AAME Thanks Mrs. Martha Bailey
Life is full of changes. We often don’t like changes because the familiar ceases to be and newness intrudes into our lives. But we face them with faith and hope. Change has come recently to The Office of African Ancestry Ministry and Evangelization.
Mrs. Martha Bailey has resigned after six years of ministry to the Diocese of Raleigh. During Mrs. Bailey’s tenure the ministry has been brought forcefully to the front in the Diocese and in the nation.
Outreach to all ages was revitalized. The outreach to the youth was rejuvenated by the Ambassadors of the Word program. Mrs. Bailey became involved in the Youth
Department programs. She fostered Right to Life issues. HIV/Aids was also part of her ministry.
The Ngambi for Young Adults, which began under Father Martin Carter, was continued and updated. For the elders, Harambee was begun. It focused initially on yearly pilgrimages to places of Catholic and African American interest.
In 2002, after the resignation of Sister Maxine Towns, S.A., as director, Bishop Gossman called me out of retirement and appointed me as Director. His instruction was to take eighteen months to study and devise a plan to revitalize the ministry. Father JaVan Saxon was a member of the Study Committee appointed by Bishop Gossman to confect the Plan. He was aware that many of our African Brothers and Sisters were coming into the Diocese of Raleigh, and he recommended that the title of the Office be changed to The Office of African Ancestry Ministry and Evangelization.
Bishop Gossman appointed Mrs. Bailey as director to implement the approved plan.
Bishop Burbidge, since assuming the mantle as Bishop of Raleigh, has given his full support and encouragement to the ministry.
Now we pray for Bishop Burbidge as he seeks a new Director for African Ancestry Ministry and Evangelization.
- Msgr. Thomas P. Hadden