It was a warm humid day. Tony and his jazz group allowed their music to fill the air. It was full, light and enriching. It was good for the soul and all seem to be enjoying it, young and the old. The chef of the day, Carl, had two hands steadying the two grills, one on each side, and each cooking different meats. Some of the ladies were setting up the food line. They brought out summer fruits rich in color; the watermelon so red and juicy, the cantaloupes and the grapes. But just before grubs, Monica, a young adult who was the MC for the event grabbed the mic introduced herself and called all for prayer before the meals. Right after the prayer while people were settling down to their seats and some with their plate of food, she began to read a piece from one of Maya Angelou’s inspiring poems.
People were eating and some children were running around playing; every so often they ran back to base (mama) to check in. The afternoon continued, we listened to the story of Juneteenth, and we applauded and congratulated the 10 winners of Father Joseph Bell scholarship award. Each is attending or soon to be attending one of the three Catholic high schools of the diocese.
The Rialto Stomp Group, a group of mature women and men, performed a few numbers of their steps and later invited all on the stage. The sight was that of the old teaching the new a few moves and the old and young dancing on the same stage. The stage was so packed with no space to spare for anyone else wanting to jump on and participate in this inter-generational exchange. A day to remember!
The following Saturday, June 15, we welcomed an African lady and an African-American man, both from Oakland, CA, who came down that same morning to co-lead an African Diaspora Dialogue. The morning was sunny and bright and before it got hot, our first-ever Diaspora Dialogue was under way. What a fruitful morning! The people that participated looked within to remember and gave answers to life-giving questions. By the end of the day, all exhaled for another session. As we work out the logistics, we will announce the date for that next dialogue day soon!
Meanwhile, we are calling a fiscal year planning day for all Catholics of African Descent. If you want to get involved, have your parish events or an idea or event you will like to see come to fruition, we invite you to come out on July 27 at 9 a.m. at the Diocesan Pastoral Center and join us! Come and have your say in the events and their planning!
David Okonkwo is director of the Office of Catholics of African Descent in the Diocese of San Bernardino.