Black Catholic Ministry
From November 5 to 7, 2021, Rev. R. Tony Ricard visited the Diocese of Toledo to help celebrate black Catholic history month. Rev. R. Tony Ricard is a Priest for the Archdiocese of New Orleans and Pastor of St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish. He is also a Core Instructor of Church Doctrine and Youth Ministry for the Institute for Black Catholic Studies at Xavier University of Louisiana. He also serves as the Catholic Chaplain of the NFL’s New Orleans Saints.
On the morning of Friday, November 5, Fr. Tony presented at a Youth Rally at Central Catholic High School, Toledo. We had over 700 high school students, from several different high schools from around the Toledo area. Fr. Tony drew the students in and gave an amazing presentation. Friday evening Fr. Tony presided at a Revival at St. Martin de Porres, Toledo called “When the Saints Go Marching In – Celebrating the Saints of the African Diaspora.” Over 75 people attended an evening full of music, worship, prayer, and libation ritual.
On Saturday morning, November 6, Fr. Tony gave a wonderful presentation at a Family Prayer Breakfast to over 75 people at Epiphany of the Lord Parish, Toledo. Fr. Tony then presided over two Masses, one at St. Peter Catholic Church, Mansfield on Saturday evening and St. Patrick of Heatherdowns, Toledo on Sunday morning. Fr. Tony co-celebrated both Masses and gave the homilies.
