“The kingdom of heaven is a land of perfect freedom and peace, it will be the ultimate reign of justice and gladness. Even with all of our efficient means of communications now available, the message has still not reached all ears and hearts.”
Cardinal Wilton D. Greogry
On June 19, CTK welcomed eighty guests to Morgan Hall for an event by Diocesan Racial Justice and Black Catholic Ministry.
The evening event showcased a presentation by Brother Mickey McGrath. He introduced us to the Saintly Six through his glorious artwork and dynamic stories. Affectionately known as the Saintly Six, these six black Catholic Americans overcame racism and prejudice to lead a life of heroic virtue, generosity, and faith. Each of their stories, which has them on the path to sainthood, is unique and inspiring. Father Vince Guest, Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Camden and leader of the evening, said, “We pray that Juneteenth does not become just another summer federal holiday, but rather, a day to recognize that the sin of racism continues to scar our country and that as followers of Jesus, we all have a part to play to eradicate this evil.”
The evening also included performances by three choirs: Our Lady of Guadalupe, Lindenwold, the Filipino Apostolate Choir of Camden Diocese, and the St. Bartholomew Gospel Choir of Sacred Heart Parish, Camden. “The Juneteenth event was a wonderful expression of the diversity of our diocese. Together, we remembered this important date in our nation’s history,” says Maria Nieva of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Sacred Heart. To learn more about these historical figures, visit Nashville Catholic, the website of the Nashville Diocese, and watch six short videos on each.
