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Brandon “B.J.” Pinkney (left), a parishioner of St. Bernardine in Baltimore, is among a delegation from the Archdiocese of Baltimore attending World Youth Day events in Panama. (Courtesy Archdiocese of Baltimore)

Door opens to Panama for Baltimore parishioner

January 23, 2019
By Paul McMullen
Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, World Youth Day Panama 2019, Young Adult Ministry, Youth Ministry

St. Bernardine parishioner Ashley Pearson’s plans to attend World Youth Day changed when she became pregnant with a son, Kendall, who was born Christmas Eve. (Courtesy Ashley Pearson)

While Brandon “B.J.” Pinkney hopes to improve his prayer life at 2019 World Youth Day, it’s hard to imagine him coming home with any more gratitude than what he took to Panama.

Pinkney is among the Archdiocese of Baltimore contingent at the Jan. 22-27 gathering. He knows that he wouldn’t be there without the generosity of his home parish, St. Bernardine – and fellow youth minister, St. Frances Academy alum and Baltimore City public school educator Ashley Pearson.

According to Monsignor Richard Bozzelli, their pastor, Pearson elicited the parish’s help to send her to Panama, and organized a talent show and other fundraisers to that end. Those plans changed, however, when she became pregnant with a son, Kendall, who was born Christmas Eve.

Looking to find someone to go to Panama in her place, Pearson turned to Pinkney.

Why?

“I’ve known B.J. for more than 20 years, and he has a lot of positive ways about him,” she said. “He likes to take on challenges. He’s more than willing to do whatever is necessary for the church and the community. You want to send someone you trust to represent the parish and Baltimore.”

Pearson, who has a master’s degree in education from Notre Dame of Maryland University, teaches fifth grade at Frederick Elementary School. Pinkney, who began his education at the former Father Charles Hall School in West Baltimore, is the principal of Walter P. Carter Elementary School.

“When Ashley came to me, I initially told her that I don’t have time to go (to Panama), but then things fell into place,” Pinkney said. “I’m hoping to gain a better prayer life, to receive additional direction from God in experiencing the power of prayer.”

He comes from a family with deep roots at St. Bernardine, where he was baptized. When Pearson’s baby is baptized there, he’ll stand as the godfather.

Monsignor Bozzelli gained an appreciation for Pinkney during a parish youth and young adult ministry day, when he was the primary speaker.

“He was dynamic, and faith-filled,” Monsignor Bozzelli said. “I was very impressed with his witness.”

 

Email Paul McMullen at pmcmullen@CatholicReview.org

 

 

 

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Paul McMullen

Paul McMullen, a resident of Austin, Texas, served as the managing editor of the Catholic Review from 2008 until his retirement in September 2021.

The author of two books, Paul has been involved in local media since age 12, when he began delivering The News American to 80 homes in his neighborhood. He began his journalism career with the Capital-Gazette Newspapers in Anne Arundel County, and spent more than 25 years as a sports writer for The Sun in Baltimore. His favorite writing assignments have included the Summer Olympics in Australia and Greece, the Archdiocese of Baltimore's response to the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, and “Feet for Francis,” a 2015 walking pilgrimage from the Baltimore Basilica to Philadelphia to see Pope Francis.

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