Black Catholics in the United States have taken
pride in celebrating the gifts God has given them in their Christian faith. From
the Black Catholic Congress and other national programs they have developed a
hunger to deepen their faith and learn from Black Catholic leaders.
Seven years ago the Black Catholic community in
Northern Colorado started an annual "Black Catholic Retreat." They realized that
they could draw from national resources to lead them in a weekend retreat. They
had the advantage of the Sacred Heart Jesuit Retreat House which is between
Denver and Colorado Springs so they could invite participants from both
Dioceses.
Through the years the retreats have been led by a
Religious Sister, Priests, a Bishop, and a Deacon. A committee does a search and
invites the leader they feel best suited to helping them understand and value
their faith experience from a Black perspective.
The retreat committee works in developing a format
and atmosphere which will maximize the objectives of providing a faith-filled
experience and lead to a closer walk with our Lord.
Our retreat director in 2008 was Deacon Clarence
McDavid who was ordained in 1987. In 2005 Deacon Clarence and his wife Wanda
were awarded the titles of Knight and Dame of the Order of St. Gregory the
Great.
This award is given by the Holy See in recognition
for diligent service to the Church. For two years after his ordination Deacon
McDavid served at Cure d; Ars parish in Denver as an administrator.
The theme of this year's retreat was "Called to
Serve - Ordinary to Extraordinary." Since we too are disciples, like persons in
the Bible we have been called to serve. There are many times in our lives when
we hesitate and find excuses not to answer the call. When we conquer our fears
and respond we find ourselves doing the extraordinary. As one retreatant stated,
"I felt the retreat was awesome because it challenged each and everyone to
examine her/his relationship with God and move from the ordinary to the
extraordinary."
Confident and enthusiastic in what Black Catholics
have to offer to the Church and wanting to let our light shine, the retreat has
included members of various ethnic backgrounds so that the richness and
diversity of the Kingdom of God may be experienced.
Submitted by Mary L. Leisring, Director of the
Office of Black
Catholic Ministry, Archdiocese of Denver
For further information or to answer questions,
please feel free to contact me at Mary.Leisring@archden.org.
