African American Catholic Community
The African American Catholic Community started with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Mass held in Albuquerque in January 1992. A standing room only crowd was present at the chapel of the Catholic Center. The Presider was Archbishop Robert Sanchez and a reflection was given by Rev. Al McCoin, a Baptist minister. An African American liturgist, Stephen Woodbury, led the congregation in song/praise using selections from Catholic African-American gospel composers. There was an interest in continuing to have an Afro-Centric Mass once a month. In April there was another Mass with Fr. Rollins Lambert who became our first spiritual director as Presider. The establishment of a Steering Committee under the leadership of Dr. Clarence Kirby, Brenda Dabney and Stephen Woodbury we were on our way to celebrating Mass on a regular basis. Eventually the AACC was recognized as a ministry under Archbishop Emeritus Michael J. Sheehan. Our Mission Statement states…”We invite, challenge and develop an appreciation of our African American culture through Liturgical, social, spiritual and educational programs.”
The AACC celebrates five Afrocentric Masses a year at St. Joseph on the Rio Grande Catholic Church, Albuquerque. The late Fr. Rollins Lambert has been memorialized with our scholarship fund, now in its 10th year along with the additional assistance of the National Black and Indian Mission Office has helped 70 African American students with tuition assistance in Archdiocese Catholic Schools. We support a Catholic School supply drive, conduct annual fundraisers and have been represented at the National Black Catholic Congress.
The AACC will celebrate its 28th Anniversary on April 26 with a noon Mass at St. Joseph’s. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit we have grown and will continue to do God’s work, and to spread the good news of our Lord Jesus Christ in our Afro-centric way. There is “plenty good room at the table of the Lord.”
Brenda Dabney, Coordinator
Veronica Lewis, Publicity Chairperson
