Diocese of Lake Charles, Louisiana
The St. Augustine Window
By Rev. Giles Conwill
I visited my hometown of Louisville KY this past week, the first road trip in over a year out of Atlanta. I was able to see St. Augustine Church where my grandparents and parents were married and my five siblings and I were baptized. My late brother, Houston, who was a truly gifted artist with permanent installations all over in such cities as New York, Miami, Chicago, San Francisco, et al, designed this 7-ft. stained glass window of St. Augustine at this Louisville church bearing his name. I took this attached photo. Read more...
Haiti Quake Destroyed Many Churches, Shredding a Mainstay of Support
Homilies to Share
23rd Sunday: FEAR NOT: HERE IS YOUR GOD
The word “fear” is very common today for various reasons. Fear has so much to do with how we function, and how we respond to dangerous situations in our lives. The people of Israel go through the experience of fear several times in their history. In the first reading, the prophet Isaiah highlights one of those moments but offers them hope. Isaiah tells the people what the signs will be when the Redeemer comes, to be not afraid as he says: the eyes of the blind will be opened, the ears of the deaf will be cleared, and the mute will sing. Read more...
First New Catholic School In Nearly 60 Years Opens For Students In Baltimore Monday
By DAVID McFADDEN | CBS Baltimore WJZ13
A Call for An Increase in
BLACK CATHOLIC VOCATIONS
By Maria Abi-Habib and Andre Paultre | The New York Times
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — The houses collapsed, the hospitals were damaged, the roads buckled or turned impassable. But it was the earthquake’s destruction of churches across Haiti’s southern peninsula that may prove the biggest gut punch to the roughly 1.5 million people affected. Read more...
HOW VULNERABLE ARE YOU TO STRESS?
The following test was developed by Psychologists Lyle H. Miller and Alma Dell Smith at Boston University Medical Center. Score each item as follows:
(1) Always; (2) Most of the time; (3) Sometimes; (4) Rarely; (5) Never
Click the form below to download the entire test.
Word on Fire Catholic Ministries is a nonprofit global media apostolate that supports the work of Bishop Robert Barron and reaches millions of people to draw them into— or back to— the Catholic faith. Read more...
SOCIAL READJUSTMENT SCALE
This quick self-check can help you identify how much stress your life experiences may have caused and how you may physically respond to that stress.
Circle each event that has occurred within the past year. If one item has been repeated, you may count it more than once. Click the form below to download.
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ:
Deadly wildfires are sweeping across the Republic of Turkey, the Middle Eastern country that is the bridge between Europe and Asia, due to scorching temperatures, low humidity and driving winds, causing untold devastation. The fires crept up the hills, scattered and grew, racing down towards the shore. In some places, desperate residents rushed to the sea, filling up plastic buckets with water to ward off the flames approaching their homes. Others ran for their lives.
So far, more than ten people had died in the fires along Turkey’s southern and western coasts and thousands have been evacuated. Read more...
Check out our upcoming performances and see if we are coming to your area!
Mental Health Awareness
Sorrowful Mysteries:
Agony in the Garden: trust in God;
Scourging at the Pillar: purity;
Crowning with Thorns: fortitude;
Carrying of the Cross: perseverance in trials;
Crucifixion: forgiveness
for others.
Glorious Mysteries:
Resurrection: faith;
Ascension: hope;
Descent of the Holy Spirit: gifts of the Holy Spirit;
Assumption: to Jesus through Mary;
Coronation: final
perseverance.
NEW From Our Sunday Visitor
Black Catholics on the Road to Sainthood
Edited by Michael R. Heinlein; forward by Archbishop Jose H. Gomez
Bishop Roy Campbell, NBCC President, says the
following about the book: "The book introduces
readers to six Black Americans who dealt in their
lifetimes with the human denigration and suffering
that is manifested by American's original sin of
racism. Yet they not only persevered, but truly
lived as Christian people..."
Copies can be ordered by clicking here.
To help defray the shipping cost, enter code NBCC21 at checkout.
Archbishop Lori calls for unity, prayers on 20th anniversary of 9/11 attacks
By Catholic Review Staff | Catholic Review
“We remember those who lost their lives,” the archbishop said. “We pray for the eternal repose of their souls. We also recall the ongoing toll the attacks took on so many lives and the immeasurable suffering borne by family members and friends to this day.” Read more...
DAILY MASS
Saint Joseph Church-Upper Marlboro, MD
On today's episode of the 5 Things podcast: How has a generation with no memory of 9/11 come to understand the event and its aftermath? (Hit play on the player to hear the podcast, or click here.)
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Adoption is a great option for all families, especially African-American families who typically “take in” children as a regular practice. The informal practice of “adopting” children began in the United States when black families were often destroyed by the system and practice of slavery. Slaves were sold and traded, so families were broken up, leaving children behind in need of care. Read more...
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Gabriel Network is seeking an Executive Director (ED) with a commitment to the sanctity of human life, proven executive leadership experience, and competencies in non-profit management and operations.
Click here to read the entire job description.
Please submit all resumes via email to office@churchofstcecilia.org or mail them to St. Cecilia Church 3300 Clifton Ave Baltimore, MD 21216.
2021 GIVEN Forum:
Gloria Purvis - A Pilgrimage into the Feminine
Genius
Gloria Purvis gives
a keynote address
at the 2021 GIVEN
Catholic Young
Women's
Leadership
Forum.
Left to right: Harriet Tubman; Gertie Davis (adopted daughter); Nelson Davis (husband). Photo from Wikimedia Commons.
“Do Whatever He Tells You”
Photo by Jacob Bentzinger on Unsplash
- Study Kits
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Just Released!
NBCC Celebration of Consecrated Religious Women.
Click below to view the newsletter.
Black Catholic Vocations
Suicide Among Black Girls Is a Mental Health Crisis Hiding in Plain Sight
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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 2021.
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.
Our Lady of Sorrows in Birmingham, AL
From America Magazine: The Gloria Purvis Podcast
The latest episode:
How to be on social media without losing your soul.
Catch the new issue of the
Josephite Harvest
for news, interviews
& commentary.
Click on the image at right to read the current issue.
Social Justice Issues
When Is It Time to Call Hospice?
By Samira K. Beckwith | AgingCare
Caregivers for loved ones who are seriously ill often wonder, “When is a person ready for hospice?” While the nature and timing of end-of-life care differs for each person, many families are finding that it’s best to inquire about hospice care sooner rather than later.
End-of-life care decisions are often challenging and time-sensitive. Learning about how one can qualify for hospice and the specific services these organizations can provide will help minimize anxiety and confusion surrounding these important choices. Read more...
Archdiocese of New Orleans 2021 Ordination Mass
By Kyra Aurelia Alessandrini | Time
When Dionne Monsanto was pregnant, she decided that she wanted to find a name that means “blessing” for her daughter. Though Monsanto—a Black American—has no specific ties to South Africa, she chose the name Siwe, an adaptation of the Zulu name Busisiwe. Read more...
The Church and the Racial Divide: Reflections of an African
American Catholic Bishop
Gen Z has only known society changed by 9/11: Hear how the attacks have shaped their lives
By Shannon Rae Green | USA TODAY
Click here to listen to this or Gloria's other podcasts.
Do you doubt the
Real Presence?
Learn about these Eucharistic miracles
By Michael O’Neill | Our Sunday Visitor
Earlier this year, atheist biologist Richard Dawkins posted this on his Twitter feed: “Roman Catholics are required to believe that communion wine actually is
Help the NBCC keep helping others.
Your donation makes it possible for us to give to programs that
benefit Black Catholics across the United States.
Click image to view the latest issue.
St. Thomas the Apostle has a new priest: the Rev. Michael Trail
By Aaron Gettinger | Hyde Park Herald
The Rev. Michael Trail, 31, is the new priest at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 5472 S. Kimbark Ave. Read more...
CONGRESS 13 UPDATE:
The next Congress gathering will be held in 2023. Please check back for further updates.
Ajani Gibson was one of five
transitional deacons ordained to
the Archdiocese of New Orleans
on Saturday, June 5, 2021.
Newly-ordained Fr. Ajani Gibson
blesses Bishop Joseph Perry
Fr. Vincent Arisukwu
President & Founder
Fr. Vincent is a priest from Nigeria, currently serving as associate pastor at Christ the King Church in Maryland.
Is Tolton Coming To Your Community?
‘Tolton: From Slave to Priest’ has started touring again after over a year of pandemic downtime.
literally the blood of Christ, and the wafer literally is his body[...]. That way madness lies. At very least it’s a pernicious abuse of language.”
The post from Dawkins was not surprising, of course; he has long been antagonistic toward the Catholic Church. What was truly shocking were the hundreds of comments that followed of many self-identified Catholics and ex-Catholics who argued that this was not the teaching of the Church, or that they had never heard such a thing, or that no Catholic they ever met believed that it was anything more than symbolic. Read more...
Caregiver Stress
From Familydoctor.com
A caregiver is someone who gives basic care to a person who has a chronic medical condition. A chronic condition is an illness that lasts for a long time or doesn’t go away. Some examples of chronic conditions include:
- cancer
- aftereffects of stroke
- multiple sclerosis
- arthritis
The caregiver helps the person with many tasks. These include shopping, preparing and eating food, cleaning, taking medicine, bathing, and dressing. Caregivers also provide companionship and emotional support. Read more...
In times of need, we call on the patronage of St. Joseph to give us strength, guidance and encouragement. We also need you!
Thank you for your prayers and support.
Bishop John H. Ricard
Superior General
Prayer for 2022 World Day of Prayer for Vocations
Holy Spirit, stir within us the passion to promote vocations to the consecrated life, societies of apostolic life, diocesan priesthood, and permanent diaconate.
Inspire us daily to respond to Your call with boundless compassion, abundant generosity, and radical availability.
Help us to remember our own baptismal call to rouse us to invite the next generation to hear and respond to Your call.
Inspire parents, families, and lay ecclesial ministers to begin a conversation with young Catholics to consider how they will live lives of holiness and sacred service.
Nudge inquirers and motivate discerners to learn more about monastic life, apostolic life, missionaries, cloistered contemplative life, and evangelical Franciscan life.
Ignite our Church with the confident humility that there is an urgent need for religious sisters, brothers, deacons, and priests to live in solidarity with those who are poor, neglected, and marginalized.
Disrupt our comfortable lives and complacent attitudes with new ideas to respond courageously and creatively with a daily 'YES!' Amen.
Black Catholic Spirituality
Deacons Dan Dashner, Ajani Gibson, Michael Lamy, Truong “Peter” Pham and Andrew Sanchez were ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Also ordained to the priesthood was Deacon Thomas Bamoah, who will serve the Diocese of Yendi in his home country of Ghana.
Click map below to find a perpetual adoration chapel near you.
Click cover to enlarge.
The National Black Catholic Congress | 320 Cathedral St. Baltimore, MD 21201 | 410-547-8496
® 2021 The National Black Catholic Congress, All Rights Reserved
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
St. Cecilia and Immaculate Conception Churches are seeking to hire a part-time Administrative Assistant in the church office. The hours are 9:00 am – 2:00 pm Monday – Thursday and 9:00 am – 1:00 pm Friday. The Assistant will report to the Pastor and work alongside office volunteers.
Adoption Resources
1. The National Council For Adoptionhttps://www.adoptioncouncil.org/
2. Adoptive Families http://www.adoptivefamilies.com
3. The Center For Parent Information & Resources http://www.parentcenterhub.org
5. Creating A Family https://creatingafamily.org/adoption/resources/
6. Lifetime Adoption http://lifetimeadoption.com
An Appeal for Your Help
From Beverly Anderson
Josephite parishes and schools were hard hit by Hurricane Ida. Many were damaged by wind and rain and flooding. Some still haven’t had power restored. Those who were evacuated are just now returning to the devastation. As the recovery continues, parishes need your financial assistance.
Please consider making a special donation to help get Josephite parishes operational.
Mark Your Calendars, Plan Your Trips.
The 25th Eucharistic Congress Is Coming On
June 17-18, 2022.
The USCCB Office of African American Affairs offers many race and intercultural competence resources
Download the "African American Men and Women on the Road to Sainthood" Bookmark
“Brothers And Sisters To Us,” National Conference of Catholic Bishops (NCCB), Washington DC 1979
“How Church Teaching Can Help Explain why ‘Black Lives Matter,’" America, Sept 2020
“Fratelli Tutti,” Encyclical Letter of Pope Francis, Vatican City, 2020
The Inner Life and Cultural Competence,” Len Sperry, (found in): The Inner Life of Priests, Liturgical Press, Collegeville, MN, 2008, pp. 59-70
These are just a few of the resources provided. For a complete list, click here.
News
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:
Howard University - Part Time Assistant to Campus Ministry
Position Summary
The mission of the Catholic Archdiocese of Washington is to spread the light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world. In the faithful pursuit of this mission, the Archdiocese is seeking a part-time Assistant to the Campus Minister for the Chaplain of Howard University in the Office of Catholic Campus Ministry. The Assistant to the Campus Minister is responsible for working with the Catholic Chaplain of Howard University to assist with events and programs, including Masses, build relationships, perform office-related functions, and keep the Office of Catholic Campus Ministry informed. The ability to multi-task, focus on detail, and professionally communicate with various internal and external constituents is essential.
PERPETUAL ADORATION
LIVESTREAMED
Cardinal Peter Turkson prefect of the 'Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development', shares how Pope Francis related this great feast to his encyclical 'Laudato Si’. Read more...
The only Catholic bishop who has consistently written on race matters, Bishop Braxton describes his family's history and his experience as an African American that he brought to his ministry as a Catholic priest and bishop.
From CompellingTruth.com
Biblical hermeneutics -- What is it?
Biblical hermeneutics is the field of study related to the interpretation of the Scriptures. Because Christians have historically lived based on the teachings of the Bible, and because "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16-17), a proper interpretation of the Bible's contents is vital. As the apostle Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 2:15, the Christian's goal is to "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth." Read more...
If you or someone you know is having or expressing thoughts of suicide, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Hours: Available 24 hours
Languages: English, Spanish
800-273-8255
Prayers to be said at the elevation of the host at Mass
By Philip Kosloski | Aleteia
When you see the priest elevate the consecrated host, you can pray these prayers. There is a pious custom in the Catholic Church of offering a brief interior prayer at the moment when the priest elevates the consecrated host at Mass. Read more...
His Excellency, The Most Reverend Edward K. Braxton, Ph.D., S.T.D.
Diocese of Belleville
“St. Paul and the Christians in Ephesus”
Sermon: Nineteenth Sunday in
Ordinary Time
Don't do podcasts? Read this article by Gloria at America Magazine:
Yes, God will judge you for your Tweets.
September 23rd:
Today we celebrate the Memorial of St. Padre Pio
- Online Videos
- Articles
- Homilies
- WOF Blog
Father Augustus Tolton Vocation Action Circle
is to encourage our African American Community to pray for priestly vocations. Here’s how it works:
- Make a list of names of Black men and pray daily through the intercession of Fr. Augustus Tolton that they may be granted the grace of a priestly vocation.
- Participate in a monthly Mass offered for an increase of priestly vocations from the African American Community.
- Pray daily for Black seminarians through the intercession of Fr. Augustus Tolton. A list of Black seminarians will be sent to you upon registration in the Fr. Augustus Tolton Vocation Action Circle.
- Write Black seminarians at least at Christmas and Easter to encourage them in their vocation to the priesthood.
- Support financially Black seminarians in need of help through the Fr. Augustus Tolton Vocation Action Circle.
Also ordained was Thomas
Bamoah, for the Diocese
of Yendi, Ghana.
Fr. Thomas Bamoah receives
the anointing of the hands
by Archbishop Aymond.
- diabetes
- Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia
Calendar of Upcoming Events
Dear Black People:
Adoption is a Great Option
By Nsenga K. Burton, Ph.D. | NNPA Newswire
Click image above to download a
pdf of the letter.
Have you considered becoming a priest or religious sister or brother?
"I Leave My Life in Your Hands"
In this video, His Excellency, Bishop Joseph N. Perry of the Archdiocese of Chicago speaks of the need for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
BALTIMORE (AP) — The first new Catholic school built in Baltimore in roughly 60 years opened its doors Monday to hundreds of youngsters, who entered the gleaming new building with a mix of enthusiasm and first-day-back jitters. Read more...
Joyful Mysteries:
Annunciation: humility;
Visitation: love of neighbor;
Birth of Jesus: detachment;
Presentation: obedience;
In the Temple: greater commitment & devotion to Jesus.
Luminous Mysteries:
Baptism: openness to the
Holy Spirit;
Miracle at Cana: Mary’s intercession;
Proclamation of the Kingdom & Repentance: Christian
witness and conversion;
Transfiguration: courage to
bear the cross;
Institution of the Holy Eucharist:
greater love for the Eucharist.
Congratulations to the Newly-Ordained to the Priesthood of Jesus Christ!
When Daniel prayed in the book of Daniel 10, the answers to his prayers were immediately released but was mysteriously delayed.
Amazon Price: $15.95
Portraits of the Black Catholic Men and Women
Rising to Sainthood
Download images by clicking on the portraits below
Click here to read biographies of the Holy Men and Women Rising to Sainthood. Click button under portraits to learn more about each Cause for Canonization.
Are We Fishers of Men or Just Keepers of the Aquarium:
An Invitation to Support
Vagabond Missions
By Dr. Ansel Augustine
Pope Francis continues to inspire and challenge us as all people of varying faiths around the world. He continues to witness to us how we are called to minister to those on the “peripheries” of society. Those that are many times ignored, unseen, or forgotten by society, and sometimes, even by our Church. Since starting ministry over 20 years ago at my home parish, St. Peter Claver in New Orleans, I would receive the random call, or even engage in the community conversations, centered around how we as a Church only minister to those that fit a certain “Catholic image,” and tend to judge and ignore those that do not fit into this “image.” This has always been the work I have done with our Black Catholic communities around the country, specifically with our youth and young adults who continue to try and figure out where they fit into the Church, and our Church trying to figure out where to include them in an authentic way. Read more...
Where to donate to agencies responding to the Haiti earthquake
By Catholic News Service
Numerous organizations, including Catholic agencies, are accepting donations to assist with their emergency response to the Haiti earthquake.
- Catholic Relief Services: online: crs.org; by phone: 877-435-7277 from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern; by mail: P.O. Box 17090, Baltimore, Maryland, 21297-0303. Read more...
Diocese of Phoenix Black Catholic Vocations Initiative
An African American Woman in the Adoption Community
By Deidre Parker | Adoption.org
My county has scheduled tours that go through the property owned by the Quakers that would help slaves go through the woods to freedom in the North. While hiking through the woods and going through this sacred place, our guide mentioned Harriet Tubman. History tells us Harriet Tubman was one of the leaders in the Underground Railroad. It was on that land; we learned that not only did she contribute towards the Underground Railroad, she was also an adoptive mother. Read more...
The National Black Catholic Congress®
Fr. Emmanuel Antwi and Fr. Christopher Awiliba for the Diocese of Savannah.
Hurricane Ida Relief
Hurricane Ida hit the Louisiana area pretty hard. Bishop Shelton Fabre of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux is asking for support as his diocese recovers from the destruction that Ida left in her path. Please click on the letter download the pdf. Donations can be made to Catholic Charities Hurricane Ida Relief, https://catholiccharitiesht.org/ida.
In his apostolic letter, Rosarium Virginis Mariae (RVM), St. John Paul II tells how we are to assimilate the mysteries of the rosary by meditating on the life of Jesus as we contemplate each mystery. When we immerse ourselves into these mysteries, we are rewarded by the "fruits" of the mysteries listed below:
Other Items of Interest
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What can the foster father of Christ teach us about the care for our common home and our neighbors?
2021 IS THE YEAR OF ST. JOSEPH
Praying Aggressively to
Counter Spiritual
Wickedness!
By Rev. Kinglsey Ogbuji, SSJ
Merciful God, we grieve with communities suffering from disasters and struggling to recover. Speed the restoration of community life so children can feel secure again. Give families strength and perseverance while they rebuild their homes and livelihoods. We pray for disaster survivors to find refuge in You. In Jesus Holy Name, Amen.
Our Lady's 15 Promises to Those Who Pray Her Rosary
By Mary Thierfelder | The Catholic Company
The Holy Rosary is an enormous source of grace and spiritual protection, one of the most powerful sacramentals of the Catholic Church. Sister Lucia dos Santos, one of the children to whom Our Lady appeared at Fatima, once said, "There is no problem, no matter how difficult it is, whether temporal or above all spiritual, in the personal life of each one of us, of our families ... that cannot be solved by the Rosary. There is no problem, I tell you, no matter how difficult it is, that we cannot resolve by the prayer of the Holy Rosary."
Click image to download CRS Haiti Earthquake Fact Sheet
FIND INSPIRING RESOURCES HERE
Eucharistic Adoration:What is it and where and how to we celebrate this sacred act?
From Our Sunday Visitor brochure, "Eucharistic Adoration"
'Adoration is essentially an embrace with Jesus in which I say to him: "I am yours, and I ask you, please stay with me always." '
-- Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI
Consider implementing this program in your diocese!
HOW AND WHY THE 5 STEPS CAN HELP
The five action steps for communicating with someone who may be suicidal are supported by evidence in the field of suicide prevention.
ASK
How – Asking the question “Are you thinking about suicide?” communicates that you’re open to speaking about suicide in a non-judgmental and supportive way. Asking in this direct, unbiased manner, can open the door for effective dialogue about their emotional pain and can allow everyone involved to see what next steps need to be taken. Other questions you can ask include, “How do you hurt?” and “How can I help?” Do not ever promise to keep their thoughts of suicide a secret. Read more...
Congratulations to Fr. Wesbee Victor, ordained to the Archdiocese of New York (above).