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.
 

     During these difficult times, we know that individuals within your community may be experiencing economic hardship and may be in need of assistance.  With that in mind, the Diocese of Lafayette Office of Black Catholics wants to share information with you from Acadiana Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (AVOAD).   The mission of AVOAD is to foster efficient, streamlined service delivery to people affected by disaster.  This information may be useful to your parishioners. 
     Sadly, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data has revealed that African Americans are disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. 

     Here in Louisiana, 56.25% (Louisiana Department of Health, website:  ldh.la.gov) of the people who have died are African American, while we only make up 32.7% of Louisiana’s population  (U.S. Census Bureau:  www.census.gov)  of the State’s population.

       In an effort to educate the African American community, information and resources have been prepared. As we learn more, information will be compiled and will be brought to your attention. Please contact our office if we can be of further assistance. Click on the topics below to learn more:

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF IF YOU HAVE PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS
WHAT TO DO IF YOU GET SICK WITH COVID-19
A CONVERSATION ABOUT GRIEF
STOP THE SPREAD OF GERMS
USEFUL LINKS AND RESOURCES
 

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.