Mission Statement
The Office of Black Catholics strives to educate and witness to the community by providing opportunities for spiritual, educational, cultural and ministerial growth to the African American community within the Diocese of Lafayette.
The Office of Black Catholic Ministries was established in 1973 by Bishop Gerard Frey, the third Bishop of the Diocese of Lafayette. Bishop Frey was concerned about the needs and aspiration of the 74,000 African American Catholics in the 45 parishes compromising the Diocese of Lafayette.
Select one of the following to view related information from the Office of Black Catholic Ministries:
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Schedule of Events Diocesan-wide Calendar |
Responsibilities of Black Catholic Ministires |
Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Mass and Awards Ceremony |
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African American Youth Congress 2011 Photo Album |
Other Programs and Events |
Predominantly Black Church Parishes |
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Links *Includes links to information on scholarships for African Americans |
Responsibilities of Black Catholic Ministries
- Direct diocesan programs, events and ministry efforts for the Black Catholic Ministry
- Organize and provide formation programs for lay leaders in the African American community for outreach and Evangelization in accord with the office and diocesan mission.
- Assist in developing, coordinating and implementing projects and events that involve African Americans
- Coordinate activities as they relate to the African American Catholic Youth Congress and other programs
- To endeavor to serve all African American parishes in the diocese
- Collaborate with other diocesan offices to foster communication and mutual support in order to accomplish the total mission of the diocese
- Offer workshops and presentation on cultural evangelization and, multicultural ministry to parishes, schools and others upon request.
- Provide workshops, gathering and conferences addressing cultural/ethnic and racial harmony, (Racial Sobriety Program)
- Assist Diocesan Parishes with developing and implementing the National Black Pastoral Plan
- Develop appropriate modes and models of Catechesis sensitive to the African American perspectives in line with the National Catechetical Directory and diocesan policies.
- Identify, train and develop resource teams sensitive to the needs of African Americans
- Assist parishes in the selection of materials, resources, medias, etc.
- Represent the Office of Black Catholic Ministries at designated meetings, events, and other affairs
- Keep abreast of National Church news, magazines, brochures, important Church documents, in the area of African American formation
- Collaborates with and maintains good communication with pastors, pastoral administrators, parish leaders and pastoral office leaders
- Coordinate efforts with other ethnic leadership committees for greater outreach in the community by assisting with liturgies and ministry services
Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Mass and Award Ceremony
A total of 75 individuals were honored with the 2012 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Award. The recipients were all recognized as a part of the annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Mass, sponsored by the Lafayette Diocese’s Office of Black Catholic Ministries and hosted by the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Lafayette.
In his homily, Father Chester Arceneaux, pastor of the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, praised the recipients of this year’s Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Award by commenting, “You have been chosen by your pastor or parish council because you represent that beatitude of proclaiming the Gospel to the poor, the Gospel of righteousness and justice, proclaiming the Gospel as peacemakers, for those who mourn, you have been a reflection of Christ."
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Other Programs and Events Sponsored by the Office of Black Catholic Ministries
| African American Catechesis Workshop | African American Couples Retreat | Black Parenting |
| Combating Racism Workshops | Cultural Diversity Workshops |
Days of Reflection for: African American Men African American Women Adults |
| Kujenga | Kwanza |
Liturgy and Worship: African American Perspective |
| Racial Sobriety Training Workshop | Restorative Justice Workshop |
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Predominantly Black Church Parishes in the Diocese
Links
Listed below are websites for companies and organizations that provide scholarships for African Americans.