Archbishop's web site Denver Catholic Register Parishes Catholic Pastoral Center
April 24, 2002
Annual black Catholic conference inspiring, attendees say
Conference speaker Father Bryan Massingale gets rave reviews from participants
During a recent Denver appearance, Catholic theologian Father Bryan Massingale urged African-American Catholics to promote vocations and encouraged evangelization efforts.
A professor at St. Francis Seminary in Wisconsin, Father Massingale was the featured speaker at the Denver Council for Black Catholics annual Faith and Unity Celebration Feb. 22-24.
The well attended weekend event opened Friday evening with a reception at the Hue-Man Bookstore. An educational conference followed on Saturday. The event concluded with a liturgy Sunday at Cure d'Ars Church.
Father Massingale discussed major themes and ideas of the upcoming National Black Catholic Congress IX to be held in Chicago in August.
"He was one of the most effective speakers I have heard," said conference attendee Robbyn Celestin of Cure d'Ars Church. "He gave a clear, methodical layout of the issues that cause racism, and what the Catholic Church needs to offer in order to meet the needs of black Americans in the Church. He helped me to feel better equipped to evangelize and strengthened my resolve. The whole weekend celebration was spirit-filled and very educational."
Attendee Terese Robinson of St. Ignatius Loyola Church was equally enthusiastic.
"He is an excellent, magnificent speaker," she gushed, adding that she hoped organizers will bring him back again. "He made everyone comfortable, and was able to speak about Catholicism in a way that was thorough, earthy and knowledgeable of not only Catholicism, but also the African-American community.
"He said what needed to be said," she continued. "He is a fantastic person, and I thoroughly enjoyed him and the whole event. The conference was well done and well presented."
At the closing liturgy Father Massingale stressed the importance of vocations to the religious life, and the need for encouragement and support from family and friends.
Offering a compliment to the black Catholic community, he said, "Being with you this weekend was also a confirmation of my vocation to engage in theological scholarship on behalf of our people. I will never forget the look of pride on the elders' faces as I was talking . . . talk about an amazing grace!"
Organizers said they were proud to present a grace-filled event.
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