The Message photo by John Rohlf
By John Rohlf, The Message assistant editor
A May 7 blessing and dedication of a new home in Evansville marked the culmination of the Diocese of Evansville’s partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Evansville to build a home for a family in need.
The blessing and dedication of the home, which is in the CHAIN neighborhood in Evansville, was held nearly seven months after the Oct. 9, 2025, groundbreaking.
At the May 7 dedication, new homeowner Mi’Kyla thanked the Diocese of Evansville for sponsoring the home and giving her the ability to have a place to call home for her and her child. She also thanked the members of the Habitat office for helping her throughout the process in any way, shape or form.
She said it was “a great process and journey” that she enjoyed.
“I’m very thankful for all of you guys and all of your contributions in any way, shape and form,” Mi’Kyla said. “And I can’t say thank you enough. And I am highly blessed and I am just forever grateful.”
Bishop Joseph M. Siegel, who blessed the home during the blessing and dedication, said hope does not disappoint. He said hope was the theme of the Jubilee Year of Hope in 2025. In a sense, Bishop Siegel said, all of us have a role to play in making that hope concrete. The work on this Habitat Home became our work of mercy and work of effort to help make sure that hope does not disappoint, he said.
Bishop Siegel said they were blessed to have the new homeowner and her daughter at the dedication, and to be able to have the home as a perpetual sign of jubilee, a sign of celebration of God’s presence with us, his love for us and his abiding presence with us always. It is a great joy that the diocese was able to work with Mi’Kyla and so many others to make this home a reality, Bishop Siegel said.
Diocese of Evansville Chancellor and COO Dean Happe said May 7 that at the groundbreaking nearly seven months prior, they were at the site of the home “with a vision and a promise.” On behalf of Bishop Siegel and the Diocese of Evansville, Happe said he was grateful to be a part of this moment.
“This was part of our Jubilee Year of Hope in 2025, where we were called not just to speak about hope, but to make it visible,” Happe said. “And that’s exactly what this home is. Hope that you can walk into. Hope that creates a new beginning. This project meant a whole lot to our team, our diocese, and all of its parishes. And thanks to all of our parishes and private donors that were a part of this with us.”
The Diocese of Evansville contributed $50,000 for the build, with partnering parishes, schools and individuals contributing the additional funding. Diocesan staff also participated in three Jubilee build days during construction of the home.
This home “is more than wood and nails,” Happe said, but is what happens when people come together in generosity and love to answer God’s call to serve. This is not just the end of construction, it is the beginning of a home that will be a place of stability, joy and new memories for new homeowner Mi’Kyla and her daughter.
“As last year’s Jubilee year reminded us, hope is something we build together,” Happe said. “And today we celebrate that hope standing right behind us. We pray that this home will be filled with peace and blessings for many years to come.”
Happe then presented Mi’Kyla with the keys to her new home.
As part of the presentation, Luke Nordine, chairperson of Catholics for Habitat, presented Mi’Kyla with a Bible and a cross stitch to help her celebrate her “tremendous achievement in this house.” On behalf of the Catholics for Habitat board, he thanked Bishop Siegel and the Evansville Catholic community for celebrating this Jubilee in such a profound way.
Beth Folz, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Evansville, said they are appreciative of the diocese celebrating their Jubilee year with the sponsorship of the home.
“Thank you very much. What a special dedication you’ve made it,” she said.