On Saturday, November 19, 2016, the Black Catholic Ministries for the Diocese of Arlington’s
Office of Multicultural Ministries presented a DAY OF REFLECTION at Our Lady of Good
Counsel Catholic Church in Vienna, VA. The day was focused on National Black Catholic Congress
XI’s, Principle IX: GETTING MARRIED & STAYING MARRIED
The day began with a prayer service which included, as the opening prayer, Prayer for Peace in
Our Communities by Therese Wilson-Favors:
O Lord our God, in your mercy and kindness, no thought of ours is left unnoticed, no desire or concern ignored. You have proven that blessings abound when we fall on our knees in prayer, and so we turn to you in our hour of need. Surrounded by violence and cries for justice, we hear your voice telling us what is required . . . “Only to do justice and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God” (Mi 6:8). Fill us with your mercy so that we, in turn, may be merciful to others. Strip away pride, suspicion, and racism so that we may seek peace and justice in our communities. Strengthen our hearts so that they beat only to the rhythm of your holy will. Flood our path with your light as we walk humbly toward a future filled with encounter and unity. Be with us, O Lord, in our efforts, for only by the prompting of your grace can we progress toward virtue. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Office of Multicultural Ministries, 200 North Glebe Road, Suite 820, Arlington, Virginia 22203 Phone: 703 284-9483, Fax: 703 329-0726, Email: [email protected]
CHAIRPERSON: Deacon Al Anderson
Newsletter Winter 2016/2017
Volume 1 Issue 2
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DcnAl&JaneTurner
Andrew&TerriLyke
This was followed by a call & response Litany of Black Saints and ended with Langston
Hughes’ I Dream A World
I dream a world where man No other man will scorn, Where love will bless the earth And peace its paths adorn I dream a world where all Will know sweet freedom’s way, Where greed no longer saps the soul Nor avarice blights our day. A world I dream where black or white, Whatever race you be, Will share the bounties of the earth And every man is free, Where wretchedness will hang its head And joy, like a pearl, Attends the needs of all mankind Of such I dream, my world!
The rest of the morning featured presentations on various aspects of the theme by a very
illustrious list of couples.
Deacon Timothy & Mrs. Jennifer Tilghman discussed “Being
Present in Marriage – Coping with obstacles to husbands and wives
being truly present to each other in marriage”.
Deacon Al & Mrs. Jane Turner discussed “Chastity for
Marriage: In the Beginning” - the practical scriptural and faith roots
of male/female relationships”.
The Keynote speakers, Andrew & Terri Lyke discussed "Getting
Married and Staying Married - "New Approaches for Catholic
Outreach to Black Families ". These new approaches to Catholic
marriage ministry are meant to challenge parents, couples, singles,
pastoral ministers, catechists, and the entire Faith Community for
There were very lively discussions between the presenters and attendees after each
presentation. The feedback we received was very positive.
The second half of the Day was devoted to preparing for National Black Catholic
Congress XII, which will be held in Orlando, FL from July 6-9, 2017.
The afternoon session began with a reflection on the Congress XII theme: "The Spirit of the Lord is Upon Me: act justly, love goodness, and walk humbly with your God". A connection was made between the theme and its basis in scripture, with quotes from Luke 4:18 and Micah 6:8. A brief history of previous Congresses was also presented, including a history of Congress founder Daniel Rudd: from how, after being born into slavery in Bardstown, KY, one of ten children of Catholic slaves, he went on to found the nation’s first Black Catholic Newspaper, American Catholic
Tribune; to how he eventually founded the Colored Catholic Congress, now known as the
National Black Catholic Congress.
It was also mentioned that at the closing Mass of the first Congress,
the celebrant was none other than Fr. Augustus Tolton, the first
recognized black priest of the United States of America, who also has a
cause for canonization being considered.
The format for the afternoon also included a series of workshops
which discussed three topics taken from Congress XII’s Day of Reflection
Sample Plan: Spiritual Growth; Activities to Highlight Social Issues; and Youth and Young
Adult Activities. The sessions ran concurrently, with each being presented three times. In this
way, all attendees got to participate in discussions of each topic. After all the small group
workshops were concluded, everyone gathered together for a large group “report back” session
which synthesized the results of each topic’s discussions.
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BishopJohnH.Ricard,S.S.J.
The day ended with a Unity Mass Celebrating African,
African-American, and Caribbean Catholic Communities
(followed by a reception in the Parish Hall). The Celebrant &
Homilist for the Mass was Bishop John H. Ricard, S.S.J., Bishop
Emeritus, Pensacola-Tallahassee, FL. Bishop Ricard is also the
President of the National Black Catholic Congress and Rector of
the St. Joseph (Josephite) Seminary in Washington, D.C.
Concelebrants included Rev. Matt Hillyard, O.S.F.S from Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic
Church and Fr. Anthony Appiah, Pastor - Ghanaian Catholic Community. Music for the liturgy
was provided by the St. Joseph Gospel Choir, and choirs from the Ghanaian and Cameroonian
communities. Prayers of the Faithful were offered by members of the Ghanaian, Cameroonian,
Caribbean, and Eritrean, and African-American communities.
It was a truly glorious day, filled with abundant blessings, warm fellowship, and lively
discussions, Heartfelt thanks go out to Corinne Monogue, Director, Arlington Diocese’s Office
of Multicultural Ministries and her staff; Merle Senyk, Gerard Hall and the Our Lady of Good
Counsel staff; The Knights and Ladies of Peter Claver, and the Black Catholic Ministries team
for all their hard work in pulling this event together.
Please also enjoy the following pictured, which were taken by Phyllis L. Johnson:
Our Lady Queen of Peace Celebrates Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, January 16, 2017
By Veronica Dabney
The theme for OLQP’s 2017 Martin Luther King program was “Peace, Tolerance and Unity for a New Generation”. That theme was chosen as a call to envision what Dr. King would have dreamed for young people in this time, and to recall the challenges they faced in his time. Again this year Monique O’Grady, as emcee, offered welcoming remarks, and then expertly led the congregation through the program. The 9:30 Gospel Choir provided uplifting music, led for the first time at the MLK program by Director, Kristofer Pandifer . A cross section of OLQP members, representing the diversity of the membership, offered words from the Bible (read by Chuck Moran and Adriana Rodrigues), and quotations from Dr. King’s letters, speeches and books.
The young people—Claire Cullather, Sam Stewart, and Daniel Skoloda--read thematic quotations that spoke to Dr. King’s vision for children.. Adults read quotations that recalled how Dr. King spoke to Peace, Tolerance and Unity in his day. The quotations were read by: Wilfred Braveboy, Cynthia Brown, Keren Charles, Koube Ngaaje, Maria Munoz, and Dr. Shiela Harmon-Martin.
To end the program, Fr. Tim Hickey, Pastor, delivered a homily that was a fitting and sometimes very personal tribute to the life and words of Dr. King that called on the congregation to work toward perfecting the themes of the program in their own lives. With regard to tolerance, he suggested moving beyond it, because tolerance implies “putting up with” people who don’t look like ourselves. . He urged that we work instead for acceptance and empathy toward other people. He then
asked us to “Lift Ev’ry Voice” and pass on, especially to our children, the program’s message of “Peace, Tolerance (acceptance) and Unity.”
The program was followed by a reception in the Founders Room.
Project Christmas Angel Wrapping Party volunteers wrapped gifts for 387
children of incarcerated or recently released parents. With three gifts per child, that’s over 1,100 gifts that volunteers helped wrap on Wednesday night.
St. Joseph Catholic Church, Alexandria, VA and Knights of Peter Claver Council, Court, Jr. Daughters and Jr. Knights participated in the Wrapping party.
╬ 40 Days for Life: March 1, 2017- April 09, 2017 – Vigil held at Alexandria Women's Health Clinic located on the 2nd floor of the Landmark Towers Apartment Bldg., 101 South Whiting Street, Alexandria, Virginia. Vigil times will be 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM throughout the campaign.
╬ Gabriel Project Arlington (GPA) helps pregnant women with long or short-
term needs by offering assistance at the parish level. Interested in volunteering go to https://www.arlingtondiocese.org/familylife/gabriel_volunteer.aspx
╬ PROJECT RACHEL is post-abortion healing ministry open to anyone who seeks healing after abortion. We want to reach out to you with the mercy and love of Christ and help you be at peace with yourself and God.
MONTHLY HOLY HOURS - 7:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month, for Eucharistic adoration at St. Mary of Sorrows Historic Church as we pray for the healing of our culture and an end to abortion.
╬ St. Joseph Catholic Church, Alexandria, VA – Monday Holy Hour from 7:00 pm – 8pm
Sisters of the Holy Family Celebrate 175 Years of Service to the People of God
Twenty years before the Civil War of the United States, and before it was legal for such a Congregation to exist, on November 21, 1842, the Sisters of the Holy Family were founded in New Orleans, Louisiana by Henriette Delille, a free woman of color. Co-foundresses of this religious community of African-American women were Juliette Gaudin and Josephine Charles. Destined by the mores of the time to live a life of ease in the tradition of their female ancestors, Henriette, Juliette, and Josephine dared to break away from that pattern of life. Instead, these women chose to follow God's call. In following Him, they taught the slaves, cared for the elderly, and shared what they had with the poor and the needy.
VenerableHenrietteDelille,1812-1862“ServantofSlaves” The Sisters have not only served the New Orleans community, but also many people throughout cities in Louisiana; Texas, California, in Washington, D.C., Oklahoma, Alabama, Florida, Belize, and Panama Central America; and Benin City, Nigeria, Africa. Venerable Henriette Delille is the first United States native-born African American whose cause for canonization has been officially opened by the Catholic Church. In 2017, culminating a yearlong celebration, the Sisters of the Holy Family will celebrate their 175th anniversary. Followingisalistoftheircelebratoryevents:January25,2016FeedingofSeniorsandthePoorMotherhouseGrounds6901ChefMenteurBlvd.
v Tojoinincelebrationofthisprayerfulevent,theBlackCatholicMinistriesoftheCatholicDioceseofArlington’sOfficeofMulticulturalMinistrieswillhostaBlackCatholicRosaryAcrossAmericaforLifeonMonday,February6,2017atnoon.*Seefliersonpages19-21.
v OurLadyQueenofPeaceChurch,2017BlackHistoryMonthProgram Saturday,February18,2017,6:30PM,OLQPFoundersRoom, 2700So.19thSt.,Arl.ington,VA22204 FeaturedSpeaker:Sia.BarbaraKamara Chair,WestAfricanMinistryFaithUnitedChurchofChrist,Wash.D.C. Introductionby:Dr.RobertEfimba 2017Theme:“TheCrisisinBlackEducation” ProgramFocus:EducationinLiberiaandtheDiaspora AReceptionFollowstheProgram
v 2017ASBCHBCUCollegeFestival-Saturday,February18,2017–Doorsopenat9:00amT.C.WilliamsHighSchool–3330KingSt,Alexandria,VA22302
v Men’sConference,March04,2017,8:50am–3:30pmatJoseph’s,750PeachtreeStreet,Herndon,VA.Theme:“GirdingforBattle”.Presenters:BishopBurbidge,Dr.ScottHahn,Dr.RalphMartin,andFr.JamesSearby.Cost:$55.00
Toregistergotowww.arlingtondiocese.org/men
v Women’sConference,March11,2017,9:00am–2:30pmatSt.JosephChurch,Herndon,VA”“BreakingFreeThroughForgiveness,”presenter:ImmaculéeIlibagizaandMasswithBishopBurbidge.Cost:$55.00
Toregistergotowww.arlingtondiocese.org/women
v SistersintheSpirit,CatholicDioceseofArlington InviteyoutojointheirAnnual“Women’sHistoryMonthCelebration”:Prayer,Song, Spirit-FilledFellowship,AwardPresentations,withaDynamic,Inspired SpiritualitySpeaker.KeynoteSpeaker:Dr.C.VanessaWhite,Renowned Speaker,EducatorandEvangelist. Location:St.JosephCatholicChurch,711NorthColumbusStreet,Alexandria,VA. DateandTime:March25,2017,11:00am–3:00pm,Reserveseat,mailcheckto: SistersintheSpirit,P.O.Box2017,Spotsylvania,VA22553. Cost:$20.00
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The National Day of Prayer
for the African American and African Family
This special day of prayer was founded by Fr. James Goode, OFM in 1989. It is a day set aside to give special thanks to God for our families and place our every care in the arms of Jesus. It occurs each year on the First Sunday in February, Black History Month. This is the 29th year that this event has been celebrated. The theme for this year is “Stand For What You Believe In”.
Let Us Pray: God of Mercy and Love
we place our African American and African Families before You today. May we be proud of our history and never forget those who paid a great price for our
liberation. Bless us one by one and keep our hearts and minds fixed on higher ground.
Help us to live for you and not for ourselves, and May we cherish and proclaim the gift of life.
Bless our parents, guardians and grandparents, relatives and friends. Give us the amazing grace to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world.
Help us, as Your children, to live in such a way that the beauty and greatness of authentic love Is reflected in all that we say and do.
Give a healing anointing to those less fortunate, especially the motherless, the fatherless, the broken, the sick and the lonely.
Bless our departed family members and friends. May they be led into the light of Your dwelling place
where we will never grow old, where we will share the fullness of redemption and shout the victory for all eternity.
This we ask in the Precious Name of Jesus, our Savior and Blessed Assurance. Amen. Holy Mary, Mother of Our Families, pray for us
Prayer composed by Fr. Jim Goode, OFM, See the attached flyer for suggestions for celebrating the day
Black Catholic Rosary Across America for Life
To join in celebration of this prayerful event, the Black Catholic Ministries of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington’s Office of Multicultural Ministries will host a Black Catholic Rosary Across America for Life on Monday, February 6, 2017 at noon.
To participate in this “conference call” style rosary, call (641) 715-3580 - enter the Access Code – 951981
ALL ARE WELCOME!
For what do you stand?
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NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE AFRICAN AMERICAN
AND AFRICAN FAMILY
STAND FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN!
The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of
comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.
Martin Luther King, Jr
FAMILY LIFE SUPPORTERS: BLACK AND INDIAN MISSION THE JOSEPHITES SOCIETY OF THE DIVINE WORD ORDER OF FRIARS MINOR SOLID GROUND FRANCISCAN MINISTRY VENERABLE PIERRE TOUSSAINT SCHOLARSHIP FUND OFFICE OF BLACK MINISTRY, ARCHDIOCESE OF NEW YORK NATIONAL BLACK CATHOLIC APOSTOLATE FOR LIFE NATIONAL BLACK CATHOLIC CLERGY CAUCUS NATIONAL BLACK SISTERS' CONFERENCE KNIGHTS OF PETER CLAVER AND LADIES AUXILIARY USCCB SECRETARIAT FOR CULTURAL DIVERSITY IN THE CHURCH
HOW TO CELEBRATE THIS DAY
WORSHIP together at the Eucharistic Table and pray as a family on the National Day of Prayer for the African American and African Family
Celebrate a meal together and tell your FAMILY STORY Set aside some time together to discuss what you are willing to stand for:
Stand for what you believe in (feel free to add to the list)
I WILL STAND FOR Jesus Christ, the same yesterday and forever The Eucharist Respect Life Justice and Peace The end of racism and hate The end of abortion all acts of violence
I WILL STAND FOR Respect for the family, especially our elders Respect for our women and children
I WILL STAND FOR the protection of our environment and all creation
I WILL STAND With the poor and oppressed With the forgotten, unwanted and unwelcome.
A Work of Mercy
As a family, prepare and give a meal to a family in need in your own family or
local community, in observance of the National Day of Prayer
for the African American and African Family
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29th National Day of Prayer for the African American and African Family
To join in celebration of this prayerful event, the Black Catholic Ministries of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington’s Office of Multicultural Ministries will host a
Black Catholic Rosary Across America for Life (Monday, February 6, 2017 at noon, EST)
Opening Prayer by Fr. James E. Goode, OFM, Ph.D. Founder of the National Day of Prayer for the African American and African Family
Rosary Leader Sr. Greta Jupiter, SSF Congregational Leader Sisters of the Holy Family New Orleans, LA
Rosary Leader Deacon Gerard-Marie Anthony Ordained January 14, 2017 Masters in Counseling Student Divine Mercy University
To participate in this “conference call” style rosary, call (641) 715-3580 - enter the Access Code – 951981
ALL ARE WELCOME!
Rosary Leader Sister Mary Alexis Fisher, OSP Superior General Oblate Sisters of Providence Baltimore, MD
Rosary Leader Very Rev. Roderick Coates, SSJ Vicar General Society of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart (The Josephites)
Rosary Leader Corinne Monogue Director, Office of Multicultural Ministries Catholic Diocese of Arlington
