Print Issue: January 30, 2003

King Mass Challenges All To Step Out And Evangelize

Margaret S. Wooten from St. Bernadette Church, Cedartown, winner of the 2003 Father Bruce Wilkinson Founders Award, is shown with Charles Prejean, director of the Office for Black Catholic Ministry Jan. 18. The award honors outstanding work in evangelization. (Photo by Michael Alexander) Priest concelebrants gather with Archbishop John F. Donoghue around the altar at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Atlanta, for the Mass commemorating the Christian witness given by King as a Baptist minister and advocate for nonviolent social change. It is the 19th annual celebration in the archdiocese. Bishop George V. Murry, SJ, of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, preaches during the Jan. 18 Mass honoring Dr. King. The Mass had as a theme "Joined Together in a Community of Love." Lithangia Murray of St. Paul of the Cross Church, Atlanta, joins fellow choir members of the Archbishop James P. Lyke Memorial Mass Choir in singing "Walk in the Light." The choir, over 75 voices strong, is under the direction of Dr. Kevin Johnson, choir director at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Atlanta. Jean Mosley of Most Blessed Sacrament Church, Atlanta, center, joins hands with Kelly Whittier, right, director of music and liturgy at St. Philip Benizi Church, Jonesboro, during the Our Father. Mary Allen of St. John the Evangelist Church, Hapeville, prepares to process in with the Ladies of Peter Claver. Bishop George V. Murry, SJ, homilist for the Mass, is national chaplain to the Knights and Ladies of Peter Claver. People of different nationalities offer prayers during the general intercessions. At the microphone Carla Roncoli of Genoa, Italy, recites her prayer in Italian, while Christine Neptune of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, waits her turn.

By Erika Anderson, Staff Writer

ATLANTA-In the 40 years since Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech, there have been many dreams realized.

But at the annual Mass celebrating the life and legacy of King, held Jan. 18 at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, the congregation pondered the still unfulfilled dreams and the work needed to accomplish them.

The sound of drums from Lyke House students provided a stirring call to worship prior to the Mass as the congregation clapped to the beat. The Archbishop James P. Lyke Memorial Mass Choir led the congregation. "Be glad and rejoice," they sang. And rejoice they did.

Sponsored by the Office for Black Catholic Ministry, the annual Mass celebrated by Archbishop John F. Donoghue drew Catholics from across the archdiocese, black and white, young and old, to celebrate the message of peace and justice that King preached, and the legacy he left behind.

As the choir sang, the Knights of Peter Claver, in their full regalia, and the Ladies auxiliary, in their crisp white suits, entered the church. The Amazing Grace Liturgical Dancers gracefully made their way up the aisle, followed by concelebrating priests and the archbishop, as well as Bishop George V. Murry, SJ, bishop of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.

Father Edward Branch, campus minister at the Atlanta University Catholic Center called the Lyke House, introduced Bishop Murry, a longtime friend.

"He is indeed a historian, not only of the past, but a historian that analyzes well the present situation," he said. "George Murry knows more than about the past history, he knows our history. He knows the aspirations of black Catholics across this country and he is well-conscious of those who are called in this archdiocese on this day and in this place."

A native of New Jersey, Bishop Murry attended St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore, and was ordained in 1979. Pope John Paul II appointed him auxiliary bishop of Chicago in 1995 and later coadjutor bishop of St. Thomas. He became bishop of the diocese in 1999.

Bishop Murry quoted various literary figures as well as King, whom he called a prophet.

"Martin Luther King heard the cries of his people in chains, put on his best suit and went out to do battle with evil," he said.

"Unredeemed bigots will hold up every fault" that King had, and others will praise him for his insight, Bishop Murry said, but it's not enough.

"What all too often happens is that we focus too much about what Dr. King said in the past and not enough of what Dr. King taught us about today," he said. "He pulled back the curtain for a moment and showed us what might be."

Bishop Murry then recited part of King's most famous speech, "I Have a Dream," and said it is just as applicable today as it was 40 years ago.

"I am humbled and honored to be with you this afternoon, but I also have a dream," he said. "It is a dream not rooted in the past, but in the present and in the future."

Atlanta, a city rich in diversity, has the power to make a difference, he said.

"I believe that you, the African-American Catholics in Atlanta, and those who are not African-American but walk with you with sincerity of heart, you have the opportunity to make Dr. King's dream a tangible reality. I believe you will lead the way and lead the nation. Wherever black America is going, Atlanta will get there first."

He encouraged all Catholics to become involved in their parishes, especially the youth.

"An army of young people on fire for the Gospel could change this city overnight," he said, adding that in following King's example, Catholics are called to evangelization.

"We cannot sit back and expect others to evangelize in our community and in our place," he said. "We need to bring Christ to those who do not know him and to those who have forgotten him . . . We need to make Atlanta into the kingdom of God."

Following the homily, the general intercessions were read in various languages, while the congregation responded, "Lord, bring us together."

Following Communion, Archbishop Donoghue offered his remarks and spoke of the "mountain of the house of the Lord," which is built of majesty as well as challenge and hardship.

"Dr. Martin Luther King climbed the mountain of the house of the Lord his entire life-he became stronger to endure as the years passed-his wisdom, his understanding of what God requires deepened with every word of encouragement and inspiration that he spoke-and at the end, God gave him a vision to see and know, that at the top of the mountain, his own life would be required-taken for the sake of the mission he had followed, for the sake of the people he had loved," he said.

"He gave that life gladly because he had looked beyond the mountain, and seen something there that was a worthy reward for all he had done-the valley of peace, where all live as children of God, who is a loving Father."

Charles Prejean, director of the Office for Black Catholic Ministry, then thanked the archbishop and those who had made the celebration a success. Maria Batie, chairperson of the Founders Award Committee, presented the Father Bruce Wilkinson Founders Award to Margaret Wooten, a parishioner at St. Bernadette Church, Cedartown, who exemplified the award's criteria of leadership and a commitment to evangelization.

Prejean presented gifts to Archbishop Donoghue and other priests who have supported the ministry.

Thayes Sturgis, chairperson for the planning committee for the 2003 King Mass, expressed her gratitude to the archbishop for his support of Prejean and the Office for Black Catholic Ministry.

"Thank you for this director that has helped this community of Catholics so much," she said. "We want you to know how much we care about him and love him and need him."

Many young people who didn't live during King's time but were still touched by his mission attended the Mass. Brian Howard, 17, a parishioner at St. Anthony's Church in Atlanta, said that he believes young people can carry on King's message.

"Martin Luther King helped us to get us where we are today. He freed us," he said. "I think we can make a difference by helping young people to know about Martin Luther King and by enlightening them."

Joyce Hardwick, who is a teacher, worries about the young people, but believes they can make a difference.

"I am concerned by some because I see too much apathy. I think that comes from a lack of knowledge of not only what Martin Luther King did, but what their ancestors did," she said. "It would be hurtful to them to see that degree of apathy that they sometimes show."

Hardwick said that the annual Mass is an event for all to attend, but holds special meaning for her.

"It's important to me because I was alive and I was conscious of what Martin Luther King and his followers were trying to bring about," she said.

Sturgis said that the Mass is inspiring.

"When we participate in this program, we learn that we need to step out," she said. "This is our time, this is our chance and our opportunity to work for the things (King) talked about and the things he tried to do."