Thirty-six parishioners from the Diocese of Raleigh joined more than 3,000 African American Catholics July 20 – 23 for the National Black Catholic Congress at the Gaylord National Harbor in Maryland.
The theme for the conference was “Write the Vision, A Prophetic Call to Thrive.”
Bishop Roy Campbell, Jr., NBCC president and auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Washington, noted that the event was the 13th gathering of Black Catholics and those in ministry to the Black Catholic community. He encouraged those gathered to explore God’s word and “reflect upon what is revealed to us as his vision that we may thrive and grow on the path he reveals.”
Raleigh’s delegation for Congress XIII included parishioners, youth and young adults from Holy Cross in Durham, St. Francis of Assisi in Raleigh, St. John the Baptist in Roanoke Rapids, St. Joseph in Raleigh, St. Mary in Goldsboro, St. Michael the Archangel in Cary and St. Peter in Greenville. Jennifer Jones, administrator of the diocesan African Ancestry Ministry and Evangelization Network and Native American Catholic office, and Monsignor Joseph Ntuwa, episcopal delegate and pastor of All Saints in Hampstead, also attended.
The event was a fulfilling experience for the Raleigh delegates, including Carolyn Holmes, faith formation director at Durham’s Holy Cross Parish.
“Father allowed me to speak after Mass as a part of the announcements, and I was overwhelmed again with excitement in sharing,” she said.
Each day began with praise, worship and prayer. Workshops included notable speakers from around the country, including Wilton Cardinal Gregory, archbishop of Washington, as the conference keynote speaker.
On November 28, 2020, Pope Francis elevated Cardinal Gregory to the College of Cardinals. He is the first African American cardinal from the United States.
His keynote theme at the congress was “The Eucharist: Our Prophetic Call to Love.” Cardinal Gregory also was the main celebrant and homilist for the Mass celebrated July 21 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
Bishop Luis Rafael Zarama, Monsignor Joseph Ntuwa and Deacon Bernie Zdancewicz were included in the procession for the Mass. Attendees also were able to visit the National African American Museum of History and Culture. The service project for the conference was “No Child Hungry Meal Packing.”
“Our youth and young adults had a great time,” said delegate Martha Carter-Bailey of St. Mary in Goldsboro. “They were all amazed about the bishops, priests, deacons and religious.”
4th African National Eucharistic Congress in Washington, D.C.
As the NBCC was held in Maryland, the African National Eucharistic Congress convened nearby at The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC, July 21-23.
Leon Muba Mopili’s family from St. Raphael Church in Raleigh represented the French community at the ANEC. The theme of the event was “African National Eucharistic Congress, A Response To The Lord's Prayer, That They May All Be One.” Its roots are in Jesus' prayer that believers would be united.
Sister Joanna Okereke, of the Congregation of the Handmaids of the Holy Child Jesus and assistant director of cultural diversity in the Church for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, told the Catholic News Agency that “the gathering brings together African Catholics from across our nation to celebrate the living presence of Jesus in the Church.”
Cardinal Gregory was also the keynote speaker at ANEC and main celebrant for the Unity Mass. Bishop Luis and Deacon Bernie were in the procession for this Mass. The adults and youth found the ANEC experience spiritually uplifting and are excited about participating in future Eucharistic Congress conferences.
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