Diocese of Toledo
The Diocese of Toledo’s annual celebration of Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King Jr’s national holiday was not held in January due to a weather emergency. The annual Mass for Promoting Harmony was instead held on February 23, 2019 as a Black History month celebration. The host church, Our Lady, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral welcomed congregants attending to not only to remember Dr. King’s legacy, but to celebrate four remarkable recipients of the 2019 MLK Drum Major Award. Diocese of Toledo Bishop Daniel Thomas, Celebrant, broke open the gospel of Luke 6:27-38; sometimes referred to as the “turn the other cheek gospel”. During these times of a fast breaking news cycle Bishop Thomas cited relevant current affairs that challenge hearers to recognize opportunities to practice social justice.
The 2019 awardees of the MLK Drum Major Award are: Helen Cooks, Ph.D renowned for creating a youth educational program to assure minority or poor youth are prepared for success in higher education; Vivian Johnson whose life of faith, commitment and service inspires her family and church; Davion Williams a youth activist and senior at St. John’s Jesuit High School and Malachi Wayne Wyse, class president at St. Francis de Sales High School.
Following Mass and the award ceremony all were welcomed to enjoy a reception planned by members of the Diocese of Toledo Black Catholic Ministry Advisory Team and supported by the Black and Indian Ministry Grant.
Pictured from left to right are honorees, Vivian Johnson, Malachi Wayne Wyse, Davion Williams and Dr. Helen Cooks standing with Bishop Daniel Thomas in the center.
