THE BLACK CATHOLIC E-BULLETIN
December 2002
Volume 1
Issue 11
Inside this issue:
Dear
Member of the Black Catholic Community,
Attached please find the tenth issue of the Black Catholic E-bulletin. Our
objective is to provide information monthly on matters that concern the larger
Black Catholic community. Your parish, vicariate or Black Catholic organization
can feel free to send your news to us. This bulletin is also available on line
at the following website: http://www.bcimall.org/tbceb/index.htm.
We are looking forward to spreading the news in Jesus' name.
In the Lord's service,
Diane Petty-Terrell, Editor
Fr. Clarence Williams, Publisher
Please send news items by the
21st of each month for the upcoming month to:
bccgazette@aol.com
Northwest Evangelization Day
The Northwest Evangelization Committee is sponsoring an Adult Evangelization Day on February 15th at St. Martin de Porres High School. The keynote speaker will be Deacon Wyatt Jones. More information to follow.
THE INSTITUTE OF BLACK CATHOLIC STUDIES NEEDS YOU!
The Institute for Black Catholic Studies (IBCS) of Xavier University of Louisiana will begin its 23rd year summer session Sunday, June 29, 2003 to July 19, 2003. The need for theologically and culturally competent ministers in the African American community grows and it needs you!! The Institute is designed to assist Black and cross cultural Priests, lay women and men, seminarians, novices, catechists, diocesan administrators, deacons, lay associates and volunteers ministering among Black Catholics and the broader African American community to develop a more meaningful and effective ministry within the Black community.
Participants will find in the Institute a holistic environment - a community life structure around prayer, liturgy, theological and ministerial studies as well as experiences designed to develop and enrich understanding of African American culture. The IBCS, set within the Black Catholic context of Xavier University and the city of New Orleans, offers a variety of opportunities for intellectual, professional and spiritual growth that integrates the major teachings and traditions of the Catholic Church and the Black Religious experience.
IBCS programs include a Master's Degree Program, Certificate and Spiritual Enrichment Programs. For more information contact: The Institute for Black Catholic Studies, Xavier University of Louisiana, 1 Drexel Drive, Box 49A, New
Orleans, LA, 70125, (504) 483-7691.
Celebrate KWANZAA
(December 26 – January 1st)
History
KWANZAA, the African-American cultural holiday conceived and developed by Dr. Maulana Ron Karenga, was first celebrated on December 26, 1966. Kwanzaa is traditionally celebrated from December 26 through January 1, with each day focused on Nguzo Saba, or the seven principles. Derived from the Swahili phrase "matunda ya kwanza" which means "first fruits", Kwanzaa is rooted in the first harvest celebrations practiced in various cultures in Africa. Kwanzaa seeks to enforce a connectedness to African cultural identity, provide a focal point for the gathering of African peoples, and to reflect upon the Nguzo Saba, or the seven principles, that have sustained Africans. Africans and African-Americans of all religious faiths and backgrounds practice Kwanzaa.
Kwanzaa was born out of the whirlwind of social and political changes of the sixties decade. The sixties represent one of many eras during which the African and African-American struggle for freedom and self-identity reached its historical peak, spawning multiple revolutionary movements.
Concept
Kwanzaa has definite principles, practices and symbols which are geared to the social and spiritual needs of African-Americans. The
reinforcing gestures are designed to strengthen our collective self-concept as a people, honor our past, critically evaluate our present and commit ourselves to a fuller, more productive future.Kwanzaa is a way of life; not just a celebration. As a living social practice, it is a week of actual remembering, reassessing, recommitting, rewarding and rejoicing. For evaluation of ourselves and our history, we relate to our past, reassess our thoughts and practices, and recommit ourselves to the achievement of Black liberation and the betterment of life for all Black Americans.
Finally, the concept of Kwanzaa, the African-American holiday, is to help Black Americans relate to the past in order to understand the present and deal with the future ….a "Sankofa" theory.
Principles
(Nguzo Saba )Kwanzaa Programs
DETROIT CITY COUNCILWOMAN TINSLEY-TALABI AND WAYNE COUNTY COMMISSIONER PARKER TO HOST KWANZAA CELEBRATION DECEMBER 20
Detroit City Councilwoman Alberta Tinsley-Talabi and Wayne County Commissioner Bernard Parker present "Kwanzaa," a holiday program, from noon-2 p.m., December 20, in the 13th Floor Auditorium of the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, 2 Woodward Avenue. The public is invited to attend the 10th annual celebration and join in activities commemorating this African-American holiday, which focuses on family, community and culture, and the goodness of life.
Festivities will revolve around the significance of this important holiday recognized by millions throughout America and the world.
The ceremony will feature the seven principles emphasized on different days of the Kwanzaa week.
Participating in the ceremony will be community and religious leaders as well as Detroit students. Dancers will perform traditional routines in authentic costumes and there will be an African fashion show. Vendors will also be present to sell African-American goods.
Free ethnic food and refreshments, signifying the Kwanzaa feast of Karamu, will be served. For more information, call (313) 224-1645 or (313) 224-0882.
For more information on other local celebrations open to the public, please
contact the following:
NAACP
Shrine of the Black Madonna
Black Christian
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
Detroit Public Libraries:
Elmwood
Lincoln Branch
Main Branch Library
Mark Twain Branch
4741 Iroquois
(313) 924-9272
3-4 p.m. Dec. 27
Happy Kwanzaa!
Multi-media Youth Art Contest
The Catholic Campaign for Human Development invites you to enter the Multi Media Youth Arts Contest. The theme is "Breaking the Cycle of Poverty In America." Students in grades 9 – 12 can enter as an individual or as a group. Categories consist of visual arts, literature or audio-visual. Please call (313) 237-5992 no later than January 17, 2003 if you are interested in participating.
Sankofa Tee Shirt Sale
Sankofa
Tee-shirts are available for sale and can be ordered for $20 at the webpage of the Black Catholic Information Mall: www.bcimall.org/Sankofa500. There will be a photo of the Tee-shirt and an order form on the webpage. The profits from the orders will go to the fund to provide scholarship monies for youth to attend the Black Catholic Youth Sankofa Summit in Oakland, California next June. For discounted large orders of five or more, please call: (313) 237-5959.Thank you for supporting the
Sankofa Observance and our youth!
5th Annual National Certification Training in
Recovery from Racisms
®The Institute for Recovery from Racisms®
is re-scheduling its 5th Annual National Certification Training in Recovery from Racisms to April 11-13, 2003 at Sacred Heart Major Seminary. This is a 30 hour training program for certification to introduce audiences to the racial sobriety approach through various formats. The Certified Facilitator assists individuals, groups and support groups in understanding and using the recovery process in a range of settings. The following is a list of training programs available for those pursuing racial sobriety and who wish to share it with others.To register or for more information please go to the following webpage:
http://www.ifrfr.org.
Princeton University Seeking Applicants!
Apply NOW!!!
The Junior Summer Institute at the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs - Princeton University is seeking applicants for its 2003 Public Policy and International Affairs Fellowship Program. The Junior Summer Institute is designed to prepare students of color for graduate study in public and international affairs. The program will be held at Princeton University from June 12, 2003 through August 1, 2003. Applicants must be in their junior year of undergraduate study and demonstrate a strong interest in public service and a career in domestic public policy or international affairs.
The curriculum is designed to improve students' analytic and communication skills through three areas of study - economics, statistics, and policy analysis/writing. The program is fully funded and will cover the entire cost of tuition, housing, meals, and transportation. In addition, students receive a $1,000 stipend. For more information visit Princeton University's Web site:
http://www.wws.Princeton.EDU/jsi
BOOK SALE
Racial Sobriety – A Journey from Hurt to Healing
is a book recently authored by Fr. Clarence Williams, CPPS, Ph.D. The price is $16 and available for sale at Catholic Book Stores. Detroit area stores are located inside Sacred Heart Major Seminary, 2701 Chicago at the corner of Linwood street (313.865.0230), and at 1232 Washington Boulevard in downtown Detroit between State and Grand River streets (313.962.4490.) For more information please visit the following web site: www.ifrfr.org. Thank you for your support!
Parish Events
Blessed Sacrament Cathedral
Afternoon Bible School classes take place every Monday evening at 4:00 p.m. All are invited to attend.
Christ The King
"The Journey of Promises and Choir Presentation of Prayerful Song" is scheduled for Saturday, December 21st at 5:30 p.m. The Christmas Eve Liturgy for Children will take place at 5:00 p.m. on December 24th.
Church of the Madonna
The third annual Black History Program will take place on February 16, 2003, at 3:00 p.m. featuring keynote speaker Deacon Wyatt Jones. The program will include prayer, poetry, dance, music, an Afrocentric bazaar, food, and more. The suggested donation is $5 per person or $20 per family. Additional information will follow at a later date. Please mark your calendar.
Church of the Precious Blood
Precious Blood is seeking a Minister of Music to serve as Music Director.
For more information, please call 313.342.5232.
Sacred Heart Church
A Valentines Dance will take place on Saturday, February 8, 2003, from 8:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. The cost is $20
St. Gerard
Eucharistic Adoration will take place December 18th at 7:00 p.m. Please call (313) 537-5770 for more information.
St. Martin de Porres High School
Coach Carter is asking for donations of musical instruments to assist in starting a school band. Please call (313) 864-3330 for more information.
U of D Mercy
Fr. Clarence Williams, CPPS, Ph.D., Director of the Office of Black Catholic Ministry of the Archdiocese of Detroit will speak on Racial Sobriety: From Hurts to Healing on January 15, 2003 at 7:00 p.m. For more information please call (313) 993-1000.
Free Health Care
The Northwest Detroit Vicariate – St. Vincent De Paul Health Center
offers adult health services including high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, arthritis, physicals, and respiratory problems. Physicians are available on Monday and Thursday afternoons by appointment. Volunteers are needed. Please phone (313) 837-5078 if you do not have health insurance and need medical care.St. John’s Health/Providence will feature free seminars on "Hip and Knee pain" December 18th, "Stress Management Seminar" on December 23d and "Cholesterol – In a Nut Shell" on December 30th. You may phone 1(877) 345-5500 for more information.
The AIDS Ministry Forum of the Archdiocese of Detroit will provide education, caring support, and resources to encourage and assist the Catholic community in developing their ministry to people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. AIDSministry@aod.org.
VOTING WEB SITE
The Secretary of State has a web site available for those registered to vote in Michigan. This web site will provide you with your personal voting data including your polling location, candidate information, driving directions, the type of voting ballot used, what will be on your ballot for your district, and more. Voters only need to type in their name to access their personal information. The address is:
https://www.sospublius.org/publiussearch/
ARCHDIOCESE OF DETROIT
The Office for Black Catholic Ministries
of the Department of Parish Life