The Archdiocesan Committee on Black Catholic Concerns held its first meeting Monday, March 22^nd, at the Catholic Center. Largely an organizational session, the meeting was attended by nineteen representatives from Most Blessed Sacrament, Our Lady of Lourdes, Saint Anthony's, Saint Paul of the Cross and Saints Peter and Paul Parishes.

This group is the first archdiocesan level board or commission convened specifically to look at the needs and concerns of the black Catholics of the archdiocese. "The Commission will serve as a forum in which the voice of our black Catholic brothers and sisters can be more effectively heard," commented Monsignor Jerry E. Hardy who served as convener of the meeting.

Like all other archdiocesan boards and commissions, this one will be a consultative body to advise the archbishop on matters pertaining specifically to the Church's ministry in the black community. Commenting on this aspect of the Commission's work, Mrs. Phyllis Benjamin, a delegate from Our Lady of Lourdes, noted, "It is not that we're going to be concerned just about helping the black community. Helping all of us to be more aware of any part of the archdiocese's people will help all the people, white and black." Membership of the Commission is predominantly black, but not totally. Each of the parishes noted above has three delegates, with the pastor an ex officio member of the commission. The concept of a commission on black Catholic concerns grew out of an evangelization program in March 1981 where interest in black evangelization led to formation of an unofficial group of interested Catholics, both black and white. The Archdiocesan Board of Consultors recommended to the Archbishop the convening of a commission in December 1981.

The commission will meet the fourth Monday of each month at the Catholic Center.