Central Mississippi Resource Directory

For a list of agencies in Central Mississippi click on the document below:

Office of Family Ministry

The Office of Family Ministry works with parishes to provide a variety of services that support and minister to families, whether these families are traditional, single parent, blended, or extended.  Many of these programs are focused on supporting couples. 

One of the things we have learned over the past years is that demands on today’s families can be overwhelming and that as a church we need to be more creative and flexible in providing workshops and programs. 

Programs offered are:

• When Families Marry - Helps engaged couples discuss important aspects of their lives and plan for a lifetime together.
• Redeeming State - Addresses blended family issues of stepfamily structure and step parenting.
• REFOCCUS - A marriage enrichment program helping couples reflect on how their marriage has grown and changed, celebrating their strengths and seeking healing in their struggles.
• Parenting Classes - Programs geared toward parenting infants and toddlers, dealing with school age children, or efforts focused on adolescents.
• Marriage and Family Counseling - Provides therapy to individuals, couples, and families including play therapy for younger children.  These services are based on a sliding scale.

 

Contact: (to schedule other programs at Parishes)

Louise Dillion – Program Director for Office of Family Ministry
Ph: 601-355-8634
Fx: 601-960-8493

Parish Social Ministry

Parish Social Ministry provides consultation to parishes in four areas of social concern - education, direct service,  advocacy, empowerment.

• Education
  Helps parishes explore Catholic Social Teachings and why responding to social concerns in not optional.
• Direct Service
  Provides consultation to parishes in developing Social Concerns Committees and provides data on specific parish’s locale to help assess needs.
• Advocacy
  Serves as the diocesan registered lobbyists in addressing issues concerning the Church’s Consistent Ethic of Life, social justice concerns and many other issues affecting the mission of the Catholic Charities.
• Empowerment and Rebuilding Coalitions
  Helps develop a broader base of support with people of similar values; and represents the Diocese at various interfaith and human service coalitions. 

Contact:

Michael Ann Oropeza – Program Director
Ph: 601-355-8634 ext. 725
Fx: 601-960-8493

Office of Parish Health Ministry

The Office of Parish Health Ministry assists individual parishes to establish their own health ministries through the efforts of parish nurses and other volunteers, and may be able to help individuals find resources to medical or social needs that are not easily addressed.

Contact: Parish Health Ministry Office

Stacey Johnson - Program Director
Ph: 601-355-8634 ext. 747
Fx: 601-960-8493

Immigration Clinic

“I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” 
                                  - Matthew 25:35

Mission:
The Immigration Clinic seeks to “welcome the stranger” through direct services, education, and advocacy on behalf of the immigrants in our state.

Direct Services: 
The Immigration Clinic specializes in family and employment based immigration services, including permanent residence, citizenship, work authorizations and visa renewal.  These services are available to individuals and their families who are seeking legal status in the United States.

Services provided are as follows:

• Consultation regarding immigration options
• Petition for Alien Relative (immigration based on marriage or family relationship)
• Petition for Alien Worker (immigration based on employment)
• Adjustment of Status (Permanent Residency)
• Affidavit of Support
• H1B Petitions
• Work Authorization Renewal
• Extension of Stay (Visa extension)
• Citizenship/Naturalization
• VAWA Applications (self petitions for abused spouses and children)
• Certification of Citizenship
• Removal of Conditions from Residency
• TPS (Temporary Protected Status)
• Change of Address
• Status Inquiry
• Interpretations
• Certified Translation of documents (Spanish / English)

Education: 
The Immigration Clinic ensures that the immigrant community is aware of its rights and responsibilities as guests, alien residents, or citizens of the United States.  In collaboration with the Diocese Office of Hispanic Ministry, we continue to educate the general population about the immigrant community in order to promote understanding, acceptance, and protection of immigrant rights.

Advocacy: 
The Immigration Clinic staff advocate with parishes, employers, state agencies, civic organizations, and both state and national legislatures to promote the rights and general welfare of the immigrant community. 

Some of the issues that concern us:

• Fair immigration policy that keeps families together and does not discriminate against the poor
• Elimination of the backlogs (of years) for immigration benefits
• Decent housing for immigrant workers
• Ability to obtain a drivers license for immigrants
• Ending the exploitation of undocumented workers
  

The Immigration Clinic is recognized by the BIA.  What is the BIA?
(Board of Immigration Appeals).  It is the highest administrative body for interpreting and applying immigration laws.  In addition, the Board is responsible for the recognition of organizations and accreditation of representatives requesting permission to represent clients before the USCIS (formerly known as the INS).

The Clinic serves all immigrants, regardless of country of origin.  Our staff speaks English and Spanish.  Those who speak other languages should bring a translator.

Initial Consultation   $20.00


Contact us for any questions you have regarding your immigration status.

Michael Ann Galliano Oropeza – Program Director  
Ph: 601-948-2635
Fx: 601-948-2678

Para Hablar en Español:  Teresita Turner - Cultural Specialist

"The Church hears the suffering cry of all who are uprooted from their own land, of families forcefully separated, of those who, in the rapid changes of our day, are unable to find a stable home anywhere. She senses the anguish of those without rights, without any security, at the mercy of every kind of exploitation, and she supports them in their unhappiness" (John Paul II, Message for World Migration Day 2000, no. 6).