Happy 300th birthday, Natchez! The celebration continues with Ballet Magnificat! and Mississippi Mass Choir for our annual performance at 7 p.m. Aug. 12 at the Natchez City Auditorium. This year, in honor of the triccentennial celebration of Natchez, the Mississippi Mass Choir from Jackson will be joining Ballet Magnificat! for this special presentation “Make Us One, A Night of Unity.” Ballet Magnificat!, the world’s premier Christian professional ballet company, and the internationally acclaimed Mississippi Mass Choir will pair up to bring to this concert a shared dedication to the glory of God resulting in a historic communion of races, classes, an cultures — true reconciliation through the arts. It is the desire of these performers of this event to inspire unity in the body of Christ through dance and music. This year’s performance will mark the eighth year of Ballet Magnificat! performing in Natchez.

This performance will be truly an extraordinary evening of ballet and music along with special appearances of local inspirational worship leaders. It isn’t simply the combining of two different cultures in the worship of the Lord. It is something that God has been orchestrating in the hearts of those involved in the performance to bring down barriers that prevent unity in our cities and our country. We are privileged to bring these dynamic artists together for” Make Us One,” an evening of unity that promises to be very, very special for the Miss-Lou and neighboring communities. It will be a family-oriented event, dedicated to bring the message of unity through the gospel of Jesus Christ.

It’s exciting to have such a talented group of Christian performers to visit Natchez each year, and we’re encouraged by the sponsorships of individuals and businesses who continue to support this event. Continued support shows that we share the hope we have in our hearts, the desire of everyone coming together as one.

The proceeds from this event will be donated to The Guardian Shelter for Battered Families, a project of Catholic Charities Inc. The Guardian Shelter conducts several community fundraising events during the year to provide funding for continued program service delivery. We provide immediate shelter for women and children of domestic violence who are experiencing violence in their lives. Like all Catholic Charities programs we serve families of all racial, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds. Our service area includes 11 counties in Southwest Mississippi and Concordia Parish in Louisiana.

We are most grateful to have been a part of this event for past years and count on seeing you at his year’s performance on Friday, Aug. 12, at the Natchez City Auditorium. Tickets for the event are available at The Guardian Collection Thrift Store, 624 Franklin Street, online at catholicchaaritiesjackson.org or at the door beginning at 6:30 prior to performance.

For more information about this event or the services of Catholic Charities Domestic Violence Programs, please call 601-442-0142. We are encouraged that our community will come out to support “Make us One, A Night of Unity” to promote unity within the Body of Christ and the community.

 

Donna Miller is a volunteer with Catholic Charities and the Guardian Shelter.