One of the 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 persevered under discouraging times. They were not distracted when
faced with societal ills and moral misjudgments that forged rocky fields and thorny
patches. They kept their hands on the plow 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 called 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.
Most Rev. Curtis J. Guillory, SVD Bishop of Galveston-Houston
Bishop‘s Committee on African American Catholics, 1996
The Purpose
The Office of African American Ministry serves to motivate and
inspire Catholics to share the Gospel with African Americans. 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 youth ministers. Develop methods of
evangelization within the context of the social and economic conditions of the African
American Community. Full participation of African American Catholics in the life of the
Church, a greater appreciation and inclusion go their gifts in liturgical celebrations and
in the work of evangelization, and efforts to achieve a balance of unity and diversity in
a multicultural Church.
Vision 2000
Educate parishes about African American liturgies, worship & music.
"..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," the U.S. bishops urged in a
November 1989 statement titled Here I am, Send Me: A Conference Response to the
Evangelization of African Americans and the National Black Catholic Pastoral Plan. The
bishops said: "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," said the bishops.
taken in parts from: Keep Your Hand on the Plow, 1996;
Committee on African American Catholics,
National Conference of Catholic Bishops,
United States Catholic Conference
The Mission Statement
The Office of African American Catholic Ministry of the
Diocese of Gary seeks: to assist African American Catholics to achieve full effectiveness
in the 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 in planning and
activities of the church in the Diocese of Gary; and, to help promote greater and more
effective programs of evangelization in African American communities.
CONTACT INFO
Pearlette E. Springer African American Ministries Coordinator Pastoral Center
9292 Broadway
Merrilliville, IN 46410
219.769.9292, Ext. 238 email
