Office of Black Catholic and Ethnic Ministries
The Intercultural Office - Archdiocese of Milwaukee was overseeing the Black Catholic Pastoral Plan until a new director of Black Catholic and Ethnic Ministries was hired in mid-June 2019, around the time when the Black Catholic Pastoral Plan was completed for implementation.
The presentation of the Black Catholic Pastoral Plan took place November 17, 2019 to coincide with November as Black Catholic History Month. In preparation to the inaugural presentation of the Pastoral Plan – community outreach efforts were made through church bulletins, social media, flyers, word of mouth, etc. The Catholic Herald had a number of articles before and after the event. The Pastoral Plan booklet was printed for distribution on and after the inauguration day.
Archbishop Jerome Listecki presided at the liturgy to present the Black Catholic Pastoral plan. Bishop Haines, Auxiliary Bishop and Vicar to the areas of Black Catholic Parishes and Bishop Joseph N Perry, Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago concelebrated. They were also joined by several priests. The Knights and Ladies Auxiliary of St. Peter Claver (inter-council) provided honor guards. The choir for the liturgy was made up of several parishes. The participants came from have a dozen area parishes, especially the parishes that have Black Catholic membership. About 400 people were in attendance.
Rep. Lakeshia Myers and State Senator Lena Taylor introduced a resolution declaring, November 2019 a Black Catholic Heritage Month. The resolution passed and a plaque was presented to the Director of Black and Ethnic Ministries and the Chair of Black Catholic Ministry Commission and other Commission members at St. Francis of Assis Church. In its December 17 issue, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel also covered a story on the vision and goals of the Black Catholic Pastoral Plan.
In conjunction with the implementation of Black Catholic Pastoral, six new members were added to the Black Catholic Ministry Commission. The new and existing Black Catholic Ministry Commission members were blessed at the inaugural Mass on November 17, 2019.
The Black Catholic Pastoral Plan has several goals for implementation. Among them was to reach out to the young adults and initiate Young Adult Ministry and leadership development of the next generation. A core group of young adults has been created and it has started meeting regularly. The Black Catholic Pastoral Plan also plans to reach out to African American youth in school and parish settings. The Black and Indian Mission Office grant leveraged to secure outside resources for implementing “Ringshout: A National Rite of Passage for the New and Promised Generation” – a curriculum developed for African American youth.
