us at 7 p.m. June 18 at the Natchez City Auditorium.

Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Tickets are available at Parkway Baptist Church or by contacting event organizers, Carolyn Ridley or Dorothy Sylvester.

For more information about this event or the services provided by Catholic Charities’ The Guardian Shelter, please contact us at 601-442-0142.

See you at the ballet!

Donna Miller is the program director of The Guardian Shelter and Oak Towers Supportive Housing Programs, a part of Catholic Charities.