The GRAYCE mission trip to Biloxi has already happened. It was an awesome week! We found an amazing community of faith working together to improve conditions for families still trying to recover from the disaster. Even though the information on this page is now outdated, it is being left around in case GRAYCE chooses to do a second mission trip there.

Hurricane Relief Trip

In the face of the devastation, the Bishops called upon the churches of each diocese to partner with churches along the coast, to support with donations, with prayer, and to fill whatever needs arise. The Diocese of Winona is partnered with the Diocese of Biloxi. The purpose of this trip is to aid the people of the Diocese of Biloxi in whatever way we can, by actively helping to rebuild and recover from the disaster.

GRAYCE is sending a group of volunteers to Biloxi leaving on Friday, Oct 20 and returning on Sunday, Oct 29. Please consider joining us. This web page exists to provide information about the trip, to help you decide whether to sign up, and for those of you who have already signed up, to find out more about the trip.

Where will we stay? We will stay at a Knights of Columbus Hall-coverted hostel, called Project Hope and Compassion in Lizana, Mississippi. There are cots & mattresses. There are showers & flush toilets. Towels are provided. Bedsheets are not. Laundry is available. A refrigerator is available.

Where to eat? Three meals a day are provided by Project Hope & Compassion where we are staying. The lunch meal is a sack lunch, made in the morning and brought to the work site.

Where is Mass? St. Thomas in Long Beach, Mississippi. St. Thomas is the partner church of Resurrection.

Transportation? While someday we hope to follow in the example of Philip and let God teleport us wherever we need to be, on this trip we are content with travelling together by car, using whatever vehicles we have available.

Directions please? Keep in mind everyone will be carpooling together. Each car will have a copy of the directions, and each car will also have a road atlas. All of the cars will stay together, so that no one is lost from the group. Here is a summary of the directions, one-way, starting in Rochester.

And that takes... 19 hours. Needless to say, we will stay overnight halfway in between and split the journey between two days.

How we will help. Our objective is to clean up, repair, and restore houses to make them habitable again. A lot of cleanup work has already been done throughout the last year. Typical activities are: painting, siding, drywall, taping & mudding, and carpentry. Don't worry. No one is expecting you to already posess construction skills. All you need is a positive attitude to go out and help accomplish something for the good of others. Please don't get your heart set on any one particular activity, because the truth is we are are there to serve and we will do what we can that is needed most.

No, really, what skills do I need? You don't need any prior skills. And we really do mean that. Sure, you'll need to ask questions--how do I do that?--but the same with the rest of us! If special skills were a requirement, then we would be advertising this trip to area construction workers, not the young adult group!

What else will we do? We are looking into the possibility of having daily mass, worship music, and reflections. None of it is certain yet. The only thing we're sure of at this point is that lots of people in Biloxi could use our help.

Free time? Evenings after dinner are free time, with the exception of the activities listed in the previous response. Don't expect to schedule too many things during the free time. Most people will probably use their free time to relax, unwind, and reflect on the day.

Actually, not all that much.

You are expected to pay for the food you purchase on the way there and back, plus any additional food you purchase apart from the provided meal plan.

Lodging in Mississippi at Project Hope & Compassion is provided at no cost to you. It is uncertain whether the two overnight stays travelling there & back will be paid for. We are working on it...

For those driving, fuel costs are reimbursed.

Materials are already paid for by the families we are helping.

That's it for costs. There is no fee for the trip.

We're makin' a list. And checkin' it twice. Bring what you want, this is just our advice

1. First and foremost: You, and your loving spirit of service!
2. Your young adult Catholic friends
3. Some food for the journey, or money to purchase it
4. A sleeping bag or blanket (cots are provided)
5. Toothpaste, contacts, flashlight & such
6. Several changes of clothes, including some you don't mind getting dirty. Bring shoes that are appropriate, and work gloves if you have any
7. A water bottle
8. Some basic tools if you have them. If not, don't worry

Between October 20 and 29,the average high in Biloxi is 77 and the average low is 57. Please keep in mind these are only averages. Expect some variation from the averages, and pack accordingly.

Graham from the Church of the Resurrection will be speaking to us after the August 20th 7:30pm Young Adult Mass. This information session is by no means mandatory. It is provided for your own benefit, to give you a chance to ask questions and learn about the trip firsthand from someone who has already volunteered in Biloxi. Of course, you can also ask us questions by email: info@grayce.org

Information Session August 20th at 8:30 PM or whenever Mass ends Pax Christi Church 4135 18th Ave NW Rochester, MN 55901

More questions and answers will be added here as people ask them.

Who is behind this trip? This effort is being led by Nate and Katie H on behalf of GRAYCE. We are partnering with Graham and the group from Church of the Resurrection in Rochester, MN.

How many volunteers can you take? I've been told don't worry about that at this point. So, we aren't going to worry about it.

What if I'm not a member of Resurrection? That's okay. GRAYCE includes the young adult Catholics of all Rochester area parishes. We had to choose one parish to work with on this trip, but that doesn't mean you need to be a member there.

We are so excited you'll be joining us!

Please fill out the following sign-up form with some information to help us get in contact with you. As a reminder, please make sure to schedule Fri Oct 20-Sun Oct 29 off from work.

If for any reason you experience difficulties with the sign-up form, you may sign up by email instead: info@grayce.org