Goodness Shines in Buffalo
I have just returned from the National Black Catholic Congress which is held every five years. This year we were in Buffalo. Over 3,000 people gathered for this Congress, not just black people, but also white and Hispanic. The delegation from the Diocese of Raleigh was one of the largest delegations. Some came as families.
The Raleigh delegation included Bishop Michael Burbidge; Vicar General Fr. David Brockman; myself as Vicar for African Ancestry Ministry and Evangelization; Fr. Pius Wekesa, the Adjunct Vicar; Fr. Marcos Leon, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Whiteville; and Deacons Robert Price of Wallace and Webster James of Goldsboro.
Present from the Catholic Center staff were Sister Joan Jurski, Mrs. Martha Bailey, Ms. Kathleen Walsh, Mrs. Teresa Aldahondo, Dr. Terry Jackson, Ms. Bea Callery, Ms. Jan Valero and Mrs.Wilena McPhatter.
This was a gathering of “good people” who, in this Congress, focused on something dear to us as Catholics, the Sacraments of our Holy Church, particularly the sacraments of Eucharist, Penance, Matrimony and Holy Orders.
There was an adoration Chapel in the Conference Center. People signed up for the hours of adoration. The Sacrament of Confession was also celebrated during the Congress at stated times. We prayed the Rosary together.
Holy Mass was celebrated daily with all that the Church recommends -- song, processions and various ministries being exercised. There were twelve Bishops and fifty priests who concelebrated, including Bishop Burbidge and all the clerics mentioned above from the Diocese of Raleigh. Deacon Price was selected to serve as Deacon at the Friday Mass.
In an important way, goodness shone forth from this Congress. I say this because those who center their faith life in the Eucharist have to be good.
I was also struck by the goodness I observed in the hundred of youths present. The Congress had a special track of presentations for the youth that stressed the sacramental life and the moral values of the Church.
These youth enjoyed themselves. They were happy, quiet, respectful and involved. In no way did they mirror the stereotype that we often have about youth. This shows good parenting, good training on the parish level and involvement in the Church. An old priest’s heart is filled with joy!
- Msgr. Thomas P. Hadden