Black and Indian Mission Collection aids ministry in diocese

The Black and Indian Mission Office of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops recently acknowledged a $57,255.54 contribution from the Diocese of Raleigh that was raised during the annual Black and Indian Mission Collection.

“Here at the Mission House, we continue to be led by the missionary spirit of St. Katharine Drexel as we fulfill our mission of supporting the evangelization and pastoral care of our African American, Native American, and Alaska Native brothers and sisters,” wrote Fr. Maurice H. Sands, Executive Director of the Black and Indian Mission Office.

The Black and Indian Mission Collection was established as the first National Collection at the Third Plenary Council of Baltimore in 1884. The office uses the funds receive through the annual collection to provide grants that support evangelization and ministry programs in dioceses across the United States.

“Here in the Diocese of Raleigh, the Black and Indian Mission funds will be used for tuition assistance to help children in these two Catholic communities receive a Catholic education,” explained Jennifer Jones, AAMEN and NAC Administrator for the diocese.  “Diocesan parish grants will also be utilized to assist with evangelization programs for adults and youth in these communities.”

Through Mission Office funds, grants have also been made available to assist with summer camp activities for children in the St. Ann Neighborhood Youth Center Tutoring Camp in Fayetteville; Holy Cross in Durham; and Immaculate Conception Mission Church in Roanoke Rapids.

In the Diocese of Raleigh, the Catholic Native American Office was established years ago, under the leadership of Mrs. Lauren Green as the director and Padre Marcos León as the Episcopal Vicar.