An AAME Update
In 2002 the Name of African American Ministry was changed to African Ancestry Ministry and Evangelization (AAME). This was done at the suggestion of Father JaVan Saxon, who was aware of the increasing immigration of Africans into our Diocese.
Shortly afterwards Mr. James Mwaniki, who had read about our ministry, asked me to start a monthly Mass for the people of Kenya. I offered the Mass in English for the Celebrant’s part. The rest was done in Swahili.
Bishop Gossman invited Archbishop Indingi of Nairobi to visit the Diocese of Raleigh. Upon the request for a Kenyan priest, the Archbishop assigned Father Pius Wekesa.
At present we have Masses for the various African people monthly. Our African priests are also frequently called on by their people for pastoral ministry. Father Wekesa celebrates Mass for the Swahili speakers. Fr. Malonda, Parochial Vicar at St. Mary, Mother of the Church in Garner, is from Congo and celebrates Mass at St. Mary for the French-speaking Africans. The Igbo-speaking people have a different priest monthly to celebrate their Mass. Bishop Burbidge is seeking the ministry of an Igbo priest to come from Nigeria to serve the Nigerian community. Meanwhile Father Alex Nakireru, a professor at Fayetteville State University, has been celebrating Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral for the Nigerians.
Mr. William Gibbs of St. Mary in Wilmington has agreed to form an Evangelization Committee to nurture those in the Church, to reinvigorate our outreach to those who have fallen away and to invite into the Church those who are looking for a Church home. WE have also reorganized our Advisory Board. With members from each parish Chapter and from each African Community, this group meets quarterly.
We have a youth group that meets monthly. One of our goals is to get these youths to participate in Diocesan youth activities.
Our goal is to renew our ministry and make it seen and heard. Mrs. Lauren Green, our Director, is the powerhouse behind this renewal. May God prosper us in this endeavor!
Msgr. Thomas P. Hadden