What We Have Seen & Heard
by Joann T. Logan
 Have You Heard? Black Catholics in Baltimore
are rejoicing in the Lord; rejoicing because We Have Come This Far By
Faith: leaning on the Lord, trusting in his holy word and he's never
failed us yet. What am I talking about?
Recently, members of the African American
Catholic Community of the Archdiocese of Baltimore made history with the
release of their first book "What We Have Seen & Heard." This tremendous
undertaking led by a woman of extraordinary faith,
Therese Wilson
Favors, director of the Office of African American Catholic Ministries,
truly had the hand of the Lord on it. "What We Have Seen & Heard"
features a compendium of articles written by African American Catholics
for The Catholic Review, Baltimore's archdiocesan newspaper. These
essays and stories explore topics of Black Catholic history, parish
ministry and evangelization, as well as cutting edge issues that impact
black life.
In February, the Office of African American
Catholic Ministries hosted a book signing at the central branch of the
Enoch Pratt Free Library to celebrate this momentous achievement. Over
150 people, including Cardinal William H. Keeler, Archbishop William D.
Borders and Bishop W. Francis Malooly, along with Enoch Pratt Library
Executive Director Dr. Carla Hayden, joined the book's writers and
contributors for this grand occasion. This book signing was the largest
in the library's history. Now, that is an achievement in itself
considering the Enoch Pratt Library has hosted similar events for the
likes of noted authors such as Alice Walker and Eric Jerome Dickey.
"What We Have Seen & Heard" has wisdom to
awaken your spirit. It will inspire, it will strengthen, it will
educate, and it will hopefully motivate African Americans to continue
the struggle of pressing our causes forward. This 334-page literary
wonder should be on bookshelves in our homes, schools, churches and
offices. And most importantly, it should be shared with our young
brothers and sisters. This book is a testament that nothing is
impossible with God.
A tremendous amount of credit for this
publication belongs to two former bishops of the Archdiocese of
Baltimore: Most Rev. John H. Ricard, S.S.J., Bishop of
Pensacola-Tallahassee and Most Rev. Gordon D. Bennett, S.J., Bishop of
Mandeville, Jamaica.
In September 2000, realizing the power of
the printed word, Bishop Ricard, along with a number of elders from the
African American Catholic Community, approached Catholic Review Editor
Daniel Medinger with suggestions to expand the newspaper's coverage to
include issues, events and stories of interest to the African American
Community. A committee was form and some steps taken. Bishop Bennett
also championed the cause by re-visiting the idea of establishing a
regular column in The Catholic Review, authored by African American
Catholics. Today, the Africentric Column appears weekly in The Catholic
Review, and the first fruits of its labor, by 55 writers (that include
clergy, religious and lay leaders of the Archdiocese of Baltimore), have
made history with the publishing of "What We Have Seen & Heard."
"What We Have Seen & Heard" is a
MUST read
for everyone. At a nominal cost of $20.00, the book can be purchased
from all 16 predominately African American parishes in the Archdiocese
of Baltimore, or from the Office of African American Catholic Ministries
at 410-625-8472. Other avenues to market and sell the book are in
process. "What We Have Seen and Heard" has won rave reviews from many
across the country who have purchased and read it.
What Can You Do? You can purchase the book
for yourself, as well as for family and friends; but most importantly,
you can promote it in your parish. All proceeds from "What We Have Seen
& Heard" will go to support youth ministry in our African American
parishes.
Books are available
at $20.00
plus
shipping & handling
Download
Order Form
(.pdf form)
or call
(410) 625-8472 Rejoice in the Lord Always! Rejoice! And
that is what Black Catholics in the Archdiocese of Baltimore are
certainly doing. Because We Have Come This Far By Faith, leaning on the
Lord, he has allowed us to share with the world "What We Have Seen &
Heard."
Joann T. Logan is a Papal Medal recipient,
president of the Baltimore Archdiocesan Board of African Catholic
Ministries and an active member of New All Saints Church in Baltimore.
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