Volume 3, Issue 3 August 2011

Black Catholic Ministries’ 1st Hour of Power Revival series was an overwhelming success! We have already received a number of calls wanting to know the dates for the revival series for next year.

If you missed this years revival, I hope that you will join us for another four weeks of great preaching, teaching, singing and fellowship! Special thanks to all of the host parishes and pastors, choirs, liturgical dancers, lectors, ushers and hospitality coordinators who made our four weeks of revival enjoyable and memorable!

Hour of Power revival series an overwhelming success

Black Catholic Ministries Archdiocese of Detroit 305 Michigan Avenue Detroit, MI 48226

John J.F. Thorne, Coordinator E-mail: blackcatholics@aod.org

Phone: (313) 596-7103 Fax: (313) 237-5752

Write down the vision clearly upon the tablets, so that one can read it

readily. For the vision still has its time, presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint; If it delays, wait for it, it will surely come, it will not be late.

~ Habakkuk 2:2-3

Mark your calendars! The 2012 revival series will be Wednesdays May 2, 9, 16 and 23rd. Once again we will be pressing our way towards a new Pentecost, that will inspire, enliven, enrich and fill us with the power to go change the world.

Black Catholic Ministries is pleased to congratulate, Mr. Leon Dixon of St. Cecilia Parish who has received the Presidential Gold Volunteer Service Award. The criteria for the Gold Award for an adult is 500 hours of service.

During the past year Leon gave from his heart an overwhelming 3,000 hours. Leon, said: “Service is at the core of my being. I did not do any of this to gain any press, but rather to answer the call to better my community and follow the command of Christ to serve one another.”

Leon Dixon receives Presidential Volunteer Service Award

Leon accumulated hours through his work with the Knights of Peter Claver, community projects, work with the YFACT city youth leadership team and many organizations. Before the end of 2011, Leon hopes to have completed 4,000 hours of community service in the past two years. The Highest level of the Presidential Volunteer Service Award is President’s Call To Service Award, which calls for 4,000 hours of service in a lifetime. Leon is obviously an exemplary man of service! Congratulations Leon for all that you do for our community!

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Nativity of our Lord Parish is celebrating its centennial this year. In 1911, Fr. Francis

Heidenrich was asked by Bishop John S. Foley to start a new parish in Leesville, now the Gratiot-Harper area. The cornerstone of the school was laid in 1912 and the school basement was used for the Church of Nativity until 1926. The present Renaissance revival church was designed with a facade similar to the basilica church of St. Francis of Assisi in Assisi, Italy. The first mass was celebrated in the church in 1926, but the church was not completed until 1929. Today Nativity serves as the anchor of the recent redevelopment of the Gratiot-Woods neighborhood. As a parish they continue to grow in faith and love and continue to work to build the kingdom of God!

August 2011

St. Charles Borromeo Parish is marking its 125th anniversary this year. The parish was founded in 1886 to meet the growing Belgian population. Ironically St. Charles never became

exclusively a Belgian parish, the congregation was comprised of Belgians, French, Germans, Polish and English speaking members reflecting the city’s cosmopolitan nature. St. Charles has been actively involved in the revitalization of its neighborhood. Today St. Charles is still a diverse vibrant community which continues to live its faith in action. Since the early 90’s, St. Charles has been the home of Dearing Detroit Dance, a dance ministry dedicated to mentoring and leading young people to praising God through dance.

Black Catholic Parishes Mark Milestones

St. Cecilia Parish was founded in 1921. The parish was formed out of necessity because of the rapid growth on the city’s northwest side. In the mid 1920’s, the parish not only operated a elementary school but also a high school.

By the 60’s the parish community had changed. The parish had an increasingly active African American population. In November of 1968 the parish unveiled Devon Cunningham’s “Black Christ” in the dome of the church. St. Cecilia’s Gym has left an indelible mark on the City’s history. From that gym notable athletes were formed and have gone on to do greater things throughout the U.S. Today St. Cecilia continues to be a beacon of light in the Livernois/Grand River area. Through their various ministries they continue their outreach to the community while meeting the spiritual needs of its parishioners. St. Cecilia is also involved in the social change and betterment of all in the community.

Saturday, September 24, 2011, the Diocese of Toledo: Black Catholic Ministries, will host a workshop on “Evangelization and Adult Formation with Diverse Communities” in Toledo, Ohio from 9:15 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.

The speaker will be Sr. Eva Marie Lumas, S.S.S., from the Franciscan School of Theology in Berkeley, CA. Sr. Eva has presented many workshops, keynotes and lectures throughout the country in the areas of multiculturalism, inclusion, catechesis, liturgy and pastoral ministry.

The cost of the day will be $15.00 per person including a box lunch and workshop materials.

For more information or to register call Michael Youngblood at 419-244-6711 ext. 511/515

www.toledodiocese.org

Diocese of Toledo BCM to Host Evangelization Workshop

August 2011 Page 3

Black Catholic Ministries co-hosts a service of peace and healing

Fr. James (Jim) Hasse passed away on June 19, 2011 at the age of 76. For many the name Fr. Jim Hasse may be a great unknown, but for years his artwork has graced the African American History and Heritage Calendar published annually by the Josephites.

In 1959, Fr. Hasse entered the Society of Jesus. He continued his educational pursuits and received the Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees in philosophy and anthropology from St. Louis University in St. Louis, Missouri. He cultivated his talent for art at Notre Dame University in South Bend, Indiana, where he earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in 1970. Upon returning to his native Illinois, Fr. Hasse received his Masters in Divinity from the Bellarmine School of Theology.

Fr. James Hasse’s ministry and art gave life to many communities

Fr. Hasse began his lifelong ministry in the African American community right after his ordination in 1969 when he was assigned to Holy Family Church in Chicago, IL. His ministry led him to Columbus, OH and Cincinnati. His art was often inspired by those with whom he worked closely. “As much as Jim found beauty in nature, the place where he most found beauty, most found God, was in people,” explains friend and former community member Fr. Joseph Folzenlogen, SJ. “Over the years, Jim painted and sculpted in the African-American communities where he ministered. His hope was that seeing themselves mirrored in his images, they would become aware of their own beauty and dignity.” Fr. Hasse’s last installation is here in the Archdiocese of Detroit. He personally oversaw the installation at St. Aloysius’ Canticle Café located in downtown Detroit.

On Monday, August 22, 2011, Black Catholic Ministries along with St. Leo Parish and UCOA (United Communities of America) will sponsor a prayer service of peace and healing. We all have seen the affect that violence has had on our community. From the senseless slaying of our young people, the abduction and murder of our youth, to the outrageous abuse of our elders. This is our city and we need to take it back! Our city needs to be lifted up in prayer!

“Been Good To Me” cd sales get closer to target goal parishes that participated in the CDs recording. This is a wonderful way for the musicians and choir members of many of our city parishes to give back using their God given gifts.” To support the effort by purchasing a CD, please call (313) 596-7103. CDs are $15.00 each.

The Black Catholic Ministries Gospel Choirs’ debut CD release has been a great success with sales over $15,000.00 pushing towards the $20,000.00 goal. John Thorne, director of the choir said: “100% of the proceeds will go towards the purchase of the new Lead Me, Guide Me 2nd Edition hymnal for the 17

On November 16, 2010 the City Council presented the UCOA with a testimonial resolution declaring the 22nd day of each month as a city-wide day of peace and healing. If you want to give peace a chance or if you or someone you know has been affected by violence we invite you to join us on Monday, August 22, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. at St. Leo Catholic Church

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The topics and issues at the Congress are the starting point for the five-year action plan that guides the work of Black Catholic Ministries in our Archdiocese and throughout the United States.

The National Black Catholic Congress provides a unique opportunity where Black Catholics come and experience their faith and share their faith with others from around the country. There will be Eucharistic celebrations that are authentically Black and Catholic!

Congress will feature workshops for youth, young adults and adults, and we are looking for young adults who are willing and able to attend, because we need your continued leadership on our local level.

If you are interested in Congress XI see the informational below or call 313-596-7103.

You are invited to join the Archdiocese of Detroit’s Black Catholic Ministries as we form a DETROIT DELEGATION to attend the National Black Catholic Congress XI - “Faith Engaged” in Indianapolis, IN July 19-22, 2012. The Congress is one of the largest gatherings of Black Catholics throughout the country and only takes place every five years. So what is the National Black Catholic Congress and what happens there? Congress is a convocation of two to three thousand Black Catholics (laity and priests and bishops) from across the USA, Canada and Caribbean. For four days we come together to celebrate our Catholic faith in connection with our Afro-American ancestry, identity and culture.

Join us for the 2012 National Black Catholic Congress

Archdiocese of Detroit

The Detroit Delegation will depart from Detroit, MI on Thursday, July 19, 2012 and return on Sunday evening, July 22nd. Below you will find detailed pricing as well as accommodations for the 2012 Congress trip. Other detail such as the Detroit Delegation Dinner will be worked out after the first of the year (2012). Conference Hotel: J.W. Marriott Indianapolis

10 S. West Street ▪ Indianapolis, IN 46204

Total Cost per person (includes registration,

hotel and deluxe bus transportation):

Single: $685.00

Double: $485.00

Triple: $415.00

Quad: $380.00

Cost breakdown:

Congress Registration: $200.00 per person

Hotel: $140.00 per night

(includes taxes and up to

a quad occupancy)

Transportation: $75.00 (includes

estimated 2012 price

increases)

▪

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2011-2012 Black Catholic Ministries Calendar of Events September 2011 17 “Sing A New Song Unto the Lord” 9:30 a.m. Exploring the text and music of the New Roman Missal Sacred Heart Major Seminary Gym October 2011 8 “Table for Two” 7:00 p.m. Married Enrichment Event www.aodonline.org/tablefortwo Sacred Heart Major Seminary Gym 29 Sr. Thea Her Word and Her Song 7:00 p.m. A one woman play on the life of Sr. Thea Bowman feat. ValLimar Jansen www.aodonline.org/srthea Gesu Parish $10.00/$5.00 youth November 2011 5 Mass of Heritage 12:00 noon Mass Celebrating Black Catholic History Month St. Mary of Redford Parish January 2012 14 MLK Youth/Family Day of Service 15 Dream Keepers Scholarship Dinner 5 p.m. Sacred Heart Major Seminary 16 MLK Holiday Mass 10:00 a.m. Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament

February 2012 26 Black Catholic Ministries Gospel Choir Concert 4 p.m. April 2012 21 Black Catholic Women’s Day of Reflection May 2012 2 Hour of Power Revival 7 p.m. Preacher: TBD 9 Hour of Power Revival 7 p.m. Preacher: TBD 16 Hour of Power Revival 7 p.m. Preacher: TBD 23 Hour of Power Revival 7 p.m. Preacher: TBD July 2011 19-22 National Black Catholic Congress Indianapolis, IN September 2011 15 Black Catholic Men’s Day of Reflection 6-8 St. Cecilia’s Annual Revival 7 p.m. Preacher: Fr. Maurice Nutt St. Cecilia