Black Catholics

[jmm08]

I envy You cause You get to go to the Cathedral so often If anyone has`nt been there yet & they get a chance, dont pass it up. Of course, when I say I envy You I am kidding, but You are lucky to get there so often. We have many different cultures in Our local catholic church, But I see few Blacks. St Matts, a black church not catholic tho, is about 1/2 a mile from our church & I think is has a bigger membership than our church. Our church has almost 5000 membership. I have no problem with Blacks in Our Church

I converted to Catholic a few years ago when I was out of work. After being out of work for about six months, I started to think about it. And one time after a job interview on August 26, 2004 I had a very special trip to the National Shrine (one that I had not planned but Our Lady had certainly planned for me).

Shortly before 08/26/2004 I had read an article about the Negro Race in the Catholic Encyclopedia. I was so upset (not knowing that the article was written so many years ago). And after becoming rather drunk in anger I continued to read the Catholic Encyclopedia about “Mixed Marriages”. Because I was already so upset, I thought the article was talking about racially mixed marriages (needing the Bishop’s approval, etc). And that had me absolutely steaming mad (my misreading it). Interestingly, I made entries in this forum around those dates on those topics (so it is documented as well). In the National Shrine, when I momentarily saw a vision of a very beautiful Black woman in dark blue wearing a gold crown I had no idea for sure who it was. At first I had no idea how an artist could make a beautiful painting inside the stone wall until it faded away and I realized that there was no actual painting. Nor was it a reflection. Until next year rolled around and I realized that August 26 is the feast day of Our Lady of Czestochowa.

I understand that before the National Shrine was ever built there was prophecy that if it was built it would be a place where many things would happen. So excuse me for saying that perhaps a few things have happened. August 26th was also the day that Willa died. And possibly due to her influence in the Rosary and in the matter of the Confraternity of the Rosary – I learned to pray the Rosary and enrolled in the Confraternity. The date on my enrollment certificate 02/02/2005 is the same exact date that I began work again – more than a year being unemployed with a family to care for.

I am still working at the same place with more money than when I started. And the others I was working with at that location are no longer working in the same department (many have left in these increasingly difficult economic times).

I don’t get to go to the National Shrine as often as I would like. But while I was unemployed, I would go there whenever I had a job interview in Washington DC. Because it is a good place to go and pray and nobody will bother you or have an attitude towards you for just sitting around and not seemingly doing anything. It may look like not doing anything, but in the Catholic faith if you are sitting in the Holy Presence of the Blessed Eucharist you are doing something – praise God.

At first when I started my new job I took the bus each day. Driving would have been too expensive. And they were OK that I had to work early hours because I was taking the bus. Only a few months ago, I bought a new truck (thank you Mother). With this job Mary got me (it must have been Mary because I don’t think I even applied for the job until they first contacted me about it – and if I had seen the job requirements I would have not thought I was qualified).

jmm08

 

[jmm08]

Perhaps many are unemployed. If you are unemployed, I found this to be useful. Dress up well for your job interviews. And after the interview – since you already spent money on the trip downtown – spend the rest of the day in a good Catholic Cathedral or Basilica or other holy place. Spend some time in prayer. If you are tired of praying, just set somewhere in the Holy Presence of the Blessed Sacrament. And if God isn’t happy with what He sees ask Him to do something about it.

Get some good books on the Catholic faith. If you don’t have the money then go to a public library and borrow a book. When I was out of work I borrowed a book by Fr Groeshel from the public library. And I also borrowed a book “Treasure in Clay” (autobiography of Fulton Sheen). Perhaps your Catholic Parish library also has some good books (if they have a library). You don’t need to read about intellectual things that are difficult to understand. I found reading about the lives of Saints to be very interesting (and not requiring much intellectual effort).

Learn to pray the Rosary and pray it every day (at least five decades). If you have come to love the Rosary, consider enrolling in the Confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary. That alone seemed to do it for me. I got a good decent job. I am a radio frequency engineer (they didn’t tell me I was supposed to be an engineer until I had been working there about six months). They had seen my background and thought I might good to hire. And my boss thinks I am a good one. And I never took an engineering course in college – go figure.

jmm08

 

[Methodi]

I converted to Catholic a few years ago when I was out of work. After being out of work for about six months, I started to think about it. And one time after a job interview on August 26, 2004 I had a very special trip to the National Shrine (one that I had not planned but Our Lady had certainly planned for me).

Shortly before 08/26/2004 I had read an article about the Negro Race in the Catholic Encyclopedia. I was so upset (not knowing that the article was written so many years ago). And after becoming rather drunk in anger I continued to read the Catholic Encyclopedia about “Mixed Marriages”. Because I was already so upset, I thought the article was talking about racially mixed marriages (needing the Bishop’s approval, etc). And that had me absolutely steaming mad (my misreading it). Interestingly, I made entries in this forum around those dates on those topics (so it is documented as well). In the National Shrine, when I momentarily saw a vision of a very beautiful Black woman in dark blue wearing a gold crown I had no idea for sure who it was. At first I had no idea how an artist could make a beautiful painting inside the stone wall until it faded away and I realized that there was no actual painting. Nor was it a reflection. Until next year rolled around and I realized that August 26 is the feast day of Our Lady of Czestochowa.

I understand that before the National Shrine was ever built there was prophecy that if it was built it would be a place where many things would happen. So excuse me for saying that perhaps a few things have happened. August 26th was also the day that Willa died. And possibly due to her influence in the Rosary and in the matter of the Confraternity of the Rosary – I learned to pray the Rosary and enrolled in the Confraternity. The date on my enrollment certificate 02/02/2005 is the same exact date that I began work again – more than a year being unemployed with a family to care for.

I am still working at the same place with more money than when I started. And the others I was working with at that location are no longer working in the same department (many have left in these increasingly difficult economic times).

I don’t get to go to the National Shrine as often as I would like. But while I was unemployed, I would go there whenever I had a job interview in Washington DC. Because it is a good place to go and pray and nobody will bother you or have an attitude towards you for just sitting around and not seemingly doing anything. It may look like not doing anything, but in the Catholic faith if you are sitting in the Holy Presence of the Blessed Eucharist you are doing something – praise God.

At first when I started my new job I took the bus each day. Driving would have been too expensive. And they were OK that I had to work early hours because I was taking the bus. Only a few months ago, I bought a new truck (thank you Mother). With this job Mary got me (it must have been Mary because I don’t think I even applied for the job until they first contacted me about it – and if I had seen the job requirements I would have not thought I was qualified).

jmm08

Beautiful Story Jimm & Thank You for sharing!!

 

[pamnbam]

And I know, as a Black person, a Black Practicing Catholic, that sometimes, it’s a challenge to practice my faith because I don’t look like the people on the advertisements for the church throughout the world. I realize this. I don’t dwell on it, but I accept it.

:clapping: I know exactly what you mean by this! I agree that in many publications representing the Church, more effort could be made to show the many faces that make the Church universal. But you’re right–it’s not something to dwell on. . .

 

[nice2000]

Hi,

I’m new to the forum and I’ve found myself curious about the Catholic faith for the past few months which is the reason I signed up…hehehe although I’ve been kind of lurking and reading posts here for a while.

There are quite a few things that I’m unsure of about the Catholic Faith but I thought I’d start with the one that’s actually preventing from stepping into a Catholic Church although it technically has nothing to do with the Catholic faith itself so I hope I’m posting it in the right place.

I’m a little bit nervous about visiting a Catholic Church because I’m black. I guess my question is are there many black Catholics? Will people there think I’m weird or strange 'cause I’m there? I know these seems like silly questions but I’m human and it’s something that’s been on my mind because I don’t think I know any black Catholics.

Thanks for reading

I felt the same way.
I am okay with it now though.
There have been many masses I attended where you can count on one hand the total number blacks in my entire parish. My parish holds about 1,000 people per mass.
There is a black parish about 30 minutes from where I live…but why should I drive 30 minutes and I can drive 5 minutes to the Catholic church right up the road from where I live.
Everyone is just as friendly and welcoming.

 

[brotherhrolf]

Y’all are just not in the right part of the country, I suppose. Our diocesan TV ads always feature black Catholics.

Jmm - your comment about “mixed marriages” got a big chuckle out of me. I am a product of a “mixed marriage”. My father was protestant and my mother was Catholic. A whole lot of things were different back in 1947.

 

[JPUSC]

he picture of Our Lady of Czestochowa is undoubtedly more accurate in its depiction than “Our Lady of America” (who seems a bit chubby if you ask me). I think it is quite likely that Our Lady fasted every Wednesday and Friday during her whole life. She didn’t look the slightest bit overweight like an American.

LOL at the “chubby” comment. I think the statue was meant to depict a pregnant Mary like Our Lady of Lourdes and Guadalupe. It was probably not an attempt to represent overweight modern-day Americans as McDonalds and Burger King probably weren’t as popular as they are today during the alleged Our Lady of America apparitions of the 50’s, ROFL.

Anyway, I don’t care for the statue either. I don’t think it represents the people of America (U.S., Canada, Latin America), the most diverse region in the world.

Our Lady of Czechtochova is definitely a more accurate representation of Our Lady’s actual physical appearance on earth. I believe it was painted by an apostle. Other early depictions of Our Lady are similar.

Also, Our Lady of Guadalupe is not a manmade image and Our Lady is depicted with a dark skin tone.

 

[jesusforever70]

There may not be as many African Americans in the Catholic Church in America as there are caucasians or Hispanics, but there are plenty of them in African countries. Two of my favorite priests in the whole world are Nigerian. Do not feel hesitant about the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church embraces all races. In fact, the word “Catholic” means “universal”. You can find a Catholic Church in every country of the world! There are one billion of us! So you can easily find many black Catholics.

 

[Apryl]

There may not be as many African Americans in the Catholic Church in America as there are caucasians or Hispanics, but there are plenty of them in African countries. Two of my favorite priests in the whole world are Nigerian. Do not feel hesitant about the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church embraces all races. In fact, the word “Catholic” means “universal”. You can find a Catholic Church in every country of the world! There are one billion of us! So you can easily find many black Catholics.

Let us not forget: the first recorded Convert to the church was the ETHIOPIAN Eunich in the book of Acts

 

[dancny]

Hi,

I am not sure what part of Florida your in, but if your near Orange Park/Jacksonville allow me to invite you to Saint Catherine’s RCC. Our pastor is Fr. James Boddie and he is an African American. Not only do we love him but I am often told how lucky we are to have him.

In the Westside of Jacksonville we also have St Pius V. It is an African American parish. I hope that helps.

 

[Apryl]

Hi,

I am not sure what part of Florida your in, but if your near Orange Park/Jacksonville allow me to invite you to Saint Catherine’s RCC. Our pastor is Fr. James Boddie and he is an African American. Not only do we love him but I am often told how lucky we are to have him.

In the Westside of Jacksonville we also have St Pius V. It is an African American parish. I hope that helps.

Ok… I know before I say this that this is a tangent, and for that, I do apologize, but…

You say he’s ‘African American’. With the number of African born, and still African citizens that are ministring here in the USA, do you mean a Black person in America?

Because let’s not forget: Both Charlize Theron and Dave Matthews are African American… and MOST Black people in the United States have never been to Africa.

Just curious… I do think it’s a valid, although tangential, question.

 

[Malia_Belen]

African American or black? well, I use the terms interchangeably depending on the social situation.

One could say why do we call blacks black, the majority of black people or African Americans do not have black skin?

but then again some people like the term black because there is a sense of pride or strength in that word.

Even though most blacks have never been to Africa, it’s not fair to wipe out where blacks are from by not using the term African-American if it is preferred just because blacks/AAs have never been there…I suspect that many blacks would love to go to Africa if they had the time and/or money…and slave owners rarely if at all kept any records so it’s not like they could go home to visit to the place their ancestors are from.

So, I think which ever term a person prefers should be the term used. Just because you’re American you don’t have to give up your cultural heritage

Like I said I use both terms depending on the social situation.

Also, thanks for mentioning that the first convert was Ethiopian, I never knew that which is sad because this information is apart of the Bible. I have to start reading my Bible more

 

[osohappy]

Hey, I’m back (the holidays were busy in my family!)

This is story I want to relate about the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament (the order started by St. Katharine Drexel to educate and help African Americans and Native Americans). I read this in the first edition of her biography. I don’t know if it made it to later editions of the book; if it didn’t, shame, shame, shame!

It seems that a group of her nuns traveled to the Beaumont, TX area to start a school for black children. (Beaumont is roughly southeast of Houston, and is the site of the famous Spindletop oilfield). Well, the local Klu Klux Klan was furious about it. Klansmen don’t like Catholics or blacks, so the sisters really got them riled up by coming to open a Catholic school for black children!

The Klansmen posted a notice on the front door of the local Catholic church which warned the sisters that they had until the end of the week to get out of town, or face dire consequences from the Klan. The nuns and the local priest did the only thing they knew to do: they prayed daily for guidance and protection from God.

Well, on that Saturday night, the Klan met in a large field outside of Beaumont for a crossburning, etc. They planned to ride into town after the crossburning and “take care of those nuns.”

As the meeting was winding down, a thunderstorm rolled up (Texas weather does change in a hurry…) Lightning lit up the sky–and a bolt of lightning struck and killed the head Klansman!

Suddenly, the Klansman decided that somebody else could go and take care of those nuns…they gathered up the body of their leader, drove into town and never bothered the SBS sisters again!

I’ll let you all draw your own conclusions…I told a friend of mine this story (he was a Baptist seminary student at the time) and his reaction was "Don’t mess with the bride of Christ!

 

[JPUSC]

Hey, I’m back (the holidays were busy in my family!)

This is story I want to relate about the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament (the order started by St. Katharine Drexel to educate and help African Americans and Native Americans). I read this in the first edition of her biography. I don’t know if it made it to later editions of the book; if it didn’t, shame, shame, shame!

It seems that a group of her nuns traveled to the Beaumont, TX area to start a school for black children. (Beaumont is roughly southeast of Houston, and is the site of the famous Spindletop oilfield). Well, the local Klu Klux Klan was furious about it. Klansmen don’t like Catholics or blacks, so the sisters really got them riled up by coming to open a Catholic school for black children!

The Klansmen posted a notice on the front door of the local Catholic church which warned the sisters that they had until the end of the week to get out of town, or face dire consequences from the Klan. The nuns and the local priest did the only thing they knew to do: they prayed daily for guidance and protection from God.

Well, on that Saturday night, the Klan met in a large field outside of Beaumont for a crossburning, etc. They planned to ride into town after the crossburning and “take care of those nuns.”

As the meeting was winding down, a thunderstorm rolled up (Texas weather does change in a hurry…) Lightning lit up the sky–and a bolt of lightning struck and killed the head Klansman!

Suddenly, the Klansman decided that somebody else could go and take care of those nuns…they gathered up the body of their leader, drove into town and never bothered the SBS sisters again!

I’ll let you all draw your own conclusions…I told a friend of mine this story (he was a Baptist seminary student at the time) and his reaction was "Don’t mess with the bride of Christ!

Wow, God surely protects his people.

 

[Apryl]

One could say why do we call blacks black, the majority of black people or African Americans do not have black skin?

A person isn’t considered ‘Black’ because he or she has black skin! Heck, is ANY one Black? Ok, there are a couple of folx that are quite dark, but even THEY are not ‘black’

Even though most blacks have never been to Africa, it’s not fair to wipe out where blacks are from by not using the term African-American if it is preferred just because blacks/AAs have never been there

By whom is the term preferred? Just because a person is ‘Black’ doesn’t mean that they prefer the term. You can’t look at a person and know if they would prefer the term, can you? So, unless you can ask, that doesn’t fit.

And, as I asked, I can’t tell if the person talking in the post I as responding to was talking of a person who is American, but is of African descent, or a person who was born in Africa, and now has changed their citizenship to American.

Which it is? And should I be able to tell from what was posted? Does it matter? We have been discussing the number of Africans and African transplants that are preaching the Gospels, aren’t we?

 

[Malia_Belen]

A person isn’t considered ‘Black’ because he or she has black skin! Heck, is ANY one Black? Ok, there are a couple of folx that are quite dark, but even THEY are not ‘black’

**By whom is the term preferred? Just because a person is ‘Black’ doesn’t mean that they prefer the term. You can’t look at a person and know if they would prefer the term, can you? So, unless you can ask, that doesn’t fit. **

No, you can’t look at a person and tell what they prefer but sometimes it’s okay to ask as people have definitely asked me and I tell them whichever they are comfortable with.

**And, as I asked, I can’t tell if the person talking in the post I as responding to was talking of a person who is American, but is of African descent, or a person who was born in Africa, and now has changed their citizenship to American.

Which it is? And should I be able to tell from what was posted? Does it matter? We have been discussing the number of Africans and African transplants that are preaching the Gospels, aren’t we? **

No you can’t tell by looking or on a forum once again it’s okay to ask. It’s perfectly okay to ask someone but if a person is from African and you are talking to them…the accent is dead give away which type of African American they are. I have been ask many times which term I prefer.

And there are black people who are black just not very many although technically it is sometimes called black brown skin. The reason most blacks have brown skin is because they or their ancestors were mixed with other races or skin colors.

Here are some photo’s if you’d like to see.

flickr.com/photos/boaz/888988981/in/photostream/

And no it doesn’t matter at least to me which is why I’m okay with African American or black.

 

[Apryl]

And no it doesn’t matter at least to me which is why I’m okay with African American or black.

Hmmmm… I guess I wasn’t clear.

I’m not ok with ‘African American or Black’, simply because too often, the terms are interchanged when they are not interchangeable, and reading, I can’t tell which group the poster was talking about.

 

[Malia_Belen]

Hmmmm… I guess I wasn’t clear.

I’m not ok with ‘African American or Black’, simply because too often, the terms are interchanged when they are not interchangeable, and reading, I can’t tell which group the poster was talking about.

I guess it depends on the way you look at it. I’ve never had that problem. Generally, African-American and black are interchangeable terms at least where I live…one term being what society thinks is the PC term for black people. I thought people generally make it clear if the AA in question is from Africa by saying this person is from Africa at least that’s been my experience.

Again it’s okay to ask if it isn’t clear but many times it’s clear just by listening to the speaker if he or she is a black African American or an African-American from Africa.

African American or black is a personal preference…it’s like asking a new friend named Katherine if she prefers Katie or Katherine. Her name can’t be changed…but it would be nice to choose the one she prefers.

 

[Apryl]

I guess it depends on the way you look at it. I’ve never had that problem. Generally, African-American and black are interchangeable terms at least where I live…one term being what society thinks is the PC term for black people. I thought people generally make it clear if the AA in question is from Africa by saying this person is from Africa at least that’s been my experience.

Again it’s okay to ask if it isn’t clear but many times it’s clear just by listening to the speaker if he or she is a black African American or an African-American from Africa.

African American or black is a personal preference…it’s like asking a new friend named Katherine if she prefers Katie or Katherine. Her name can’t be changed…but it would be nice to choose the one she prefers.

:ehh: Ok.

So which was that other person talking about? I still don’t see an answer to that question. Can you figure it out?

 

[Apryl]

Hi,

I am not sure what part of Florida your in, but if your near Orange Park/Jacksonville allow me to invite you to Saint Catherine’s RCC. Our pastor is Fr. James Boddie and he is an African American. Not only do we love him but I am often told how lucky we are to have him.

Just curious: Is Fr. Boddie a Black person, of African descent, or is he an African person, now living in America?