Diocese of Harrisburg
By Jen Reed, The Catholic Witness
(Photos by Jen Reed, The Catholic Witness.)
Roused by spiritual hymns and animated songs of praise and worship presented by the Philadelphia Gospel Mass Choir, the congregation at this year’s Diocesan Mass at the start of Black History Month was urged to “put first things first” when rising to overcome the challenges in today’s society.
Stepping to the pulpit as homilist for the annual Black Catholic Apostolate Mass on Sunday afternoon at St. Patrick Cathedral, Harrisburg, Father Chiedozie Ononuju said there are many topics he could speak about during Black History Month – such as political turmoil, the immigration crisis, economic injustice and the sins of slavery, segregation, human trafficking and racism.
“They are extremely important and of immediate concern. But there is an issue of even greater importance, without which nothing else makes sense. As we gather here on this first day of Black History Month, what makes our gathering significantly different from the various other gatherings that will take place nationwide? We got Jesus,” said Father Ononuju, parochial vicar at St. Patrick Parish, Carlisle, and chaplain at Dickinson College.
“We are men and women of faith. This means we put first things first. This means we go back to basics, back to the very foundation, which is Jesus Christ,” he said.
“Jesus Christ is the center of the universe and the center of all history. If we put Him first, then we will see more clearly and put other things in their proper place. But if we don’t put Christ first, things will continue to fall apart in our lives and in society.”
“If we put Christ first, we will receive the strength to combat the challenges in our society. We are called to face these issues with the strength that comes from Christ and with the assurance of faith,” he said.
Father Ononuju is a native of Nigeria and was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Harrisburg in 2023. He joined Father Anthony Dill, pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Harrisburg, and Father Deogratias Rwegasira, AJ, chaplain at Lancaster General Hospital, as concelebrants of the Mass. Bishop Timothy Senior was the main celebrant of the liturgy, hosted by the Diocesan Black Catholic Apostolate.
“What a great joy it is to welcome all of you here to our Cathedral of St. Patrick for the celebration of this Mass, when we celebrate as well the cultural diversity of our Diocese and appreciate the wonder of God’s beautiful and diverse plan that makes up the Body of Christ, the Church,” Bishop Senior told the congregation.
The Mass, which was livestreamed on the Diocese’s YouTube channel, featured lively hymns from the choir that prompted the congregation to sway and clap along in praise and worship. Images of Black saints and those on the road to sainthood were placed near the altar as a reminder of our common call to holiness. A reception after Mass welcomed the faithful to enjoy various African and African-American dishes in a spirit of togetherness.
In his homily, Father Ononuju challenged the congregation to live the Beatitudes proclaimed in the day’s Gospel.
“You blessed ones, you holy ones called to be saints, Christ wants you to be truly happy, Christ wants you to be truly blessed,” he said. “Jesus wants us to persevere in doing good despite the many setbacks that our modern world places in our path. Consider your own calling. Consider the reality of the kingdom of the Father. Think about the glory Christ has prepared for us if we follow Him. Think about the fact that Christ wants us to dwell with Him forever.”
“Let us put first things first. Let us put Jesus Christ above all things,” he said. “Let us seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto us.”
Learn more about the Diocesan Office for Culture and Outreach and the Black Catholic Apostolate at www.hbgdiocese.org/clev/culture-and-outreach/.
