Follow Daniel Rudd’s lead
May 03 2012
The date was Jan. 4, 1889, the occasion the last day of the of what was the first Black Catholic Lay Congress.
Soul-wrenching prayer provokes soul-filled action
Apr 19 2012
Recently, I walked on a Peace and Prayer Pilgrimage with Auxiliary Bishop Denis J. Madden, Spiritan Father Evod Shao and the good and holy people from St. Edward Catholic Church. Nestled behind the sacred edifice of St. Edward’s on Poplar Grove Street was a cacophony of dilapidated and run-down homes that stretched from block to block, and from side to side of the street.
AFRICENTRIC | Matters that matter
Jan 24 2012
As we walk into this new year, new challenges await us. Sometimes when faced with looming challenges, the bountiful blessings given by God often seem to vanish or grow small in our psyché. I would like to share some thoughts on both the challenges and the blessings as “matters that matter.”
As we are now – Reflections of an aging religious
Dec 01 2011
The first week in December is designated as a collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious. Religious vocations have declined in the past few decades, and many who have taught or cared for orphans or worked in hospitals can no longer do so. The collection is also a way of giving back to those who served us for so many years. They were of the Martha’s of past generations.
An amazing grace
Nov 17 2011
Agnes Kane Callum, my mother, is a wonder to behold. Historian, genealogist and researcher, she was born in Baltimore, the fifth child among 12. Her parents were the late Phillip Moten and Mary Kane (nee Gough) of St. Mary’s County in southern Maryland. She was educated in Baltimore public schools, and at age 44 she returned to school and earned her bachelor of arts and master’s degrees from Morgan State University in 1973 and 1975, respectively, while maintaining her full-time job with the United States Postal Service. In 1973, she was designated a Fulbright-Hayes Scholar, which led her to study at the University of Ghana at Legon, Accra. In 2008 she received an honorary doctorate degree in history from St. Mary’s College.
So Proudly Do We Hail … !
Nov 03 2011
November is designated as Black Catholic History Month. As such, it is good for us to recall some of the outstanding deeds done by black Catholics in the past. Some of the names may be familiar from past articles in The Catholic Review, but recalling them is good for the mind, soul and for keeping our history alive.
November Celebrates Black Catholic History
Oct 20 2011
In the world today, there are more than 200 million people of African descent in the Roman Catholic Church. The fastest growing population comes out of the continent of Africa. The second-largest population of Roman Catholic African descendants are in Brazil. In the United States as we enter into this present holy time, we are 3 million strong, with 250 African-American priests, 75 men of African ancestry in the seminary, 450 Deacons, 400 African-American religious women, 50 religious brothers and 798 predominantly African-American parishes. This gives reason for celebration, rejoicing and increased efforts of evangelization.
‘Keep On Teaching’
Aug 18 2011
“Keep on Teaching,” a catechetical ministry established 21 years ago in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, engages catechists who serve in the African-American Catholic community. Its emphasis is to inspire and encourage catechists to factor culture – both black and Catholic – and its deep roots into their catechetical planning and implementation.
‘St. Joseph Altars’ resonate for New Orleans native
Aug 04 2011
According to the dictionary, altars are sacred places.
Growing up in New Orleans, altars had a very special place in our young lives. A New Orleans tradition is the erection of the “St. Joseph Altar.” Of course, this altar honors the foster father of Jesus and is a celebration on March 19, his feast. I don’t know how it started, but what I do know is that as long as I can remember, my mother or aunt took the children to visit the St. Joseph altars. These altars were in the homes of various people throughout the city.
When faith, unity prevail
Jul 21 2011
In 1889 Daniel Rudd and delegates of the very first Black Catholic Congress raised concern regarding the need for Catholic education of black youths. Delegates made a motion on the floor to facilitate action to achieve this goal. Today, the sons and daughters of the National Black Catholic Congress movement active in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, through the Office and Board of African American Catholic Ministries, picked up this cause by establishing a Daniel Rudd Scholarship Fund.
Civil War chaplain
Jul 07 2011
The April 14 Catholic Review included an article on Catholic chaplains in the Civil War. It quoted General Benjamin Butler as saying, “I have never seen a Catholic chaplain who has not done his duty.” Several were mentioned. Another priest who served in the Civil War was Redemptorist Father Aegidius Smulders, who ministered right here in Baltimore City and had a special significance to the black Catholic community.
Here we go again
Jun 30 2011
If you pay attention to the scriptural readings from Eastertime to Pentecost and now through Ordinary time, one thing becomes clear – disciples of Jesus must do something to advance the mission of Christ.
So scared, but we can’t stand still
May 19 2011
I’m so scared! I’m so scared when I look at the news and see the faces of those broken down in grief caused by the hand of violence. That was someone’s child, someone’s spouse, someone’s loved one, gunned down – senseless suffering. I’m so scared when the news reports more deaths today than there were yesterday. Someone abducted that young girl, someone drove herself and her children into the river, someone killed that nursing student over a computer game, someone didn’t get paid his or her drug money, so murder, stabbing, shooting and bullying takes the place of concern, compassion and guidance.
Lent: A time for pilgrimage
Mar 03 2011
The world is changing and moving in directions never before seen. We see the world turning and moving forward. Look at what has happened in Egypt and Libya. Many say that it is a political revolution at hand while others may conclude that perhaps a spiritual stirring has visited the people and they have been touched by hope.
Harambee presses on for 25 years
Nov 25 2009
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once gave an important insight in regard to achievement.
“Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable. Even a superficial look at history reveals that no social advance rolls in on the wheels of inevitability. Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering and the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.”
Take a look at history while walking forward
Feb 03 2009
On Jan. 20, 2009, Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th president of the United States. He is the first African-American to earn the highest honor in the United States of America. On Jan. 4, 1899, 120 years ago, black Catholic men from all over the nation convened on Washington, D.C., for a four-day Black Catholic Lay Congress. This was the first Catholic Congress ever held by black Catholic men. It took place at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Washington, D.C.
Part two: Black Catholicism has roots in St. Mary’s County
Nov 13 2008
St. Clement in St. Mary’s County holds a unique position in the history of the Catholic religion and the origin of black Catholicism. When the colonists arrived in 1634, St. Clement was known as Heron Island. The newcomers gave it the name of St. Clement. They also gave Point Lookout the name of St. Michael and the Potomac River was known as St. Gregory. The island consisted of about 400 acres of land. After a few weeks on St. Clement, the colonists moved to St. Mary’s City. Father Andrew White, a Jesuit priest, kept a diary of the events that occurred on board the Ark and the Dove. He went about the area evangelizing the Indians and purchasing land from the Indians for the Jesuits. He purchased the land with trinkets, such as looking glasses, beads and other baubles. He also acquired a few slaves.
Reflections on youth programs
Jul 17 2008
In the forward to “What We Have Seen and Heard: Essays and Stories from Black Catholics in Baltimore,” Cardinal William Keeler opened with a quote from the Acts of the Apostles 4:20, which read, “Peter and John said, ‘It is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard.’ ”