Life Style >>
The Mary Elizabeth Lange Center: A Ministry of The Oblate Sisters of Providence
- The mission of the Oblate Sisters of Providence, Inc. is to serve the poor and
the needy. They follow the charism of the foundress, Mother Mary Elizabeth Lange
in this endeavor as they continue their services through The Mary Elizabeth
Lange Center to bring wholeness to adolescent girls and their families. The
"dream" to fulfill this mission was enthusiastically supported by Baltimore
Mayor Kurt L. Schmoke, member of the city council, The Johnston Square
Community, the MELC Board of Directors and many others benefactors dedicated to
improving the lives of abused, neglected and abandoned girls in the community.
Youth & Young Adults
>>
 Our Forgotten Children
- It is no secret, as statistics continually show, that there are more black men
in prison than in college. More money is spent on buildings and financing this
country's prison system then there is in funding the educational system. Just
look at what is going on in many of our cities, especially in our black
neighborhoods. Our schools are run down, but not many miles away, we might see a
state-of-the art security facility. What message does this send to our youth?
What message does this send to our society as a whole? How are we supposed to
respond as people of faith?
 "Prayer Changes"- "In your son's Holy name we PRAY, AMEN." For many
Christians, Catholics and Protestants alike, this is usually the way we end our
prayers. But what is PRAYER, and how do we PRAY? According to Webster's
dictionary prayer is defined as: (n) and address to God or a god in word or
thought. While pray is defined as: (vb) to address God or a god with adoration,
confession, supplication, or thanksgiving. But the true definitions can be
varied according to each individual and their personal relationship with God.
One thing that is constant is there cannot be PRAYER without GOD!! The question
then becomes when, where, and why should we pray?
Pro-Life Pilgrimage-
My experience with the annual Washington, DC Pro-life Mass and March has been
life-changing. I am a Junior at St. Augustine High School in New Orleans and I
have been attending the Pro-Life Mass and Rally since I was a Freshman. I have
learned many things about being pro-life, and how to have a better appreciation
for life. I have learned that we may not have the perfect life, but we must
always be grateful for the opportunity we have been given to live. I think that
it's only fair and just that everyone else had that same chance.
NBCC Spotlight
>>
Reflections on the African Popes -
According to the Liber Pontificalis, three popes-Pope St Victor I (ca186-198),
Pope St Miltiades (311-14), and Pope St Gelasius (492-496)-were Africans. The
Liber Pontificalis is composed of a series of biographical entries, which record
the dates and important facts for each pope. It is the oldest and most detailed
chronicle dating from the Early Church. The Liber Pontificalis is dated from the
sixth century. The record of names begins with St Peter. As the work progressed
the entries became longer and more detailed. The Liber Pontificalis continued to
be written until 1431.
In The News
>>
Gospel Singer W.Clifford Petty Stirs the Soul With New Recording "Touch Jesus."
- W.Clifford Petty, a man who loves the Lord and ministry, has just released his
second recording with World Library Publications. (www.wlpmusic.com) Building
from his first collection, "In Spirit and Truth," Petty delivers a rich
collection of praise and worship music that is both reflective and
spirit-lifting.
Knights of Peter Claver, Inc. Celebrates 100 Years Of Service
- The Knights of Peter Claver Inc. (www.kofpc.org) will celebrate its centennial
in November of this year. The much anticipated event will kick-off this summer
at the organization's 94th Annual Convention being held in New Orleans, home of
the organization's headquarters, August 2-7 2009.
Six Josephites Make Perpetual Profession
- Congratulations to Brother Godwin Akpan, SSJ, Brother Francis Asomkase, SSJ,
Brother Joseph Benjamin, SSJ, Brother Stanley Ihuoma, SSJ, Brother Kenneth Keke,
SSJ and Brother Kenneth Ugwu, SSJ.
Black Catholic Men to Gather In Birmingham for 6th National Conference
- The 2009 National Black Catholic Men's Conference, "Men to Men II," will take
place at the Redmont Historic Hotel in Birmingham, AL, from October 2-4, 2009.
The conference theme is "Redefining Manhood: Real, Respect, and
Responsibility.
Holy Land Pilgrimage 2009
- Depart: Friday, November 27, 2009 and Return: Sunday, December 6, 2009 with
Bishop Joseph N. Perry of the Archdiocese of Chicago. Arranged through The Group
Department, Valhalla, New York -Travel Agent & ABC Tours Co. 10 Days for $2949
per person - double occupancy [Traveling alone (single occupancy) add $539].
Online Certificate in Pastoral Ministry to African-American Catholics
- Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary offers an online program of courses leading to
a Certificate in Pastoral Ministry to African-American Catholics (MAAC),
designed for those engaged in or preparing for pastoral service to parish
communities of largely African-American Catholic membership.
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Spirituality >>
The Celebration of The Eucharist
- No one may share the eucharist with us unless he believes that what we teach
is true, unless he is washed in the regenerating waters of baptism for the
remission of his sins, and unless he lives in accordance with the principles
given us by Christ. We do not consume the eucharistic bread and wine as if it
were ordinary food and drink, for we have been taught that as Jesus Christ our
Savior became a man of flesh and blood by the power of the Word of God, so also
the food that our flesh and blood assimilates for its nourishment becomes the
flesh and of the incarnated Jesus by the power of his own words contained in the
prayer of thanksgiving.
 Prayer
- My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of
me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself,
and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am
actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact
please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.
A Vital Role in Every Parish
- It is vitally important that every Catholic parish has a designated respect
life coordinator (two if possible) responsible for pro-life activities. Pope
John Paul II called for a "united ethical effort to activate a great campaign in
support of life." Each Catholic parish is an integral part of that great
campaign..
Health & Wellness >>
Enjoy Yourself and Be Healthy Too
- There is no need to deprive yourself of your favorite treats or abandon all
the healthy habits you may have developed since New Year's Day. The National
Cancer Institute (NCI) focuses on what you can do-as opposed to what you can't
do-to live healthy and happy. DO get more active. Some additional physical
activity will help you expend some of extra calories and avoid weight gain.
Book of the Month >>
 From Slave To Priest: The Inspirational Story of Fr. Augustine Tolton -
As the first black Catholic priest of the United States, Fr. Augustine Tolton
(1854-1897) was born into slavery and conquered almost insurmountable odds to
become a Catholic priest. He was refused at every American Catholic seminary
because of this race, and ultimately received his theological training in Rome,
where he was ordained. Though he died an early death at age 43, Fr. Tolton left
behind a shining legacy of holy service to God and his people. He was the pastor
of St. Monica's Church in Chicago, and established a center which was the focal
point for the life of black Catholics in Chicago for 30 years.
Author of the Month >>
 Cecilia Moore - Cecilia A.
Moore graduated magna cum laude from Sweet Briar College with an A.B. in History
in Religion and from the University of Virginia with an M.A. and Ph.D. in
American Religious History. She has taught at the University of Dayton in the
Department of Religious Studies since 1996 and since 1998 at Xavier University
of Louisiana ,where she currently is the Associate Director of the Degree
Program for the Institute of Black Catholic Studies.
Upcoming Events
>>
James P. Lyke Conference
June 17-21, 2009
Black Catholics Gathering
June 27, 2009
ORACLE National Summer Institute for Youth based in Washington, DC at Trinity University
July 11 - 28, 2009
For full details on upcoming events visit The
NBCC Events or the
Calendar page.
Recommended Sites
>>
Please visit the following web sites to read global Catholic current events.
View full site list.
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Sometimes in the hustle and bustle of
the 21st century, we humans get lost in the clamor and noise of Madison Avenue
and mass media over the din of how do I pay the mortgage or rent, keep food on
the table, and pay the medical bills that we can hear little else. So we need
some time to settle down (or center ourselves) on the essence of being human.
What does it mean to be created in the image and likeness of the Creator God who
is true being (the great I AM?) To assist in this "getting back to the basics"
effort, it is good to re-visit what the great teachers and masters of the past
have to say about our primary calling or vocation as human beings. 
