In anticipation of next year’s National Black Catholic Congress XIII, the diocesan Black Catholic Ministry Commission is hosting its annual Day of Reflection featuring a guest renowned for breaking through racial barriers.
This year’s program – being held during the first week of Black Catholic History Month – will be facilitated by Sister Cora Marie Billings – the first Black member of the Sisters of Mercy in Merion, Pa., and first Black sister to teach in a Catholic high school in Philadelphia. The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 5 in the lower level of Saint Charles Borromeo Church, Sicklerville.
“This year, because we are getting ready for Congress, we do spend time gathering information about our Diocese and what is going on here – the good things, those we need to improve upon,” said Cheryl Wright, a member of Sacred Heart Parish, Camden, and chairwoman for the diocesan Black Catholic Ministry Commission.
“The theme for Congress [Write the Vision: A Prophetic Call to Thrive] really calls us to be the action,” she said. “How can we be better Catholic Christians?”
Another focus of the day will be on engaging more youth in the Black Catholic Ministry Commission. “We are definitely encouraging our youth and young adults to come,” she said. “I have had a few college kids who have reached out.”
Wright said Sister Cora fits a lot into the daylong program and hopes the event will energize participants around their hopes – in their lives as well as for the upcoming Congress.
“Once you start planning and thinking about things, it just gets everybody excited,” she said, adding that it helps the faithful focus on work that can be accomplished in the Diocese. “What is God asking each of us to do – regardless of whether you’re Black, white, etc. It gives people a voice; it gives people a chance to discuss some things. It always gives me a boost.”
The National Black Catholic Congress XIII will be held July 20-23 at The Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, National Harbor, Md. All are welcome to attend, and registration is now open at nbccongress.org/national-congresses.
“The National Black Congress XIII presents an opportunity for Black Catholics from throughout the country to once again gather in person to reflect upon the past, but more importantly to write a vision for the future – a vision that includes works of justice and the ministry of evangelization to help others encounter Christ in the beauty of our common Catholic faith,” said Father Vincent Guest, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, and coordinator of the Black Catholic Ministry Commission and the diocesan Racial Justice Commission.
On the occasion of Black Catholic History Month, Wright said she enjoys learning more about the heritage and history of Black Catholics, and sharing with others. She spoke about her strong connection with her parish and Saint Bartholomew Church, now a Sacred Heart worship site. Saint Bartholomew Parish was established for the Black community in the early 1940s, and the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, founded by Saint Katherine Drexel, served the community.
“We had three Black Catholic families on our block, and we all knew Saint Bart’s back then,” said Wright, who grew up in Camden and converted to Catholicism when she married her husband. “I got to know the sisters that way, coming to the neighborhood visiting people.”
She has always been struck by the relationships between clergy and faithful at the church and parish. “We have been blessed with a number of really talented priests, and the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament taught me so much. That’s why I am the Black Catholic woman I am.”
“I am proud of being able to share the stories, my experiences and the joy I find in celebrating at St. Bart’s,” she said.
Father Guest reflected on how he has benefitted from working with Wright and others throughout the Diocese through the Commission.
“I am a better priest because of my involvement with Black Catholics from throughout the Diocese,” he said. “I have listened to the struggle and the prejudice so often faced by Black Catholics throughout the years, and I am continually inspired by their faithfulness and dedication to our Catholic faith.”
Those interested in participating in the annual Day of Reflection on Nov. 5 can contact Cherryl Summers at (856) 365-0573 or by email at BlackCatholicMinistry.Camden@gmail.com. The cost to attend is $10 per person, and includes a continental breakfast and lunch.
To learn more about the National Black Catholic Congress, visit nbccongress.org.
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