Newsletter Winter 2016/2017 Volume 1 Issue 2 BLACK CATHOLIC HISTORY MONTH DAY OF REFLECTION By Deacon Al Anderson On Saturday, November 19, 2016, the Black Catholic Ministries for the Diocese of Arlington’s Office of Multicultural Ministries presented a DAY OF REFLECTION at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church in Vienna, VA. The day was focused on National Black Catholic Congress XI’s, Principle IX: GETTING MARRIED & STAYING MARRIED The day began with a prayer service which included, as the opening prayer, Prayer for Peace in Our Communities by Therese Wilson-Favors: O Lord our God, in your mercy and kindness, no thought of ours is left unnoticed, no desire or concern ignored. You have proven that blessings abound when we fall on our knees in prayer, and so we turn to you in our hour of need. Surrounded by violence and cries for justice, we hear your voice telling us what is required . “Only to do justice and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God” (Mi 6:8). Fill us with your mercy so that we, in turn, may be merciful to others. Strip away pride, suspicion, and racism so that we may seek peace and justice in our communities. Strengthen our hearts so that they beat only to the rhythm of your holy will. Flood our path with your light as we walk humbly toward a future filled with encounter and unity. Be with us, O Lord, in our efforts, for only by the prompting of your grace can we progress toward virtue. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Copyright © 2016, Therese Wilson-Favors. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Scripture quote taken from the New American Bible, Revised Edition, copyright © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970, Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved.) Office of Multicultural Ministries, 200 North Glebe Road, Suite 820, Arlington, Virginia 22203 Phone: 703 284-9483, Fax: 703 329-0726, Email: [email protected] CHAIRPERSON: Deacon Al Anderson This was followed by a call & response Litany of Black Saints and ended with Langston Hughes’ I Dream A World I dream a world where man No other man will scorn, Where love will bless the earth And peace its paths adorn I dream a world where all Will know sweet freedom’s way, Where greed no longer saps the soul Nor avarice blights our day. A world I dream where black or white, Whatever race you be, Will share the bounties of the earth And every man is free, Where wretchedness will hang its head And joy, like a pearl, Attends the needs of all mankind Of such I dream, my world! The rest of the morning featured presentations on various aspects of the theme by a very illustrious list of couples. Deacon Timothy & Mrs. Jennifer Tilghman discussed “Being Present in Marriage – Coping with obstacles to husbands and wives being truly present to each other in marriage”. Dcn Timothy & Jennifer Tilghman Deacon Al & Mrs. Jane Turner discussed “Chastity for Marriage: In the Beginning” - the practical scriptural and faith roots of male/female relationships”. Dcn Al & Jane Turner The Keynote speakers, Andrew & Terri Lyke discussed "Getting Married and Staying Married - "New Approaches for Catholic Outreach to Black Families ". These new approaches to Catholic marriage ministry are meant to challenge parents, couples, singles, Andrew & Terri Lyke pastoral ministers, catechists, and the entire Faith Community for strengthening marriage among African Americans. 2 There were very lively discussions between the presenters and attendees after each presentation. The feedback we received was very positive. The second half of the Day was devoted to preparing for National Black Catholic Congress XII, which will be held in Orlando, FL from July 6-9, 2017. The afternoon session began with a reflection on the Congress XII theme: "The Spirit of the Lord is Upon Me: act justly, love goodness, and walk humbly with your God". A connection was made between the theme and its basis in scripture, with quotes from Luke 4:18 and Micah 6:8. A brief history of previous Congresses was also presented, including a history of Congress founder Daniel Rudd: from how, after being born into slavery in Bardstown, KY, one of ten children of Catholic slaves, he went on to found the nation’s first Black Catholic Newspaper, American Catholic Daniel Rudd Tribune; to how he eventually founded the Colored Catholic Congress, now known as the National Black Catholic Congress. It was also mentioned that at the closing Mass of the first Congress, the celebrant was none other than Fr. Augustus Tolton, the first recognized black priest of the United States of America, who also has a cause for canonization being considered. The format for the afternoon also included a series of workshops which discussed three topics taken from Congress XII’s Day of Reflection Fr. Augustus Tolton Sample Plan: Spiritual Growth; Activities to Highlight Social Issues; and Youth and Young Adult Activities. The sessions ran concurrently, with each being presented three times. In this way, all attendees got to participate in discussions of each topic. After all the small group workshops were concluded, everyone gathered together for a large group “report back” session which synthesized the results of each topic’s discussions. Spiritual Growth Workshop Social Issues Workshop Youth and Young Adult Workshop 3 The day ended with a Unity Mass Celebrating African, African-American, and Caribbean Catholic Communities (followed by a reception in the Parish Hall). The Celebrant & Homilist for the Mass was Bishop John H. Ricard, S.S.J., Bishop Emeritus, Pensacola-Tallahassee, FL. Bishop Ricard is also the President of the National Black Catholic Congress and Rector of Bishop John H. Ricard, S.S.J. the St. Joseph (Josephite) Seminary in Washington, D.C. Concelebrants included Rev. Matt Hillyard, O.S.F.S from Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church and Fr. Anthony Appiah, Pastor - Ghanaian Catholic Community. Music for the liturgy was provided by the St. Joseph Gospel Choir, and choirs from the Ghanaian and Cameroonian communities. Prayers of the Faithful were offered by members of the Ghanaian, Cameroonian, Caribbean, and Eritrean, and African-American communities. It was a truly glorious day, filled with abundant blessings, warm fellowship, and lively discussions, Heartfelt thanks go out to Corinne Monogue, Director, Arlington Diocese’s Office of Multicultural Ministries and her staff; Merle Senyk, Gerard Hall and the Our Lady of Good Counsel staff; The Knights and Ladies of Peter Claver, and the Black Catholic Ministries team for all their hard work in pulling this event together. Please also enjoy the following pictured, which were taken by Phyllis L. Johnson: 4 5 Prayer Request Ms. Roseann Brent Ms. Dottie Hughes Ms. Winfred Wilson Ms. Therese Didon New Deacons (Diocese of Arlington, VA) Gerard-Marie Anthony Orlando Jesús Barros Thomas Grodek Mark Maines Michael J. O’Neil Timothy Slayte “And if we know that he hears us in regard to whatever we ask, we know that what we have asked him for is ours.” ~1 John 5:15~ Content Black Catholic History Month Day of Reflection, Pgs. 1-5 Prayer Request, Pg. 6 Book Shelf, Pg. 6 BOOK SHELF MLK Mass and Reception, St. Joseph Catholic How to Handle Worry: A Catholic Approach, by Marshall J. Cook Church, Alexandria, VA, Pg. 7 The History of Black Catholics in the United States, by Cyprian Davis Our Lady Queen of Peace Celebrates Martin High of the Hog: A Culinary Journey from Africa to America, Luther King, Jr. Day, January 16, 2017,By by Jessica B. Harris Veronica Dabney, Pg. 8 When Faith Feels Fragile: Help for the Wary, Weak, and Wandering, by R. Scott Hurd The History of the Dr. King celebration at Holy Family Catholic Church, Pg. 9 The Rosary: The Prayer That Saved My Life, by Immaculée Ilibagiza with Steve Erwin Respect Life, Pgs. 10 – 14 Surviving Depression: A Catholic, by J. Hermes, FSP th 135 Anniversary of the death Servant of A Servant of Slaves: The Life of Henriette Delille – A Historical God Mother Mary Lange, OSP, Pg. 15 Novel, by William Kelley For Freedom’s Sake: The Life of Fannie Lou Hamer, by Chana Kai Lee Sisters of the Holy Family Celebrate 175 Persons of Color and Religious at the Same Time: The Oblate Years of Service to the People of God, Sisters of Providence 1828-1860, by Diane Batts Morrow Pgs. 16 -17 Hidden Figures, by Margot Lee Shetterly Up-Coming Events, Pgs. 18 - 21 The Immortal Life of Henriette Lacks, by Rebecca Skloot The Healing of Families, by Fr. Yozefu – B. Ssemakula The Benefits of Walking, Pg. 22 The African American Experience: Black History and Culture, Edited by Kai Wright RIP, Deacon Alex C. Jones (Retired), Pg. 23 6 Martin Luther King, Jr. Mass and Reception St. Joseph Catholic Church, Alexandria, VA Celebrant: Bishop Michael F. Burbidge Pastor: Fr. Donald Fest SSJ Deacon: Al Anderson January 15, 2017 All photos taken by P.L. Johnson 7 Our Lady Queen of Peace Celebrates Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, January 16, 2017 By Veronica Dabney The theme for OLQP’s 2017 Martin Luther King program was “Peace, Tolerance and Unity for a New Generation”. That theme was chosen as a call to envision what Dr. King would have dreamed for young people in this time, and to recall the challenges they faced in his time. Again this year Monique O’Grady, as emcee, offered welcoming remarks, and then expertly led the congregation through the program. The 9:30 Gospel Choir provided uplifting music, led for the first time at the MLK program by Director, Kristofer Pandifer .