BLACK CATHOLIC APOSTOLATE

Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger celebrated Mass with the Black Catholic Apostolate on Jan. 22. Father Kofi Ntsiful-Amissah, director of the apostolate and pastor of St. Joan of Arc Church in Menands, concelebrated.

Following Mass, nearly 100 members of the apostolate, including children and youth, gathered for a Synod Session facilitated by Deacon Ron Dombrowski of the Diocesan Synod Team. Members of the apostolate served as small group leaders. Using a wide range of questions, the participants spoke about their experiences, hopes and dreams for both the apostolate and for the Church at large.

Among the insights they offered: the sense of belonging and community they feel as part of the apostolate, appreciation for the vibrant worship they experience, the need to invite and welcome others to join them, and the desire to be more actively involved in the wider community. Bishop Scharfenberger expressed his gratitude for their insights and encouraged them to continue along the synodal path.