GREENWOOD – St. Francis Parish is hosting Many Saints, Once Church, a Black Catholic weekend of Reflection Friday and Saturday, Nov. 6-7. The weekend is sponsored by the Office of Black Catholic Ministry.
“We are featuring M. Roger Holland on Friday evening. He will share his amazing musical gifts with all. He is a very accomplished musician and gospel artist and composer,” said Sister Kathleen Murphy, FSCC, one of the organizers. “He has worked on Broadway, been gospel music choir director at St. Patrick’s in New York and he has compositions in the new “Lead Me, Guide Me” hymnal including the Welcome Table Mass setting,”  added Sister Murphy.
Dr. Timone Davis is the keynote speaker for Saturday.  She has worked extensively with youth and serves as formation director for the Augustus Tolton Pastoral Ministry Program based in Chicago. She employs African storytelling as she shares her message.
Father Anthony Clark, SVD, will offer breakout sessions for youth on Saturday.  He is currently pastor of St. Augustine Parish in Memphis. He has served the Diocese of Memphis particularly in the area of Multicultural Ministries for many years.
The choir from St. Augustine Parish will serve as music ministers for the closing 4 p.m. liturgy on Saturday.
“The overall theme for the day, Many Saints – One Church – arose first of all from an interview done with Sister Thea Bowman,” explained Sister Murphy. “She was asked how she felt about being called a ‘living saint.’  Her reply included the idea that we all should consider ourselves to be living saints. The One Church element of the theme arose from the current events in our country which speak so sadly of divides of many types. The planning committee felt that there is a real call for unity among peoples today. It needs to be a theme for our prayer,” said Sister Murphy.
The registration fee is $15 per person which includes the T-shirt for the event, Friday evening reception, Saturday morning grab-and-go breakfast and Saturday lunch.
In addition to spiritual enrichment, the ogranizers are offering fellowship and fun. Attendees can win door prizes featuring John Richards home decor items and shop for African attire and other items from a collection of vendors. The Fannie Lou Hamer Cancer foundation will be there as well.
The Hampton Inn and Holiday Inn Express in Greenwood will have special rates for rooms that weekend  for those who mention the Black Catholic gathering for the Diocese of Jackson when reservations are made.
Pre-registration will continue through Oct. 5.  On-site registration will be available, but preregistration is preferred. To register contact Will Jemison at 601-949-6935 or will.jemison@jacksondiocese.org.