By Karen Clemons

(Ms. Clemons is a member of St. Anthony's Parish in Atlanta.)

Another positive and successful attempt has been initiated by key lay and clerical brothers and sisters to renew the dynamics of lay participation within the Catholic faith community, specifically in the southeastern United States.

A weekend of sacrifice and dedication by members of the National Office for Black Catholics (NOBC) and the National Black Lay Catholic Caucus (NBLCC), both in Washington, D.C., culminated in a Southeast Lay Catholic Caucus Regional Conference held February 20-21 in Baton Rouge, LA. Lay Catholics representing Florida, Louisiana, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia participated in this worthy endeavor, that will hopefully instigate an awareness of the need for the lay ministry of all black Catholics.

The agenda for this Southern Conference of the Black Catholic Caucus was: 1) An address by Rev. Giles Conwill entitled, "Black Catholics in the 1980s -- Why Get Involved?"; 2) NBLCC Purpose and Structure -- James B. McConduit, President, NBLCC; 3) Social and Ecclesiastical Issues in 1982 - Robert L. Robinson, Coordinator, NBLCC; 4) NBLCC Bylaws Review, Recommendations and Adoption -- Walter T. Hubbard, Past President, NOBC; and 5) Local Organizing Strategies and Action Planning -- James R. Henderson, President of NOBC.

Following the conference, preparations were made for all regions to meet at the NBLCC National Roundtable, tentatively scheduled for May in Washington, D.C. At this meeting, it is expected final recommendations and adoption of NBLCC bylaws will take place. Also, "issues and answers" of concern to the National Lay Caucus collectively and specific regions individually will be addressed in preparation for the 1982 NOBC Conference to be held in Houston, August 4-7. The theme assigned to this conference is: "Spiriting The Good News -- Black Catholics Furthering the Movement Through Network Development." In addition to this roundtable discussion, the agenda includes talks for a possible future NBLCC Convention for the purpose of identifying leaders, electing officers and defining a contemporary focus for the structure and goals of the Caucus.

The Southeastern Lay Catholic Caucus, although in its infant stage, has also established tentative officers including a Regional Coordinator -- Curtiss Talley (Memphis, TN); Secretary -- Roberta Johnson (St. Anthony's Parish, Atlanta, GA); Advisor to Region -- John J. Soto (Pensacola, FL); and Treasurer -- Cynthia L. Riley (New Orleans, LA).

These participants, as well as the remaining nine attendees, bring optimism and dedication to the task of representing the southeastern United States at the 1982 NOBC Conference in Houston. First, however, considerable attention should be focused on the contributions and issues of lay ministry on a state and local level, within the parishes and especially the Black Catholic community. Ms. Roberta Johnson and I are extremely grateful to live in the Atlanta archdiocese, where an organizational structure, "The Commission for Black Catholic Concerns," has been officially sanctioned and approved by Archbishop Thomas A. Donnellan. The goals and objectives of the CBCC are a facsimile of the Lay Black Catholic Caucus in other cities and states. The implementation of this commission is an asset to the Southeastern Black Lay Catholic Caucus, the state of Georgia, the city of Atlanta, but more importantly, the Black Catholic community.

We must realize that the clergy, the religious, and the laity are all people of God, and by using our special gifts, talents and abilities given to each one of us by our Master for the promotion and proclamation of the Good News -- the Word of God -- we together can fulfill our call as disciples of faith, with action, through Jesus Christ for His church.

Let's support our Archbishop's decision, who recognized our need to be recognized! Let's prepare our spirit of willingness, commitment, dedication, and participation in this newly formed Commission for Black Catholic Concerns. Ultimately, this support will stimulate and enhance the growth of the Southeastern Regional Black Lay Catholic Caucus, thereby promoting the continued development of organizations such as the National Office for Black Catholics for the good of all people.