02/12/2012 - Fata

SAINT WENCESLAUS CHURCH
FEBRUARY 12, 2012 SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK
So what does the National Black Catholic
Survey say to us? As with many such
studies it will take time to unpack all the
implications, but it is mostly good news. In an age
of individualism that even reaches into areas of faith
("I'm spiritual but not religious!"), African-
American Catholics are making an important
statement to the effect that worship is a
communitarian experience, not strictly a private
one, and spirituality includes the social and
emotional as well as the interior and intellectual.
Survey participants spoke of the importance of
having friends attend their church and of
worshipping together.
We often use expressions like "our church family"
and "family and friends." This is more than just a
manner of speaking. In our worship, our outreach
and evangelization, our social and fund raising
activities, in our welcoming of visitors and
involvement in our neighborhoods, we are bringing
church alive in ways that speak to the hearts and
minds of our people.
Not to paint too rosy a picture, however, the survey
points up areas of improvement, and we could
easily add to the list. Majorities of African-
Americans said the church should put more effort
into emphasizing black saints, promoting black
vocations and black bishops, supporting issues such
as affirmative action and problems in Africa, and
promoting racial integration. Nearly a third of
respondents reported being uncomfortable being the
only black person in a church and a quarter have
encountered people avoiding them or refusing to
shake hands.
The survey also concludes that African-American
young adults are more religiously engaged and
consider religion to be more important than whites
of the same age. Is this our experience? And if not,
why not?
The survey provides us with some comforting data,
but it also raises a host of questions for our own
parish planning. It will be used as the basis for a
pastoral plan for evangelization that will be
presented during next July's National Black
Catholic Congress in Indianapolis. -Fr. Peter
"Moved with
pity, Jesus
touched the
leper and said,
"Be made
clean."
-Mark 1:41
SPAGHETTI DINNER & BAZAAR
Our annual Youth Group Spaghetti Dinner and
Bazaar will be held this Saturday, February 18,
from 12:00 to 4:00 pm in the lyceum. Tickets are
available for $5 in the office and from Sunday
School teachers and students. There are also raffle
tickets for a Kindle e-reader: $1 each or 6 for $5.
The day includes gift prize bingo, children's wheel,
duck game and white elephant table. The menu is
spaghetti with meat sauce, salad, garlic bread,
beverage and dessert. Chicken wings are also
available for purchase, and take out orders are
welcome.
MICA EXHIBIT TODAY
The portraits taken in church a few weeks ago will
be part of an exhibit at MICA Place (the former St.
Wenceslaus School) this afternoon from 12:30 to
2:30. Everyone is welcome. After the show those
who were photographed will receive a framed copy
of their portrait.
NEWLY BAPTIZED
Damion Peter Tucker, Jr., son of Damion Tucker
and Kendra Betts, was baptized at St. Wenceslaus
last Sunday, February 5. Our prayers and good
wishes are with Damion Junior and his family.
LENT BEGINS FEBRUARY 22
February 22 is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of
the season of Lent. Masses with distribution of
ashes will be held at 8:00 am and 6:00 pm. Next
Sunday we will publish a calendar of Lenten
activities.