Archdiocese of Newark Prepares For National Black Catholic Congress VIII The Office of Black Catholic Affairs of the Archdiocese of Newark will conduct its second Day of Reflection between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday June 21, 1997 at the Archdiocesan Center located at 171 Clifton Avenue in Newark, New Jersey. The keynote speaker will be Most Rev. Joseph A. Francis, Retired Auxiliary Bishop of Newark. Bishop Francis was one of the founders of the Black Catholic Priests Caucus, and is currently an officer of the National Black Catholic Congress. He will address the day's theme, "The Challenge Facing Evangelization and Family Life Values Today." Churches throughout the country are holding similar events to prepare for National Black Catholic Congress VIII which will be held on August 28-31, 1997 at the Baltimore Convention Center in Maryland. The National Black Catholic Congress was established in 1889 to assist the clergy in the conversion and education of Black Catholics. This year's Congress will focus on evangelization and family life. Lucille Foreman, Director of Black Catholic Affairs for the Archdiocese of Newark, believes that the evangelization of the family is the key to bringing the Catholic church back into the forefront of African American communities. "The black community has moved into all the counties of the Archdiocese," she said, "We have to make sure that their needs are still being addressed." She added that this also means that there is a need for African-American Religious and Clergy. Marshall Andrews, Liaison Coordinator for the African-American/African-Ethnic Apostolate and Ministry for the Office of Black Catholic Affairs, said that the day of reflection and the Congress are the perfect opportunity to get down to business. "Many of the solutions are within ourselves," he said, "and these events allow us to unite as a community to find the solutions." Youth Ministry will also be a theme on the agenda for the Congress. "Young people, particularly young black males, need to pass though the door and worship with the family," said Andrews. The June 21, 1997, Day of Reflection is the second in a series of two county workshops that the Office of Black Catholic Affairs has held in the Archdiocese. A donation of $15 will be accepted from attendees to defray the cost of the event. For more information call the Office of Black Catholic Affairs at (973) 497-4340.
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