10 Things to Know About the BCI December, 2017 ADVENT! THE ARRIVING

Just like the Faith, the Drum works for us if you pass it on. TO SUBSCRIBE TO THIS NEWSLETTER CONTACT BCI   TO SUPPORT THIS WORK PRAY AND GO TO GIVE

1.   Let US PRAY               For the Faith filled voices of              Black Catholics to be heard.

Lord, Hear Our Prayer! BCI Please submit all prayer request to BCI@archchicago.org . 312-577-0475

2. NEXT CHANCE TO JOIN BCI

HEAL OUR LAND - JOYOUS 21 If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and I will heal their land. Heal our land Lord, Heal our land

The BCI is inviting parishes across the Archdiocese and the country to join together in prayer, as we usually do.  Our focus and hope is to unite the effort of the church to ask the Father for healing for all division in our country.   Here is a powerful rendition to consider. Heal Let us know that you will be heard on Jan. 12 th 312.577.0475 BCI@archchicago.org

3. NEXT CHANCE TO JOIN THE BCI AGAIN

4. ON THE AIR

RADIO BCI Tuesdays 9-9:30 a.m. Relevant Radio 950-AM Deacon John Cook hosts this weekly half-hour program that explores a wide range of topics relevant to Chicago's Black and Catholic communities. Deacon Cook serves at St. Felicitas Parish in Chatham, and is very involved in overseeing youth programs in the Bronzeville neighborhood.  12/5 - Fundraising 12/12 - Bishop Perry 12/19 - Father Andrew Smith 12/26 - Deacon James Norman Tune in and Call in 312.255.8408 Make Them Hear You!  After the March

5. CATHOLIC EDUCATION

6. SOCIAL ACTION

THE NATIONAL BLACK CATHOLIC CONGRESS PASTORAL PLAN

READ THE FULL PLAN at CONGRESSPLAN

7. HEALING SOME MORE

8. JUST A SOCIAL

9 . PARISH LIFE AND FORMATION EVENTS

The BCI received the following announcements from parishes, schools and organizations for the purpose of sharing information and invitation. Please seek permission to publish items in this newsletter from the pastor or person responsible for the sponsoring agent. Please take care not to violate copyrights.

10. THE BCI AND YOU

Thanks Be to GOD ! ! !  Someone asked the question…  RED is for the blood of the people BLACK is for the community of the people GREEN is for the growth of the people

All are welcome to bring ideas and gifts to this collective work of baptizing, matrimony and anointing, this effort of Kujichagulia, Umoja and Imani. This is a meeting of the seven sacraments of the church and the seven principles of Kwanzaa. This is a meeting of the church. That is what makes it and us truly Catholic. Stay tuned, stay close, get involved, walk together and don’t you get weary! There’s a great camp meeting in the Promised Land. Believe that you are in the camp.

About the Black Catholic Initiative

The Black Catholic Initiative (BCI) has as its focus the 66K African American Catholics served by 351 parishes, 38 of which are predominately African American. The BCI was created to prepare the church for the next generation of African American Catholics, charging them to be fully present and accountable. The goal of the BCI is to come together and work together in order to give and serve the Church. The BCI is an ethnic ministry that actively participates and offers its work as a gift to the local church of Chicago. Those involved in the BCI will practice Umoja, Kujichagulia and Ujima, (unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility) in order to first give honor to God and to offer Catholicity with the whole church. The BCI will be one church, not many parishes. In this tried and true tradition, the BCI will plainly and clearly be Catholic.