St. Peter Claver - National black catholics
NATIONAL BLACK CATHOLIC CONGRESS FIVE YEAR PLAN
The National Black Catholic Congress, (NBCC) was held July 18-22, 2012, in Indianapolis, Indiana. NBCC is held every five years in different cities throughout the United States. Congress XI, Celebrating 25 years of “What We Have Seen and Heard” was attended by Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, Priests, youth, and a congregation of more than 2000 from all over the United States. The First Black Catholic Congress was founded by Daniel Rudd and held in Washington, D.C. on January 1, 1889. Augustus Tolton celebrated the High Mass. Father Augustus Tolton, the first Black Priest to be ordained in the United States, is being considered for Sainthood. We pray for this become a reality. The purpose of the Congress stated by William Smith, “We have come to talk about our needs as a people, and by conference and consultation to try and devise ways and means of bettering our condition both religiously and socially.” Congress IX was held in Chicago, Illinois in 2002, and declared the core principles of concern for African Americans. The Plan of Action from that Congress set the tone in addressing the principles for the following Congresses. This Pastoral Plan of Action is an organizational tool, offering guidelines and resources for the faithful, so that we may engage and spread the Good News. It is also a focal point for reflection on ten core elements in our faith lives as Black Catholics. We recognize that each parish and diocese will adapt the plan to the particular needs of their local church. A survey was conducted in 2005 to identify the reasons Blacks leave the Church and reasons they stay. Congress X Plan of Action (2007) affirmed our commitment in working for positive change in our communities regarding Catholic Education, HIV-AIDS, Parish Life, Social Justice, Spirituality, Racism, and Youth and Young Adults and Africa. Congress X, held in Buffalo, New York in 2007, workshops, and speakers were selected to further studies implemented by Congress IX. This year Congress XI, our congress theme was “Faith Engaged: Empower, Equip, Evangelize.” Our studies further emphasized the need for Blacks to become more involved in the core principles. Pastoral Plan of Action 2012-2017 by NBCC: We are committed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ as expressed in divine revelation, the gift of salvation, and the social and moral teachings of the Catholic Church, and to the growth in faith and charity of African Americans. We recognize the need to bring purpose, order, and vitality to our work of evangelization in and to the African American community. Though this Congress is the National Black Catholic Congress, Catholics from all races attend. Being in the presence of fellow parishioners throughout the United States, the different cultures and ethnicities is indeed interesting. The friendships that you make are very rewarding and last a lifetime. For additional information about the National Black Catholic Congress, please visit the website at www.nbccongress.org. or contact Bettye Middlebrooks in the church office. |
ST. Peter Claver Delegates at the NBCC 2017XII National Black Catholic Congreess Attendees representing St. Peter Claver Church: Nicole Thomas, Eliza Jackson, Cynthia Pitts, Barbara White, Loretto Cudjoe, and Bettye Middlebrooks
Mass at the National Black Catholic Congress - July 2017
|
National Black Catholic conference XII
|