African American Catholic History Celebration held

Yetunde Adeyinka-De’Leon, left, and Audrey Penman played the drums prior to the start of the 29th annual African American Catholic History Celebration Nov. 8 at St. Monica Church in Bardstown, Ky. (Record Photos by Jessica Able)
Yetunde Adeyinka-De’Leon, left, and Audrey Penman played the African drums prior to the start of the 29th annual African American Catholic History Celebration Nov. 8 at St. Monica Church in Bardstown, Ky. (Record Photos by Jessica Able)

By Jessica Able, Record Staff Writer

Nearly 100 people gathered at St. Monica Church in Bardstown, Ky., Nov. 8 to pray, reflect and participate in the 29th annual African American Catholic History Celebration.

The day was meant to serve as a “homecoming” and an opportunity to “reconnect with others,” said M. Annette Mandley-Turner, executive director of the Archdiocese of Louisville’s Office of Multicultural Ministries — one of the programs which receives funding from the Catholic Services Appeal.

“One great thing about having the celebration here in Bardstown is that Daniel Rudd — who we look to as the father of the Black Catholic movement — came from these parts,” said Turner in an interview prior to the celebration.

Other historic Black Catholic leaders were remembered at the service, including: Sister Thea Bowman; Father Cyprian Davis; Bishop James Augustine Healy; and Father Augustus Tolton.

“We remember the saints before us, the holy women and men who lived through the struggles and never stopped treading a path through the blood of the slaughtered; we remember our mothers and fathers of faith,” said Marilyn Keene, a parishioner of St. Monica, as she read from the Call to Prayer.

Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz presided at the prayer service and said that a family that forgets its roots is a family that is “destined to wander.”

“We come together today to reflect on but also to thank God for the gift of our roots,” he said.

Members of the Archdiocesan Gospel Choir sing during the 29th annual African American Catholic History Celebration Nov. 8 at St. Monica Church in Bardstown, Ky.
Members of the Archdiocesan Gospel Choir sing during the 29th annual African American Catholic History Celebration Nov. 8 at St. Monica Church in Bardstown, Ky.

The archbishop recalled the day’s readings from the Book of Samuel, which says, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”

“That is firm ground to a calling and a vocation,” he said.

In the Gospel reading from John, the archbishop said, the Lord “tells us we don’t choose God but God chooses us.” It was a reference to the day’s theme: “We are Chosen.”

The archbishop also referred his listeners to a statement on racial harmony that he made as president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in June. The statement, which was issued while the bishops met in St. Louis, addressed the “threats to racial harmony” occurring in cities such as Ferguson, Mo.

“We mourn those tragic events in which African Americans and others have lost their lives in altercations with law enforcement officials,” he said.

“We join our voices with civic and religious leaders in pledging to work for healing and reconciliation. Our efforts must address root causes of these conflicts.”

The archbishop said while it’s important to remember and reflect on past and current struggles, it’s also key to “look for beacons of hope.”

He noted that Cardinal Joseph E. Ritter — a native of New Albany, Ind. — integrated Catholic schools in St. Louis in 1947, seven years before the Supreme Court decision of Brown vs. the Board of Education.

“It shows that the Catholic Church can be at the forefront of promoting justice in the midst of racial tension. And who gives us the inspiration and the power? The Lord Jesus,” Archbishop Kurtz said.

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