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MIHM, Rick: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:mihm.png|left|thumb|300px|Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]MIHM, Rich, (Dubuque, IA, -- ). In 1991 Rick Mihm was the reverend at [[NATIVITY CHURCH]] in Dubuque. (1) He changed assignments, and around 1993 he began counseling [[LORAS COLLEGE students for over three years. In 1995 accompanied by Mary Moody of the college's peace and justice center, Mihm took seventeen students to Washington, D.C. during Holy Week to live with and help hungry and homeless people. They worked in a soup kitchen where after a meal, the destitute had to leave the only warm place they knew. (2) | [[Image:mihm.png|left|thumb|300px|Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]MIHM, Rich, (Dubuque, IA, -- ). In 1991 Rick Mihm was the reverend at [[NATIVITY CHURCH]] in Dubuque. (1) He changed assignments, and around 1993 he began counseling [[LORAS COLLEGE]] students for over three years. In 1995 accompanied by Mary Moody of the college's peace and justice center, Mihm took seventeen students to Washington, D.C. during Holy Week to live with and help hungry and homeless people. They worked in a soup kitchen where after a meal, the destitute had to leave the only warm place they knew. (2) | ||
In 1997 to the dismay of the school and students who often considered him more of a friend than a priest, he took an indefinite leave of absence from the priesthood. He was expected to go to what he called a 'hermitage' where he would think and pray about the direction of his life. Although Mihn's decision came as a surprise to many, those who knew him realized it had come after great consideration and prayer. In his Advent homily, Mihm said that he identified strongly with John the Baptist whose understanding of himself was in his relationship with Jesus Christ. (3) | In 1997 to the dismay of the school and students who often considered him more of a friend than a priest, he took an indefinite leave of absence from the priesthood. He was expected to go to what he called a 'hermitage' where he would think and pray about the direction of his life. Although Mihn's decision came as a surprise to many, those who knew him realized it had come after great consideration and prayer. In his Advent homily, Mihm said that he identified strongly with John the Baptist whose understanding of himself was in his relationship with Jesus Christ. (3) | ||
Mihm and his wife, Mary Moody, by 1999 were helping to operate Hope House, a [[CATHOLIC WORKER HOUSE]]. In addition to his duties there, he was involved in peace demonstrations against bombing being done in Yugoslavia. (4) He has said the late Ruth Hardie met him as he walked home one evening and suggested he would make an excellent director for the Rescue Mission. After discussing the idea with his wife, Mihm took the job which would translate into years of challenge and growth for himself as well as | Mihm and his wife, Mary Moody, by 1999 were helping to operate Hope House, a [[CATHOLIC WORKER HOUSE]]. In addition to his duties there, he was involved in peace demonstrations against bombing being done in Yugoslavia. (4) He has said the late Ruth Hardie met him as he walked home one evening and suggested he would make an excellent director for the Rescue Mission. After discussing the idea with his wife, Mihm took the job which would translate into years of challenge and growth for himself as well as the [[DUBUQUE RESCUE MISSION]]. | ||
In 2021 the Rescue Mission opened a new type of food truck. The Kindness Cafe provided job experience to the men served by the mission. Operating from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, the cafe offered an $8.00 lunch--sandwich, chips, and a drink. In addition to teaching what it took to operate the business, the Cafe earned enough to pay for four lunches for those in need. (5) | |||
hen he started as the executive director, the rescue mission had four staff, plus Mihm. When the drop-in center opened, the mission would have 26. Nearly all of those staff were current or former residents, a practice Mihm expanded under his tenure and that became a hallmark of the rescue mission’s service. | |||
When | When Rick Mihm "retired" in 2023 after 16 years as the executive director of the [[DUBUQUE RESCUE MISSION]], the role had expanded dramatically under his tenure. In 2007 the mission added a greenhouse and vegetable gardens out back, several units of transitional housing, a second thrift store focused on furniture and a mobile food pantry the rescue mission piloted in 2022. In addition to providing food and shelter, the Mission helped clients search the labor market and find jobs. | ||
“He really made an effort to have a community, not just a homeless shelter or a food program,” said Ashley Noonan, regional homeless coordinator at Community Solutions of Eastern Iowa and a former garden manager at the mission. Mihm has served on CSEI’s board since 2019. (6) | “He really made an effort to have a community, not just a homeless shelter or a food program,” said Ashley Noonan, regional homeless coordinator at Community Solutions of Eastern Iowa and a former garden manager at the mission. Mihm has served on CSEI’s board since 2019. (6) | ||
Revision as of 04:44, 25 November 2025
Being researched
MIHM, Rich, (Dubuque, IA, -- ). In 1991 Rick Mihm was the reverend at NATIVITY CHURCH in Dubuque. (1) He changed assignments, and around 1993 he began counseling LORAS COLLEGE students for over three years. In 1995 accompanied by Mary Moody of the college's peace and justice center, Mihm took seventeen students to Washington, D.C. during Holy Week to live with and help hungry and homeless people. They worked in a soup kitchen where after a meal, the destitute had to leave the only warm place they knew. (2)
In 1997 to the dismay of the school and students who often considered him more of a friend than a priest, he took an indefinite leave of absence from the priesthood. He was expected to go to what he called a 'hermitage' where he would think and pray about the direction of his life. Although Mihn's decision came as a surprise to many, those who knew him realized it had come after great consideration and prayer. In his Advent homily, Mihm said that he identified strongly with John the Baptist whose understanding of himself was in his relationship with Jesus Christ. (3)
Mihm and his wife, Mary Moody, by 1999 were helping to operate Hope House, a CATHOLIC WORKER HOUSE. In addition to his duties there, he was involved in peace demonstrations against bombing being done in Yugoslavia. (4) He has said the late Ruth Hardie met him as he walked home one evening and suggested he would make an excellent director for the Rescue Mission. After discussing the idea with his wife, Mihm took the job which would translate into years of challenge and growth for himself as well as the DUBUQUE RESCUE MISSION.
In 2021 the Rescue Mission opened a new type of food truck. The Kindness Cafe provided job experience to the men served by the mission. Operating from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, the cafe offered an $8.00 lunch--sandwich, chips, and a drink. In addition to teaching what it took to operate the business, the Cafe earned enough to pay for four lunches for those in need. (5)
hen he started as the executive director, the rescue mission had four staff, plus Mihm. When the drop-in center opened, the mission would have 26. Nearly all of those staff were current or former residents, a practice Mihm expanded under his tenure and that became a hallmark of the rescue mission’s service.
When Rick Mihm "retired" in 2023 after 16 years as the executive director of the DUBUQUE RESCUE MISSION, the role had expanded dramatically under his tenure. In 2007 the mission added a greenhouse and vegetable gardens out back, several units of transitional housing, a second thrift store focused on furniture and a mobile food pantry the rescue mission piloted in 2022. In addition to providing food and shelter, the Mission helped clients search the labor market and find jobs.
“He really made an effort to have a community, not just a homeless shelter or a food program,” said Ashley Noonan, regional homeless coordinator at Community Solutions of Eastern Iowa and a former garden manager at the mission. Mihm has served on CSEI’s board since 2019. (6)
Source:
1. Gilson, Donna, "You People Serve Priests, Parishes," Telegraph Herald, January 26, 1991, p. 5A
2. Krapfl, Mike, "Students Work for Homeless," Telegraph Herald, May 2, 1995, p. 3
3. Jerde, Lyn, "Loras Campus Minister Takes Leave of Absence," Telegraph Herald, December 16, 1996, p. 2
4. Nevans-Pederson, Mary, "Dubuquers Gather to Sing, Pray for Peace," Telegraph Herald, March 26, 1999, p. 1
5. Editorial. "Food Truck Serves Others at the Kindness Cafe," Telegraph Herald, June 18, 2021, p. 4
5. "Longtime Dubuque Rescue Mission Director Announces Plans to Retire," Telegraph Herald, February 28, 2023, p. 1A