The historical roots of the Black America are intimately intertwined with those of Catholic America. As Black American and Black Catholic it is time for us to reclaim our roots and to shoulder the responsibilities of being both Black and Catholic.

Members of the African American Catholic Community of the Diocese of Baton Rouge have expressed their concern of not being able share their gift of blackness in their African American parishes. Because of our commitment as the Office of Black Catholics and living out our baptismal call, we are voicing their concerns so as to feel like the Catholic Church is a homeland for all people.

“I didn't know what to write about,” said Johnny to his mother a few months ago as he was puzzled from his “What I hope to do this Summer” high school English assignment before school ended.

I am so happy and joyful to see, in my life time, that Black Catholics men and women are on the way to becoming saints. These brothers and sisters show us how to persevered in the midst of racism and rejection.

Prayer is most needed just when it seems most useless. Michael J. Buckley, one of the major spiritual mentors in my life, wrote those words. What does he mean by them?

This Memorial Day is very special for me, as I reflect upon the innumerable ways in which veterans have contributed so much to all of us in this country and around the world.

The San Joaquin Valley in California is known for its abundance as a provider of many great agricultural products – especially fruits – for this country and beyond!

I work and move within church circles and find that most of the people there are honest, committed, and for the most part radiate their faith positively. Most churchgoers aren’t hypocrites. What I do find disturbing in church circles though is that many of us can be bitter, mean-spirited, and judgmental in terms of defending the very values that we hold most dear.

In the past when I attended the healing Mass at St. Mary's Assumption in my beloved hometown of N'Awlins, Father Harry Grile, C.Ss.R., former executive director for the Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos Center, shared this story about blooming where you are planted and finding treasure "where y'at?!"

With Holy Week upon us, I recalled in the past when I had received a call from a Secretary of a Church I had attended with the invitation to be one of the 12 folks to get their feet washed by the Pastor on Holy Thursday!

Recently, as I went to take a promenade at the Baton Rouge City Park on one bright, sunny & winter morning, I reflected back upon the past and pondered some things during this holy season of Lent. It was a great way to get some healthy activity done and enrich more than just the physical mode to include emotional and spiritual exercises as well.

I was just sitting on one of our antique chairs that went with a table had belonged to my late parents and my deceased grandparents.

Music has been so integral to my life and faith walk. Like a few years ago when I was in the St. Jude Choir and our Leader, Nicholas Abraham, PhD had noted, even Scripture validates this for those of us who used to think we could never sing or play music: “Make a joyful NOISE (Not Sound) unto the Lord! (Psalm 100: 1)

There are countless persons, basilicas, churches, shrines, seminaries, convents, towns, and cities named after St. Joseph. My native country, Canada, has him as its patron.

Recently and in the past, it was fun to get together with family during the Thanksgiving Holidays to catch up on things and find out what folks had been up to lately. Besides celebrating the victories of LSU and the Saints, as well as not cooking, since we went in with our siblings and ordered turkey and all the fixings from Matherne's Supermarket, I was very intrigued by what my retired brother-in-law, Dale, shared with us about in his adventures with storage auctions.

As we all find ways to give thanksgiving for the many blessings that we have, I can't help but focus on the gift of faith and insight