Dear brothers and sisters,

In 1969, St. Pope Paul VI, as Vicar of Jesus Christ on earth, issued this prophetic challenge to those of African descent:

“You must now give your gifts of Blackness to the whole Church.”

— Homily at the Eucharistic Celebration at the Conclusion of the Symposium organized by the Bishops of Africa July 31,1969 in Kampala, Uganda

This pastoral challenge that resonates in our hearts should move us to share with the whole Church the spiritual gifts of our Blackness which entails our culture, our spirituality, our song and dance, our worship … in short, we bring all that we are as a gift to the Church to be shared.

At St. Josephine Bakhita Mission Parish, We, the People of God, accept and embrace the Holy Father’s prophetic challenge to share our gifts of Blackness with the whole Church. How will we as a community of faith meet this pastoral challenge? Given the fact that the Eucharist is the “Source and Summit of Christian Living,” we will begin by sharing our Gospel Mass with the whole Church. The Gospel Mass is the celebration of the Holy Eucharist imbued with Afrocentric culture and spirituality.

To make the Gospel Mass accessible to everyone, and in honor of Black Catholic History Month, beginning on Sunday, Nov. 5, St. Josephine Bakhita Mission Parish will live stream the Gospel Mass every Sunday at 11 a.m.

Our goal is to launch the live stream of our Gospel Mass with 1,000 followers and viewers. In Jesus’ name we can do it. Through the powerful intercession of St. Josephine Bakhita, we can do it. Let us spread the word far and wide to our friends, our families, and to as many people as possible about the gift of our Gospel Mass that will be offered to the whole Church. More details will be forthcoming.

Let us place this holy endeavor of evangelization under the protective care of our Mama Mary, the Blessed Virgin, that all may be done for the greater Glory of God.

Let The Church Say Amen!

With much love and appreciation,
Fr. Andrew McNair
Pastor
St. Josephine Bakhita Mission Parish