The Black and Indian Mission Blog

Celebrating Black History Month!

2012-02-09T13:10:00.000-05:00

Our Lady of Africa, Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

Dear Mission Family,

February is Black History Month. It is a national observance for remembering important individuals and events in the history of the African diaspora. The remembrance originated in 1926 by historian Carter G. Woodson.

We are proud today to continue this legacy! We want to celebrate with our family and friends the contributions and gifts of our Black sisters and brothers. With joy we can see how the Black Community impacts American society, Church and evangelization.

Let us in our Catholic Tradition raise consciousness and gently remind all people of every race to open their hearts to Christ and to remove racism from society and across the globe.

Let us begin with ourselves, our attitudes and our lack of Christian charity. Let us pray to Christ to accept people as equals and coworkers in the field of evangelization. Allow the Spirit to fill us with grace so our actions and words reflect the dignity of all people as created in the image and likeness of Almighty God!

Visit us at www.blackandindianmission.org to learn about the witness of Black Catholics such as Mother Lange, Pierre Toussaint and Fr. Augustus Tolton to name a few.

Please pray to end racism! Education is a start!

Please consider making a donation to the Catholic Negro American Mission Board for Black Catholic Mission Schools. Go to DONATE on the homepage and help us to keep the doors open in our Black Catholic Mission Schools.

Let us stand in solidarity with all people. Let us offer prayers for reconciliation, healing and renewed relationships throughout society.

-Fr. Paysse

Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha a Saint!

2012-01-23T23:47:00.000-05:00

Dear Mission Family,

If you have not heard, let me tell you the good news! Pope Benedict XVI has signed the official documents to declare Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha a SAINT. Yes, in the weeks to come the canonization date will hopefully be announced by the Vatican. And WOW, it will be full steam ahead with many, many plans, projects and programs to be secured.

The Bureau of Catholic Indian Mission Office is responsible for the official USA pilgrimage to Rome. Although we don’t have a date yet, I have been busy with preliminary plans and hope to share the upcoming events soon. Also, I am depending on our mission family and friends of Blessed Kateri to share the word and to encourage others to join our pilgrimage and to participate in our global celebration.

As I reflect on this joyous occasion in the life of the Church and for our Native American community, I am reminded of the beautiful spiritual gifts of Blessed Kateri and the collective gift of our American Indian sisters and brothers.

The Native American spirit continues to move forward unfolding a garment of renewed appreciation and gentleness that comes to rest on the hearts of all who embrace “Saint” Kateri! Like Mary, Blessed Kateri leads us to Jesus. . ."

“Let us give thanks to the Father for having made you worthy to share the lot of the saints in light.

-Father Paysse

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

2011-12-22T13:32:00.000-05:00

Dear Friends in Mission,

As a young boy, the Christmas season was always a very special and holy time in the life of my home parish at Holy Guardian Angels. We were taught by our pastor to have a great love and reverence for the Divine Christ-Child and to go often before or after Mass to make a visit to the manger.

In a real way, at that moment kneeling before the crib with Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I came to understand the importance of knowing God and all that He created in the world. Like the angels in adoration around the baby Jesus, I too was in adoration and gave witness to his birth!

I guess because the guardian angels were our patrons in the parish and we were always reminded of their love and care for us, I took a special interest in their company and all their doings in the world.

St. Luke, 2:8-11 tells us. “And in that region there were shepherds . . . and an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them. . . Be not afraid; for I bring you good news of a great joy . . . for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” It seemed to me that the angels had a special mission that required a unique skill in service both to God and humanity. And I was always curious to learn more.

In a real way each of you are angels because you continue the missionary legacy of the Black andIndian Mission Office. When I travel to our American Indian reservations or Black Catholic communities, I am mindful of the many hearts that are united in prayer and sacrifice for the missions across the United States. I see your presence at St. Peter Indian School in Phoenix, St. Augustine school in Washington, DC, at St. Michaels Indian School in the Diocese of Gallup and St. Peter Claver in St. Petersburg, Florida. Like the angels, you have a special skill in caring and sharing that only you can give!

Thank you for your mission collaboration during 2011. Please share our mission outreach to Native Americans and African Americans with your family and friends. Invite them to visit us at www.blackandindianmission.org .

May the Christ-Child bless you and your loved ones abundantly during this Christmas season and 2012 bring “good news of great joy” to our families and missions across the United States.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Father W. Paysse

Executive Director

Advent calls us like the magi to follow the "star" that leads to Jesus

2011-12-07T13:21:00.000-05:00

My recent visit to St. Anthony's Mission School in the Diocese of Gallup, NM was a "magi experience" when I saw the smiling faces of the Zuni youth. They were like bright shining stars that gave a glow of joy, peace and a great sense of faith. . .

The children and their teachers along with their principal shared a real treasure with me as I walked through the classrooms and school campus. Impressed and inspired as their hands went up like festive flags anxious to respond to their teachers questions and inquiries.

As we journey through this season of grace, as we prepare for the birth of Jesus, allow his spirit of love, joy, peace and reconciliation to shine brightly in our hearts and to permeate all whom we meet each day. Let us follow his Star, let us imitate the Zuni People, especially their children, blessings now and for future generations!

Advent blessings!
Father Paysse

God’s Bounty ~ Our Blessing

2011-11-18T12:22:00.003-05:00

Dear Partner in Mission,

I saw it written, “God’s Bounty ~ Our Blessing,” and the phrase has stuck in my heart!

Soon, we will be celebrating and giving praise to God for the multiple gifts that are ours. The Pilgrims and Indians set that stage for us long ago. Today we gather with family and friends, around tables of plenty on Thanksgiving Day, to remember and give thanks.

But God’s amazing bounty encompasses more than the wonderful fruits and grains of the earth. The First Sunday of Advent is November 27. We, the People of God, long for the coming of Emmanuel, God with us, taking on our human flesh. At Thanksgiving, through Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter, we remember and give thanks for the birth , death and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ. With the eyes of faith we await His Second Coming. Salvation, the sacraments, scripture and liturgy are among the bounty and blessings of our lives as Catholics.

Advent, 2011, has been designated as the time to begin the implementation on the new translations in the Roman Missal. Yeees, change - any kind of change - can be difficult. Yet, Eucharist is always...a blessing by which the Church expresses her gratitude to God for all benefits, for all that has been accomplished through creation, redemption, and sanctification. Eucharist means first of all "thanksgiving."(Catechism of the Catholic Church, # 1360, adapted).

I’ve been praying with some of the Mass translations. I am inspired by new phrasing in the Concluding Rites. Pope Benedict XVI has made the words of sending forth after the final blessings more missionary. To site just two: “Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord” and “Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.”

Accept the challenge! Let us affirm and proclaim this ADVENTure in faith and thanksgiving!

GO SAINTS, GO!

2011-11-01T13:33:00.000-04:00

Being a native from New Orleans, I am familiar with the song, "when the saints go marching in..." Perhaps you are also familiar with the popular tune? In Nawlin’s, as we pronounce "New Orleans" we are familiar with the saints on the football field and in the hallowed field of the cemetery.

As a boy, during this time of the year we would visit the grave sites of our relatives to paint the tombs, clear the weeds, bring flowers, candles and offer prayers. We would also picnic on this sacred ground with poor-boy sandwiches, tasty local snacks and homemade root beer. The grand Louisiana oak trees stretched their two, three and five-hundred year old branches over our heads with canopy’s of lush foliage speckled with gray Spanish moss.

In the Christian life, we too are stretched, as we reach for the eternity that is within. The month of November reminds us to stretch, not with our arms or standing on our tippy toes, but stretch with the heart that dreams! The American Indian, Alaskan Native and Black Catholic communities offer us a glimpse of this "spiritual-stretch-of-the-heart" through their traditions, stories and myths.

November directs us to the saints, sinners and all people from different cultures and nations. Creator-Grandfather speaks to us through the beauty of the sky, a stream and the majestic flight of the eagle. God, with His many faces of black, white and red frees and breaks the chains of slavery and lifts our spirits through song, music and dance. Jesus comes to preach the Good News to the poor, the outcast and those who suffer injustice. The Savior establishes a new relationship between God and His People and calls all to His new teaching of Life and Resurrection.

If we are willing to see with another’s eyes and embrace their world, we would then experience something new and beautiful within ourselves to share with our global family.

The month of November leads us to focus on all saints and all souls, all traditions and stories, all cultures and nations, all gifts and beauty. We do not follow a dirge of mediocrity but a richness of spirit that unfolds the revelation of God for each of us. Yes, let us sing, "When the saints go marching in. . . We are in that number, when the saints go marching in. . . ." GO SAINTS, GO!

A Special Congratulations to Archbishop Chaput!

2011-08-22T22:33:00.000-04:00

Dear Mission Family,

I was inspired during our recent Tekakwitha Conference in Tucson because we have a wonderful family spirit and the news of Archbishop Chaput being appointed Archbishop of Philadelphia brought a special joy to the Conference.

Together as baptized Christians we continue to build the Kingdom of God on earth daily with our acts of kindness, love, thoughtfulness, humility and many little sacrifices. Please join me- heart to heart- in prayer for continued blessings on our Native American and African American communities throughout the USA.

Never tire in praying daily for the quick canonization of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha......bless you!

Fr. Paysse

The Feast of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha

2011-07-19T17:19:00.000-04:00

Hello Mission Friend,

On July 14, we celebrated the feast of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, known as the “Lily of the Mohawks”, and is the first Native American to be declared “Blessed “by the Catholic Church in1980.

Blessed Kateri died in 1680 at Caughnawaga, Quebec, at the age of twenty-four. To learn more about Blessed Kateri visit our website, www.blackandmission.org and be sure to request a free holy card of Kateri with the Canonization Prayer.

Please tell your family and friends about Blessed Kateri and invite them to become mission partners with us.

Summer blessings,

Fr. Wayne Paysse

Together, Let Us Partner As Evangelizers

2011-06-06T13:26:00.000-04:00

Dear friends and Partners in Mission,

I had the opportunity to participate in the 2011 Los Angeles Religious Education Congress held at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California March 17-20. Wish you could have been there with me! It was a graced time because of a unique collaboration with the African American Catholic Center for Evangelization in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. In attendance were Mr. Andy Shaw, Director of the African American Catholic Center for Evangelization, Father John Harfmann, S.S.J a member of the Josephite Community and over 30,000 participants.

Publish Post

I had several delightful visits with members of the Kateri Circle of the City of the Angeles at their ministry table. I was pleased and proud to see the Native American Community as they invited curious individuals to learn about Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, known as the ‘Lily of the Mohawks” and to share materials of invitation and promotion of Native American Ministry.

During these days, with the assistance of Sister Judy Gomila, M.S.C., we evangelized and promoted the Bureau of Catholic Indian Missions and the Catholic Negro American Mission Board. Lots of handshakes, smiles and engaging conversations enlightened many, many individuals about our venerable apostolate among American Indians and African Americans. And I learned a thing or two . . . Some asked, “How can I learn more about ministry among Native Americans and African Americans” and some expressed with a sense of pride, “ I am a Native American, or my friend is an Indian.” I also heard, “I do not know how to evangelize, in fact, I am not sure what the word really means, can you help me?”

My friends, our baptism in Jesus Christ calls each and every person to be a missionary, beginning with our family, community and in the market place. All one needs to evangelize is a willing heart and a desire to share the Good News of Jesus in a loving and gentle way. To evangelize is to share the story of Jesus and his teaching.

Please take a moment or two to view the photos. Together, let us partner as evangelizers, yes, “you.” I know you can do it! I am counting on you to continue to pray daily and to encourage others to pray. Invite your family and friends to visit our website, www.blackandindianmission.org .

Allow the grace of the Holy Spirit to guide your heart in all things. Kindly help me to raise consciousness about ministry in the Native American and African American Communities. Looking forward to our next visit!

Bless you!

EASTER GREETINGS!

2011-04-21T13:55:00.000-04:00

Dear Partner in Mission,

Recently, I recalled a sugar egg I had as a child, not for eating but with a charming little spring scene inside. A few days later I happened to be in the photo center at the drugstore. I noted they had used family photographs inside one of those see-through eggs and people were part of that sweet scene! Indeed, Easter is filled with surprises!

Spiritually that image holds a lot of meaning. Remember there are 50 days to the Easter Season – extending from Easter Sunday (April 24, 2011) and ending on Pentecost (June 12, 2011). Not only do we celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord but also our individual call to new life in Christ. The Easter Season affords us the opportunity to see through new eyes, to take a fresh perspective, to be hope-filled and to live our faith with renewed heart and zeal for the mission.

At the Black and Indian Mission Office we seek to support the bishops of the United States in their Diocesan efforts for evangelization among African American and Native American people. We offer those parish communities and Catholic schools new lenses to deepen their spirituality even as they remain faithful to their culture. “All things work together unto good.” Rom 8:28

Thank you for your interest , prayerful support and financial offerings that are the foundation of this ministry. It is my sincerest desire that this web-site, and our various other means of communication, will give you a “see-through egg experience” of how the Good News of Christ is lived on reservations and in rural and urban areas of the country. You just might be surprised. Yes, ours is an egg-citing ministry of the Church! Alleluia!

In the Risen Christ,
Reverend Wayne C. Paysse
Executive Director

P.S. Please visit our website for information on our upcoming Pilgrimages www.blackandindianmission.org.

Inspirational Travels

2011-03-24T08:55:00.000-04:00

“I didn’t know that!” The woman did a double-take to learn that Baptism calls an individual to be an apostle, an evangelizer, a missionary. I had just handed her our brochure promoting ministry in the Black and Native American communities. This is my second posting on the blog. I’ve been visiting numerous Native American and African American communities.

* I was invited by Bishop Curtis Guillory to preach at the feast day Mass of St. Katharine Drexel in the Diocese of Beaumont, TX. Following Mass, I met with members of the Black Catholic faith community at the banquet. I was touched to receive the gift of song from the children at Mother of Mercy School and to receive warm greetings from people across the Diocese.

* In Little Rock, AR I participated in an insightful retreat for Black Catholic Leaders at Subicaco Benedictine Abbey as well as visited the children at St. Peter the Apostle School and St Augustine Child Care Center.

* From the South I moved West to participate in the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, Anaheim, CA. In partnership with the Josephites and the Archdiocesan Black Catholic Evangelization Center, our Mission Office staffed a booth. It was exciting to share with people the ministry of the Black and Indian Mission Office following the theme of the Congress, Hold Firm…Trust. Many were surprised to learn that we have been in existence since 1874. As I finished my presentations, I handed the listeners 2 of our flyers with the challenge, “ Be an apostle of good news, give a flyer to a friend.”

* On an upper level of the Convention Center there were tables – the length of two city blocks - highlighting the various multi-cultural ministries of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. I’m proud to say the L. A. Kateri Circle was well represented in a beautiful display. Spending time with the Native American women and men there, I learned they had given out over 2,000 prayer cards of Blessed Kateri.

Until next time, may YOU seek ways to be a missionary for Jesus among your family and friends. Go on… “Be an apostle of the Good News, share this blog with a friend.”

Lenten blessings.

2011, AND THE MISSION CONTINUES. . .

2011-01-17T19:37:00.000-05:00

Hello, my name is Father Wayne Paysse and I am the Executive Director of the Black and Indian Mission Office in Washington, D.C. The office is made up of three separate organizations of the Roman Catholic Church in the United States. They are: The Bureau of Catholic Indian Missions, established in 1874; The Black and Indian Mission Collection, established in 1884 and The Catholic Negro-American Mission Board, established in 1907. Sometimes in speaking of the office as a whole, we use the term, Black and Indian Mission Office – which is inclusive of all three organizations.

The ministry of the office is to encourage the ongoing diocesan evangelization efforts within the American Indian/indigenous and the African American communities. We support Black and Indian parishes, missions, religious education programs, Catholic mission schools, urban ministry, evangelization programs for African Americans and Native Americans and missionaries in these communities.

I am so pleased that you have joined us as we begin this new cyber adventure of evangelization. The hope is to reach across miles, touch hearts, raise consciousness and stretch to reach down deep within as disciples, friends and missionaries. I hope we generate a strong sense of faith community in the weeks and months ahead as I share with you my mission travels across the U.S.A. Sometimes you will accompany me to Indian reservations, parishes, urban centers, Alaskan villages and African American and Indian schools.

The prayerful and financial support of our friends bring people together to worship God in community and to "be there" for one another with their God-given gifts that baptism calls each and every person to discipleship. Also, by virtue of our baptism, we are missionaries beginning within our families, parishes and schools. We worship, serve and love God and community through our religious family, the Roman Catholic Church. Because Jesus was the first missionary sent from heaven, we follow His example and bear witness to His love.

Please be a herald of good news. Help me to spread the word about the Black and Indian Mission Office! It is 2011 and the Mission continues. . . so come along we'd love to share the experience of the journey with you!