Over 60 Black Catholic Clergy, Religious and Laity from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia are preparing to travel to Buffalo, New York to join over 2000 delegates to the Tenth National Black Catholic Congress, scheduled for July 12- 15, 2007. This event, held every five years focuses on issues that are important to the Black Catholic community. This year's theme is "Christ is with us: Celebrating the Gifts of the Sacraments." Among the many national speakers will be Archbishop Wilton Gregory of Atlanta and the former President of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The Philadelphia delegation is being led by the Black Catholic priests of the Archdiocese: Reverend Monsignor David Benz, Pastor, Saint Philomena Church in Lansdowne; Reverend Monsignor Federico Britto, Pastor, Saint Cyprian Church in West Philadelphia; Reverend Rayford Emmons, Parochial Vicar, Saint Cyril Church in East Lansdowne and Reverend Stephen Thorne, Director of the Archdiocesan Office for Black Catholics and Pastor of Saint Therese Church in Mt. Airy.

A Holy Hour of Prayer in Preparation for the Congress will be held on

7:30 p.m.
Monday, July 2, 2007
Saint Peter Claver Center for Evangelization
12th & Lombard Streets - 502 South 12th Street
Philadelphia


Saint Peter Claver Church was the site of the Third National Catholic Congress in 1892. All are welcome!

For more information, contact Rev. Stephen Thorne, Director, Office for Black Catholics, (215) 587-3634.


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Contact
Meredith Wilson
Communications Specialist
215-587-3747