On May 17th 1985 a

group of ten individuals

calling themselves the

committee for con-

cerned Black Catholics

met to discuss issues

and concerns they felt

were particular to Black

Catholics in the Diocese

of Charlotte. Out of the

meeting emerged a

resounding need to give

visibility to the work of

Black Catholics in the

diocese and to educate

various diocesan groups

to the contributions of

Black Catholics in the

various parishes.

In July 1985, the

ministry was officially

begun as the Diocesan

Committee on Black

Catholic Ministry and

Evangelization

and was a part of the

Diocesan Ministry for

Justice and Peace.

In August 1989 it became a

separate office to address and

serve the needs and

concerns of Black Catholics

within the Diocese of

Charlotte. The ministry;

renamed The African

American Affairs Ministry

is now one that is fully

recognized by the diocese

and supported by the

Bishop.

The Ministry’s primary

goal is to give visibility to

the work, contributions,

traditions and culture of

Black Catholics to the

Church and to society;

and to propose adequate

Diocesan responses to

racism and other social

injustices.

The Ministry plans and

conducts a variety of

programs, retreats,

workshops and events

during the year that are

open to all in the diocese.

The ministry also

maintains linkages

within the diocesan

community, with

regional and national

networks among Black

Catholic leadership, and

with other relevant

national organizations.

History of the African American

Affairs Ministry

Meet the Board

Rosheene Adams currently serves as the Director of the African American Affairs

Ministry. She has been in this role since 2014. She is a member of Our Lady of Consolation

Church Charlotte, NC and is a member of the Young Adult Ministry.

Rosheene holds a BS in Economics from College of Charleston, Charleston SC and an MBA

from Winthrop University, Rock Hill SC. She currently serves as a Club Leader for the

Charlotte Chapter of the College of Charleston Alumni Association.

She is a member of the Charlotte chapter of Tau Gamma Delta Sorority Inc. where she served

as past president and is currently the treasurer.

She has a daughter and loves to travel

African American Affairs Ministry Diocese of Charlotte African American Affairs

Ministry Diocese of Charlotte

AAAFM History

1st meeting May 17th 1985

Officially began as the Diocesan Committee on Black Catholic Ministry and Evangelization July 1985

August 1989 became a separate office to address and serve the needs and concerns of Black Catholics in the Diocese of Charlotte

Fall 2019

Vol. I

African American

Affairs Ministry

Diocese of Charlotte

Inside this issue

Charlotte Diocese host Tolton Play

Racism Workshops

Black Catholic facts

Our Daily Prayers

Meet the Board

National Events

Two cities in the Diocese

of Charlotte hosted

“Tolton: From Slave to

Priest,” a powerful one-

man multimedia play

depicting the life of

Father Augustus Tolton,

the first African American

priest, who lived from

1854 to 1897.

In Charlotte, the play ran

June 7-8, at The Great

Aunt Stella Center and

in Greensboro, June 10-

11, at St. Mary’s Church.

“Tolton: From Slave to

Priest” featured a full cast

of characters on a video

screen who interacted

with actor Jim Coleman

live on stage. This unique

format was visually

engaging while also

retaining the personal

effect of a live

performance.

Audiences left the show

feeling that they had “met”

Father Tolton.

The production was

enhanced by an original

soundtrack based on

traditional African American

spirituals, orchestrated by

composer Tony Manfre-

donia.

“Father Tolton’s story needs

to be told,” says Coleman. “

As a black man, this very

important part of history is

something that I want the

world to hear about. I truly

feel blessed to be the one to

share Father Augustus

Tolton with all who will

listen!”

Father Tolton’s life was one

of hidden holiness. His

cause for canonization was

advanced June 11th 2019 by

Pope Francis when he issued

a decree declaring him

“venerable”.

The title ‘venerable’

recognizes that he lived a

life of heroic virtue. Once

it is confirmed that one

miracle has been granted

by God through the

intercession of Tolton, he

will be declared “blessed”.

A second miracle may be

required for canonization.

Learn more about August Tolton

at :https://tolton.archchicago.org/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/

Augustus_Tolton

— SueAnn Howell, senior report-

er; St. Luke Productions contrib-

uted

Charlotte Diocese hosts Tolton: From Slave to Priest

“Father Tolton’s story needs

to be told,” says Coleman.

“As a black man, this very

important part of history is

something that I want the

world to hear about. I truly

feel blessed to be the one to

share Father Augustus

Tolton with all who will

listen!” - Jim Coleman

Jim Coleman as Father Tolton

Page 2 African American Affairs Ministry Diocese of Charlotte

Board with actor Jim Coleman and stage manager Sean Hanus

Purchasing Tolton Books after the show

Jim Coleman signing Tolton books

Jim Coleman signing Tolton books

Jim Coleman posing with audience

Jim Coleman as Tolton

Meet the Board Cont...

Musetta Glenn is a cradle Catholic of 66 years at St. Helens Catholic Church in

Gastonia, NC. She is the Chairperson of Parish Council head of the Evangelization

Committee, a reader of the word, a member of the choir, an Extraordinary Minister of

Holy Communion, a Faith Formation teacher, and a Cursillista.

She has devoted her life to serving Christ and continues to do so everyday

Musetta is mother of 2, grandmother of 5, and great grandmother of 3.

Charlotte Diocese parishioners gathered at multiple parishes during May and June to learn more about “Responding to the Sin of Racism,” an effort to dialogue and raise awareness about racism in light of the U.S. bishops’ 2018 pastoral letter against racism entitled “Open Wide Our Hearts – the Enduring Call to Love.”

The events were educational opportuni-ties jointly sponsored by Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte, the African American Affairs Ministry, and the Sisters of Mercy to reflect on themes presented in the bishops’ pastoral letter.

Presenters were Donna Toliver Grimes, Assistant Director, Office of African American Affairs, US Conference of Catholic Bishops; who addressed how to implement “Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love,”, Deacon Clarke Cochran of St. Peter Church who covered “Promoting Racial Justice and Ending Health Disparities in the USA.”,

Sister Cora Marie Billings RSM, Anti-Racism Team, Sisters of Mercy who spoke on Saved by Grace in Striving for a More Racially Just Church and Society” and Ralph McCLoud, Director Catholic Campaign for Human Development US Conference of Catholic Bishops who spoke on The Intersection of Poverty, Wealth & Race in America.

African American Affairs Ministry, Catholic Charities and the Sisters of Mercy host a series of Workshops on Racism

Donner Grimes, US Conference Catholic Bishops

Page 3 African American Affairs Ministry Diocese of Charlotte

Ralph McCloud, US Conference Catholic Bishops

Deacon Clarke Cochran , St Peter Church

Sr. Cora Marie Billings, Sisters of Mercy

"But racism still profoundly affects our culture, and it has no place in the Christian heart. This evil causes great harm to

its victims, and it corrupts the souls of those who harbor racist or prejudicial thoughts. The persistence of the evil of rac-ism is why we are writing this letter now."

- Open Wide our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love

Workshop participants

Resources for Combatting Racism

The National Black Catholic Congress - https://www.nbccongress.org/

The US Conference of Catholic Bishops - http://www.usccb.org/

National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus - http://www.tnbccc.com/

Institute for Black Catholic Studies - https://ibcsxula.com/

We are Salt and Light - https://www.wearesaltandlight.org/

Combatting Racism - Educational Resources - http://usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-

dignity/racism/educational-resources-on-racism.cfm

Combatting Racism - Parish Resources - http://usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/

racism/parish-resources-on-racism.cfm

The Church has designated November

as Black Catholic History Month since

1990 when the National Black Clergy

Caucus of the United States instigated

it. November seemed appropriate

because it holds special days for two

prominent African Catholics:

St. Augustine, whose birthday is Nov.

13, and St Martin de Porres, whose

feast day is celebrated on November 3.

St. Ignatius of Loyola recognized St.

Martin de Porres on the First Sunday

of the Month.

There have been 3 African Popes

in the Catholic Church:

Pope Gelasius l, who was Pope

from 492 to his death in 496.

Pope Miltiades, who was Pope of

the Catholic Church from 311 to

his death in 314.

Pope Victor I was the first Bishop

of Rome born in the Roman Prov-

ince of Africa. The dates of his

tenure are uncertain. However,

one source states he became Pope

in 189 and died in 199.

There are 3 million African

American Catholics in the United

States. Of Roman Catholic parish-

es in the United States, 798 are

predominantly African American.

Most of those continue to be on

the East Coast and in the South.

Further west of the Mississippi

River, African American Catholics

are more likely to be immersed in

multicultural parishes as opposed

to predominantly African

American parishes.

About 76% of African American

Catholics are in diverse or shared

parishes and 24% are in predomi-

nately African American parishes.

At present there are 13 living

African American bishops, of

whom 8 remain active.

Black Catholic Facts

Meet the Board Cont...

Page 4 African American Affairs Ministry Diocese of Charlotte

Samuel Cooper is a member of Our Lady of Consolation Church Charlotte, NC. Sam is

the Parish Council Chair, Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and a member of

the Men’s Ministry. Sam holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from North Carolina

Central University (NCCU) in Durham, NC. He currently serves as National President of

NCCU Alumni Association and is on the Board of Directors for NCCU Foundation, Inc.

He is currently the Director of Business Development with Access Ingredients. Prior to

this role, Sam worked at Nexeo Solutions as a Technical Sales Specialist. He was also a

chemist with Clariant and Noveon, Inc.

Sam is very active in the chemical industry; He has served on the Board of Directors for

the Society of Cosmetic Chemists (SCC), served two terms as Chair of the Carolina Chapter

of Society of Cosmetic Chemists and is currently serving as the Chapter’s secretary.

Currently, five U.S. dioces-

es are headed by African

American bishops,

including one archdiocese.

There are 250 African

American priests, 437

deacons, and 75 men of

African descent in

seminary formation for the

priesthood in the United

States.

There are 400 African

American religious sisters

and 50 religious brothers.

Historically Black Catholic Churches in the

Charlotte Diocese Our Lady of Consolation, Charlotte NC

St. Benedict the Moor, Winston Salem NC

St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Greensboro NC

St. Helen Mission, Gastonia NC

Catherine Hall Gomez is a past member of St Benedict the Moor Catholic Church, Winston Salem NC before relocating to Charlotte, NC and joining Our Lady of Consolation Catholic Church about 15 years ago.

Catherine is a member of the Black Cultural Commission, Golden Wings, Ladies Guild, the Spiritual Intercessors and she is a Cursillista. In the past, she has served as a reader of the word, Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and a greeter.

Catherine is a retired Registered Nurse.

Socially, she enjoys traveling, reading, bingo, card and board games and movies.

She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated and the Red Hatters.

Catherine is a mother of 4, grandmother of 7 and great-grandmother of 7

Meet the Board Cont...

Gerald McKoy is a member of Saint Benedict the Moor Catholic Church Winston

Salem, NC. He converted to Catholicism in the mid 1960s.

After graduation from high school in Fayetteville NC , Gerald attended Wake Forest

University in Winston-Salem, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in

Mathematics.

He was employed from 1972 to1980 in Information Technology with Burroughs

Corporation, now Unisys Corporation and from 1980 to retirement in 2008, Gerald

was employed in Information Technology by RJ Reynolds Corporation, now Reynolds

American, Inc.

Page 5 African American Affairs Ministry Diocese of Charlotte

Veronica E. Sartor is a member of the Basilica of St. Lawrence Asheville, NC.

She serves on the Finance Council and sings with the adult choir. Veronica was on the

Advisory Board for the Western region of Catholic Social Services (now Catholic

Charities) for 11 years serving from 1997-2008. Veronica joined the Catholic

Daughters of the Americas, local Court Asheville, No. 412 in 2000. She was elected

Vice Regent from 2003-2004 and elected Regent from 2006-2008. She is now one of

the North Carolina State Catholic Daughters District Deputies.

After volunteering with the African American Affairs Ministry for about 2 years,

Veronica then became a member of the board in 2004. Veronica is a retired

Registered Nurse. She retired in 2014 after 38.6 years of dedication. She was an

instructor for Neonatal Resuscitation involving the L/D, Mother/Baby, Maternal/

Fetal, and NICU units at Mission Hospital Inc.

Veronica’s future goals involve giving of time, talent, and treasure by meeting the

needs of her family, friends, and church.

She is a mother of 2 daughters, grandmother of 3 and great grand mother of 2.

Prayer for Dismantling Racism Written by the Pax Christi Anti-Racism Team

Dear God, in our efforts to dismantle racism,

we understand that we struggle not merely

against flesh and blood but against powers and

principalities – those institutions and systems

that keep racism alive by perpetuating the lie

that some members of the family are inferior

and others superior.

Create in us a new mind and heart that will

enable us to see brothers and sisters in the faces

of those divided by racial categories.

Give us the grace and strength to rid ourselves

of racial stereotypes that oppress some of us

while providing entitlements to others.

Help us to create a Church and nation that

embraces the hopes and fears of oppressed

People of Color where we live, as well as those

around the world.

Heal your family God, and make us one with

you, in union with our brother Jesus, and

empowered by your Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Our Daily Prayers

Meet the Board Cont...

Page 6 African American Affairs Ministry Diocese of Charlotte

Patricia McDonald is a member of Our Lady of Consolation Church Charlotte, NC

for over 25 years. She is chairperson of the Usher board, a member of the health ministry,

the Black Cultural Commission, the Spiritual Intercessors, she is a Cursillista and an

Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion.

Patricia is a retired Educator of over thirty years.

She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated.

She is a mother of 2 sons; a grandmother of 4, two granddaughters and two grandsons.

Patricia enjoys traveling, playing cards and participating in YMCA activities with water

aerobics being the favorite.

Prayer for Vocations http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/prayers-and-devotions/

prayers/prayers-for-vocations.cfm

O God, Father of all Mercies, Provider of a bountiful Harvest,

Send Your Graces upon those you have called to gather the fruits of Your

labor; preserve and strengthen them in their lifelong service of you.

Open the hearts of Your children

that they may discern Your Holy Will; inspire in them a love and desire to surrender

themselves to serving others in the name of Your son, Jesus Christ.

Teach all Your faithful to follow their

respective paths in life guided by Your Divine Word and Truth.

Through the intercession of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, all the Angels, and Saints,

humbly hear our prayers and grant Your Church's needs, through Christ, our Lord.

Amen.

Meet the Board Cont...

Page 7 African American Affairs Ministry Diocese of Charlotte

Daisy Duncan Foster is a member of St Benedict the Moor Catholic Church

Winston Salem, NC. She is Chair of the Evangelization Commission, assistant secretary

to St. Monica’s Guild and a member of the church choir.

She is a proud member of The Society of Golden Eagles with a BA Degree in Psychology

from North Carolina Central University , Durham, NC. As a National Urban Fellow, she

received a Master’s degree in Urban Administration from Bucknell University in

Lewisburg Penn.

Daisy was a Social Worker for 15 years and served 9 years as a board of trustee member at

Wright State University Dayton, OH. She assisted in the development of the Adopt A

School program for the Chicago Board of Education.

Daisy has served as the Director of the Wilberforce University Cooperative Education

Career Planning and Placement Department, Director of the Academic Advising Program,

and Academic Advisor in the Multi- Cultural Student Affairs Department at the University

of Dayton in Dayton, OH.

Daisy is a Life Member of The Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated.

She has 4 sons, 2 daughters-in-law, 5 grandchildren, a goddaughter and 3 niece/daughters

October October 10-13 - The 16th National Black Catholic Men’s Conference.Los Angeles, CA October 10-13 - Black Catholic Theological Symposium's (BCTS) 30th Annual Meeting

Charleston, SC October 20-21 - National African American Catholic Youth and Young Adult Ministry

Network Meeting in Raleigh, NC

November Black Catholic History Month November 7-10 - 2019 Pastoring In Black Catholic Parishes Conference in Alexandria, VA November 20 - NBCC webinar Canonization Process/African Americans on the Path to

Sainthood presented by Dr. Camille Brown November 23 - 190th Anniversary Symposium - Mother Mary Lange: A Legacy of Hope.

Baltimore, MD

Lettie Polite - Emeritus is a member of the Basilica of St Lawrence Asheville, NC

She served on the board from 2004 until 2017.

Lettie is a retired Educator and Librarian

She is a member of the Asheville Chapter of The Links, Inc. and a member of Delta

Sigma Theta Sorority incorporated.

She has 1 son and 1 daughter

Find more events: http://usccb.org/issues-and-action/cultural-diversity/african-american/african-american-events.cfm

National Events

Awareness

Evangelization

Spiritual Enlightenment

Outreach

Contact Us:

African American Affairs Ministry

Diocese of Charlotte

1123 S. Church St

Charlotte NC 28203

RLAdams@charlottediocese.org

https://charlottediocese.org/african-american-affairs-ministry/