Convocation of Catholics of African Descent

Convocation to gather Catholics of African Descent, friends and family to celebrate the legacy and culture of Catholics of African Descent. Event is open to all across the Diocese to join in to advance the mission of inclusion and celebrate the presence, legacy and future of Catholics of African Descent in the Diocese of Syracuse.

The morning session will include a keynote presentation by ValLimar Jansen, noted African American speaker, singer, composer, recording artist and presenter at national conferences, on the Six Black Catholics on the Road to Sainthood. Midday lunch will be served and the afternoon will be dedicated to networking and brainstorming regarding ministry to black Catholics. The Convocation will close with Mass at 4pm with African and Gospel Choirs.

As the US Catholic Bishops wrote in their 2018 Pastoral Letter Open Wide our Hearts: “We need to continue to educate ourselves and our people about the great cultural diversity within our Church... and to help others see, how racism diminishes everyone—society as a whole—and not just those who are directly affected by it.” It is our hope that this convocation will unite us as a Diocese in moving forward in this endeavor.