USCCB Pastoral Letter on Racism was approved on November 14, 2018. The full text of the letter can be downloaded by clicking on the image to the right. For resources for parishes and schools published by the USCCB to accompany the Pastoral Letter, click here.
Order your exclusive NBCC Black Madonna and Child Rosary
Available now from
Sat Nov 23rd 8:30am - 3:00pm
Oblates 190th Anniversary Symposium
Archbishop Curley High School, 3701 Sinclair Ln, Baltimore, MD 21213
Mother Mary Lange: A Legacy of Hope
Still Standing Under God's Mantle of Providence - Remembrance Symposium
Speakers: Dr. Diane Batts Morrow - "Making a Way Out of No Way";
Sharon Knecht - "The Cause for Sainthood" - Mother Mary Lange, OSP
Celebrant: Bishop Adam J. Parker, Auxiliary Bishop of Baltimore
Click any form above or at right
to download the PDF file.
A panel of nationally recognized leaders will discuss how to create and foster constructive conversations about race and prejudice in Catholic schools, churches, homes and communities. In a time of heated secular politics, tragic current events and a backdrop of historical prejudice, the panel will share practical insights drawing from the best of the Catholic Social Thought tradition. This conversation aims to build capacity among Catholic school and pastoral leaders to lead conversations about racism and other biases. Participants are invited to ask questions. We look forward to a very active conversation.
Register to view the 1 hour 15 minute webinar by clicking here.
USCCBClips Podcast: Episode 20 - Open Wide Our Hearts- The Pastoral Letter Against Racism, With Danielle Brown, listen by clicking here.
2020 Catholic Social Ministry Gathering
January 25-28, 2020
CSMG is now accepting applications for scholarships to fully cover registration and hotel cost for diverse leaders at the 2020 Catholic Social Ministry Gathering (CSMG), on January 25-28, 2020. CSMG is an excellent leadership development opportunity for Catholics who want to channel V Encuentro energy into real faith-inspired change to their communities. The theme for this year’s CSMG is “Bearing Witness: Life and Justice For All” and content will focus on bringing together individuals and colleagues who work on issues which are impacting life and human dignity, across different spectrums such as human trafficking, family separation, pro-life, incarceration and many more issues.
Please see the announcement below and attachments for more information. Be advised that application and recommendation forms are both due in just a few weeks, on October 28, 2019. The co-coordinators for the Diversity Outreach Initiative are Donna Grimes and Dulce Gamboa and can be reached at DGrimes@usccb.org and DGamboa@bread.org.
Bishop Edward Braxton issues a Pastoral Reflection on the recent mass shootings
by NBCC Staff
This webinar explores how vocations – to which all baptized Catholics are called -- are the fruit and the seeds of a radical love. Whether single, married, clergy or religious; a properly discerned vocation will enable us to live more fully, to love more radically, to more joyfully bear witness to the Gospel and to more authentically reveal (and perhaps attract others to) the love of Christ. Only this can produce and sustain more vocations.
The Pastoral Reflection continues with an invitation for "pastors, administrators, deacons, religious brothers and sisters, principals, parents, and community leaders" to consider and implement four proposed responses Braxton proposes. (Read the complete Pastoral Reflection by clicking the image to the left).
Stoney the Road They Trod: African Americans on the Path to Sainthood!
November 20, 2019 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
An interactive webinar to highlight the six African Americans ( Thea Bowman, Henriette Delille, Julia Greeley, Mary Lange, Augustus Tolton and Pierre Toussaint) on the path to sainthood in the Roman Catholic Church. Dr. Brown will provide an update on each cause along with her "Fab Five Facts" about each candidate. Come, engage in the discussion about the canonization process as we examine terms, documents and the specifics required by the Congregation for The Causes of Saints.
Source of All Hope Missionary Program
On the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we did what God asked - started a missionary program in Baltimore. We said YES! and launched the Source Mission Center - situated literally feet behind the first cathedral in the United States. On this groundbreaking day, two young men moved. They will give up a year of job and schooling to live a radical life of prayer and then bring the light of Christ to the people of Baltimore - the poorest of the poor.
The National Black Catholic Seminarians Association Unveils A New Website
Most Reverend William Lori, Archbishop of Baltimore, issued a statement for the Archdiocese of Baltimore. The full text can be downloaded by clicking the image to the left.
We welcome you to submit your upcoming events!
We would love to include your parish activities, upcoming organizational conferences, or arch/diocesan events. Please email your information to: nbcc@nbccongress.org and feel free to attach a pdf of your flier, advertisement, or logo for us to include.
Julia Greeley: Denver's Angel of Charity
A book written and illustrated by
the Annunciation Catholic School's
5th Grade Class 2018-2019
Denver, Colorado
"Julia Greeley was a woman loved by many in Denver. However, there are still people who haven't heard of this Angel of Charity."
From the Introduction, Julia Greeley: Denver's Angel of Charity
To purchase copies of this book, please email: juliagreeleyguild@gmail.com
Copyright © 2019 Annunciation Catholic School
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without written permission of the copyright owner except for the use of quotations in a book review.
Racism and Racial Justice Resources for Catholics
Calendar of Events
Did you miss this webinar?
"Black Witness, Radical Love: Vocations Are for Our Folk (too)!"
by Deacon Mel Tardy and Annie Tardy,
Sr. Gayle Lwanga Crumbley, RGS, Bro. Patrick Winbush, and Andrew and Terri Lyke
The Upper Room Hotline is a faith based hotline in the Catholic Tradition.
Call 1-888-808-8724
24 hrs a day – 7 days a week
Join our mailing list:
The Upper Room Crisis Hotline
Saving lives....giving help, hope and prayer to those in need
Join Gloria Purvis,
Deacon Harold
Burke-Sivers and
Msgr. Charles Pope
weekday mornings
on EWTN's
https://www.ourrichhistory.com
$29.95
SKU: R681DF
Now Available: Pastoral Plans of Action from Past Congresses
These instruments, issued shortly after each Congress, provide action steps for addressing the topics of concern presented during the Congress events. To download copies of the different Pastoral Plans, click button below.
Catch the new issue of the
JosephiteHarvest
for news, interviews
& commentary.
Click on the image at right for a downloadable pdf file.
DAILY READINGS
Click on the reading for each day
to access the entire entry.
Domestic Violence and Mental Health Resources
The National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-7233 (SAFE)
www.ndvh.org
National Dating Abuse Helpline
1-866-331-9474
www.loveisrespect.org
Americans Overseas Domestic Violence Crisis Center
International Toll-Free (24/7)
1-866-USWOMEN (879-6636)
www.866uswomen.org
National Child Abuse Hotline/Childhelp
1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453)
www.childhelp.org
National Sexual Assault Hotline
1-800-656-4673 (HOPE)
www.rainn.org
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-8255 (TALK)
www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
Prayer for Healing Victims of Abuse
Click here for PDF version (bilingual)
God of endless love,
ever caring, ever strong,
always present, always just:
You gave your only Son
to save us by the blood of his cross.
Gentle Jesus, shepherd of peace,
join to your own suffering
the pain of all who have been hurt
in body, mind, and spirit
by those who betrayed the trust placed in them.
Hear the cries of our brothers and sisters who have been gravely harmed, and the cries of those who love them.
Soothe their restless hearts with hope, steady their shaken spirits with faith.
Grant them justice for their cause,
enlightened by your truth.
Holy Spirit, comforter of hearts,
heal your people’s wounds
and transform brokenness into wholeness.
Grant us the courage and wisdom,
humility and grace, to act with justice.
Breathe wisdom into our prayers and labors.
Grant that all harmed by abuse may find peace in justice.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Camille Lewis Brown is the Associate Superintendent for School Leadership and Community Programs for the Archdiocese of Baltimore. She holds a B.A. in History from Franklin and Marshall College, an M.A. in Theology from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary and a PH.D. in Educational Administration from Boston College. Dr. Brown founded the Bakhita Fund to provide educational assistance to children around the world. She has been a missionary to Africa for 19 years and taught for 11 years at St. Charles Seminary in Philadelphia. During her 30 years in Catholic education, Dr. Brown has been a teacher, principal, author, lecturer and leader. She has penned many articles and four books, most notably, African Saints, African Stories: 40 Holy Men and Women.
Bryan Stevenson spoke at the General Session at Congress 12 in 2017. His work on behalf of inmates, especially those convicted as juveniles, continues to inspire and direct the works of the black Catholic community.
A Story of Justice and Redemption
Just Mercy takes us inside America’s broken criminal justice system and compels us to confront inequality and injustice.
Based on the bestselling book, the Just Mercy movie presents the unforgettable story of Bryan Stevenson (Michael B. Jordan) and the case of Walter McMillian (Academy Award winner
Jamie Foxx), who was
convicted and sentenced
to death for a crime he
did not commit. In theaters
December 2019.
The End of Doubt
by Sr. Desiré Findlay / Photos by Kate Buckley Photography
After nine years of prayer, formation and formal discernment, I made my final vows with the Felician Sisters on August 15, 2019. Those years flew by like clouds on a windy day, but they were meaningful and packed to the brim with experiences and people who helped to shape me. Even after those very full nine years, I still couldn't be 100% sure that I was ready to say "yes" forever. I was about 90% sure, however, that I didn't want to say "no". I had been living this religious life for nine years and I couldn't imagine myself doing or being anything different.
In preparation for the big day, we spent several weeks throughout the year in prayer and conversation. It was a year of reflection, but even the day before the day I thought to myself, "This final vow ceremony is pretty much just a formality. I've been living the vows for six years already, and nothing changes after this. I'll still be doing what I've been doing and living where I've been living. It's no big deal." Oh, but it was a big deal. Read article here...
October, The Month of the Holy Rosary
by Reverend Matthew R. Mauriello
Current scholarship traces the development of the Rosary to the High Middle Ages period. The month of October each year is dedicated to the Most Holy Rosary. This is primarily due to the fact that the liturgical feast of Our Lady of the Rosary is celebrated annually on October 7. It was instituted to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary in gratitude for the protection that she gives the Church in answer to the praying of the Rosary by the faithful. Read more...
Help support NBCC programs
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© 2019 The National Black Catholic Congress, All Rights Reserved
Grow in Discipleship
The CCO Faith Study series presents a clear path to the heart of Christ. The leader guides are especially useful for those who want to learn how to bring others back to Jesus.
The Knights of Peter Claver and The Knights of Peter Claver, Ladies Auxiliary release the 2019 National Social Justice Initiatives Resource Book
Photos by NBCC/Congress XII 2017
How to support our missionary program at the Basilica
Pray the Novena to the Immaculate Heart of Mary prayer card every day!
Give generously in whatever way is easiest for you. Go to: https://www.sourceofallhope.org/support
Check out the new look for the National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus Website
Bishop Edward K. Braxton of Belleville, Illinois, is pictured at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. (Credit: Robert Duncan/CNS.)
NEWS
November 2019
Thurs Nov. 7-Sun Nov. 10
2019 Pastoring in Black Catholic Parishes
“Here I Am, Send Me” Is. 6:8
Presented by The Josephite Pastoral Center
and the National Black Catholic Congress
This conference is a development and
enrichment conference opened to all who
provide spiritual growth and leadership in
the Black Apostolate.
REGISTRATION: $225.00
Go to www.josephitepastoralcenter.org
HOTEL RESERVATION: $129.00 per night
Marriott Reservations
Sat Nov 9th 5:30pm - 10:00pm
Mother Emma Lewis Awards Dinner
Ceremony and Dance
Quaremba Hall, 10 N Mississippi Ave,
Atlantic City, NJ 08401
Join us as we celebrate in honoring those
who exemplify the spirit of Mother Emma
Lewis
Tickets $30.00
Sponsored by The Black Catholic Leadership
Ministry of The Parish of Saint Monica
"We are facing a national crisis in the United States. As a Catholic Bishop striving to live by and teach the good news of justice and peace proclaimed by Jesus of Nazareth, I am compelled to name this truth. It is, in some way, a crisis of gun violence."
We are looking for “participants,” not “attendees.”
Use of NBCC Copyrighted Material
When using NBCC photos, videos, or staff-written articles, you acknowledge and agree that the NBCC is not responsible for any action taken or activity that occurs as a result of the information provided on this website. All proprietary items of the NBCC are subject to copyright, and may be used solely in a not-for-profit manner, and attribution must be made to the NBCC by including the following disclaimer: Used with permission of the NBCC ©NBCC 2019.
Content Available through the website is provided as-is: You acknowledge that the NBCC does not make any representations or warranties about the material, data, and information, such as data files, text, computer software, code, music, audio files or other sounds, photographs, videos, or other images (collectively, the “Content”) which you may have access to. Under no circumstances is the NBCC liable in any way for any Content, including, but not limited to: any infringing Content, any errors or omissions in Content, or for any loss or damage of any kind incurred as a result of the use of any Content posted, transmitted, linked from, or otherwise accessible through or made available via the website. You agree that you are solely responsible for your reuse of Content made available through the website, including providing proper attribution.
How to Promote Vocations Within African American Communities
Promoting vocations among the African American Communities, an article written by Sr. Josita Colbert, SNDdeN, appeared in the professional journal, HORIZON Read the article by clicking here.
Another HORIZON article, titled "Inviting people who are racially or culturally different into our communities," was written by Fr. Clarence Williams, CPPS. Read the article by clicking here.
There is information in the 2014 NRVC/CARA Study on Incorporating Cultural Diversity into Religious Life. The link to the executive summary, video, and complete study is available at https://nrvc.net/278/publication/2978-2014-incorporating-cultural-diversity-study
There are also 2 prayer cards available for purchase at www.nrvc.net/store, designed by the NRVC African American Religious Committee. They come in packs of 100 for just $5 per packet for NRVC members and $8 for all others.
NBCC 2019
WEBINAR
SERIES
Order your 2020 Josephite Calendars Today!
"Sacraments and Saints" - The Spirit of the Lord is Upon Me
The Responsibility of Catholic Schools and Churches to Talk about Racism
Deacon Larry and Andi Oney are leading a pilgrimage to
the Holy Land!
Deacon Larry and Andi Oney of Hope and Purpose Ministries are excited to be teaming up with our friends and fellow evangelists Hector Molina and Father Mark Cherry for a special Pentecost-themed Holy Land Pilgrimage from May 25-June 4, 2020.
Together we will trace the footprints of Jesus, Mary, and the Apostles in the land of the bible and reflect on what it means to live our lives under the anointing and power of the Holy Spirit. One of the great highlights of our pilgrimage will be to gather in the Cenacle/Upper Room of Jerusalem on Pentecost Sunday where we will pray, as the apostles did 2000 years ago, for a fresh outpouring of the grace of the Holy Spirit!
Just Mercy
Building Intercultural Competence
for Ministers (BICM)
Training of the Trainers Intensive at the
Mid-Atlantic Congress
January 29-January 31, 2020
Registration is open for the BICM Training of the Trainers intensive at the 2020 Mid-Atlantic Congress. The Training of Trainers Workshop provides an opportunity for ministers to attain a foundational first level of competence in intercultural relations and communications. It is also designed to orient trainers to methodology, strategies, and activities suited to teach the content of the program.
Click here to REGISTER! Contact us at diversity@usccb.org with questions.
National Center for Victims of Crime
1-202-467-8700
www.victimsofcrime.org
National Human Trafficking Resource Center/Polaris Project
Call: 1-888-373-7888 | Text: HELP to BeFree (233733)
www.polarisproject.org
We hold ourselves accountable
to our baptismal commitment to
witness and proclaim the
Good News of Jesus Christ.
Cultural Diversity in the Catholic Church in the United States
The Cara Report created for the USCCB contains statistical information about the different minorities in the Catholic Church.
Click image below to download.
ORDER YOUR
Wearable Black Catholic Art!
The Mission of the National Social Justice Committee is to enhance the collective efforts of the Knights of Peter Claver and Ladies Auxiliary through its local Councils/Courts towards improving public policies impacting the social and economic environment of our Nation and Church. This national initiative is composed of five areas of focus including Black Lives Matters, Criminal Justice Reform, Domestic Violence, Human Trafficking and Racism. Each of these five pillars of the Knights of Peter Claver, Inc.’s Social Justice Initiative has independent subcommittees operating under one collective Social Justice umbrella. The goal and objectives of these committees are to have a global and collective impact on social justice issues by supporting, educating and raising the awareness of our membership on these issues.
National Resource Center on Domestic Violence
1-800-537-2238
www.nrcdv.org and www.vawnet.org
Futures Without Violence: The National Health Resource Center on Domestic Violence
1-888-792-2873
www.futureswithoutviolence.org
National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma & Mental Health
1-312-726-7020 ext. 2011
www.nationalcenterdvtraumamh.org
The Most Reverend Edward K. Braxton, Ph.D., S.T.D., has issued a Pastoral Reflection titled, "A National Crisis: A Pastoral Reflection on the Deadly Epidemic of Gun Violence in the United States."
Today the Basilica doors are open to the people of Baltimore - rich and poor alike - until 8 PM Monday through Friday, but this missionary program will take Jesus to the streets so we can attract souls to Christ and have their lives changed.
To learn more about this program, go to: https://www.sourceofallhope.org/
The National Black Catholic Congress TM