Quarterly Newsletter Volume: 1 Issue: 2 February
2023
WINTER NEWSLETTER
The mission of the Office of Racial Harmony is to bring an awareness about the sin of racism, in all its forms, to the Catholic faithful by providing avenues that, through prayer and with gentleness and respect, facilitate conversations and build relationships across racial boundaries, while keeping the Sacred Heart of Jesus as the focus of all we do so that ultimately God will be glorified.
NBCC: DAY OF REFLECTION: SUMMARY
On behalf of the National Black Catholic Congress Implementation Team, we offer our heartfelt gratitude for your presence at the Day of Reflection. Our hearts are full of gratitude for each person that came ready to pray, listen and share what we’ve heard. Our collective voices accomplished the goal for the day and for that we are grateful and we thank you!
As we move forward and prepare to attend the National Black Catholic Congress, know our collective voices will be taken with us and shared with the national groups. If you plan to attend the Congress, we invite you to visit the website of the Office of Racial Harmony (NBCC) to join us as a delegate and order a “St. Louis T-Shirt’.
If you want to donate or need financial assistance, visit the office’s website: https://racialharmonystl.org/nbcc
Sincerely,
Cheryl Archibald, CSJA
Implementation Team Lead
Parish Life Coordinator
St. Matthew the Apostle
Sankofa Pathways Toward Peace Pilgrimage
A select number of area high schools participated in this Inaugural Trip to the The National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, AL
Office of Racial Harmony 2022 Advent Retreat: Walking Humbly With God
Participants at our annual Advent Retreat at Mercy Center were blessed by a powerful reflection from
Fr. David Jones, who currently serves as pastor of St. Benedict the African Parish in Chicago, IL and as an Archdiocesan Dean. This was a wonderful opportunity to prepare our hearts for Advent, and attendees reported feeling humbled, hopeful and inspired. Fr. Jones’ is an engaging storyteller whose wisdom and honesty touched our hearts. His quote that, “We come to Church for the same reason that Jesus came to Earth” challenged and inspired us to a deeper Advent journey. He tied some of his message to the All Things New initiative in a way that was both thought-provoking and hope-filled. The small group discussion, large group sharing and mingling/meal time all helped to build community and understanding. Per the post-survey, 84% of attendees agreed or strongly agreed that the event met their expectations! This was a real blessing for all involved.
Black Catholic Listening Session
On Saturday, December 17, 2022 many area parishioners joined in a listening session for Black Catholics. There were questions that relate to Black Catholics and the Catholic Church, what a Catholic presence looks like in the planning area/community and thoughts on the models that have been presented in the planning area were discussed. We had a wonderful turnout.
47th Annual Mass for the Preservation of Peace and Justice
The 47th annual Mass for the Preservation of Peace and Justice was held on Jan. 15, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis. Msgr. Dennis Stehly was the main celebrant, and Father Arthur Cavitt of the St. Charles Lwanga Center was the homilist. The Mass commemorated the history of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It also celebrates 23 honorees from Catholic parishes and high schools nominated for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Model of Justice Award.
PARISH HONOREES
Marissa Fischer - All Saints Parish - St. Peters
Max Cammarata - Immaculate Conception Dardenne
SCHOOL HONOREES
Taniyah Morrow - Bishop DuBourg High School
Dijon Askew - Cardinal Ritter College Prep
Isiah Shepherd - Chaminade College Preparatory School
Joshua Molina - Christian Brothers College H. S.
Camila Torres - Cor Jesu Academy
Andrew Knott - Duchesne High School
Olivia Eaker - Incarnate Word Academy
Honorah Brozio - Nerinx Hall
Saniya Bryant - Notre Dame High School
Brooke Elston - Rosati-Kain High School
Charlene Dale - St. Dominic High School
John Masson - St. John Vianney High School
Judith Vazquez-Perez - St. Joseph’s Academy
Jadin Redmond - St. Louis Priory
Fredrick Laux - St. Louis University High
Matthew Flowers - St. Mary’s High School
Michaela Eimer - St. Pius X High School
Amelia Raible - Ursuline Academy
Kristen Drury - Valle Catholic High School
Seraphia Weingart - Villa Duchesne
Madison Harness - Visitation Academy
Office of Racial Harmony
St. Louis African Catholic Community
Offered Every Month at 12:30 Mass
MONTHLY MASS SCHEDULE:
1st Sunday - Swahili Mass
2nd Sunday - French Mass
3rd Sunday - Gospel Mass
4th Sunday - Unity Mass
Annual Mass for Racial Unity
Archdiocesan of St. Louis
Saint Charles Lwanga Center - The Archdiocesan Office of Black Catholic Ministries
39th Annual Testimonial Dinner and Auction
THEME: “Communion of Saints: Past, Present and Future.”
Sunday at 2:30
Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel
9801 Natural Bridge Road
Saint Louis, MO 63134
Individual tickets:$65.00
Tables of 8: $520.00
Purchasing details TBA
Office of Racial Harmony
Forgive Us Our Trespasses: Maafa
Save the Date
What's Happening
Center Restoration Continues:
Please note that regular operations in the building on Carter Ave. housing the St. Charles Lwanga Center remain delayed due to ongoing restoration. Recalling the fire in March, subsequent physical plant issues are the result of the wave of the torrential rains that were experienced this summer.
Please feel to call us at the usual phone lines (314) 367-7929 where messages are retrieved or Fr. Cavitt’s line at St. Nicholas Parish (314) 231-2860 ex. 24. We are still able to receive and retrieve postal mail at the 4746 Carter Ave., St. Louis, MO 63115 address.
Lwanga Center Bible Study Continues: The Book of Wisdom
The St. Charles Lwanga Center continues its Bible Study on Thursdays, 1:00 p.m. at the St. Nicholas Catholic Church complex, 701 N. 18th St., STL 63103. We are currently studying and praying with “The Book of Wisdom”. We are on recess December 29, 2022, but resume on January 5, 2023. Please bring a Bible (New American Edition is preferred). There is no charge for the sessions.
Free will offerings to the Center are always welcomed.
Please call the Center at 314- 367-7929 ex. 11 or ex. 15. You can also notify us at St. Nicholas Parish (314) 231-2860 ex. 24 for inquiries.
Did you know this happened in the month of February?
In 1864, Rebecca Lee Crumpler was the 1st African-American woman to receive an
M.D. degree.
In 1870, the 15th Amendment was ratified, allowing black men the right to vote.
In 1913, Rosa Parks, civil rights activist, was born in Tuskgee, Alabama.
In 1944, Harry S McAlpin was the 1st African-American journalist admitted to a
White House press conference.
In 1971, Leroy "Satchel" Paige was the 1st Negro League player nominated into the
Baseball Hall of Fame.
In 1976 Black History Month was inaugurated in honor of USA's bicentennial.
In 1978, Harriet Tubman was the 1st stamp released in the U.S. Black Heritage
Series.
In 2007, Tony Dungy was the 1st African-American head coach to win the Super
Bowl. (Super Bowl XLI)
Image from St. Louis-mo.gov : A Preservation Plan for St. Louis Part II: Property Types
© 2011 - 2023 City of St. Louis
People's Hospital
2221 Locust Street
In 1894, a small private hospital was incorporated under the name Provident Hopital. In 1918 it was renamed the People's Hospital. For many years, it was the only place that black physicians and surgeons could treat private patients. Before moving to the Locust Street site, the hospital was located at 3447-49 Pine Street. In 1898, a nurses' training program for black women was established. At its peak it was a seventy-five-bed, short-term general hospital. It closed in 1978.
St. Louis's First School
Fourth and Spruce Street
This was the site of St. Louis's first public school for white students, School Number One. It was purchased by the St. Louis Board of School Directors in 1836 from an African American woman by the name of Ellen. She was paid $25, and her house was moved to another location.
This was the site of St. Louis's first public school for white students, School Number One. It was purchased by the St. Louis Board of School Directors in 1836 from an African American woman by the name of Ellen. She was paid $25, and her house was moved to another location.
Referenced from: Discovering African American St. Louis
A Guide to Historic Sites
John A. Wright
Second Edition
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