Black people, though thinly dispersed in our diocese and in most dioceses in the western region of the U.S., are densely populated in some parishes in the eastern region of the U.S.
The history of black people parallels that of the Catholic Church in the United States. It has been said time and time again that in every corner, in every turning point of this country, a black person were there. Here in our diocese, black ministry existed while we were still part of San Diego Diocese. With the help and encouragement of Bishop Phillip Straling, the first Bishop of our Diocese, they formed an Assembly for the Diocese of San Bernardino after its establishment.
This year we are shining light on six holy people who have lived extraordinary lives, sacrificed and contributed immensely to the lives of their people but have not been fully recognized by the Church in which they are working on now. They are: Father Augustus Tolton, an ex-slave who became the first black priest in U.S.; Mother Mary Lange, a free Haitian who started the Oblate Sisters with the help of two nuns; Sister Henriette Delille, founder of the Sisters of the Holy Family; Pierre Toussant a Haitian slave and hairdresser for the rich; Sister Thea Bowman a nun from Mississippi who believed in education, formation and information; and Father Bl. Cyprian Tansi from Igbo land in Nigeria, a priest who gave it all for holy life.
Our diocese will be celebrating Black Catholic History Month with a 12:30 p.m. Mass on November 30th at Sacred Heart Church in Rancho Cucamonga. We will have a revival on Saturday, Nov. 29 at the Rialto site of St. John XXIII parish at 7 p.m. All are invited! Come and treat yourself to black spirituality in most of her richness.
David Okonkwo is Director of the Diocesan Ministry to Catholics of African Descent.