“It’s important to know your story – especially in this day and age.”
Such were the words of L’Tanya Brooks as she shared a reflection on the significance of Juneteenth during a prayer service for racial justice June 22 at Saint Bartholomew Church, Sacred Heart Parish, Camden.
Now a federal holiday, Juneteenth celebrates the 1865 emancipation of enslaved people. It was first celebrated in Texas following the Civil War and under the terms of the Emancipation Proclamation, signed in 1862.
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Brooks related how her great-grandfather was born in Alabama in 1863, right before the Emancipation Proclamation was published. He established a family reunion when he grew up and married, and now, “We’ve been having a family reunion for over 100 years.”
At those gatherings, Brooks’ grandmother would share the family’s history – which includes participation in the Civil Rights Movement – with all who would listen, a tradition that has now passed on to Brooks herself.
“In Scripture it says, ‘Tell the generations,’” she said. (Psalm 78) “We have stories. We have struggles, and we have survived.”
After the prayer service, parishioners and clergy of Sacred Heart Parish served meals to the community’s hungry; meals are served at the church three Saturdays a month.
Freelance photographer Frank Scaramuzzo contributed to this story.
Did You Know?
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has a pastoral letter against racism called “Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love.” To read it, and for other resources on promoting racial justice, visit usccb.org.
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