National Black Catholic Congress X:
Christ is With Us-Celebrating
the Gifts of the Sacraments,
July 12-15, 2007
In Buffalo, NY
A Personal Commentary
by Donna Grimes, Archdiocese of Washington
August, 2007
Was it a congress,
conference, family reunion or Eucharistic convocation? Did we receive marching
orders? Are we clearer now about implementing the 8 Principals? Were we called
to action in some meaningful way? Were our substantial resources well used?
What’s next for the National Black Catholic Congress movement?
I returned from Congress very appreciative of the hospitality shown
by Brenda Easley Webb, the Buffalo Diocese and other big-hearted volunteers. It
was wonderful to connect with Black Catholics from the Pacific Northwest, the
deep-south and the Midwest. Personally, I think Vincent Guider’s workshop on
Teaching Confirmation to Young People rocked! NBCC Executive Director, Valerie
Washington’s attention to providing shuttles, meals and tours was generous and
thoughtful. Folks were blessed by the Eucharistic Adoration. And, I returned
home with more questions than answers, new concerns about the congress movement
and a strong desire for us to bring forth more from the storehouse.
1. There was no
discussion of recommendations presented by 8 hard working Leadership
Commissions. How does the laity interpret and act on proposed ideas and
strategies? How do we help implement strong programs in parishes, dioceses and
Catholic organizations? Will Commissions receive any timely, meaningful
feedback to refine their recommendations for the good of the body?
2. The conspicuous absence of evaluation forms concerns me. It
begs questions about what really happened, who cares and where we go from here.
3. Finally, the scheduling conflict with the Institute for Black
Catholic Studies was just wrong.
So...would it be unfair to say that we only basted the garment, we didn’t hem it? That we played an exhibition game? That the choir practiced and is still waiting to sing?