Mother Teresa Shelter celebrates 10 years of serving the homeless

Mother Teresa Shelter chairman of the board Michael B. Schmidt addresses clients and contributors at the shelter's 10th anniversary celebration. Msgr. Louis Kihneman, Vicar General, left, and Bishop Wm. Michael Mulvey listen in background. Alfredo Cardenas, South Texas Catholic

“We are as servant leaders to all of you brothers and sisters. We are here to serve,” Bishop Wm. Michael Mulvey said at a blessing on the 10th anniversary of the Mother Teresa Shelter on Oct. 14. “We are working for you and with you; in your walk of faith. We are in a sense God’s own coworkers.”

Mother Teresa Shelter was founded on Sept. 23, 2003 to provide comprehensive, community-based outreach services to homeless individuals and families. It seeks to create opportunities that will help break the cycle of homelessness.

It accomplishes its mission through a “continuum of care system” that provides shelter and supportive services to homeless individuals in the hope they will regain dignity and stability in their lives.

“Our start was like Jesus with no place in the manger; there was no place for us anywhere,” Mother Teresa Shelter director Sister Rose Madassery, SABS said. She added a saying of Blessed Mother Teresa that “We all have a part to play in life.”

In addition to the original shelter established in 2003, the Mother Teresa Shelter opened a multi-purpose activity and therapeutic center in 2011 and a transitional housing for men in 2012. In its 10-year history, Sister Rose said, the shelter has seen 408,483 clients and served some 876,300 meals to the homeless.

One of the shelter’s clients, Carmen Vela, gave a personal testimony. She said she came to Corpus Christi about three years ago “with nothing but the clothes” she was wearing. She sought and received help from Mother Teresa Shelter during the day and and another shelter at night.

She then started drinking alcohol, taking drugs and getting into trouble with the law. She was banned from Mother Teresa Shelter but returned years later and asked Sister Rose for permission to come back. She promised, “to behave, take her meds and follow the rules.”

Today, Vela said, she is “blessed, thanks for second chance” Sister Rose gave her. “You can do it. God is good, so believe. Anything is possible. There is a way out of the streets. I did it and so can you,” she said to homeless clients in attendance.

“Alone we cannot lift up our brothers and sisters in need. Together they are not heavy,” Michael Schmidt, president of the Mother Teresa board of directors, said.

Schmidt thanked Catholic Charities executive director Linda McKamie and “all who contribute.” He asked for continued support for the shelter.

Corpus Christi Mayor Nelda Martinez was present to welcome clients and guests and to thank Mother Teresa Shelter for the good work they do for the city.

“We ask for God’s blessing not only for the building but also to the people that come here,” Bishop Mulvey said. “I would hope also that those who come here are also part of helping one and another; to build up the body of Christ. We are all a part of that. As you come for help also give; give of yourself in anyway you can. It’s not just one side giving but the other side giving as well. Pitch in and help whatever you can. We all must be part of the giving side.”