Him better known.
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welcome to the african american pastoral center
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why we are here
The mission of the African American Pastoral Center is to engage the African American/Black Catholic community within the Diocese of Oakland to enhance their spirituality and cultural expressions while being committed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Universal Catholic Church. Our goal is to have all Black Catholics feel free to be Black and Catholic.
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inspiration from sr. Thea Bowman
"What does it mean to be black and Catholic, it means that I come to my church fully functioning, I bring myself, my black self, all that I am, all that I have, and all that I hope to become, I bring my history, my traditions, my experience, my culture, my African-American song and dance and gestures and movement and teaching and preaching and healing and responsibility – as a gift to the Church.”
- Sister Thea Bowman
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Our symbol: the baobab tree
The Baobab tree was selected for its endurance, life, and positivity where little else can thrive. It produces flowers that can be used for many sources, and its bark is fire resistant and used for making cloth and rope. It absorbs and retains water and produces nutrients an
d dense fruit.
Its leaves are excellent in protein, minerals, and vitamins A and C. African Americans have endured many long years of racism, unfair treatment, and struggled for survival, yet they endured. This tree is representative of our struggles and survival. The Tree of Life.The Baobab tree is also known as the “Tree of Life”. The longest-living baobab tree is around 1,275 years old. One in South Africa was dated at around 6000 years old.
There are nine species. Six are native to Madagascar, two are native to mainland Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, and one is native to Australia.
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get involved - join us for an event & keep up to date on news
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aapc events
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Tuesday, August 5, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
St. Benedict Catholic Church and City of Oakland Partners invites you to come out and get to know your neighbors at the National Night Out. This event is designed to strengthen our communities by encouraging neighborhoods to engage in stronger relationships.Read More -
Tuesday, August 5, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
All are invited to the Golden Gate Neighborhood National Night Out Block Party on Tuesday, August 5 from 6-8pm in the St. Columba parking lot.Read More -
Thursday, September 4
This year's annual conference will take place in New Orleans, LA, Sept. 4-7. Registration and hotel room block information through the link.Read More
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join our facebook community!
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Stay in the know: newsletters & information about appc
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introducing the center and center coordinator
The establishment of the African American Pastoral Center (AAPC) is vitally important to our African American Catholic Community. It will serve to engage, evangelize, grow our spirituality, and validate our presence and gifts in the universal Catholic Church, as lived in the Diocese of Oakland.We have much work to do, and the Center will look to the African American Catholic community within the Diocese of Oakland to bring programs, events, and teachings important to your spiritual growth and knowledge. We will engage in listening sessions to learn more from you, and we will engage our youth and young adults in particular who represent the future of our community.
We seek to build a center that fully represents every aspect of our rich culture, spiritual gifts, and expressions that will result in bringing so many of us back into the church to worship with joy and freedom. I look forward to working with you. — Dr. Chiquita Tuttle, Coordinator for AAPC | Contact Dr. Tuttle
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where we pray: our historically black catholic parishes
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parishes across the u.s. with a strong black catholic presence
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did you know? African american catholic history
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- There are 3 million Catholic African Americans in the United States
- 3 Parishes in the Diocese of Oakland identify as Black: St. Benedict, St. Columba and St. Patricks
- There are 47.2 million African Americans nationally - African Americans represent 12.9% of the total U.S. Population
- 798 churches are considered predominantly African American Roman Catholic parishes
- 76% of African American Catholics are in predominantly white parishes—24% are in predominantly Black parishes
- There are 11 living African American Bishops
- One African American Cardinal
- One Archbishop
- 250 African American priest
- 537 African American Deacons
- 400 African American Religious Sisters
- 50 African American Religious Brothers
- Of the 9308 students in Oaklands Diocesan Catholic schools, 688
- (7.39%) identify as African American
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SAINTLY SEVEN- Venerable Pierre Toussaint
(top row left and on) - Venerable Henrietta de Lille
- Venerable Fr. Augustus Tolton
- Servant of God Mother Mary Lange
- Martin de Porres Ward
- Servant of God Julia Greeley
- Servant of God Sr. Thea Bowman
THE CANONIZATION PROCESS IN FOUR STEPS
Servant of God
A cause is presented to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints and it is accepted.
Venerable
After the cause is approved, the Congregation for the Causes of Saints declares that the person has lived the Christian virtues heroically.
Blessed
The Congregation recognizes that the person is in Heaven. This requires that a miracle has taken place through the intercession of that person. In most cases, the miracle is a healing.
Saint
After beatification, a second miracle is needed to declare someone a saint. After this, the Pope summons all the Cardinals of the Church and the date for the Canonization Ceremony of the saint is determined. - Venerable Pierre Toussaint
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connect with aapc
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- Black Catholic Parishes in the Diocese of Oakland
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St. Benedict ParishSaintBenedictCrhaol.com2245 82nd Ave. (Bancroft Ave.) Oakland, CA 94605
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St. Columba Parishparishstcolumba-oak.com6401 San Pablo Ave, Oakland, CA 94608
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St. Patrick's Parishhoward1023sbcglobal.net1023 Peralta St. (at 10th St.), Oakland, CA, 94607-1995
- parishslboakland.com
- African American Pastoral Center Staff
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Dr. Chiquita TuttleCTuttleoakdiocese.orgCoordinator, African American Pastoral Center
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