“Let us build a house where love can dwell.”

The lyrics of the 1995 liturgical song “All Are Welcome” by composer Marty Haugen can often be heard echoing from the hallowed halls of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church. The melodic lines about coming together in faith lay out a mission that is being carried out not just within the church itself. This so-called house is growing and flourishing in the shadow of Sacred Heart’s bell tower, across the street at the new Underground Hub.   

Under the direction of Father Joshua Johnson, the formerly vacant paint shop has been completely transformed over the past months to make way for a multi-faceted meeting space catering to those within the geographical boundaries of Sacred Heart parish, as well as parishioners, new community members, visitors and anyone else who might find themselves on Main Street. The space, which was reimagined by Scheffy Construction and Ritter Maher Architects, now houses a new and improved food pantry, a coffee bar and workspace, meeting rooms, games, comfortable seating and plenty of artwork. The coffee and workspace is open daily for anyone and everyone to enjoy. The meeting spaces are now the backdrop for Bible studies and other get-togethers. And, most notably, the facility provides a home for the local Vagabond Mission, which serves teens in the neighborhood through weekly programming, including tutoring, games, mentorship and more.

“I started thinking about what it would look like to have a church that ministers to everyone within its geographical bounds,” Johnson says. “It has been really beautiful to see this mission grow, and it has been even more special to see how the community has embraced it.”

Vagabond Missions is a national organization that now has roots in Baton Rouge thanks to Johnson. After being introduced to the program through mutual friends in 2015, he eventually rose to be the national chaplain of Vagabond. When he made the move to Sacred Heart parish in 2022, he and Bishop Michael Duca agreed the mission would be invaluable for the parish and the surrounding neighborhood.

From there, Johnson, Deacon Michael Parker and the rest of the Vagabond team began neighborhood outreach at Capitol High School. By simply offering popsicles in the Louisiana heat, they were surprised that conversations came easily, and the students were open to the Catholic mission.

“I was so excited when there were even just two kids coming,” Johnson says. “And I’m always happy with however many show up for our programming. Now, we have had around 60 kids, with new kids coming with their friends who are already Vagabond teens. They are proud to be Vagabond teens, and that is helping the mission grow.”

Open to kids ages 13 to 19, with a focus on inner city and urban areas, Vagabond aims to not just minister to kids, but to meet them where they are and work to foster good values, work ethic and professional skills. During the summer, there are park nights, field trips and group meals. As the school year kicks off, Vagabond teens will also have the opportunity to utilize tutors and mentorship with tradesmen. In addition, teens in the program will also have access to scholarship funds for college thanks to a partnership with Brown & Root.

“Our goal is to do God’s work while loving God’s people,” Vagabond missionary Tyler Hunt says. “We want our programming to show that the doors of the church are always open to them.”

Hunt wasn’t even Catholic when she first got involved with Vagabond. But as a Baton Rouge local, she could see the need and the impact of the program.

“It shows the necessity of community and interpersonal connections,” Hunt says. “We are exemplifying what social justice looks like.”

In addition to the fun the group has, Hunt says that one of the most transformational parts of the ministry has been offering the Vagabond teens the opportunity to make a difference in their community. By picking up litter, they are encouraged to be good stewards of the land. But it goes much deeper.

“With many of them coming from so little, it is great for them to be able to say, ‘I have something to give back,’” Hunt says. “You can see their confidence grow.”

With school back in session, the Underground Hub, which was officially open to the public back in June, will also now cater to students and parents of Sacred Heart of Jesus School. With tutoring and other programming on the docket for the coming months, the space will offer students the chance not only to grow but also to create relationships with the Vagabond teens.

“The goal is to build relationships,” Johnson says, noting plans for students to play and otherwise utilize the space, but also for parents to come together after carpool or for special events. “Sacred Heart is so unique because of its diversity, which is such a blessing. I am so excited for this space and this invitation for us to all come together and truly become one.”

“Mother Teresa said, ‘I used to believe that prayer changes things, but now I know that prayer changes us, and we change things,’” Hunt notes. “And that really encompasses what we are doing here. It is up to us to create opportunities and build the type of community that will change these cycles. I see so much hope in the future, in these teens, in this ministry, and in this parish.”