2023 Black History Month
As we prepare to embark on 2023 Black History Month, the Office of Cultural Diversity and Outreach (OCDO) has planned events and prepared optional resources for use by our parishes. This Black History Month, stakeholders are encouraged to Share, Learn, and Celebrate the contributions of Black Americans to the United States. Please see the details enclosed.
Black History Month - Share, Learn, and Celebrate Resources
The OCDO has curated resources and recommendations to support our parishes with the celebration of 2023 Black History Month through the Share, Learn, and Celebrate initiative. The purpose of Share, Learn, and Celebrate is to support our parishes as they acknowledge, educate, and embed multicultural awareness in our communities. Please find attached below the 2023 Black History Month Share, Learn, and Celebrate resource. Please contact Claudia Bartolini, program administrator, at bartolinic@adw.org with any questions or for additional information.
Black History Month Liturgy
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington will celebrate a Mass commemorating Black History Month on Sunday, February 5, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. at Holy Comforter Saint Cyprian Catholic Church (1419 V St NW, Washington, DC 20009.) The celebration will begin with praise and worship, followed by Mass with Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory, Archbishop of Washington, the Principal Celebrant. For more information, please visit adw.org or contact the Office of Cultural Diversity and Outreach at culturaldiversity@adw.org. Click here to download the flyer.
National Day of Prayer for the African American and African Family
Parishes in The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington are encouraged to observe the National Day of Prayer for African Americans and African Families on February 5, 2023. Founded by Father James Goode in 1989, the National Day is a day that is set aside to give special thanks to God for our families, particularly Black families, and place every care in the arms of Jesus. The USCCB provides information and resources to support observing this special day, including a catechetical reflection, a prayer specifically for the African American and African Families and suggested activities to celebrate the day. For more information visit the USCCB African American Affairs website, click here.
XIII National Black Catholic Congress – Information Session
The XIII National Black Catholic Congress will be held July 20-23, 2023, at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center at National Harbor, Maryland. The largest national gathering in support of the Black Catholic ministry, Congress XIII will bring together clergy, Religious and lay people for prayer, dialogue, and discernment to determine the priorities for the next National Black Catholic Congress Pastoral Plan. In preparation for the Congress, on Thursday, February 16, 2023, at 6:30 p.m., The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington will conduct a virtual information session for the lay faithful to provide background, details, and registration information about Congress XIII. For more information, please contact Wendi Williams at williamsw@adw.org. Click here to download the flyer and here to register for the virtual session.
Remind the Faithful of Information on the Website
The archdiocesan website, adw.org, and adw.org/es, is updated regularly with current information for you to share with your community. Daily news and information about our parishes, schools and ministries are also available at cathstan.org and elpreg.org for the Catholic Standard and the Spanish-language El Pregonero newspapers.