Archbishop Naumann reflects upon the Black Catholic experience by dialoguing with Barbara Bailey, Jonathan Goering and Andre Randle who were members of the Archdiocesan delegation to the National Black Catholic Congress along with Deacon Bill Scholl.

They are all members of Our Lady & St. Rose parish which has the distinction of being a national parish which features African American spirituality.

They reflect upon the heroic witness of African American Catholics who have had to forgive much in order to persevere in the sacramental life and how being a Black Catholic Christian is way more common than many Americans might think. 

The National Black Catholic Congress convenes a gathering every five years. Each one renews and develops their mission with a Pastoral Plan to equip the Church in American to evangelize and enhance the spiritual and physical well being of African Americans as full members the Church and society.  This year the Congress XIII happened in National Harbor Maryland in the DC area with the theme of “Write the Vision: A Prophetic Call to Thrive”

Archbishop Naumann debriefs with fellow pilgrims, AJ Hastings and Yariet Reyes-Guizar about their recent experiences at World Youth Day 2023 in Portugal.  Rick Cheek, consultant for the Office of Evangelization and Catholic Formation for Youth, who lead the youth on the trip also joins the conversation.