After months of hard work, the continuation of the dream to bring Ballet Magnificat to Natchez came true on June 18. The evening’s program was presented as a benefit for the Guardian Shelter for Battered Families, a project of Catholic Charities.

This fundraiser was the vehicle for us to witness God moving in very special ways to bring His message of grace and peace to all people.

This message is the source of the mission of Catholic Charities, and the Guardian Shelter: to be a “visible sign of God’s love and concern for all people.” We are called to minister compassionately to all people, regardless of their faith.

The program, “Deliver Us,” dramatized the story of Moses, from his birth to his growth as a member of Pharaoh’s family, to his leadership of the Jewish people out of captivity and to the Promised Land.

This professional production could not have been possible without the help of many, many persons.

The Sunday School Outreach Class of Parkway Baptist Church did an exceptional job in coordinating the many volunteers, individuals, businesses and churches who used their time and energy in working to make Ballet Magnificat’s return to Natchez such a resounding success.

We especially thank Mrs. Carolyn Ridley and Mrs. Dorothy Sylvester, who worked tirelessly right up until curtain time to make this the wonderful experience that it was.

We would also like to thank our sponsors, Dr. David Timm, Parkway Baptist Church Sunday School Outreach Class, Rose Hill Missionary Baptist Church, Dr. and Mrs. Roderick Givens, Natchez Regional Medical Center, Natchez Community Hospital, Dr. and Dr. (Mrs.) Akinremi Akinwale, and a host of others who are too numerous to mention.

The Guardian Shelter for Battered Families is committed to breaking the cycle of domestic violence. We offer safe shelter, individual counseling, support groups and other established services to women and children who are homeless due to domestic violence.

The shelter serves survivors of domestic violence from Adams, Claiborne, Copiah, Franklin, Jefferson, Lawrence, Lincoln, Pike, Wilkinson and Walthall counties in Mississippi and Concordia Parish in Louisiana.

Martha Mitternight is director of Catholic Charities Inc.