Summer Blessings!

Dear Mission Family,

Summer blessings to you! The month of July invites us to share Summer activities with family and friends. It is a time to reflect on all the opportunities the Lord Jesus gives us as we experience each beautiful day. Here at the Mission House, the Spirit continues to guide us.

I'm happy to announce that within a week, we will launch our new upgraded website. I think you'll find it more user friendly and of greater service in the field of evangelization. Once you get a chance to review it, I'd welcome your comments as we are always trying to improve our web presence and ministry. Reaching out and having a greater positive impact is important and vital as we minister to our African American, Native American and Alaskan Native Communities. So, let me hear from you!

Mark your calendar for July 14, the Feast Day of St. Kateri Tekakwitha! We'll soon post a Novena to St. Kateri leading to the feast day on our home page. Please join us as we pray this Novena together. Tell your family and friends they are welcome!

Recently, I had a wonderful pastoral visit in the Diocese of Fresno, California with the African American Community. Wow! I was impressed with their evangelization efforts and their involvement in the diocese. We celebrated Eucharist, shared a meal and dreamed of new possibilities for all to draw closer to Christ and the Church. I am grateful for their hospitality, prayerfulness and strong desire to share the Gospel message of love and Christian witness with all!

Keep in touch with me and let me hear about your journey of faith, your interests and the ways we can possibly collaborate in supporting our Black and American Indian/Alaskan Native sisters and brothers. Thank you for your prayers and partnership!

In Joy and Peace,

Father Paysse

The Sacred Heart of Jesus

 June is the month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. As a pastor some years ago, I'd enthrone the image of the Sacred Heart in the homes of my parishioners.  What a comfort this brought to many!

We are mindful in the Scriptures of the gentleness of Jesus and how he opened his own human and sacred heart to all who would trust him. Let us turn to him at this moment to receive his love, forgiveness and peace.

Today, let us consider the importance of opening our own hearts to our Native American and African American sisters and brothers - and all we meet!

We collaborate with diocesan efforts that have a positive impact on the work of evangelization. How? By supporting or establishing a particular work, program or project.  Please partner with us to keep our struggling mission schools open, to support religious education programs with Bibles and workbooks, to train catechists, to provide the comforting presence of a priest, religious sister or brother; these are a few of the daily challenges.

• Click Here to partner with the Bureau of Catholic Indian Missions.

• Click Here to partner with the Catholic Negro American Mission Board. 

• Click Here to partner with the Black and Indian Mission Collection. 

Thank you for your consideration of support. Be assured of my prayers for you and your loved ones. May the Sacred Heart of Jesus abundantly bless all your good works!

 Father Paysse
 Executive Director

May is the Month of Mary

The month of May is the month of Mary, the Mother of Jesus and of the Church. We are invited by Jesus to take the hand of Mary to guide us closer and closer to God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

Each one of us are special daughters and sons to Mary. And because we are daughters and sons, we are family! Belonging to the family of Christ, the Church invites us to open our hearts and minds to all peoples and cultures. 

It is no different with the Native American, Alaskan Native and African American communities. We are challenged to learn more about these cultures and to welcome their spiritual gifts.

As we observe the blooming of tress, shrubs and flowers during this time of the year, we must see the beauty of God trying to take root in our hearts daily. We need to bloom a life of love, service and joy like Mary, the Mother of Jesus and our Mother too!

 Fr. Wayne C. Paysse

Hope's New Spring

Dear Friends,

The election of Pope Francis is a joy for all of us.  He is like a new Spring that brings hope and renewed zeal for our faith and daily living.  Please join me in praying for the Holy Father as he transitions into his new role in the life of the Universal Church.

The Pope is truly an Easter gift from the Risen Lord.  Let us rejoice during this holy season of grace and allow Christ to reign in our hearts as we collaborate with his grace and shine like the flickering light of the Easter Candle.

He is risen, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

In His peace,

Reverend W. Carroll Paysse

Executive Director

Black and Indian Mission Office

Happy Lenten!

Dear Mission Family,

During this month of March we are occupied with many thoughts and prayers for Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI and are joining our prayers with the global church as the Cardinals prepare to elect a new Pope. 

We are also in the midst of the 2013 Lenten Season when Christ invites us to make a spiritual journey with him these forty days using the three spiritual pillars of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.  I am sure many of you have traditionally given up for the Lenten Season candy, extra dessert, and popcorn.  May I suggest and encourage all of us regardless of our Lenten sacrifice to have greater recourse towards prayer and works of charity within our families, workplace, and the marketplace

Please keep our Native American/Alaskan Natives and African American communities in your prayers.  Let us affirm our brothers and sisters who have enriched the Church with their gift of their cultures.

Finally may I also invite each of us to concentrate on a virtue, i.e., love, patience, and mercy that we wish to more freely engage in our daily lives.  No doubt we will grow in the life of holiness and possess greater peace now and for eternity. 

Happy Lenten Trails!

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Reverend W. Carroll Paysse

Executive Director

Honoring Black History Month

Dear Mission Family,

We join in solidarity with our Black Catholic communities as we acknowledge Black History Month. It all started with Black History Week, February 12, 1926 and the man who initiated the first event was the American historian Carter G. Woodson. During the nation's bicentennial celebration in 1976, the week evolved into the Black History Month.

Let us remember in a special way through prayer and example, the contributions of Black women and men who serve our Nation and Church. 

Please be conscious of the Catholic Negro American Mission Board (est.1907) and all her efforts in raising friends and funds to keep our Black Catholic Mission schools and parish religious education programs across the USA open. 

Also, support the Black and Indian Mission Collection (est. 1884) through the annual diocesan collection. The official date is the First Sunday of Lent (it varies from diocese to diocese).

Kindly consider making a generous contribution to the above mentioned organizations, including the Bureau of Catholic Indian Missions (est. 1874) by visiting us at www.blackandindianmission.org.

Visit the website to learn how you can partner with us on our "mission to the missions" and become a stay-at-home-missionary today!

Let us share the Good News together!

-Father Paysse

Happy New Year!

Dear Mission Family,

Happy New Year!  As we welcome 2013, we welcome you to the Black and Indian Mission Blog and encourage you to invite your many family members, friends and associates to peruse our cyber community.  

Perhaps you would be interested in signing up for our free publications or simply learn about the three agency’s that make up the Black and Indian Mission Office. Go ahead, take a look inside. 

Many in our Native American and Alaskan Native Community are excited about the recent canonization of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha in Rome by Pope Benedict XVI, Sunday, October 21, 2012.  It was a glorious time for our Native American sisters and brothers across the United States and beyond.  The same is true for the Bureau of Catholic Indian Missions. 

If you are a parish, school or an organization interested in someone giving a presentation at a luncheon or event about St. Kateri or our missionary outreach to the African Americans or Native Americans, please contact Father Paysse, Executive Director, at info@blackandindianmission.org or use our Toll free number, 1-877-237-1605.

Since 1874, the Bureau has witnessed to the Gospel among Native Americans and continues to support the evangelization outreach to the American Indian. Become a partner with us through your prayer and sacrificial offerings.  Join us as we continue to pray, serve and witness to the holy name of Jesus and the evangelization outreach through our missionaries  on Indian reservations, mission schools, urban communities and parishes.

Our Black Catholic missionary outreach is accomplished in Parishes, Missions, Schools and Religious Education Programs. Maybe you would like to learn more about Black Saints and those who minister in the Black Community? Meet people like Father Augustine Tolton, Venerable Pierre Toussaint or Henriette Delille, to name a few.

Again, please enjoy your visit at www.blackandindianmission.org and know we would like to hear from you.  How can we better serve you?  Let me hear from you, please.  I welcome your suggestions and insights!  January blessings!