Black Catholic Affairs, Office of Intercultural Ministries, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta
On Saturday, May 13, 2023, delegates representing Black Catholic parishes and communities of the Archdiocese of Atlanta gathered to celebrate Mass as their official kick-off to preparing for this summer’s Black Catholic Congress XIII in National Harbor, MD.
The event was held at the historic Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church under the theme of “Who We Are and Whose We Are: A Prophetic Call to Thrive.” The service and its theme were inspired by and held under the patronage of Servant of God Sister Thea Bowman, FSPA, our spiritual mother and Catholic nun who, in her lifetime, witnessed to an authentic, God-driven expression of African American culture and Roman Catholic faith.
Dr. Aaron Mathews, a graduate of Morehouse College and former Sister Thea Bowman Scholar of Lyke House: The Catholic Center at Atlanta University Center, served as the Mass’ guest pianist and music director. For the service, Dr. Mathews played his award-winning Mass for Sister Thea Bowman setting. Copies of his setting, published by GIA, were available for a select few guests attending the Mass. Dr. Mathews currently serves as the music director for St. Charles Parish in Hartland, Wisconsin and has served on the music faculty of Allen University, Xavier University of Louisiana, Alverno College, and Viterbo University.
A small reception was held at the parish following the Mass where delegates in attendance were excited and energized about participating in future events leading towards the Congress XIII gathering in July. We remain grateful to God for the support and prayers of our Black Catholic communities, as well as the resources from the Black and Indian Mission Office, that made this event possible!
