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Deacon McDavid presented Bakhita-Drexel Award
By Julie Filby
Deacon Clarence McDavid of Cure d’ Ars Parish in Denver was honored with the second annual St. Josephine Bakhita and St. Katharine Drexel Award at a dinner Oct. 22 at Park Hill Golf Club.
More than 100 people gathered for the celebration including Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M., Cap., chancellor Francis Maier, Cure d’ Ars pastor Father Simon Kalonga, members of the Archdiocesan Black Catholic Advisory Council, brother deacons, co-workers from Rose Medical Center where he is vice president of human resources, friends, family and area parishioners.
The evening began with greetings from Mary Leisring, director of the archdiocese’s Office of Black Catholic Ministry, who sponsored the event; and master of ceremonies Redemptorist Father Maurice Nutt, C.Ss.R., a teacher, speaker, author and retreat leader from Memphis.
Father Nutt commended the archdiocese for honoring Sts. Bakhita and Drexel because it acknowledges “the need for racial reconciliation in our world, for equality, and that there be unity among all God’s people.”
“As I look around the room, the Archdiocese of Denver is certainly a shining example of many different cultures and races of people working together,” he said.
Archbishop Chaput took the podium, recognizing last year’s honoree Deacon Guffie Menogan of Cure d’ Ars, then congratulated Deacon McDavid and his wife of 38 years, Wanda.
“I congratulate you for the extraordinary example of fidelity you give to all of us,” he said. “And in a very special way, as an interracial couple in the service of the Gospel of Jesus Christ—what an extraordinary gift that is.”
Deacon Menogan paid tribute to his friend of more than 30 years, beginning with a poem “The Beautiful Color of Love” where children ponder “What color is God?”
“The children in this poem are representative of the Cure d’Ars community… (who) seek to be a beacon of hope, a sign of healing and the reconciling presence of Christ to all,” he said. “Deacon Clarence is that light in the beacon which represents the icon of Christ in his walk with God.”
He recalled Deacon McDavid’s ordination in 1987 and noted his loyal service to three bishops: Archbishop James V. Casey, now Cardinal J. Francis Stafford, and Archbishop Chaput.
Greg DeCuir, grand knight of Charles Bright Council 261 of the Knights of Peter Claver at Cure d’ Ars, also praised Deacon McDavid.
“His dedication and commitment to Cure d’ Ars are very clear,” he said, noting he served not only as deacon, but also as administrator when the parish was without a priest, in addition to having a full-time job. “He gave up a lot of his personal time.”
The award was then officially presented to Deacon McDavid by Leisring, Deacon Menogan and Archbishop Chaput.
“’Amen’ is a great way to say thank you because there are so many gifts that we receive that the only thing we can say is ‘Amen,’” said Deacon McDavid in his opening remarks. “So today I come to say ‘Amen!’”
Deacon McDavid recognized Leisring, Archbishop Chaput, Father Nutt, clergy and parishioners of Cure d’ Ars and St. Ignatius Loyola, co-workers, brother deacons and especially his family. He and wife Wanda have three children and six grandchildren. In 2005, the couple was inducted into the papal knightly order of St. Gregory the Great, an honor no longer bestowed on clergy.
“You don’t have anything unless you have people who help you on your way,” he said. “They encourage you, support you, love you—and sometimes they ‘chew you out.’”
Reflecting on growing up in Denver, he described the gift of God’s presence in his childhood home as “an essence and part of who and what we were,” often through the gift of song.
“Music and singing were important in our family,” he recalled. “One of things I realize even today: if I want to pray, one of the best ways for me to pray is song, because it touches the core of me.”
After converting to Catholicism in fourth grade, he attended St. Ignatius Loyola School, Cathedral High School and the College (now University) of Great Falls in Great Falls, Mont.
“Those Catholic nuns (Sisters of Charity) formed me, molded me, and helped me become a person of faith,” he said.
He also shared powerful accounts of meeting two people now being considered for sainthood: Blessed Mother Teresa and Pope John Paul II, whom he met during visits to Denver. He closed his talk by inviting attendees to join him in singing the gospel hymn “We Are Standing on Holy Ground.”
“The Lord God is present here and where he is, is holy,” he said. “Who wants to dispute that?”
Proceeds from the event will be used to stimulate evangelization in the black Catholic community including projects, education and scholarships.
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