ATLANTIC CITY – Hundreds jumped to their feet for music, prayer and unity as Dr. ValLimar Jansen helped the Diocese’s faithful celebrate this year’s Juneteenth observance.
“One thing about people of African descent is that we move when we sing,” she said, instructing everyone gathered in Quaremba Hall to stand, sway back and forth and clap on beat. “Who is the primary choir whenever we gather?” she asked.
The crowd responded, “We are!”
PHOTO GALLERY: Juneteenth Celebration and Luncheon in Atlantic City
Dr. Jansen, with her husband, Frank, on the keyboard, was the keynote presenter June 19 for the multicultural celebration held on the campus of Saint Michael Church, the Parish of Saint Monica. It included performances and talks by parishioners and guests alike, honoring Juneteenth, the day in 1865 that news of emancipation reached the last remaining enslaved people in Galveston, Texas.
“Freedom is very significant to the African-American community because it was our ancestors who made it happen,” said Blanche Toole, a member of the Diocese’s Black Catholic Ministry Commission. “I can proudly say that because of the many who fought for my freedom, because of the many who died for my freedom … I am free to be the person that I want to be.”
Toole, a member of the Parish of Saint Monica, gave a talk titled, “Freedom, what does it mean?”
“Freedom can be defined in different ways depending on who you ask. For some, it might mean having the opportunity to vote for ideas or people who best represent our views. For others, it may refer to the concept of freedom of speech, the ability to freely voice personal opinions and perspectives,” she said. “Certain freedom can mean the right to do, the right to think, believe, speak, worship, gather or act as one pleases.”
She noted a point made by President Franklin D. Roosevelt at his State of the Union address on Jan. 6, 1941, where he mentioned that every freedom can fit into one of two categories – “freedom of” and “freedom from.” The speech mentioned four essentials: freedom of speech and expression, freedom to worship God in one’s own way, freedom from want and freedom from fear.
Before Dr. Jansen began her keynote, 94-year-old Arnita Williams of the Parish of Saint Barbara in Wynnefield, Pa., performed an “O’ Freedom” praise dance in a head-to-toe white outfit – including white gloves and socks, and a sequin shawl.
Dr. Jansen, a renowned inspirational/catechetical speaker, singer, composer and recording artist who lives in California, was adorned in multiple colors, sequins and glitter as she weaved together song, Scripture and storytelling, often engaging the crowd in call and response. At one point, she went up to each of the 16 tables in the hall, asking for a participant’s favorite Scripture verse.
At the front of the room were six chairs, each draped in colorful fabric that she used as shawls to differentiate between the various characters she portrayed and Scripture stories she told, one being how God created the world.
For another story, she put on a colorful shawl and used another piece of cloth as a headpiece to make herself look like an elderly woman. The character recalled her life, including getting married and having children and losing her husband and sons. It wound up being the story of Ruth, King David’s great-grandmother.
“Things can happen to us in life that make us bitter. … We must let go of our bearings and focus on the purpose for which God has created each of us. We each have a contribution to make,” Dr. Jansen said. “Sometimes when we’re going through it, we have to remember that we walk by faith, Christ and not by sight. Our ancestors knew that. They did not give up.”
The event was co-sponsored by the Black Catholic Commission, the Black Catholic Leadership Ministry of the Parish of Saint Monica and the diocesan Office of Life & Justice Ministries.
“Juneteenth is not only a celebration of freedom, but a call to remember that delayed justice is still injustice, and that the work of liberation continues,” said Father Vincent Guest, coordinator of the Black Catholic Ministry Commission.
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