On April 25, the Father John Flanagan Catholic Center, known by most as simply “The Flanagan Center,” was blessed by Bishop Joseph Kopacz (Diocese of Jackson) on April 25. After an extensive renovation, the center, operated by Sacred Heart Southern Missions, reopened in mid-January. It is located in Walls, MS, near the SHSM headquarters.
Renovations, which were completed on January 15, turned the facility into a modern hub for the organization’s critical programs: a bustling food pantry, social services, volunteer operations, and HIV/AIDS support. Plans for the overhaul began in 2021, with more than 20 layout changes meticulously finalized before construction commenced in May 2023. The result is a reimagined space that addresses the community’s growing needs, particularly the soaring demand for food assistance, which has surged from 280,068 pounds distributed in 2016 to nearly 1.4 million pounds in 2022.
During construction, operations were temporarily moved to the Dehon Learning Center, where more than 1 million pounds of food were distributed in both 2023 and 2024.
The Flanagan Center’s transformation is both practical and profound. The building, expanded by 1,150 square feet, now houses a state-of-the-art 48’ x 24’ cold storage unit, with 36’ x 24’ dedicated to freezer and cold storage space. Double-wide, 54-inch doors allow pallet jacks to move full pallets effortlessly inside, while a backup generator ensures food safety during power outages. Approximately 3,000 square feet of dry goods storage further enhances capacity, nearly quadrupling the center’s ability to serve. The once-disjointed maze of offices and storage areas has been replaced with a welcoming reception area, a public restroom, and private offices for social workers and volunteers, fostering a sense of dignity for clients and staff.
The blessing, following the SHSM board meeting, was a moment of mission renewal. Bishop Kopacz, joined by Fr. Vien Nguyen, SCJ, and Sr. Catherine Bertrand, SSND (SHSM Board President), led a prayer service anchored in the Gospel of Matthew.
“As often as you did it for the least among you, you did it for me,” (Mt 25:40) – the reading underscored the Flanagan Center’s mission.
Bishop Kopacz concluded with a blessing: “Send down your blessings upon this place, on those who so generously devote themselves to helping others, and on those who seek assistance here.”
