Office of Black Catholic Ministries

• Programs and Events
• Predominantly Black Church Parishes of the Diocese
• Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Mass and Awards Ceremony

• Anger Management

The Office of Black Catholics strives to educate and witness to the community by providing opportunities for spiritual, educational, cultural and ministerial growth to the African American community within the Diocese of Lafayette.

Please click here to print a special Resources Booklet to aid in your church parish's celebration of Black Catholic History Month.

The Office of Black Catholic Ministries was established in 1973 by Bishop Gerard Frey, the third Bishop of the Diocese of Lafayette. Bishop Frey was concerned about the needs and aspirations of the 74,000 African American Catholics in the 45 parishes compromising the Diocese of Lafayette. 

Responsibilities of the office include:

• Direct diocesan programs, events and ministry efforts for the Black Catholic Ministry

• Organize and provide formation programs for lay leaders in the African American community for outreach and Evangelization in accord with the office and diocesan mission.

• Assist in developing, coordinating and implementing projects and events that involve African Americans

• Coordinate activities as they relate to the African American Catholic Youth Congress and other programs

• To endeavor to serve all African American parishes in the diocese

• Collaborate with other diocesan offices to foster communication and mutual support in order to accomplish the total mission of the diocese

• Offer workshops and presentation on cultural evangelization and, multicultural ministry to parishes, schools and others upon request.

• Provide workshops, gathering and conferences addressing cultural/ethnic and racial harmony, (Racial Sobriety Program)

• Assist Diocesan Parishes with developing and implementing the National Black Pastoral Plan

• Develop appropriate modes and models of Catechesis sensitive to the African American perspectives in line with the National Catechetical Directory and diocesan policies.

• Identify, train and develop resource teams sensitive to the needs of African Americans

• Assist parishes in the selection of materials, resources, medias, etc.

• Represent the Office of  Black Catholic Ministries at designated meetings, events, and other affairs

• Keep abreast of  National Church news, magazines, brochures, important Church documents, in the area of African American formation

• Collaborates with and maintains good communication with pastors, pastoral administrators, parish leaders and pastoral office leaders

• Coordinate efforts with other ethnic leadership committees for greater outreach in the community by assisting with liturgies and ministry services

Links

Listed below are websites for companies and organizations that provide scholarships for African Americans.