Black Catholics urged to make sure their culture part of parish life

Published: 2004-07-09

GREENSBORO, N.C. (CNS) -- African-American Catholics have the right and responsibility to "make sure our black Catholic culture is present in our churches," a keynote speaker told participants at the first North Carolina Black Catholic Conference. "Our faith lies in the cotton fields, picket lines, sit-ins and at home with our mothers and fathers," said Nancy J. Mays, an intern with the Catholic Campaign for Human Development in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. Her comments echoed the theme of the conference, held June 25-27 in Greensboro: "Rooted in Faith -- Transformed by the Spirit -- Empowered for Ministry." In her June 26 talk, Mays, who also works with the Cincinnati archdiocesan offices of youth ministry and African-American ministry, spoke of "transformation in the midst of hardship." "Transformation of the Spirit tells us we must not only be rooted in the faith but be ready to move when God says 'move,'" she added. The conference, held at the Greensboro convention center, drew 250 black Catholics from the Charlotte and Raleigh dioceses.

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