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!

A Blessed Holiday Season

Dear Mission Family,

The Bureau of Catholic Indian Missions is thankful for the recent canonization of St. Kateri Tekakwitha on Mission Sunday, October 21, 2012, in Rome by Pope Benedict XVI. This is a joyful time for all Native Americans, Alaskan Natives and all Americans! 

Already we are receiving reports that many Native Americans are moved and touched by the recognition of one of their very own. We join in their joy and blessing as we too embrace St. Kateri as our patron and intercessor in heaven. 

Many people from all nationalities have come to know her as the gentle and powerful saint. She is known as the Lily of the Mohawks and continues to capture our hearts and lives as we grow in knowledge of Jesus. 

As co-patroness of ecology, let us imitate her love and give thanks for the earth, water, trees, flowers, air and all living things. Let us learn from St. Kateri to cherish life now so we may like her, enter into eternal life.

Visit our website, www.blackandindianmission.org to learn more about St. Kateri and be sure to visit our new web store for Christmas gifts! We presently have a limited time offer on our special canonization  books.

I pray your holidays are filled with family, friends and lots of love! Keep in touch! Be safe as you travel.


-Father Paysse

His Mission is Also Our Mission

Dear Friends,

October 2012 is a special time for the Black and Indian Mission Office.  First, October directs us in a special way to mediate on the life of Christ through the mysteries of the Holy Rosary.  The Rosary gives us a glimpse of the life of Jesus and invites us to journey with Him and His mother, Mary, in this life and beyond.  Second, Pope Benedict XVI declares this October, “The Year of Faith” when each person reviews one’s relationship with God and come to better understand the call to discipleship through the Sacrament of Baptism.  Third, the Pope also convenes a Synod of Bishops who will focus on The New Evangelization. 

In the months ahead, more will be shared from the Synod of Bishops with the global community as to how we can reach out as living witnesses to Christ.  And finally, the canonization of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha and six others will be declared “Saints” on October, 21, 2012, Mission Sunday. 

How significant for the world will this be!  It is as if Benedict the XVI is giving us a spiritual necklace of light and holiness of witnesses to dispel the darkness of all that is contrary to the mission of Jesus.  His mission is also our mission, to bring love, mercy, peace, healing and joy to a wounded world.

Saint Kateri, pray for us!

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Father Paysse

A Special Thank You and Congratulations!

“Therefore, since we have so great a crowd of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance…and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” Hebrews 12:1

These words from St. Paul may recall our experiences with the summer Olympics.  They were used in the introduction to other types of awards sponsored by this office in recognition of personal ministry and organizational contributions among our Catholic Native American and African American communities. Thank you to all who made nominations for the St. Katharine Drexel Evangelization Award (for organizations in ministry among either Blacks or Indians); the Msgr. William H. Ketchum Service Award (for individuals working among Native Americans); and the Bishop Harold R. Perry Award (for individuals ministering among African Americans.)  Those who made nominations gave the panel of judges much to ponder and more aware of marvelous outreach being done in Jesus’ name. Thank you for partnering with us to recognize faith-filled ministers among us.

Congratulations to the following “crowd of witnesses.”

St. Katharine Drexel Evangelization Award:

-         Consalata Missionary Sisters, Diocese of Birmingham, Alabama

-          St. Joseph Catholic Church, Soboba Reservation, Diocese of San Bernardino, California

Msgr. William H. Ketchum Service Award:

-         Veronica Valandra, (Sicangu Lakota, aka Rosebud Sioux),  Director of Native American Ministries, Diocese of Rapid City, South Dakota

Bishop Harold R. Perry Service Award:

-          Mary Leisring, Director of Black Catholic Ministries, Archdiocese of Denver, Colorado

 Please visit us at the Black and Indian Mission office webpage