Parish to host day of reflection

“God is always speaking somewhere, we must go to that place and listen.” (African Proverb)

A Diocesan Coordinating Team of Black Catholics from a variety of parishes/schools and backgrounds met Jan. 28 to plan a Diocesan Day of Reflection in preparation for the 13th National Black Catholic Congress XIII.

The planning meeting was productive and Spirit filled. The enthusiasm and willingness to serve was evident as participants reviewed the schedule of activities for the event, which is scheduled to be held April 22 at St. Matthias Parish, Somerset, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Black Catholics from across the diocese are invited to attend. There is no fee, however, registration is required. To register, visit:  https://diometuchen.org/2023nbc

The day will include prayer and praise, personal reflection, group listening and reflection. Guided by the Holy Spirit, it will culminate in the collective wisdom of the people of God. The diocesan delegates will take the pastoral concerns as well as the vision and prophetic call to action expressed at this gathering to the National Congress. From there, a pastoral plan will be developed for each of the dioceses and parishes to implement in the following years.

The theme of this year’s congress, which is scheduled to be held in National Harbor, Md., July 20-23, is “Write the Vision: A Prophetic Call to Thrive” (Hb 2:2-4). Members of the Black community and those who minister within the African American Apostolate are invited to listen to God’s voice through Scripture and become a prophetic people who move towards a vision to thrive.

The first Black Lay Catholic Congress was held at St. Augustine Parish, Washington, D.C., in 1889, attended by 200 delegates. The purpose of the Congress was described at that time as an opportunity “to talk about our needs as a people and by conference and consultation to try to devise ways and means of bettering our condition both religiously and socially.”

The national gathering now convenes every five years to continue the mission towards justice and evangelization for and with Black Catholics.

According to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, there are more than three million Catholics of African-American descent in the United States today.

The National Black Catholic Congress is a wonderful opportunity for like-minded brothers and sisters from all over the country to come together to express hopes and wishes as well as challenges and concerns.

For more information about the Congress, visit http://nbccongress.org

Submitted by: Sister Miriam Perez, coordinator, diocesan Multi-Cultural Ministries; and Jennifer Ruggiero, Secretary, diocesan Secretariat for Family & Pastoral Life