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) 

February 2016
In This Issue
See the Assistant Director - African American Affairs' Winter Reflection
Note 6 Fantastic Opportunities to Gather Black Catholics
Update on Resources

Assistant Director African American Affairs

                 

  


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Dear Companions on the Journey, 
 
I extend warm greetings to you from cold temps that finally reached Washington DC. Happy Black History Month and blessings on your Lenten Journey. May this be a special time of growth in your life and ministry.

Note 6 Fantastic Opportunities to Gather Black Catholics:  
 
Bring the people out for exciting events that focus specifically on ministry with men and boys, married couples and families, youth and young adults; and cultivating the knowledge, skills and abilities needed for intercultural competency in pastoral ministry today. Also visit our events  page for additional items. 

National Black Catholic Marriage & Family Life Symposium and Pre-Conference
Training: M arch 4-5, 2016 (Pre-Conference
March 3), Shaumberg IL - More than a conference, this gathering is foundational to the goals of the emerging collaboration between the National Association of Black Catholic africanamerican_wedding.jpg Administrators (NABCA) and the National Association of Catholic Family Life Ministers (NACFLM). In the Pre-Conference, Ministry With Families -101, participants will help to provide a core base of leadership in Catholic Family Life Ministry among African Americans. See the flyer for further details.

National African American Catholic Youth & Young Adult Ministry Network Meeting:  
March 6-7, 2016, Atlanta GA - This annual meeting is geared to youth ministers who serve African American and diverse communities. Reap benefits of in-service training, sharing of best practices and train-the-trainer sessions. See the two flyers for details and to register for the event and/or nominate someone for the Arnetta Hogan Lifetime Achievement Award.

Interregional African American Catholic Evangelization Conference: June 9-12, 2016,
Louisville, KY - Attend life giving, energizing and enriching workshops targeting more than a dozen ministry areas, all focusing on African American outreach and evangelization. Save the Date

Institute for Black Catholic Studies (IBCS Summer Program) at Xavier University in New Orleans: Three weeks of dynamic learning and community enrichment, June 27 - July 15, 2016. Sign-up for 1, 2 or 3 weeks.

SPECIAL NOTE - Building Intercultural Competence for Ministers (BICM). 
IBCS Week 2, July 4-8, 2016, USCCB & IBCS will present a first-time offering of BICM customized to address issues of particular interest for African American Catholic Ministry today. In addition to the core BICM curriculum, the seminar will explore issues such as: How to Reach Black Catholics in a Multicultural Context? What are Best Practices for Ministry within the African diaspora? Appreciating the Catholic Experience through Other Eyes. Contact: Donna Grimes - dgrimes@usccb.org or 202-541-3178 or visit www.ibcsxula.com.

African National Eucharistic Congress - Save the Date: August 5-7 in Washington DC. "The African Catholic Family, a gift to the Church in America." View program details and updates as they become available. Register online today!

Blessed is the Man who is Faithful, Fearless, & Fruitful: National Black Catholic Men's Conference " October 6-9, 2016, October 6-9, 2016, Philadelphia PA - For men and boys (8-13)
Reduced rate for high school/college students and further reduced for youth. To learn
more, visit
www.bowmanfrancisministry.com  or call Fr. Chester Smith (317-259-0144). For more information and registration form.


Update on Resources

a. Use the PDF as a quick reference to key resources, including the 2016 National Day of Prayer for the African American and African Family and Plenty Good Room: The Spirit and Truth of African American Catholic Worship. Or visit to the USCCB's African American Affairs Timely Resources page.

b. Watch Interviews  of Black Catholics speaking of their experiences concerning the Church and the Civil Rights Movement. Check-out the newly posted interview of Fr. Manuel Williams, Pastor of Resurrection Catholic Missions in Montgomery AL and Resurrection parishioner, civil rights attorney, jurist and advocate Mr. Milton Davis. Also, view conversations with Mr. Ronald Jackson, Senior Director of Government Affairs at Catholic Charities USA, Mr. Ralph McCloud, Director of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, and Ms. Kimberly Mazyck, Relationship Manager at Catholic Relief Services. On other videos, hear reflections from Bishop John Ricard and watch Sr. Thea Bowman's historic address to the U.S. Catholic Bishops. Great to watch with others during Black History Month or anytime!
 
c. Visit WeAreSaltAndLight to educate your network about Catholic social teaching and tradition. Equip the community you serve with prayers, advocacy skills, success stories, information about issues that matter to people of faith and so much more "The biblical call to charity, justice and peace claims not only each believer, but each community" (USCCB, Communities of Salt and Light, 1994). Check out this fully up-to-date online clearinghouse and share it on social media! 
 

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