African American Affairs E-Newsletter
  December 2018 
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Whether you are gliding, sliding or cruising toward the end of the calendar year, at this moment there is much for which we can thank God. Almighty, merciful and faithful Lord we thank you for good health, the support of family, true friends, and noteworthy accomplishments in the ministry.
 
Last month, by a nearly unanimous vote, the U.S. Catholic bishops issued Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love - A Pastoral Letter Against Racism. Available for free download , the document was published in Origins on November 29, 2018 (Volume 48, Number 27) and may be ordered in booklet form through the  USCCB Store for the list price of $6.95 each (Product #7-606). Bulletin inserts, educational resources, homily helps and numerous other parish resources are available now.
 
How will you insure that this message is animated in your (arch)diocese? Let me know through event notices, testimonials, photographs and video clips. In the coming months, with your permission, this newsletter will highlight local examples. 
Note 3 Essential Ingredients for a Vibrant African American Catholic Ministry and One Powerful Example  
 
Note 3 Essential Ingredients for a Vibrant African American Catholic Ministry and one Powerful Example. Read the Assistant Director's   Reflection  and learn how the Archdiocese of Louisville mixes these ingredients at the Catholic Enrichment Center

Plan to Attend the Mid-Atlantic Congress (MAC) February 13-16, 2019 in Baltimore, MD.
 

Plan to attend the Mid-Atlantic Congress (MAC) February 13-16, 2019 in Baltimore MD.
Below are sessions that may be of special interest for African American Catholic Ministry:

 
  • Secretariat of Cultural Diversity in the Church - Building Intercultural Competence for Ministers (BICM) Training, 5 modules, a MAC Intensive, Wednesday February 13 - Friday February 15. 
  • Donna Grimes, USCCB Cultural Diversity - African American Affairs and Joe Paprocki of Loyola Press, Bootcamp for Catechetical leaders, Thursday, February 14, 8:30 - 11:30 am, six critical aspects of catechetical leadership drawing from the Effective Catechetical Leader series from NCCL and Loyola Press. SponsorLoyola Press.
  • Deacon Larry Oney, Archdiocese of New Orleans - keynote address, mega workshop on Thursday February 14 at 2:30 pm. 
  • Michael & Charlene Howard, A Love Language That's Full of Joy, inspired by Pope Francis' Amoris Laetitia (On Joy of Love in the Family), Friday February 15 at 1:30 pm, will reflect on the languages of love essential for the domestic church; participants will glean real-life practices for using their love language to reveal God's love in marriage and single life.
  • Ralph McCloud, Director, Catholic Campaign for Human Development, Prophetic Discipleship - Removing the Sting of Poverty in Our Communities, Saturday February 16 at 8:30 am, focusing on Corporeal Works of Mercy 5 practical steps to eradicating the sting of poverty eroding our communities; these steps will give direction to heads of households to strengthen their home church family and broader communities.
  • Charlene Howard M.A.,- Through Many - One: The Art of Universal Accompaniment, Saturday February 16 at 12:30 pm, workshop will explore what "Catholic" means and how the meaning is evident in today's Church; includes challenges to fostering Catholic life in our parishes and schools; will share best practices and practical applications in viewing Missional Discipleship as the framework for embracing, cultivating and being enriched by the diversity in our Church.
  • Michael Howard M.A., founder of Eat the Scroll Ministry, Saturday February 16 at 2:00 pm. Sr. Thea Bowman galvanized the world by calling for diversity in the Church; explore her philosophy of Cosmic Spirituality, develop strategies for building relationships with parishioners from other cultures and loving one another as God loves us.
REGISTER NOW! 
Early registration ends on 12/15/18

National African American Catholic Youth and Young Adult Ministry Network Spring Meeting, March 15-17, 2019 in Memphis, TN 
 
National African American Catholic Youth and Young Adult Ministry Network Spring Meeting, March 15-17, 2019 in Memphis, TN - begins with an evening reception and includes in-service for continued professional development.  Cost is $125 Members/$175 non-members.  Contact Jesse Johnson at jvj6965@gmail.com or call (901) 634-0037.   


Let Justice Flow: A Call to Restore and Reconcile
 

Let Justice Flow: A Call to Restore and Reconcile -Concerned about how we are called to respond to pressing issues like racism, restorative justice, poverty and inequality? Equip your ministry to advocate as one faith community to restore justice and reconcile harm. Get tools needed to awaken your constituents to how God calls us to advocate for social change in our communities. February 2-5, 2019 attend the Catholic Social Ministry Gathering,Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington DC.


Pray  for the canonization of African American Catholic Saints  
 
Pray for the canonization of African American Catholic saints - Fr. Augustus Tolton, Mother Mary Elizabeth Lange, Mother Henriette DeLille, Pierre Toussaint, Julia Greeley and Sr. Thea Bowman.

US Conference of Catholic Bishops - 
Secretariat of Cultural Diversity in the Church (SCDC)
Donna Toliver Grimes, Assistant Director 
Subcommittee on African American Affairs
| 3211 4th Street, NE, Washington, DC 20017 | 
 | Email: dgrimes@usccb.org | Telephone: 202-541-3178 | Website 

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