Evangelization series celebrates the Spirit

A series of evangelization events, "Feel the fire! Celebrating in the Spirit," will be presented jointly by the four oldest traditionally black Catholic parishes in South Carolina and the Office of Black Catholic Ministry for the Diocese of Charleston.

The events to which all are invited to attend will offer Catholic liturgical tradition combined with traditions of Black spiritual worship. Each parish community will recognize the priests, deacons, lay leaders and others who have come from the Black Catholic community or who have contributed greatly to its growth. God's word will be shared through gospel choirs from area parishes, through "Word Events" and scriptural readings.

Dates and locations for the gatherings are:

Piedmont, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 6, at St. Anthony of Padua in Greenville

Pee Dee, noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 13, at St. Ann in Florence

Coastal, noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 20, at St. Patrick in Charleston

Midlands, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 27, at St. Martin de Porres in Columbia

Special guests at the events include Bishop David B. Thompson, for the June 27 event; representatives from the Knights and Ladies of Peter Claver; Hispanic ministers from the diocese; and visitors from region four of the National Black Catholic Congress, a region extending from New York to Florida.

Artifacts of religious, cultural and historial significance to each parish will be displayed.

The gatherings will be an opportunity to celebrate the true nature of the Catholic community in all its diversity throughout the diocese, the country and the world. It takes place in preparation for a national conference of Black bishops, priests, deacons, women religious and seminarians, scheduled for July in Charlotte, N.C.

For information on "Feel the Fire," contact the following local coordinators:

James Williams, Piedmont coordinator, (864) 271-0167

Cherry Seabrook, Coastal coordinator, (843) 792-3271

Deacon James Johnson, Pee Dee coordinator, (803) 669-5001 ext. 231

Charlotte House, Midlands coordinator, (803) 353-8407

Catherine Fleming Bruce, Office of Black Catholic Ministry, (803) 933-9007