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