Black Catholic Network

The NBCC Congress Pastoral Plan of Action

During the 2002 National Black Catholic Congress IX in Chicago, Illinois, attendees reached consensus on a prioritized action plan for the eight principles of Spirituality, Parish Life, Youth and Young Adults, Catholic Education, Social Justice, Racism, Africa and HIV/AIDS.(link to each of the principles listed below) Congress X  (link to http://nbccongress.org/congress-x/default.asp) in Buffalo, New York, held during the summer of 2007, reinforced the focus on these eight principles. With the theme "Christ is With Us: Celebrating the Gifts of the Sacraments," participants experienced how our actions as Catholic Christians serve as living testimony to the goodness and compassion of our God.

A statement of the essence of each of the principles and ways the BCN is addressing those principles follows.

Spirituality

In as much as all people are called to a life of holiness, we as a black people faithful to the Holy Spirit and our Church's teachings, must seek to pray and work in the spirit of our ancestors in faith.

Annual "Day of Reflection" /  revivals / faith sharing / resources / opportunities for spiritual enrichment

Parish Life

Black Catholics must assume greater responsibility for the welfare of the parish community to which they belong and the Church must provide the resources and opportunities for them to contribute and develop their talents and leadership for the good of the entire Church.

Educational bulletin announcements / enhanced communication with parishes / website

JOIN US FOR THE 5TH ANNUAL

"BLOOD OF THE MARTYRS" BLOOD DRIVE

to commemorate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in service

Sunday, January 20, 2008 Call 214.528.2240, ext. 337 for more information

Please consider sharing the gift of life

at one of the following parishes on January 20, 2008

Youth and Young Adults

Black youths and young adults who hunger for intimacy, community and spirituality need the Catholic Church to engage them in social justice activities and programs that promote their spiritual maturity in a way that is relevant to their culture.

Conference participation / scholarship opportunities / collaboration with diocesan Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries

Catholic Education

Catholic education continues to be one of the best means of evangelization and social justice in the Black community. Efforts must be made to create and expand religiously sound and academically effective Catholic primary and secondary schools in the Black communities of our nation.

Annual scholarship sponsorship (link to scholarship information page)

Social Justice

Black Catholics, as heirs of a rich faith-based tradition of concerns for justice, must become more knowledgeable about the principles of Catholic Social Teaching and use this teaching to evaluate their economic, political and social decisions and the policies of their communities.

Racism

Racism, which continues to be prevalent in our society and in our Church, must become a primary concern for all U.S. Catholics.

"Dismantling Racism" training / book discussions / "Dinner Table" training and participation /  "Building Bridges" events

Africa

As members of a world Church, Black Catholics and all U.S. Catholics must work for justice and exercise compassionate love to our brothers and sisters who are suffering in Africa.

Sponsorship of newly-arrived refugee families / Darfur genocide awareness

SAVE DARFUR

Since 2003, a government-backed militia known as Janjaweed (which in Arabic means "evil men on horseback") has been engaging in genocide - a systematic program of expulsion, rape and murderous violence in Darfur, Sudan.

3.5 million people are now hungry
2.5 million have been displaced
800,000 people have died in Darfur

"Our faith calls us to protect human life. We believe that every person is created in the image of God. We cannot stand aside when human life is threatened. We call upon Catholics and all people of good will to do everything they can to help bring an end to the reign of terror confronting our brothers and sisters in Sudan." - Most Rev. John H. Ricard, SSJ in a Statement on the Crisis in Darfur, Sudan on October 27, 2004

LEARN MORE - Read "The Devil Came on Horseback" or see the film

www.amazon.com or www.thedevilcameonhorseback.com

TAKE ACTION NOW - SPEAK OUT

Check your elected leaders' record on Darfur

www.darfurscores.org

Call the President, Congress and your governor

1-800-GENOCIDE (436-6243)

HIV/AIDS

Since HIV/AIDS is one of the most devastating diseases confronting the African and African American community, Black Catholics and other Catholics in the United States must engage in efforts to assist in the research, treatment, education and elimination of this disease.

PRAY with the Church for all who suffer from HIV/AIDS

 God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, O good and gracious God, you are the God of health and wholeness. In the plan of your creation, you call us to struggle in our sickness and to cling always to the cross of your Son. Father, we are your servants. Many of us are now suffering with HIV or AIDS. We come before you, and ask you, if it is your holy will, to take away this suffering from us, restore us to health, and lead us to know you and your powerful healing love of body and spirit. We ask you also to be with those of us who nurse your sick ones. We are the mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, children, and friends of your suffering people. It is so hard for us to see those whom we love suffer. You know what it is to suffer. Help us to minister in loving care, support, and patience to your people who suffer with HIV and AIDS. Lead us to do whatever it will take to eradicate this illness from the lives of those who are touched by it, both directly and indirectly.

Trusting in you and the strength of your Spirit,
we pray these things in the name of Jesus. Amen.

© 2007, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops