When We Were at Our Best: A Student's Story
I attended St. Benedict the Moor Catholic grade school in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This year, the school celebrated 100 years of providing Catholic education in Pittsburgh's Hill District. The Hill District, a Black community, is among the city's most socially and economically distressed neighborhoods. This area is in the midst of “gentrification” or “urban renewal,” which moves out Black people and brings whites from the suburbs to enjoy the downtown renewal.
St. Benedict the Moor has been staffed by the Sisters of St. Joseph for all 100 years. Today, the school enjoys the continued presence of six sisters as principal and teachers. St. Benedict the Moor is truly a wonderful blessing for the Hill District residents and greater Pittsburgh. Although, the majority of St. Benedict the Moor's students are not Catholic, many of their parents attended and know the value of Catholic schools.
The teachers and administrators valued our culture and our Black spirituality. The school and Chapel have pictures of the Black saints and Black images of Jesus and Mary. My love for liturgical dance was cultivated by Sr. Donna Cronauer, who believed that we should celebrate our culture through dance, music, and Black prayers at school Masses. I learned about Black history through the annual Black History Bowls. We competed in the Catholic Forensic League and presented our history and culture. The Forensic League became a means of sharing the work of Black artists and writers with other students.
St. Benedict the Moor was at its best when the school embraced Black culture in every facet of our Catholic grade school education, and consistently celebrated the richness of Black culture in the community. Students receive an excellent education and opportunities to be leaders.
Upon graduation from St. Benedict the Moor, I attended Oakland Catholic High School. I was well prepared for my high school experience and confident in “my skin.” St. Benedict the Moor helped me to develop my “I can do anything” attitude, and I used my leadership skills to help the high school create openness to diversity by welcoming the Black students' expressions of their culture by incorporating Black culture in student projects and events.
Ayisha Morgan-Lee
