|
||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
|
|
Anderson Shaw, director of the Center, said his evangelization efforts are on issues impacting the community, Catholic education, and parish life. He also works in collaboration with the Black Lay Catholic Ministry, the Deacons Mission, and the Knights and Ladies of Peter Claver.. The Center and the volunteers face challenges as they move about the community serving African Americans with goodness and grace. Town Hall meetings are held to discuss issues in the church such as Catholic schools and vocations. But this year, the topic was on "the future of Black Catholics in the Archdiocese." There were 114 people in attendance who said they were evangelized by their families, through Bible sharing, as well as positive fellowship and hospitality in Parishes. They agreed that what keeps Black people in the Catholic Church are Good Liturgies, Gospel music, and effective preaching. Dealing with social justice issues is a must in retaining parishioners. Youth and young adults were also a topic for discussion, and the participants said they should be allowed to develop their own evangelization plan. But most of all, the history of African Americans in the Catholic Church should be shared With the youth. Parishioners in attendance at the Town Hall were from 30 different Parishes, which included 17 from St. Albert's Church in Compton, and 13 from Holy Names Church in Los Angeles. Fr. Thomas Frank, S.S.J., pastor of St. Brigid Church in Los Angeles, said evangelization involves faith, visibility, and voice, as well as enculturation in worship and good relationships in the church community. He said we are called to evangelize through our Baptism, vocation, and from the mission and ministry of Jesus. Cheryl Pyles, the parish administrator at St. Brigid, challenged the group by asking them, "What Can you do for your parish?" They said they could be mentors, and donate money and supplies. Mrs. Pyles said parishes can deepen their faith through adult religious education classes and Bible study. She said most people select a parish because of convenience, a pastor, or recommendations from family and friends. The complete report can be found on the Center's Website: www.aaccfe.com The African American Catholic Center for Evangelization has a long history of success. In 1999 they hosted a "Festival of Evangelization" attended by 3,000 people, and each receiving a Bible as a gift from the American Bible Society. The Center has its own Mass Gospel Choir composed of parishioners from various Parishes and under the direction of Eddie Hilley, a professional musician and educator. Shaw works in conjunction with the Knights and Ladies of Peter Claver to honor Brothers, Deacons, Priests, and Sisters who have served the African American community. Shaw is also with Loyola-Marymount University, Los Angeles, in an African American Spirituality curriculum, where participants receive a Certificate in African American Ministry after two semesters of study. The Black History Liturgy in February involves adults and youth as Eucharistic Ministers, the Center's Gospel Choir, Drum Ministers, Lectors, and Liturgical Dancers. The Senior members of the community known as Diamonds are blessed, and the Papal Medalists are recognized. The homilies are given by some of the best homilists in the nation. They are Fr. Charles Andrus, New Orleans; Fr. Greg Chisholm, Oakland; Fr. Jeffrey Harvey, Fresno, Calif.; Fr. Joseph Idomele, Los Angeles; Bishop Joseph Perry, Chicago, and Fr. Oscar Pratt, Boston. Besides directing the Center, Shaw has served on the Board of Directors of The California African American Museum, the Exceptional Children's Foundation, and the California Partnership Consortium. He is a member of the Knights of Peter Claver, where he has served as District Deputy of the Western States. Shaw is a member of Our Lady of the Angels African American Advisory Council, and the Justice and Peace Commission. He is an active member of Holy Name Church in Los Angeles, where he has served as president the Parish School Board. He has also served on the St. Bernadette Parish Council. The volunteers who work with Shaw are applying action and dialogue with faith and vision. The vision include cultural awareness, parish life, social action, and vocations. Their faith is expressed through their knowledge and responsibility. They have gifts to offer the community. Their work includes the Martin Luther King Prayer Breakfast held Jan. 18, 2011 at St. Mary's Academy in Inglewood, Calif., and the MLK Mass held the same day at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles. The Fr. Fisher Robinson Golf Classic will be held Aug. 20, 2011, in remembrance of Fr. Robinson who served as Vicar for Black Catholics in the Archdiocese, and principal of Verbun Dei High School. The volunteers will join with the Knights and Ladies of Peter Claver Nov. 20, 2010 at California State University, Dominguez Hills, to honor Religious who have served the African American community. This year's honorees are Msgr. John Barry, Manhattan Beach, Calif.; Sr. Angela Faustina, Canoga Park, Calif.; Fr. John Harfmann, New Orleans; Sr. Eva Marie Lumas, Berkeley, Calif; Deacon Frank Millholland, Compton, Calif.; Fr. Tesfaldet Asghedom and Sr. Dolores Pardini, Los Angeles. Andrew Knox is the author of "Blazing an African American Trail," the history of Black Catholics in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. He is an educator and journalist, and he has won a "Ring of Truth Award" for outstanding initiative and originality in reporting. Knox is an active parishioner of St. Brigid Church in Los Angeles, and he serves on Our Lady of the Angels Regional Council. Knox's book can be purchased from his web site: http://knoxbaat.com African American Catholic Center for
Evangelization |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Lay people in Los Angeles are
providing service to the church with faith and wisdom because they have the gift
of togetherness. Their service is channeled through the African American
Catholic Center for Evangelization, who helps the Church function as a
community. The lay volunteers who work in the Center's many programs live a
lifestyle of compassion and justice. Among the programs are a Black History Mass
in February, the Martin Luther King Prayer Breakfast in January, and Task Forces
working in the five regions of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
 |
||
|
