3211 Fourth Street, NE, Washington, DC 20017
Telephone: 202-541-3178 
Email:
 dgrimes@usccb.org
 

E-Newsletter of the

Subcommittee on African American Affairs (SAAA) 

December 2015
In This Issue
Read Bishop Shelton Fabre's Advent/Christmas message
Visit the recently updated Resouces page
Building Intercultural Competence for Ministers
Inspiring Interviews for January and February Programming
Actor Needed for Live Drama

Assistant Director African American Affairs

                 

  


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Dear Friends,
 
Blessed Advent and Christmas Season!  I presume you are quite busy with programs and activities for this holy liturgical season, the Jubilee Year of Mercy, Kwanzaa, Martin Luther King birthday observances, Black History Month and countless other responsibilities.  

However, I couldn't let the year transpire without extending my sincere appreciation for the support and affirmation I receive from you.  It is a joy to work with you! 
 
I'd also like to share resources that I hope will make your task easier and give you encouragement to continue.  Although the ministry may change in organizational structure, funding, resources and challenges, it must continue.  

Fr. David Jones in Chicago reminded me that the Scripture is full of references to ministry life.  "How often the disciples were sent to the other side of the sea, away from home and to strange lands...to meet the people, do what the Lord commanded and move on to the next assignment."  So let us continue to share in this ministry which invites the human family into Communio - the unspeakably beautiful life of the Holy Trinity. 

Read Bishop Shelton Fabre's Advent/Christmas message
 
Visited the recently updated Resources page
 
Check out Plenty Good Room: The Spirit and Truth of Black Catholic Worship now available in a downloadable PDF - and just in time for Christmas, Martin Luther King Jr's. birthday and Black History Month liturgies and programs.  Also, see the Young Adult page .    

Building Intercultural Competence for Ministers (BICM) News: 

- Registration is open and space is available for a 2-day  Training of Trainers during the 2016 Mid-Atlantic Conference (MAC) in Baltimore February 4-5, 2016. 

-Save the Date for the first one week BICM seminar to be presented at the Institute for Black Catholic Studies at Xavier University in New Orleans July 4-8, 2016. This training is customized to address issues of particular interest for African American Catholic Ministry today, such as:  How to reach Black Catholics in a Multicultural Context? Best Practices for Ministering within the African diaspora? Appreciating the Catholic Experience through Other Eyes? Registration details to follow.   

Inspiring Interviews for January and February Programming - coming soon!
 

Also, see resources created for the 50th Anniversary Initiative

Actor Needed for Live Drama about Fr. Augustus Tolton, Servant of God 

Saint Luke Productions is developing a live drama portraying the life of Fr. Augustus Tolton. 

Producer Leonardo Defilippis joins Bishop Joseph Perry and many others in promoting the cause for the canonization of Fr. Tolton.  Mr. Defilippis views this as "a spiritual opportunity of evangelization" and "wants everyone to know about Fr. Tolton." At this time, there is an urgent need to find the right actor:  "...a talented, faithful African American Catholic actor to play the role" of Fr. Augustus Tolton. Please direct possible candidates to St. Luke Production's casting call. For more information about the project, visit the  Tolton Dramawebsite.

Please feel free to contact me at 202-541-3178 or dgrimes@usccb.org .

Your Partner in Ministry,
  

Donna Toliver Grimes

Assistant Director - African American Affairs

USCCB Secretariat of Cultural Diversity in the Church