First-appointed delegate to Black Catholic community excited to begin ministry 

The month of May transformed Deacon Darron Woodus’ ministry. The 56-year-old was ordained May 10 as a permanent deacon for the Archdiocese of Baltimore and appointed by Archbishop William E. Lori as the archbishop’s first delegate for Black Catholics, a newly created role supporting Black Catholic communities throughout the archdiocese. 

“Two-thirds of my life right now is new,” Deacon Darron said, with a chuckle, as he sat in his office at Holy Family in Randallstown, where he is pastoral associate and director of parish operations. “I live about 15 minutes from here. I’ve kind of enjoyed that 15-minute drive.” 

Deacon Woodus said he envisions supporting the archdiocese’s predominantly Black parishes, particularly five in Baltimore – St. Veronica in Cherry Hill, St. Francis Xavier in East Baltimore, St. Ambrose in Park Heights, New All Saints in Liberty Heights and St. Bernardine in Edmonson Village, where he also serves as deacon. 

“We all worship as Catholics,” he said. “The Mass is the same no matter where you go, but there are some culturalizations that are unique to communities. And part of my role is to support that.” 

One priority, he said, will be helping communities continue healing after the archdiocese’s Seek the City to Come pastoral planning initiative reduced the number of parishes in Baltimore City and the surrounding area from 61 to 30. 

Deacon Woodus noted that parishes depend on financial resources to support staff, celebrate the liturgy and sustain their ministries. As parishes navigate changing patterns of worship and as some people choose to worship elsewhere, he said, providing those resources can become increasingly challenging.  

Attracting people to the church and keeping them in the Church, he said, is “key.” 

“How do we reimagine the church and evangelize and get people to come back to the Church?” he asked. “How do we continue to evangelize where people feel welcome? How do we maintain what we have and grow with what we had? It’s not an easy thing to do, but that’s what we’re called to do.” 

After drifting away from the Church in high school, Deacon Woodus returned to his faith following college when he began helping prepare the altar for Mass. 

“The next thing you know, they weren’t setting up for Mass anymore. It was just me,” he said with a laugh. 

The experience deepened his commitment to the Church and eventually led him from a successful banking career into ministry. 

“It’s not easy to just drop it and say, ’You know, I want to go work for the Church,’” said Deacon Woodus, who has been married for a decade and has four children. “I was too afraid to let go. God had to work through me to say, “It’s time to let go.’” 

Established in 1990, the Office of Black Catholic Ministries preserves Black Catholic heritage while supporting the community’s spiritual, educational and social needs. Previously led by a director, it is now guided by Deacon Woodus, who brings a “strong record of dedicated service and a deep love for our Lord, the Church and the community,” according to Archbishop William E. Lori. 

“Throughout his ministry, Deacon Woodus has demonstrated a gift for connecting with people in a pastoral and personal way, meeting them where they are and accompanying them in faith,” Archbishop Lori said. “I am grateful for his willingness to serve and confident that he will continue to strengthen and advance the mission of Black Catholic Ministry throughout the Archdiocese of Baltimore.” 

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