Highlights of the Joint Conference 1998

(Scan in cover of conference booklet)

Highlights of the Joint Conference 1998

The National Joint Conference of the National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus (NBCCC), the National Black Sisters’ Conference (NBSC), the National Black Catholics Seminarians’ Association (NBCSA), and the National Association of African-American Catholic Deacons (NAACD) met in Charlotte, North Carolina from July to, 1998. It was the 30^th anniversary for the Black Catholic Clergy Caucus and the Black Sisters Conference, both founded in 1968.

Monday July 27, 1998

Lining up for the Entrance Procession for the Opening Liturgy of the Joint Conference, Nehemiah’s boast, "the joy of the Lord is my strength" is written over the faces of the ministers. (L to R) Fr. James Goode, OFM, (New York) Principal Celebrant; Fr. Thomas Jackson, OP (Chicago), Homilist; Norman Fischer, Jr, (Chicago) Acolyte and Sidney Speaks, III, SSJ, (Washington,DC) Acolyte.

Tuesday July 28, 1998

Morning praise is a time for Joint Conference participants to ‘lift a joyful noise to the Lord.’

More than 200 people attended the Joint Conference. The week offered opportunities for the priests, brothers, deacons and wives, sisters and associates to meet as unique groups for their business sessions; and to share outstanding speakers and worship in combined sessions.

A light moment in the room as participants prepare for a presentation at the Joint Conference.

The honorees of the Lifetime Achievement Awards pose for a moment before the dinner begins. (L to R) The lifetime achievement award for the National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus (NBCCC), the Fr. Joseph Davis, SM Award, went to Bro. Loyola `Freightman OFM; the lifetime achievement award for the National Black Sisters’ Conference (NBCSC), the Harriett Tubman Award, went to Sr. Anita Baird, DHM; the lifetime achievement award for the National Black Catholic Seminarians Association (NBCSA), the Fr. Clarence Williams, CPPS Award, went to Seminarian Darren Hazeur, SSJ. (Charlotte, North Carolina - Tuesday night, July 28, 1998.

Thursday July 30, 1998

Mr. Anthony Bozeman of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (at the podium) served as the Master of Ceremonies at the Joint Conference’ Seminarians Luncheon. Members on the dais give an ovation to all those who came to attend the luncheon program. (From left to right) Bp. Joseph Perry of Chicago, Illinois; Deacon Paul Richardson, President of the NAACD ; Sr. Patricia Chappell, SNDdeN, President of NBSC ; and Fr. James Goode, OFM, Ph.D. - President of NBCCC.

Fr. Jesse Cox, OP, Joint Conference Coordinator, chairs closing panel of the Joint Conference. (L to R) Cox (Detroit); Fr. Bryan Massingale (Milwaukee); Sr. Dr. Jaime Phelps, OP (Chicago); Sem. Sydney Speaks, III, SSJ (Washington,DC); Sr. Gail Trippett, CSJ (Kansas City); and Sr. Anita Baird, DHM (Chicago).

Joint Conference participants give a standing ovation to the talk given by Fr. Bryan Massingale of Milwaukee on racism. Many of the speakers, preachers and presenters received ovations full of heartfelt affirmation and appreciation.

Fr. Victor Cohea (center) chairs an organizational meeting for the third Pan African Roman Catholic Clergy Conference with his gifted leadership style . Fr. Wilbur Thomas (left) is a founding member of the PARCCC, as is Fr. Callist Nyambo (right). Fr. Nyambo, a native of Tanzania, became the first African elected to the Black Catholic Clergy Caucus board, July, 1998.(Fr. Thomas is also in another photo celebrating his 25^th anniversary)

Jubilarians’ Mass:

Sr. Patricia Chappell, SNDdeN, President of the National Black Sisters’ Conference poses with Fr. James Goode, OFM, Ph.D., President of the National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus before the 1998 Joint Conference Jubilarians’ Mass in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Concelebrating bishops gather before the Entrance Procession of the Jubilarians’ Mass. (L to R) Bp. Edward Braxton, Auxiliary of St. Louis, MO.; Bp. Joseph Perry, Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago, IL; and the local Bishop of Charlotte, Bp. William Curlin. Bp. Curlin spent thirty-five years in pastoral service to the Black community in Washington, DC before coming to Charlotte.

Fr. Ferdinand Cheri, OFM (far right) directs the Jubilarians’ Mass choir formed out of the participants at the Joint Conference.

The Rev. Dr. Cyprian Davis, OSB, internationally acclaimed historian, preached the Jubilarians’ Mass on Thursday evening July 30. His homily opened with recounting the foundation of the Clergy Caucus in Detroit in 1968. He developed the theme of time : "…in heaven, a time of grace, an hour of mercy…"

A rousing post communion hymn lifts the congregation from their seats as their hearts are stirred to give praise to God.

Fr. Goode, President of NBCCC takes the podium to recognize some of the honorees at the Jubilarians’ Mass.

The Sisters Lynn prepare for the Offertory Procession with liturgical movement at the Jubilarians’ Mass.

Hand clapping, soul-stirring songs were the order of the day for the Jubilarians’ Mass as honorees and their spiritual family rejoiced.

The concelebrating bishops at the Jubilarians’ Mass were (L to R) Bp. Edward Braxton, Bp. Joseph Perry and the local Bishop of Charlotte, Bp. William Curlin. In the center of the second row is Fr. Cyprian Davis, OSB, homilist for the Mass and Deacon Ralph Cyrus of Washington, DC. on the right.

Bp. Edward Braxton of St. Louis is followed in Bp. Joseph Perry of Chicago in the recessional procession of the Jubilarians . Bp. Braxton is the Convenor of the Black Bishops at this time and brought greetings from the Papal Nuncio, the Vatican representative in Washington, DC.

Photo Op

The Twinship Phenomena: The prophet Jeremiah’s exclamation ‘Called from my mother’s womb’ has proof positive in twin priests and twin sisters. (L to R) Fr. Chester Smith, SVD, Sr. Lynn Marie Ralph, SBS; Fr. Charles Smith, SVD; and Sr. Patricia Ann Ralph, SSJ.

When everyone believes they are "seeing double" requests for photos abound. The Twinship Connection welcomes requests with a smile!! The Twins

The ‘home boys’ and ‘home girls’ of Cleveland, Ohio pose for an Award Dinner photo opportunity. (L to R) Fr. Paul Marshall, SM (Chicago); Fr. Victor Cohea (New Orleans); Sr. Kendra Bottoms, SND (Cleveland); Sr. Mary Ann Henegan, MSBT (Philadelphia); Sr. Juanita Shealey, CSJ (Cleveland); Fr. Clarence Williams, CPPS (Detroit); Sr. Rosella Holloman, SCA (Cleveland).

The Joint Conference brings together people from across the country who are from the same hometown. Sunrise program includes a Homecoming Breakfast for those vocations that have come from Cleveland, Ohio. (L to R) Fr. Victor Cohea (New Orleans); Sr. Dorothy Jackson (Louisville, KY); Sr. Rosella Marie Holloman, SCA (Cleveland)-partially blocked; Sr. Mary Ann Henegan, MSBT (Philadelphia); center, Fr. Paul Marshall, SM (Chicago); Sr. Kendra Bottoms, SND (Cleveland); Sr. Juanita Shealey, CSJ (Cleveland) and Fr. Stephan Brown, SVD (Los Angeles).

Video Resource on Black Vocations

The Next Joint Conference will be in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania July , 1999.

For more information about the organizations that make up the Joint Conference

write or call the following:

    The National Black Sisters Conference

    The National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus

    The National Black Catholic Seminarians Association

    The National Association of African-American Deacons

	Morning praise is a time for Joint Conference participants to ‘lift a joyful noise to the Lord.’
More than 200 people attended the Joint Conference. The week offered opportunities for the priests, brothers, deacons and wives, sisters and associates to meet as unique groups for their business sessions; and to share outstanding speakers and worship in combined sessions.
	A light moment in the room as participants prepare for a presentation at the Joint Conference.
The honorees of the Lifetime Achievement Awards pose for a moment before the dinner begins. (L to R) The lifetime achievement award for the National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus (NBCCC), the Fr. Joseph Davis, SM Award, went to Bro. Loyola `Freightman OFM; the lifetime achievement award for the National Black Sisters’ Conference (NBCSC), the Harriett Tubman Award, went to Sr. Anita Baird, DHM; the lifetime achievement award for the National Black Catholic Seminarians Association (NBCSA), the Fr. Clarence Williams, CPPS Award, went to Seminarian Darren Hazeur, SSJ. (Charlotte, North Carolina - Tuesday night, July 28, 1998.

	Mr. Anthony Bozeman of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (at the podium) served as the Master of Ceremonies at the Joint Conference’ Seminarians Luncheon. Members on the dais give an ovation to all those who came to attend the luncheon program. (From left to right) Bp. Joseph Perry of Chicago, Illinois; Deacon Paul Richardson, President of the NAACD ; Sr. Patricia Chappell, SNDdeN, President of NBSC ; and Fr. James Goode, OFM, Ph.D. - President of NBCCC.
Fr. Jesse Cox, OP, Joint Conference Coordinator, chairs closing panel of the Joint Conference. (L to R) Cox (Detroit); Fr. Bryan Massingale (Milwaukee); Sr. Dr. Jaime Phelps, OP (Chicago); Sem. Sydney Speaks, III, SSJ (Washington,DC); Sr. Gail Trippett, CSJ (Kansas City); and Sr. Anita Baird, DHM (Chicago).
	Joint Conference participants give a standing ovation to the talk given by Fr. Bryan Massingale of Milwaukee on racism. Many of the speakers, preachers and presenters received ovations full of heartfelt affirmation and appreciation.
Fr. Victor Cohea (center) chairs an organizational meeting for the third Pan African Roman Catholic Clergy Conference with his gifted leadership style . Fr. Wilbur Thomas (left) is a founding member of the PARCCC, as is Fr. Callist Nyambo (right). Fr. Nyambo, a native of Tanzania, became the first African elected to the Black Catholic Clergy Caucus board, July, 1998.(Fr. Thomas is also in another photo celebrating his 25^th anniversary)

	Sr. Patricia Chappell, SNDdeN, President of the National Black Sisters’ Conference poses with Fr. James Goode, OFM, Ph.D., President of the National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus before the 1998 Joint Conference Jubilarians’ Mass in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Concelebrating bishops gather before the Entrance Procession of the Jubilarians’ Mass. (L to R) Bp. Edward Braxton, Auxiliary of St. Louis, MO.; Bp. Joseph Perry, Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago, IL; and the local Bishop of Charlotte, Bp. William Curlin. Bp. Curlin spent thirty-five years in pastoral service to the Black community in Washington, DC before coming to Charlotte.
	Fr. Ferdinand Cheri, OFM (far right) directs the Jubilarians’ Mass choir formed out of the participants at the Joint Conference.
The Rev. Dr. Cyprian Davis, OSB, internationally acclaimed historian, preached the Jubilarians’ Mass on Thursday evening July 30. His homily opened with recounting the foundation of the Clergy Caucus in Detroit in 1968. He developed the theme of time : "…in heaven, a time of grace, an hour of mercy…"
	A rousing post communion hymn lifts the congregation from their seats as their hearts are stirred to give praise to God.
Fr. Goode, President of NBCCC takes the podium to recognize some of the honorees at the Jubilarians’ Mass.
	The Sisters Lynn prepare for the Offertory Procession with liturgical movement at the Jubilarians’ Mass.
Hand clapping, soul-stirring songs were the order of the day for the Jubilarians’ Mass as honorees and their spiritual family rejoiced.
	The concelebrating bishops at the Jubilarians’ Mass were (L to R) Bp. Edward Braxton, Bp. Joseph Perry and the local Bishop of Charlotte, Bp. William Curlin. In the center of the second row is Fr. Cyprian Davis, OSB, homilist for the Mass and Deacon Ralph Cyrus of Washington, DC. on the right.
Bp. Edward Braxton of St. Louis is followed in Bp. Joseph Perry of Chicago in the recessional procession of the Jubilarians . Bp. Braxton is the Convenor of the Black Bishops at this time and brought greetings from the Papal Nuncio, the Vatican representative in Washington, DC.

	The Twinship Phenomena: The prophet Jeremiah’s exclamation ‘Called from my mother’s womb’ has proof positive in twin priests and twin sisters. (L to R) Fr. Chester Smith, SVD, Sr. Lynn Marie Ralph, SBS; Fr. Charles Smith, SVD; and Sr. Patricia Ann Ralph, SSJ.
When everyone believes they are "seeing double" requests for photos abound. The Twinship Connection welcomes requests with a smile!! The Twins
	The ‘home boys’ and ‘home girls’ of Cleveland, Ohio pose for an Award Dinner photo opportunity. (L to R) Fr. Paul Marshall, SM (Chicago); Fr. Victor Cohea (New Orleans); Sr. Kendra Bottoms, SND (Cleveland); Sr. Mary Ann Henegan, MSBT (Philadelphia); Sr. Juanita Shealey, CSJ (Cleveland); Fr. Clarence Williams, CPPS (Detroit); Sr. Rosella Holloman, SCA (Cleveland).
The Joint Conference brings together people from across the country who are from the same hometown. Sunrise program includes a Homecoming Breakfast for those vocations that have come from Cleveland, Ohio. (L to R) Fr. Victor Cohea (New Orleans); Sr. Dorothy Jackson (Louisville, KY); Sr. Rosella Marie Holloman, SCA (Cleveland)-partially blocked; Sr. Mary Ann Henegan, MSBT (Philadelphia); center, Fr. Paul Marshall, SM (Chicago); Sr. Kendra Bottoms, SND (Cleveland); Sr. Juanita Shealey, CSJ (Cleveland) and Fr. Stephan Brown, SVD (Los Angeles).