Kevin's Corner
Weekly Articles
Written by
Fr. Kevin M. McDonough, Pastor
Kevin's Corner 03-07-10
AND ONE MORE ECHO OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH: A NEW SAINT? The Archbishop of Chicago announced this week that the canonization process has begun for Father Augustus Tolton. Born a slave in Missouri in 1854, he escaped with his family to Illinois, where they were welcomed by a local parish and its priest. The newly-freed former slave entered the local Catholic school, became an altar server, and soon began seminary studies through the encouragement of his pastor. After high school graduation, he had to continue his priesthood preparations in Rome, since no American seminary would accept a Black candidate (three African-American former slaves had already been ordained in the US by this time – the Healy brothers – but although many of their contemporaries knew that their mother was Black, they “passed” for White and were treated as such). When he was ordained in Rome in 1886, Father Tolton was the first acknowledged African-American priest in the United States. His ministry was a short one – he collapsed and died at the age of 43 – but it was a rich one. He was known for his pastoral energy and personal holiness. The announcement this week by Chicago’s Cardinal Francis George indicated that the very first stages of the canonization process have started: an investigation of Father Tolton’s heroic virtues and miraculous intercession. Please pray for this powerful recognition by our Church.
Kevin's Corner 02-28-10
BLACK HISTORY MONTH: BASEBALL! There is a most enjoyable way to extend your Black History Month from the cold of February through the warmth of August. An exhibit about the legacy of Black baseball in Minnesota opened last Thursday night in the Landmark Center in downtown Saint Paul. The exhibit, cosponsored by the Ramsey County Historical Society, remains open through August 20. The driving force behind the exhibit is Claver member Frank White. A fine athlete and coach himself, Frank is the son of a legendary baseball player. His dad, Louis, still holds the record for highest single season batting average in the Saint Paul City League – not bad when you realize that two Major League Hall of Famers played in the same league. Lou White was at his prime when baseball was still segregated, so he did not have a shot at the official “big leagues”, but he did some barnstorming with Negro League teams, particularly in Minnesota. Frank White was determined to make up for his dad’s relative invisibility, and that of so many other deserving athletes, and the downtown exhibit is the result. Check it out!
Kevin's Corner 02-21-10
BLACK HISTORY MONTH: BEING MADE RIGHT NOW: The United Negro College Fund held the first in a national series of friend-raising events right here in Saint Paul last week. It was quite an event, including a “conversation about education” between the President of the UNCF and the Governor of our state – you may have read a report in the newspaper. One of our US Senators was there, as was the spouse of the other, along with a Congressman, Saint Paul’s mayor, and several other elected officials. From my point of view, however, the best part of the entire event was the presentation of a prestigious award called Flame Bearers. It recognizes someone who has worked to promote education for African-American young people. And the first local recipient of this national award was our own Dr. Josie Johnson! I have posted the citation for her award on the bulletin board at church. It was an especially proud moment for us when she took the podium to express her gratitude for the award – and her pleasure at being able to continue working for kids through her principalship of Saint Peter Caver School. Present among the luncheon guests – at Josie’s insistence – were two of our eighth grade students. When I asked them what that thought of the event, they could only give me a wide-eyed chorus of “really cool”. I bet, however, that it will dawn on our young people a decade or two from now just how close they are to Black history in the making. Congratulations, Josie!
More Articles...
Page 1 of 4