Msgr. Leonard Scott opens the Juneteenth celebration June 18 with prayer in Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, the Parish of Saint Monica, Atlantic City.
By Blanche Toole
The Parish of Saint Monica, Atlantic City, hosted a Juneteenth celebration and prayer service June 18 sponsored by the Black Catholic Ministry Commission of the Diocese of Camden.
The event, which was held at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, included the pouring of water in honor of ancestors, with those in attendance acknowledging their deceased family members.
The spirited audience participated in a song led by Black Catholic Ministry Commission member Rita Bostic – “Hush, Hush, Somebody Callin my Name” – which set the mood for the day.
Msgr. Leonard Scott, a retired priest of the Diocese, started with an uplifting opening prayer. Dr. Richlyn Goddard, professor of Africana Studies at Stockton University and guest speaker for the event, presented a timeline of events that led to Juneteenth. The day, now a U.S. federal holiday, celebrates the anniversary of June 19, 1865, the day freedom was proclaimed for enslaved people in Texas, leading to the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States.
Scripture reading and poetry were also a part of the prayer service.
Much of the day focused on God’s love for us and unity; we are all Americans. Juneteenth’s recognition is important because it is a significant part of history, not just African-American history. African-Americans proudly celebrate this day because many of our ancestors fought and died to make it happen.
Blanche Toole is from the Parish of Saint Monica, Atlantic City, and a member of the Juneteenth Committee, part of the Diocese’s Black Catholic Ministry Commission.
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