The Black Catholic Commission
Types of Activities
- Promotes evangelization and vocations
- Fosters special ministries
- Participates in the Social Justice issues related to the Black community
- Addresses the spiritual needs of Black Catholic through programming for evangelization
- Administers the Congress principles outlined in the pastoral plan
Committees
The Black Catholic Commission uses the Congress IX Pastoral Plan of Action, established by the National Black Catholic Congress, as a framework for addressing these eight principles: promoting vibrant expressions of spirituality and experiences of parish life; affirming the presence and contributions of youth and young adults in our Church; sustaining Catholic education in our communities; advocating for social justice; eradicating racism; strengthening bonds with Africa; and providing for a compassionate response to those who suffer from HIV and/or AIDS.
Commission members or anyone in the Black Catholic community have an opportunity to share their gifts on one the following committees:
- Parish Life/Spirituality
- Youth & Young Adults/Catholic education
- Social justice/racism
- Africa/HIV & AIDS
All are welcome to attend a meeting for the Commission or one of its committees. See the calendar of events for the dates of the Commission meeting and other events.
NEXT Commission Meeting: April 17, 2010
Please contact your local Black Catholic Commissioner or the Office for details at obc@richmonddiocese.org.
| COMMISSION MEMBERS | PARISH | COMMITTEE |
| Mr. Charles Anderson | Saint Gerard, Roanoke | Parish Life/ Spirituality |
| Ms. Sandra Antione | Sacred Heart, Richmond | Social Justice/ Racism |
| Dr. Henri Barnwell | Basilica of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Norfolk | Africa/HIV&AIDS |
| Mrs. Phyllis Booth | Saint Elizabeth, Richmond | Parish Life/ Spirituality |
| Mr. Christopher Brooks, Co-Chair | Saint Paul, Richmond | |
| Mr. Joseph Brown | Saint Paul, Portsmouth | Social Justice/ Racism |
| Ms. Cynthia Diggs | Holy Rosary, Richmond | Social Justice/ Racism |
| Ms. Delores Karen Garland | Holy Rosary, Richmond | Youth/Catholic Education |
| Ms. Mary Harris | Holy Rosary, Richmond | Social Justice/ Racism |
| Mr. David Johnson | Saint Gerard, Roanoke | Social Justice/ Racism |
| Mr. Vincent Kevin Jones, Co-Chair | Basilica of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Norfolk | Africa/HIV&AIDS |
| Ms. Tonya LeSane, Co-Vice Chair | Holy Rosary, Richmond | Youth/Catholic Education |
| Ms. Deidre Love | Basilica of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Norfolk | Youth/Catholic Education |
| Mr. Frank McKinney | Church of the Holy Spirit | Social Justice/ Racism |
| Ms. Mary "Freddie" Monk | Saint Gerard, Roanoke | Social Justice/ Racism |
| Ms. Christine Thomas | Saint Peter, Richmond | Africa/HIV&AIDS |
| Mr. Arthur Thompson | Basilica of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Norfolk | Africa/HIV&AIDS |
| Ms. Ashley Womack | Basilica of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Norfolk | Youth/Catholic Education |
| Ms. Cathy Woodson | Saint Elizabeth, Richmond | Social Justice/ Racism |
| EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS | PARISH | |
| Msgr. Walter Barrett | Holy Rosary | |
| Fr. John Boddie | Francis de Sales and Church of the Visitation | |
| Fr. Theophile Brown | Mary, Mother of Church Benedictine Abbey, | |
| Fr. Ernest Bulinda | Basilica of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception | |
| Fr. Silvio Kaberia | Good Shepherd, South Hill | |
| Fr. Columba Nnorom | Saint Peter the Apostle, Lake Gaston | |
| Fr. Mathias Lusembo | Saint Bridget | |
| Fr. John Kazibwe | Saint Catherine of Siena and Saint Paschal Baylon | |
| Fr. Josesph Mary Lukyamuzi | Mary, Mother of the Church Abbey | |
| Fr. Peter Akpoqhiran | Saint Patrick and Tribunal | |
| Fr. Rene Castillo | Saint Gerard, Roanoke | |
| Fr. Alistair McKay | Saint Vincent de Paul | |
| Dcn. Calvin Bailey | Basilica of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Norfolk | |
| Dcn. Marshal Banks | Cathedral of The Sacred Heart | |
| Sr. Cora Marie Billings | Saint Elizabeth | |
| COMMITTEE MEMBERS | PARISH | COMMITTEE |
| Mr. Arthur Singleton | Basilica of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Norfolk | Africa/HIV&AIDS |
| Mr. Arthur Thompson | Church of the Holy Spirit | Social Justice/ Racism |
| Mr. James Satterthwaite | Basilica of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Norfolk | Social Justice/ Racism |
| Ms. Angela Gray | Saint Thomas More | Parish Life/ Spirituality |
| Mr. Antonio Spratley | Basilica of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Norfolk | |
| Mrs. Roma Willis-Turner | Saint Gerard | Parish Life/ Spirituality |
| Ms. Vivian Sullivan | Saint Elizabeth | |
| Mr. Michael Taylor | Basilica of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Norfolk | Social Justice/ Racism |
What is the National Black Catholic Congress?
The National Black Catholic Congress (NBCC), comprised of member organizations, represents African American Roman Catholics, working in collaboration with National Roman Catholic organizations. They have committed themselves to establishing an agenda for the evangelization of African Americans; and to improve the spiritual, mental, and physical conditions of African Americans, thereby committing themselves to the freedom and growth of African Americans as full participants in church and society.
Official Scripture Passage of the NBCC
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying,
'Whom Shall I send? Who will go for us?'
'Here I am,' I said, 'Send Me!'
- Isaiah 6:8