By Florida Catholic staff - Florida Catholic
Celebrate Black Catholic history
Black Catholic History Month is the time to celebrate the long proud history of Black Catholics, who trace their faith back to Africa centuries ago. In the Archdiocese of Miami, the Black Catholic community continues to experience a rich cultural tradition and a historical faith movement.
The National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus of the United States declared November as Black Catholic History Month in 1990. November seemed appropriate because it holds special days for two prominent African Catholics: St. Augustine, whose birthday is Nov. 13, and St. Martin de Porres, whose feast day is Nov. 3.
The archdiocesan Office of Black Catholic Ministry invites everyone to participate in the following activities to celebrate Black Catholic History Month:
- Feast of St. Martin de Porres: Mass, Saturday, Nov. 5, 5 p.m., Christ the King, 16000 S.W. 112 Ave., Miami; celebrant: Msgr. Chanel Jeanty;
- St Martin de Porres Awards for Excellence: luncheon, Saturday, Nov. 19, noon, Embassy Suites Hotel, 1100 S.E. 17 Street Causeway, Fort Lauderdale; donation $40/person or table of 10/$400;
- Mass, Sunday, Nov. 26, 5:30 p.m., St. Andrew, 9950 N.W. 29 St., Coral Springs; celebrant: Archbishop Thomas Wenski.
For information and tickets, call Katrenia Reeves-Jackman, 305-762-1120 or email [email protected].
Divine Mercy Congress Oct. 28-29
Archbishop Thomas Wenski will be the main celebrant of the opening Mass of the 2016 Divine Mercy Jubilee Congress, set for Friday, Oct. 28, 7 p.m., at St. Brendan, 8725 S.W. 32 St., Miami. The Congress will continue the following day, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., at the Double Tree Hotel by Hilton, Miami Airport and Convention Center, 711 N.W. 72 Ave., Miami.
The opening Mass will include the third Faustinum ceremony, welcoming new members to the Association of Apostles of Divine Mercy in the Archdiocese of Miami. Concelebrants will include Bishop Félix Lázaro Martinez, emeritus of Ponce, Puerto Rico, and clergy from the Archdiocese of La Habana, Cuba, and Miami.
Sister Caterina Esselen, superior of the convent of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in Boston, and Sister Inga Kvassayova, representing the Faustinum Association from Krakow, Poland, also will be present at the Mass and speak at the congress.
All the talks will be translated from either English to Spanish or Spanish to English. For information go to www.divinemercymiami.org, or call Deacon Rafael de los Reyes, 305-267-9061.
All Souls Day Masses at cemeteries
Archbishop Thomas Wenski will celebrate the annual Mass for All Souls Nov. 2 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 11291 S.W. 142 Ave., Doral. The church is located next door to Our Lady of Mercy Cemetery. The Mass will begin at 10 a.m. Another Mass will be celebrated that same day, also at 10 a.m., at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Cemetery, 1500 S. State Road 7, North Lauderdale.
RCIA training for leaders, catechists
Bill Keimig, national speaker and assistant director of the Catechetical Institute at Franciscan University Steubenville, will lead a training day for leaders and catechists on the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. The workshop will take place Friday, Nov. 4, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and be repeated Saturday, Nov. 5, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. It will take place at St. Thomas University, 16401 N.W. 37 Ave., Miami Gardens, in the Convocation Hall. Cost is $10, and includes lunch and materials. Simultaneous translation will be provided. To register, go to http://conta.cc/2cU4K9d (Friday) or http://contac.cc/2d3x8Gd.
Thinking about priesthood?
The archdiocese will offer its next Vocation Awareness Weekend Nov. 11-13 at St. John Vianney College Seminary in Miami. This is a retreat for men ages 17-35 who are seeking information about the diocesan priesthood and seminary life. It consists of workshops, liturgies and social events with seminarians. Participants will have ample time to ask questions, gain an understanding of seminary life and prayerfully consider God’s call. See the registration package at www.miamiarch.org/vocations, or call 305-762-1137 for information.
Deacons’ convocation set
The annual convocation of permanent deacons in the archdiocese will take place Saturday, Nov. 19 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. John Vianney College Seminary. Deacons are expected to participate; wives are invited to attend. The day will begin with a Mass celebrated by Archbishop Thomas Wenski, who will speak afterward. Mother Adela Galindo, foundress of the Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary, will then speak about the deacon as a servant and witness of mercy; and the afternoon will feature a reflection by Father Nicholas Cachia on the meaning of service in the Gospel of John. Lunch is included.
White Mass for the disabled
The annual White Mass in Broward County, sponsored by Lighthouse of Broward and St. Gabriel Church, will take place Saturday, Nov. 19, at 4 p.m., followed by a reception. St. Gabriel is located at 731 N. Ocean Blvd., Pompano Beach. At the reception, the talents of two people living with disabilities will be showcased: Greg Burns, artist (painter) from St. Gabriel; and Jeanette Salvatierra, from St. Mark Church in Southwest Ranches, author of "Living in Gratitude Mode." The reception will include a book sale and signing. For information contact Dolores Hanley McDiarmid at 954-684-6708.
Gathering for retired priests
The next gathering of retired priests in the archdiocese will take place Monday, Nov. 21, at 11 a.m. at St. Matthew Church, 542 Blue Heron Drive, Hallandale Beach. Archbishop Thomas Wenski will celebrate a Mass for all the deceased archbishops, bishops and priests of the archdiocese, followed by a luncheon in the parish hall. All priests are invited to concelebrate. For information, or to refer a retired priest who is working in your parish, email: [email protected].
Sign up now for March for Life
Registration is now open for young adults to attend the 2017 March for Life in Washington, D.C. The pilgrimage will take place Jan. 26-29 and includes airfare, three hotel nights and a Metro pass. Cost is $475. Initial deposit of $175 holds a spot; final payment is due Nov. 18. For details visit www.miamiarch.org/ADOMyouth or call 305-762-1189.
