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320 Cathedral Street, Baltimore, MD 21201
Phone: 410.547.8496
E-mail: nbcc@nbccongress.org
Web: www.nbccongress.org
| | Happy New Year from the National Black Catholic Congress | | This AI-generated image by the NBCC depicts Jesus knocking at a door without a doorknob, symbolizing that He can only enter if invited. | |
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, [then] I will enter his house and dine with him, and he with me."
Revelation 3:20
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New Year’s Resolutions:
A Spiritual Approach
By Lauren Jonik | Amendo
As a child, I always had New Year’s Eve plans. My parents would go out, and my brother and I stayed overnight with my aunt. I savored the thrill of staying up late watching the ball drop as revelers on TV partied like it was perpetually 1999. I secretly dreamed that one day, I would be one of them—out and about doing something festive and fun.
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6 Easy ways to pray if you’re spiritually tired in 2026
By Cerith Gardiner | Aleteia
Let’s be honest: not every season of life feels particularly prayerful. You might believe in God deeply and still feel distracted, dry, rushed, or simply worn out. And as 2026 begins, many people are carrying quiet fatigue — from the pace of life, from worry about the world, from personal struggles no one else sees.
| | Adobe Stock Photo licensed to NBCC -- cropped version of original. | | Adobe Stock AI Generated Image, licensed to NBCC | | | |
Rev. King, a Baptist, lived Catholic social justice in ‘extraordinary fashion,’ says cardinal
by Tony Guttierez | OSV News
Last year Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory became the first African American to participate in a papal conclave, which eventually elected Pope Leo XIV.
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Did Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King's Final Speech Foreshadow His Death?
King frequently discussed his own mortality, confiding in his wife, Coretta Scott King, after JFK's assassination that he anticipated a similar destiny.
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"I have been to the mountaintop..."
The Smithsonian Channel
released this segment of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King's speech on April 3, 1968 at the Mason Temple in Memphis, Tennessee. This would prove to be his last speech, since King was assassinated the following day.
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A Partial Transcript from Rev. Dr. King's last speech.
"And then I got to Memphis. And some began to say the threats ... or talk about the threats that were out. What would happen to me from some of our sick white brothers? Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't matter with me now. Because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land! And so I'm happy, tonight; I'm not worried about anything; I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord!"
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BBC Face to Face | Martin Luther King Jr. Interview (1961)
Martin Luther King talks about his childhood experiences and the incidents that led to the Montgomery bus boycott.
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Sunday, February 1, 2026
The National Day of Prayer for the African American and African Family (NDPAAAF)
The National Day of Prayer for the African American and African Family, observed on Sunday, February 1, 2026, is a special occasion for reflection and unity. This year, the National Black Catholic Congress has enriched the celebration with an updated Prayer Booklet, featuring a beautiful reflection by Dr. Ansel Augustine from the USCCB's Office of African American Affairs for the Secretariat of Cultural Diversity in the Church. For those seeking ways to commemorate this meaningful day, a resource guide is available, offering a variety of activities that families, parishes, and communities can enjoy doing together.
| | NDPAAAF 2026 Prayer Brochure | If you are interested in writing the reflection for the 2027 NDPAAAF Brochure, or have ideas for the resource guide, please email: nbcc@nbccongress.org | | NDPAAAF 2026 Activities Resource | | "The way you live your life effects your ministry." | |
February 8, 2026
Feast Day of St. Josephine Bakhita
(born c. 1869, Darfur (now Sudan)—died February 8, 1947, Schio, Italy; Canonized October 1, 2000; Feast Day February 8)
St. Josephine Bakhita is the patron saint of victims of human trafficking and slavery, as well as the patron saint of Sudan, her country of birth.
Join in praying the Novena to St. Josephine Bakhita, beginning on January 30, 2026 and ending on February 8, 2026, which is also the annual International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking.
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The Story of St. Josephine Bakhita
From ForStBernadette
Once taken in chains from her childhood home in Sudan, St. Josephine Bakhita’s life became a journey marked by profound suffering and unexpected grace.
Through faith, forgiveness, and freedom, her story reveals how God can transform even the deepest wounds into a witness of hope.
From enslavement to religious life, her quiet courage continues to inspire trust in God’s enduring love.
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St. Josephine Bakhita Gospel Mass
From the St. Josephine Bakhita Mission Parish in Phoenix, Arizona, this Gospel Mass is the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, imbued with Afrocentric spirituality and culture.
| Did you enjoy this mass? Tune in every Sunday at 11:00 AM MST to "Let the Church Say AAMEN!" | | Pope Leo: Gambling ruins families | | |
Pope Leo XIV meets with mayors from across Italy, calling on them to promote “authentically human relationships” in order to combat gambling and other forms of loneliness.
By Joseph Tulloch | Vatican News
The “demographic crisis”, the “struggles” of families and young people, social isolation among the elderly, the “silent cry” of the poor, environmental pollution, and “social conflicts” are among the biggest problems faced by towns and cities across Italy, Pope Leo said on Monday.
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January 16-24
9 Days for Life
Novena
Click here to sign up!
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Sunday, January 18 @ 9 am & 11:15 am EST
Worship Services
Featuring this year's MLK Speaker-Preacher, Iconographer Laura James.
10:30 am EST
Sunday Forum
with Iconographer Laura James
Location:
All Saints’ Episcopal Church
634 W Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA
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January 22-23, 2026
National Prayer Vigil for Life
To see the schedule and access the livestream links for the seminarian-led overnight holy hours during January 22–23, please click here.
| | NBCC Licensed Adobe Stock Image |
January 23, 2026
National March for Life
IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
The right to life is a human right. Our defense of that right is a joyful witness to the beauty and dignity of every human person.
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National March for Life Rally & Concert
January 23, 2026 | 11:00am–1:00pm
March for Life
The March for Life will begin immediately following the Rally – usually around 1pm
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January 31 @ 2:00 pm EST
144th Anniversary of the Death of Venerable Mary Lange
Location:
Our Lady of Mount Providence Convent
701 Gun Road, Baltimore, MD
Father Anthony Bozeman, SSJ, Celebrant; Deacon Paul Shelton, OSP Associate, Homilist
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February 5, 2026 @ 7 pm EST
NBCC Sponsored Webinar
From Burnout to Balance
Join Dr. A. Mechelle Haywood for an empowering webinar that explores how intentional boundaries can safeguard emotional well-being and restore a sense of balance in daily life. Drawing from her professional expertise and real-world insights, Dr. Haywood will unpack the roots of burnout, offer practical strategies for setting healthy limits, and guide participants toward creating sustainable habits that nurture peace, productivity, and personal fulfillment.
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February 9, 2026 @ 6 pm EST
BLESSED ASSURANCE
This is Our Story: Celebrate Black History Month
We will discuss the importance of telling the empowering story of Black Catholics and how their presence in the Church has impacted the Catholic faith and beyond.
Not able to make it in person? Click here for the livestream!
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March 16, 2026
California March for Life
Sacramento, California
12:00 p.m. Rally | 1:00 p.m. March
| | National Crisis Pregnancy Centers and Motherhood Support Programs | | |
Heartbeat's Life-Saving Vision is a world where every new life is welcomed and children are nurtured within strong families, according to God’s Plan, so that abortion is unthinkable.
Every woman deserves love and support during an unexpected pregnancy. That's why there are pregnancy help centers around the world dedicated to providing material assistance, moral support, and medical services to meet their needs.
| | The Gabriel Project® is a confidential and compassionate outreach to women who are distressed over an unplanned pregnancy. We rely on local parish communities to respond in a loving manner to the needs of the mother-to-be, witnessing to the infinite and healing love of God. | | | |
Praying with Our Feet: Encountering God in the Margins
By Ansel Augustine, D.Min.
A RALLYING CRY FOR ALL WHO BELIEVE THAT FAITH IS MEANT TO BE LIVED OUT LOUD.
In Praying with Our Feet, Dr. Ansel Augustine, who champions the needs of the overlooked and the underserved, takes us on a transformative journey rooted in faith, action, and the undeniable call to justice.
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Black and Catholic
Racism, Identity, and Religion
by Tia Noelle Pratt
Black and Catholic documents the exclusion, erasure, and systematic racism faced by Black Catholics, filling an essential gap in both Catholic and Black history.
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Manual for Spiritual Warfare
By Paul Thigpen, PhD
This guide equips the faithful to recognize, resist, and overcome spiritual attacks by explaining who the enemy is, what weapons and armor the Christian possesses, and how to remain steadfast in the fight of faith, rooted in the teaching of Scripture and the Church’s tradition. With structured instruction on preparation for battle and aids including prayers, Scripture, and wisdom from the saints, it grounds spiritual warfare in the sacramental life of the Church.
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Nihil obstat:
Reverend Matthew Kauth, S.T.D. , Censor Deputatus
Imprimatur:
Most Reverend Peter J. Jugis, J.C.D., Bishop of Charlotte
May 31, 2015
Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The nihil obstat and imprimatur are official declarations that a book is free from doctrinal or moral error. No implication is contained therein that those who grant the nihil obstat and imprimatur agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.
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You Can Understand the Bible
A Practical and Illuminating Guide to Each Book in the Bible
By Peter Kreeft
Peter Kreeft, a Boston College professor, simplifies the Bible's complexity with his best-selling guide, "You Can Understand the Bible," offering insights and humor to transform study into a spiritually rewarding adventure. His practical tips for daily scripture prayer help readers appreciate the Bible's depth and meaning.
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The Inflammation Fix:
5 Steps to Feel Better Fast
By Mark Hyman, MD
If you’ve been feeling achy, bloated, tired, puffy, or foggy, the culprit could be chronic inflammation—and diet is one of the biggest triggers. In this guide, you’ll learn 5 powerful nutrition strategies to calm inflammation naturally and set yourself up for long-term health. Get your FREE copy of The Inflammation Fix today and discover how you can feel better fast.
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Mark Hyman introduces The Blood Sugar Solution
In his book, The Blood Sugar Solution, Dr Mark Hyman reveals that the secret solution to losing weight and preventing diabetes - as well as heart disease, stroke, dementia, and cancer - is balanced insulin levels.
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Drama-Free Discipline
Dr. Ray Coaches You to Parenting Success
By Dr. Ray Guarendi
Parenting can wear you down — but it doesn’t have to. Popular media personality Dr. Ray Guarendi, father of ten and experienced clinical psychologist, applies his trademark humor, common sense, and no-nonsense wisdom to the task of helping parents cut through the cultural confusion and reclaim their rightful roles as calm, confident leaders in the home.
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Dr. Ray Guarendi’s Top Adoption Tips as Adoptive Father & Catholic Psychologist
Dr. Ray Guarendi shares his perspective on adoption – both as an adoptive father of 10 himself and as Catholic clinical psychologist.
| | Dr. Ray Guarendi and his wife are the adoptive parents of 10 children of different ethnicities. He brings a wealth of experience to the adoption process and confronts the stereotypes and myths of interracial adoption. | | "The Doctor is In" is hosted by Dr. Ray Guarendi, who brings to the program a wealth of academic credentials and personal life experience. He deals with personal problems, family issues, and professional questions. | | Clinical psychologist Dr. Ray Guarendi combines his sharp wit with his experience from raising ten children to help Catholics become stronger and more loving partners, parents and people. | | | |
Juice and Toya Fitness Videos
Juice and Toya's fitness videos on YouTube offer an engaging and dynamic way to stay fit and healthy. With a variety of workouts tailored for all fitness levels, their channel provides easy-to-follow routines that can be done from the comfort of your home.
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Exercise for the "Silver Sneakers" Generation
Metro Active classes, featuring this week's Motown theme, are designed to help seniors stay healthy but welcome participants of all ages to stay active, encouraging everyone to challenge themselves while moving safely at their own pace.
| | Find more Silver Sneaker Classes by clicking here: Metro+Silver+Sneakers | |
Rebooting from Porn Addiction
Prolonged or intense exposure to pornography causes the brain to wire itself in ways that can create negative effects in a person’s life, such as sexual dysfunction, addiction, and other related problems.
Rebooting is the term coined by recovering porn users for the process of abstaining from pornography, masturbation, and sometimes orgasm altogether for a sufficient duration to recover from these negative effects. By abstaining from problematic sexual habits, we can “reboot” the brain to factory settings.
| | | Porn Reboot: Getting Started | | | |
Cohabitation
From For Your Marriage
It’s no secret that many couples are cohabiting, that is, living together in a sexual relationship without marriage. Currently, 60% of all marriages are preceded by cohabitation, but fewer than half of cohabiting unions end in marriage.
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The 2025-26 Winter Claverite Digital Magazine is now available.
This edition features historical information on the centennial of our Ladies Auxiliary!
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The January 2026 Catholic Islander Digital Magazine is now available.
The Catholic Islander is the official magazine of the Diocese of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands.
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2026 Josephite Calendar
$9.05 (free shipping on quantities 1-99)
The 2026 Josephite African American History and Heritage Calendar includes information about important dates in African American history. You also will find inspiring scripture and beautiful images on every page.
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Undergraduate Fellowship Applications now being accepted
UNCF/Mellon Programs Office is currently accepting applications for the Undergraduate Fellowship and the various Faculty Career Enhancement offerings. We invite you to please share this information with students and faculty (within the Mellon designated fields) on your campuses. As many of you are aware, our mission is to create a pipeline of undergraduates who will pursue the Ph.D. with the intention of becoming faculty members. In addition, we aim to strengthen teaching and learning at UNCF institutions by creating opportunities for UNCF faculty to enhance their teaching and scholarship through the participation in our Faculty Career Enhancement opportunities. All applications are due on January 31, 2026. Learn more by clicking here.
FACULTY CAREER ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM OPPORTUNITIES
In addition, Faculty within the Mellon disciplinary areas who are interested in taking advantage of our suite of Faculty Career Enhancement Programs should review our website. All Faculty Career Enhancement Programs applications may be found here.
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Thinking about a career as a counselor or therapist?
To become a counselor or therapist, you must earn a bachelor's degree (often in psychology), then a master's degree in counseling or a related field, complete 2,000-4,000 hours of supervised clinical experience (varying by state), pass national and state exams (like the NCE/NCMHCE), and apply for state licensure, a process that typically takes 6-10 years in total.
Key Types of Counseling Degrees:
Master of Arts (M.A.) or Master of Science (M.S.) in Counseling.
Specializations: Clinical Mental Health Counseling, School Counseling, Counseling Psychology, Rehabilitation Counseling, Student Counseling.
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NBCC Sponsored Webinar
Budgeting for Beginners: A Step by Step Faith Journey
Presented by Joseph Cobb, CPA, this webinar is an accessible path to help participants build confidence in managing their finances. Joseph breaks down the essentials of creating a practical budget, understanding income and expenses, and setting achievable financial goals.
| | Did you miss the webinar? | | | | |
