Venerable Henriette Delille is the foundress of The Sisters of the Holy Family. Born in 1812, she was a descendant of enslaved people and a free woman of color. As her grandmother’s namesake (Henriette Labeau), she was “destined for eldercare.” Henriette enjoyed caring for aunts, uncles, great aunts, and great-uncles, as well as cousins who were scattered through the city.  She was also instructed by her mother in the art of nursing.  How to prepare medicines for the sick and using roots and herbs with curative properties was a skill that was passed on from mother to daughter by these colored nurses. After receiving the sacrament of confirmation,  Delille clearly became a woman committed to the Lord. Her guiding motto, written in a prayer book, captures what defined her heart and spurred her vocation: “I believe in God. I hope in God. I love. I want to live and die for God.”

COLORADO SPRINGS. The Colorado Springs Council for Black Catholics (CSCBC) will host a bi-monthly Mass at Holy Apostles Church beginning July 28 at 3 p.m. The Julia Greeley Mass for Black parishioners welcomes all who want fellowship with the CSCBC. Anyone interested in participating as a reader, Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, musician or usher should send an email to cscbc.be.seen@gmail.com or call 719-822-1261.

“Be the change you want to see in the world.” — Mahatma Ghandi.

As we look toward 2024, we are called to reflect on ourselves, our faith, and our community. Natural tithing occurs when we see a need and we meet that need. We are all blessed in various ways. Participating in the Project C.U.R.E. ministry allows us to prepare for the seasonal transition.

In March 2022, the Pew Research Center released its report titled “Black Catholics in America.” The statistics are salient for serving Black Catholics. The numbers in this report are mirrored in the Diocese of Colorado Springs in that Black Catholics are a “minority,” and by extension, there are fewer Black Catholics over the age of 65. Older Black Catholics have never been the sole focus of a study. Are we providing them with the best information about end-of-life decisions?

NATIONAL HARBOR, Maryland. The National Black Catholic Congress convention (NBCC) occurred this year from July 20-23 at the Gaylord National in National Harbor, Maryland. The Congress XIII theme was “Write the Vision: A Prophetic Call to Thrive.” The spiritual basis for the theme comes from Habakkuk 2:2-4: “Then the LORD answered me and said: ‘Write down the vision; Make it plain upon tablets, so that the one who reads it may run. For the vision is a witness for the appointed time, a testimony to the end; it will not disappoint. If it delays, wait for it, it will surely come, it will not be late. See, the rash have no integrity; but the just one who is righteous because of faith shall live.’”