Addressing an estimated 3,000 African American Catholics from 80 dioceses across the United States gathered for Congress XIII of the National Black Catholic Congress in the Washington, D.C., area from July 20-23, Cardinal Wilton Gregory welcomed them to “a family reunion,” and encouraged them to center their lives on the Eucharist in order to bring Christ’s love and hope to the world.
Black Catholic Ministry
At Black Catholic Congress Youth Town Hall, Cardinal Gregory and Bishop Steib discuss vocations, community and racism
At a July 20 town hall gathering with Catholic youth at the National Black Catholic Congress XII, Washington Cardinal Wilton Gregory joined Bishop J. Terry Steib, the bishop emeritus of Memphis, Tennessee in encouraging young people to keep the faith and follow their dreams.
Archbishop Lori: National Black Catholic Congress is ‘vitally important’
Archbishop William E. Lori, himself a delegate to the NBCC, said that the congress is and has been “vitally important” for the Archdiocese of Baltimore because it enables “the Black Catholic community to come together to acknowledge and share their gifts, to discuss pastoral needs and opportunities, and to plan for evangelization, to plan for exerting influence and even transformation in the life of the larger church, and particularly on issues of combating racism.”
Black, African Catholic national gatherings nurture missionary disciples for church, society
Three events in July are bringing Black and African Catholics from across the country together in faith, fellowship and a deeper understanding of missionary discipleship.
Be disciples mindful of Jesus’ humanity, cardinal tells Knights of Peter Claver and Ladies Auxiliary
In order to consider the parables of Jesus Christ with empathy, keep in mind the fullness of Jesus’ humanity and ability to tell stories with a sense of humor, Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory of Washington said in a July 16 homily.
Take heart, press forward
Congress XIII participants can take heart from the consecrated men and women who for decades courageously spoke truth to power as they called for the inclusion of the cultural contributions of Black Catholics to the Catholic Church during those troubling times before the Baltimore-based National Black Catholic Congress Inc. (NBCC) was established.
‘The Ark and The Dove’ podcast explores racism and Black experience in Catholic Church
Taking its name from the two companion ships that brought English Catholic settlers to Maryland in 1634, the four-episode podcast features interviews with clergy and subject-matter experts as it examines the roles and experiences of Black Catholics in the church, and America as a whole.
‘Signs and times’: What about Sister Wilhelmina?
Since the discovery of Sister Wilhelmina’s intact remains, four aspects of the story have many asking, “What is happening and what does it mean?”
‘Exciting times’ for Baltimore and Oblate Sisters as Mother Lange’s sainthood cause advances
Catholics throughout the Archdiocese of Baltimore rejoiced June 22 at the prospects of one of their own moving closer to sainthood. Mother Lange, also the founder of the Baltimore-based Oblate Sisters of Providence, was declared venerable when Pope France signed a decree recognizing her as having “lived the Christian virtues in a heroic way. “
Juneteenth offers important reminder to work for freedom, justice today, cardinal says
Celebrating a special Mass June 18 at Mount Calvary Parish in Forestville to commemorate the next day’s Juneteenth federal holiday, Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory of Washington said that historic event offers an important reminder to work for freedom and justice.
Oblate Sisters celebrate 10th anniversary of transfer of Mother Lange’s remains
It’s been 10 years since the remains of Mother Mary Lange were transferred from New Cathedral Cemetery in Baltimore to the Our Lady of Mount Providence Convent Chapel of the Oblate Sisters of Providence in Arbutus.
Head of bishops’ anti-racism committee praises investigations into racist histories
Ahead of the U.S. bishops’ meeting in Orlando, Fla., June 14-16, Bishop Joseph N. Perry said that new investigations by church institutions into their involvement with slavery and Indian boarding schools are “very healthy” and aid a collective examination of conscience.