Memorial Concert for Bishop Joseph A. Francis The Office of Black Catholic Affairs of the Archdiocese of Newark along with CCS/Quest Youth Services will host a Memorial Concert in memory of Auxiliary Bishop of Newark, Joseph A. Francis, SVD. The concert will be held at 8:00 p.m. Saturday, November 8, 1997 at St. Benedict's High School in Newark.
Bishop Francis was a leader for African American Catholics in the United States. As the principal author of "Brothers and Sisters to Us," the U.S. Bishops' 1979 pastoral on the sin of racism, Bishop Francis found himself in the national spotlight. During his years in Newark, Bishop Francis received many awards and 10 honorary degrees. He was a board member of Catholic Relief Services, the National Office of Black Catholics, and the Board of Catholic Missions. He also served on the Advisory board for the United Negro College Fund, was Vice Chairman for the Campaign for Human Development, and Chairman of the Greater Newark Coalition and the Archdiocesan Commission of Justice and Peace. The event will feature the concert chorus of Xavier University of New Orleans. Bishop Francis' brother, Norman Francis, is President of the university. The chorus has toured the nation and performed for Pope John Paul II. The chorus will also perform at the annual Black Saints Mass at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, November 9 at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart. The cost of tickets for the Memorial Concert is $20. For more information call Lucille Foreman, Office of Black Catholic Affairs, (973) 497-4340 or Jamey Moses, CCS/Quest Youth Services, (973) 926-9895.
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