African American Ministry Status Report and Recommendations

Though written in 2002, this report contains vital history regarding African American ministry in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. Careful study of its contents will reveal information and insights that continue to be relevant today.

 

Spring 2002

Contact Shanedra Johnson for additional information:
Shanedra Johnson, M.A. 
Director, Office for Urban Ministry 
(414) 758-2215
johnsons@archmil.org 

Foreword

The African American Catholic community of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee sees itself at the service of the entire Church community. We are called to be faithful followers of Jesus Christ. This call demands that we be ministers of the Gospel, instruments of peace, a witness of love and drum majors for justice. United with our brothers and sisters of every race, we walk in faith as one family in God.

As the Black Bishops of the United States declare, “There is a richness in our Black experience that we must share with the entire People of God. These are gifts that are part of an African past. For we have heard with Black ears and we have seen with Black eyes and we have understood with an African heart. We thank God for the gifts of our Blackness. In all humility we turn to the whole Church that it might share our gifts so that ‘our joy may be complete (1 John 1:4).’ ” (What We Have Seen and Heard: A Pastoral Letter on Evangelization, issued September 9, 1984, Feast of St. Peter Claver.)

Though the central city of Milwaukee is the historical point of departure for ministry to African American Catholics, all parishes have the opportunity to minister to and with African Americans who live or work in their vicinity. We extend an invitation to the entire Catholic community in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee to embrace and actively welcome the African American presence in our midst.

 

Mission of the African American Ministry Office

To insure inclusion of African American Catholics’ voice, presence and leadership at all levels of the life of the Church.

To highlight the history and heritage of African Americans in the Catholic Church. We want to teach and be taught, to lead and guide as to how the Church must respond to our needs and concerns.

To address racism and other obstacles to evangelization of African Americans as well as to develop and make available the resources for evangelization.

To encourage participation of Black Catholics in programs and activities that contribute to our faith and progress in the Church and in the community.

 

Origin and Purpose of Report

This African American Ministry Status Report and Recommendations: A Working Document is an assessment of the ministry to and with Black Catholics in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee prepared by the African American Ministry Office at the request of Archbishop Rembert G. Weakland, O.S.B., and in consultation with Black Clergy and Religious of Wisconsin, the African American Ministry Board and appropriate parishes and offices in the archdiocese. (Note - The term "African American" and "Black" are used interchangeably throughout this report to denote persons of African heritage.)

To prepare the report, diocesan staff consulted with members of the Black Catholic community on September 16, 2000, at a gathering which included a review of the archdiocesan mission statement and the document “The Future of the Catholic Church in the Central City of Milwaukee,” a pastoral plan prepared by the District 13 Planning Committee in 1994. Further consultation with deans, pastors, parish directors, council and staff members of select parishes and schools took place in the ensuing months.

It is important to note that as of the writing of this report, the National Black Catholic Congress, a gathering of Black Catholic leaders which takes place every five years, had not occurred yet. The archdiocesan delegates who attend the Congress in the Summer of 2002 will play a significant role in ministry to African Americans in the Archdiocese.

The pastoral plan prepared in 1994, “The Future of the Catholic Church of the Central City,” focused on the parishes which existed at that time in the western section of District 13. The plan offered recommendations meant to ensure and strengthen Catholic presence in light of the priest shortage and parish mergers.

A key component of the 1994 pastoral plan was the intent to “ . . . support and empower a much stronger African American presence in the Central City Catholic Church” (The Future of the Catholic Church in the Central City). While the current treatment of pastoral needs in this report builds upon the foundation laid by the 1994 document, it also takes into account the significant populations of African Americans and Black Catholics who live and work in areas beyond the central city of Milwaukee.

The report has the following objectives:

1. To review progress made on the recommendations set forth in “The Future of the Catholic Church of the Central City;”
2. To identify the key pastoral needs of the Black Catholic community within the Archdiocese of Milwaukee; and
3. To suggest proactive and energetic responses to address those needs in the areas of evangelization, vocations, lay ministry training and effective clergy formation relative to Black Catholic ministry.

 

How to Use the Report

It is vital that all Catholics in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee realize the importance of the African American presence in our Church. Whether or not specific parishes have African American members, elements in this document apply to their standard mission and ministry as communities of faith. Our hope is that this working document will be a useful tool for parishes to initiate dialogue where ministry to the African American community has not yet been explored and to raise up and support the efforts of parishes which are already actively involved in this area. Therefore, the process of bringing these pages to life begins with the deans in their district meetings and continues at the cluster and parish level.

We invite each district to engage in thoughtful dialogue regarding the various ways the African American presence is experienced in their parishes, schools and neighborhoods using this report as a resource. We likewise invite diocesan offices to consider how the African American presence is experienced in their particular area of ministry.

In light of what your dialogue and review of this report reveals,

1. study the recommendations for all parishes and schools;
2. also study the recommendations specific to your district or area of ministry;
3. revise and prioritize the recommendations as needed;
4. contact the Office of African American Ministry and your parish consultant for assistance in your initial dialogue and in developing a plan of action.

A Task Force for African American Ministry has been created that will work with the Office for African American Ministry Office to assist parishes in this process. Implementation of the recommendations listed in the report will require a common vision and unwavering determination to see that our African American brothers and sisters and all people of faith are welcomed at the table.

 

Assumptions

1. The pastoral needs of the African American Catholic community will be met most effectively through comprehensive planning at the local level (parish/cluster/district) and prudent stewardship of local leadership and resources.
2. Every effort will be made by the appropriate Archdiocesan offices and agencies to support and complement initiatives at the local level.
3. Collaboration is a key component of all ministerial efforts set forth in this document.
4. Due to the priest shortage and other factors, African American priests are not readily available to pastor in the African American community.
5. The development and nurturing of lay leadership is crucial for effective African American ministry.
6. Recommendations made in this report take into account the planning directives which were promulgated by the Planning Commission in 1997 and reviewed annually by the Implementation Commission.

 

Summary of "The Future of the Catholic Church of the Central City" 1994

Parishes in the central city of Milwaukee have led the way in ministry to and with the African American community in the Archdiocese. Although most of the recommendations from the 1994 report are being met — at least partially — there is still much to be accomplished. The need to “ . . . support and empower a much stronger African American presence in the Central City Catholic Church (The Future of the Catholic Church in the Central City)” is felt as forcefully as ever. The areas of evangelization, vocations, lay ministry training and effective clergy formation relative to Black Catholic ministry will continue to be focal points of ministerial activity in the Black community in the foreseeable future. In answering to these needs, we need to remember that African American Catholics stand ready to offer their gifts and service for the benefit of the Church at large. Their input and participation is key.

Clearly, the need for collaboration among parishes is stronger than ever, especially in light of the unique demands priests, pastoral agents and volunteers face for the skills and resources that will equip them to minister in a cross-cultural and sensitive manner. Whether parishioner or priest, diocesan or parish staff, this is a journey we share, since the responsibility for welcoming African Americans and all people of faith belongs to the whole Church.

 

General Parish Recommendations

1. That the priest and parish council dedicate time at a council meeting for thoughtful dialogue regarding the quality of African American ministry in their geographic area. The discussion should include exploring creative ways to support ministry and outreach to African Americans who live in the area. In areas where there is no sizeable African American community, the parishes are invited to discuss ways to encourage interaction with African American Catholics and formation regarding the African American presence in our diocese. The recommendations that follow are meant to provide concrete ideas for follow up on this initial dialogue.
2. That the parish council establish a task force or committee that will develop a diversity plan for the parish. Parishes with schools should include school staff in the task force or find other ways to ensure the school is represented in the planning. A “diversity council” has been formed by the cluster of St. Catherine, St. Sebastian, Mother of Good Counsel and St. Margaret Mary parishes in Milwaukee in collaboration with Catholic Charities. Their work is recognized and supported by the pastoral leadership and through a grant from Catholic Charities USA.
3. That parishes, with the assistance of the Prayer and Worship Office, strive to enrich and diversify their worship and music style in light of the need for liturgical celebrations that are more inclusive of African American spirituality and the reality of a multicultural Church.

 

Programs Sponsored by the African American Ministry Office

While these programs and special events address the specific needs of Black Catholics, all are welcome to participate.

Umoja Retreat
This retreat weekend is offered for married and engaged couples who through this experience have the opportunity to deepen and enrich the spirituality within their relationships. The retreat is offered in collaboration with the Adult and Family Ministry Office.

Lincoln and Julia Valle Lay Leadership Program
A program of study and formation, with emphasis on Afrocentric spirituality, to form and develop lay ministers and leaders in the Catholic Church community.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Prayer Service
Held on the celebration of Dr. King’s birthday this annual prayer service is offered in collaboration with Sacred Heart School of Theology and St. Francis Seminary. It offers an opportunity to come together to reflect on the life and legacy of Dr. King and our tradition of Catholic social teaching and renew our commitment to peace and justice.

Lenten Revival
Held during Lent each year this revival provides a time for renewal, reconciliation, and rebirth in preparation for the celebration of the Risen Christ.

Day of Reflection For Black Catholics
A time for reflection on what it means to be Black and Catholic in today’s church.

Prison Ministry
An opportunity to work with, walk with, talk with and pray with our brothers and sisters in the Wisconsin penal system.

Kujenga Youth Leadership Retreat
Allows high school students within the diocese to come together and develop their spirituality and leadership skills.

African World Festival Mass
A joyful Eucharistic celebration held annually during the African World Festival weekend. It gathers the Black Catholic community from throughout the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and provides an opportunity for the larger Catholic community to come to experience worship in an Afrocentric tradition.

 

The African American Population in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee
The population of the ten counties of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee has grown by 147,864 in the decade of 1990 to 2000. In 1990 the population of the ten counties was 2,080,833 growing to 2,228,747. There was a natural increase of 125,563 and a net migration of 22,302. The net migration figure is lowered by the fact that Milwaukee County had a net loss in migration of 83,262.

The ten counties are composed of 81.4 percent White, 12 percent African American, 0.47 Native American, 1.8 percent Asian/Pacific Islander, 2.8 percent some other race, 1.5 percent two or more races. The Hispanic population that is of any race is six percent of the population in the ten counties. The largest racial diversity is found in Milwaukee county; the least racial diversity is in Washington County. The highest percentage of any racial minority group is found in Milwaukee County, except for Asian/Pacific Islanders and Hispanics. Sheboygan has the highest percentage of Asian/Pacific Islanders and both Racine and Kenosha have higher percentages of Hispanic residents than Milwaukee. In actual numbers of people, Milwaukee County exceeds all other counties in the number of racial minorities.

According to the most recent census, the total population of African Americans in the sixteen districts or ten counties of the Archdiocese is 267,442. This is an increase of 45,682 over the 1990 Census. In District 13 alone there are 115,229 African Americans or 43.9 percent of the total population of African Americans in all sixteen districts. However, there was a loss of 18,678 African Americans in this district between the 1990 and 2000 census. In this same time frame the African American population in District 11 doubled in size to 72,272 and District Fourteen tripled in size to 5,667. The African American population in the City of Milwaukee accounts for 83.36 percent of African Americans in the Archdiocese. This translates to a number of 222,933 individuals. In District 2, the city of Racine has 16, 634 African Americans or 6.21 percent of the total. In District 1, the city of Kenosha has 6,943 African Americans or 2.60 percent of the total. These three cities alone account for 92.17 percent of the total African American population in the Archdiocese.