Tenth National Black Catholic Congress
Welcoming Ceremony Address
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Buffalo Convention Center, Buffalo, New York
(Article: 2 of 3) |
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Five years ago, the
ninth Congress met in Chicago. The first Congress of the twenty-first century reached a consensus to act on eight critical areas of concern. Christ has made His Church to be a sign and an instrument of the coming of the Reign of God (e.g.,
Catechism of the Catholic Church 765, 774-776, 1118), working in "solidarity in action" to promote what is just and right. Action Plans addressed the issues of: promoting vibrant expressions of spirituality and experiences of parish life; affirming the presence and contributions of youth and young adults in our Church; sustaining Catholic education in our communities; advocating for social justice and eradicating racism; strengthening bonds with Africa; and providing a compassionate response to those who suffer from H.I.V. and/or A.I.D.S.
Building on this work, we continue to provide positive strategies for building the Catholic Church in the Black community. Our founder,
Daniel Rudd, was convinced that the Catholic Church had a powerful message to proclaim in our community. Catholicism is compatible with our culture. Africans have been a part of the Catholic Church since its beginnings, shaping her message and advancing her mission (cf. Acts of the Apostles 2:10; Acts of the Apostles 8:26-40; Acts of the Apostles 13:1-3). Nations such as Ethiopia have been among the first Christian nations. Africans can be counted among the early Church fathers and mothers. Catholics of African descent have been canonized as saints, serving as exemplary models of Christian discipleship.
We continue our work on these critical areas of concern by considering the theme, "Christ is With Us: Celebrating the Gifts of the Sacraments." Our God is resolved to set us free from sin and death. We are resolved to learn and live according to His way of freedom. God has come to share in our humanity so that we can have a share in divine life! I submit to you that this is the consensus at the root of our celebration over the next three days.
Reports from Diocesan Days of Reflection note a hunger to deepen our understanding of the sacramental life. We do not want to take these encounters with the living God for granted. Otherwise, we will assess whether we "got something out" of them as if the grace of God is a commodity to analyze. Sacramental celebrations are expressions of the covenant that we have with God. He gives of Himself wholly and unconditionally in love for us. This should elicit a desire within us to offer ourselves wholly and unconditionally to Him. Let us listen once again to the Word of the Lord: [Jesus said,] "'I am the vine and you are the branches'" (John 15:5a). Just as the vine nourishes the branches and provides fruitful growth, so the grace of the sacraments nourish us with divine life, enabling us to enjoy a fruitful life of Christian discipleship.
This Congress invites us to continue to rejoice in the tangible
presence of God. The sacraments were established by Christ for our benefit according to His instructions. They are entrusted to the Church (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1131). We are not ashamed to teach everything that Christ has commanded us to do (cf. Matthew 28:20a). Everything the Christ does is an expression of God's enduring love for us.
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