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Anti-Racism Initiative
“One of he most interesting and faith-filled stories within the Catholic Church in America is that which has been written by African American Catholics. They kept their hands on the plow of faith and their eyes fixed on Jesus. They were persistent and persevere under discouraging times. They were not distracted when face with societal ills and moral misjudgments that forged rocky fields and thorny patches. They kept their hands on the ploy when dark shadows of racism clouded the field. With great self-determination and steadfast activism, African Americans carved a place for themselves within the Catholic Church in America. They kept moving forward, planting seeds everywhere. They established religious orders, formed the first lay religious organization, and call forth vocations at the same time as they built churches and schools. They kept plunging forward, confronting the contradictions that existed within the institution. For only a people who know what they want to plant can look forward to a fruitful future.”
Bishop’s Committee on African American Catholics 1996
Most Rev. Curtis J. Guillory SVD, Auxiliary Bishop of Galveston-Houston 1987-2000
Bishop of Beaumont, Texas 2000-present
“It is essential that the pastors and parish associates working within the African American community become familiar with the richness of African American art and music as well as the art and music of other Black cultures. African American Catholics have become a recognized and articulate component of the Church in the United States. There is a vitality and an enthusiasm in the African American Catholic community. …Elements of the culture of people, who are Black, should not be foreign to the worship and ministry of the local parish and the local church.
Keep Your Hand on the Plow, 1996
http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/projects/violence/resources.shtml
Committee on African American Catholics
National Conference of Catholic Bishops
United States Catholic Conference
http://www.usccb.org/whoweare.shtml
Pearlette E. Springer
African American Ministries, Director
PastoralCenter
9292 Broadway
Merrillville, IN46410
219.769.9292 ext 238
pspringe@dcgary.org
Mission
- To assist African Americans and all peoples of African descent to achieve full effectiveness in he family of God
- To raise the consciousness of all diocesan Catholics to the rich contributions of Africans and African descendants to Catholicism throughout the centuries
- To bring about greater involvement and participation of African Americans and peoples of African descent in the planning and activities of the Church in the Diocese of Gary
- To help promote greater and more effective programs of evangelization in African American communities
Goals/Objectives
- Awareness - develop opportunities of formation facilitated by African/African American Catholics
- Reconciliation - develop strategic plans of evangelization for parishes within communities of people of color
- Amendments - continue to develop formation and spirituality opportunities in the context of culture in respect to the African American community
Purpose
- To provide a forum for African American Catholics to gather and share collective resources and address spiritual needs, issues, and concerns facing the African American communities
- Enhance the growth and development of African American youth and young adults
- To motivate and inspire Catholics to share the Gospel with African Americans
African American Ministry Resources
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African American Ministry Articles
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