The Black Catholic Messenger show

SummaryGivonna Joseph and Aria M. Mason discuss the mission of OperaCréole; their efforts to perform and record the long-lost opera "Morgiane" by the late Black composer Edmond Dédé; and the cultural context significance of their work in New Orleans. They explore themes of empowerment, resistance, and the rich history of Black women in the arts, while also looking ahead to future projects that honor the legacy of Black composers and engage the community in classical music.Show notesOperaCréole website: https://www.operacreole.org/Edmond Dédé: Learn moreSister Mary Elise, a White member of St. Katharine Drexel's Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament founded National Opera Ebony, a national Black touring company, in 1973. https://www.operaebony.org/Chapters01:53 The origins of OperaCréole04:11 New Orleans: A historical center for opera06:19 Personal journeys into the opera scene10:48 The intersection of sacred and Black music14:13 Rediscovering Edmond Dédé's opera "Morgiane"23:13 The journey to the "Morgiane" premiere30:03 Touring the production37:23 Cultural context and historical significance49:22 Future aspirations for Morgiane and OperaCréole~~https://blackcatholicmessenger.orgx.com/BlkCathlicMsngrfacebook.com/blackcatholicmessengerinstagram.com/blackcatholicmessengeryoutube.com/@blackcatholicmessengertiktok.com/@blackcatholicmessengerthreads.com/blackcatholicmessengerbsky.app/profile/blackcatholicmessenger.orgMake a tax-deductible donation to BCM @ http://blackcatholicmessenger.org/donate

SummaryIn this conversation, we discuss the importance of ecumenism, particularly within the Black community, and reflect on the historical context of Christian unity. We explore the significance of the Council of Nicaea, its 1700th anniversary in 2025, the role of love in ecumenical efforts, and the challenges of unity among different Christian traditions. The discussion also touches on the impact of music, the complexities of doctrinal differences, and the future of ecumenism, emphasizing the need for understanding and collaboration among diverse faith communities.Show notes2026 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity: https://www.oikoumene.org/resources/week-of-prayer-for-christian-unityBCM podcast episode with Ethiopian deacon Henok Elias: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0heNkPcFMI&list=PLQsr7W6MHTzNm91QX8ldtsrWdj_QWr-N-&index=3&t=12sLink to original 325 Nicene Creed: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Fa5PkYFS3vmtTRGip_diaf7Lq1CZZ93RAA_rTdWitNo/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.go803rozvcgl"Baptism as Mystical-Political Engagement" (LaRyssa D. Herrington): https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14769948.2025.2465227Chapters01:45 The Importance of Ecumenism in the Black Community05:02 Reflections on the Council of Nicaea09:31 The Role of Love in Ecumenical Efforts13:42 Understanding Differences in Christian Traditions16:18 The Challenge of Unity Among Protestants21:22 The Nature of Communion and Its Implications25:58 Experiences of Mysticism in the Black Community30:10 The Impact of Historical Context on Faith34:12 The Role of Music in Faith and Unity38:35 Navigating Doctrinal Differences42:00 The Significance of Shared Celebrations01:02:21 The Future of Ecumenism and Unity~~https://blackcatholicmessenger.orgx.com/BlkCathlicMsngrfacebook.com/blackcatholicmessengerinstagram.com/blackcatholicmessengeryoutube.com/@blackcatholicmessengertiktok.com/@blackcatholicmessengerthreads.com/blackcatholicmessengerbsky.app/profile/blackcatholicmessenger.orgMake a tax-deductible donation to BCM @ http://blackcatholicmessenger.org/donate

Show notesNate Tinner-Williams engages with Dr. John F Leeke and his daughter Ananda Leeke, co-authors of "American Change Agent: A Life & Legacy of Seeking Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion." They discuss their backgrounds, the journey of writing their book, and the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in today's society. The conversation explores the intersection of faith and DEI, the role of wellness in promoting inclusion, and the historical context of DEI efforts. They also address critiques of DEI initiatives and emphasize the power of individual change agents in creating a more equitable society.Book link: http://anandaleeke.com/drjohn/Chapters06:01 The Journey to Writing 'American Change Agent'10:57 The Connection Between Faith and DEI17:49 Wellness and Its Role in DEI21:54 Understanding Historical Context in DEI28:10 Personal Experiences in the DEI Movement34:45 Critiques of DEI and the Role of Change Agents~~ https://blackcatholicmessenger.orgx.com/BlkCathlicMsngrfacebook.com/blackcatholicmessengerinstagram.com/blackcatholicmessengeryoutube.com/@blackcatholicmessengertiktok.com/@blackcatholicmessengerthreads.com/blackcatholicmessengerbsky.app/profile/blackcatholicmessenger.orgMake a tax-deductible donation to BCM @ http://blackcatholicmessenger.org/donate

Fr Samuel Davis, a priest of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, joins the BCM show to discsuss his testimony, his philosophy of ministry, and how Catholics and Orthodox can come together in understanding of and outreach to the Black community. 01:46 Cultural and Racial Identity in Faith 04:43 Experiences of Suffering and Faith 07:36 The Role of Sacramental Life 10:32 Conclusion and Reflections on Faith 20:03 The Challenge of Embracing Faith in Community 25:45 The Journey of Father Raphael Morgan 31:00 Cultural Context and the Experience of Suffering 36:55 Bridging Black Culture and Catholic Worship 42:49 The Importance of Collaboration in Faith Communities 48:12 Communicating Faith Across Cultural Lines 01:02:20 The Spiritual Power of Suffering 01:05:20 Reverend Ike and the Upliftment of Community 01:08:50 Healing Through Addressing Trauma 01:10:53 Intersection of African American Tradition and Eastern Orthodoxy 01:14:38 Missionizing the African Diaspora 01:20:55 The Role of Clergy in Community Healing 01:26:47 Commitment to Spiritual Leadership 01:28:51 Unity in the Church and Community Engagement Show notes St Photina is the name of the woman at the well in the Eastern Christian tradition. Archimandrite Raphael Morgan was a Jamaican American and the first Black Eastern Orthodox priest in the United States. He corresponded with Marcus Garvey, a Jamaican Catholic who lived in America and became a pivotal figure in the Black freedom and Pan-African movements. The book Fr Davis shows and recommends during the show is Fr Cyprian Davis' "History of Black Catholics in the United States". Fr Davis' commentary on native Ethiopian outreach to the West indirectly mentions Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie without naming him. The African-American Eastern Orthodox priests named partially by Fr Davis are the late Archpriest Moses Berry and Fr Paul Abernathy of Pittsburgh. ~~ https://blackcatholicmessenger.org https://x.com/BlkCathlicMsngr https://facebook.com/blackcatholicmessenger https://instagram.com/blackcatholicmessenger.com Make a tax-deductible donation to BCM @  https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/7faed8f8-4ba2-4687-b83c-4dc18ccb6061

Deacon Henok Elias shares his journey from being a nominal Christian to becoming a deacon in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. He discusses the significance of Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Churches, the role of the diaconate, and the unique aspects of Ethiopian Orthodox liturgy and worship practices. The conversation also touches on the importance of education and community engagement, as well as the cultural heritage and spirituality within the Ethiopian Orthodox tradition. Dcn Henok's YT channel: https://www.youtube.com/@PhilosophyofArtandScience Music: Gunnar Gundersen  ~~ https://blackcatholicmessenger.org https://x.com/BlkCathlicMsngr https://facebook.com/blackcatholicmessenger https://instagram.com/blackcatholicmessenger.com Make a tax-deductible donation to BCM @ https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/7faed8f8-4ba2-4687-b83c-4dc18ccb6061  

Josephite seminarian Eric T. Styles has as his guest the world's first and, as of this date, only African-American cardinal, Wilton Gregory, the Archbishop Emeritus of Washington. His Eminence recently returned from Rome after participating in the funeral rites for Pope Francis and voting in the 2025 papal conclave. Show notes: "The lector--minister of the word: an historical and liturgical study of the office of the lector in the Western church" (dissertation by Wilton Daniel Gregory, Rome: The Pontifical Liturgical Institute, Anthenaeum of Saint Anselm, 1980) https://openurl.ebsco.com/contentitem/cat08439a:ctcu.992037504705825?sid=ebsco:plink:crawler&id=ebsco:cat08439a:ctcu.992037504705825 Music: Gunnar Gundersen  ~~ https://blackcatholicmessenger.org  https://twitter.com/BlkCathStories  https://facebook.com/blackcatholicmessenger  https://instagram.com/blackcatholicmessenger.com donate @ https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/7faed8f8-4ba2-4687-b83c-4dc18ccb6061

Chris Ellis Jr., a Black Catholic D.C. native, sits down with Nate Tinner-Williams discuss culture, calling, and the need for greater commitment to evangelization. Music: Gunnar Gundersen ~~ https://blackcatholicmessenger.org https://twitter.com/BlkCathStories https://facebook.com/blackcatholicmessenger https://instagram.com/blackcatholicmessenger.com donate @ https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/7faed8f8-4ba2-4687-b83c-4dc18ccb6061 create a FB fundraiser @ https://facebook.com/BlackCatholicMessenger/fundraisers

Dr. Mario Dance, a retired veterinarian and cofounder of the Catholic Evangelical Missionary People of Color (CEMPOC) grant, tells Nate Tinner-Williams about his story, the organization, and what it takes to diversify campus evangelization in the U.S. Church. Intro music: Gunnar Gundersen ~~ https://blackcatholicmessenger.org https://twitter.com/BlkCathStories  https://facebook.com/blackcatholicmessenger https://instagram.com/blackcatholicmessenger.com donate @ https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/7faed8f8-4ba2-4687-b83c-4dc18ccb6061 create a FB fundraiser @ https://facebook.com/BlackCatholicMessenger/fundraisers

We back! The crew discusses news of note from the past several weeks, including Gunnar's opinion piece on a recent trip to a slave plantation in disguise, Alessandra's TV appearance and America Magazine op-ed on mass incarceration, and Nate's recent piece on Black Catholic history in North Florida. ~~ https://blackcatholicmessenger.com https://twitter.com/BlkCathStories https://facebook.com/blackcatholicmessenger https://instagram.com/blackcatholicmessenger.com donate @ https://donorbox.org/blackcatholicmessenger create a FB fundraiser @ https://facebook.com/BlackCatholicMessenger/fundraisers

Members of the BCM team (Alessandra Harris, Gunnar Gundersen, and Stephen Staten) offer reflections on the month's news, including Gloria Purvis' new podcast, Fr James Altman's removal and resistance, and the treatment of LGBT Catholics in the Church. ~~ https://blackcatholicmessenger.com https://twitter.com/BlkCathStories https://facebook.com/blackcatholicmessenger https://instagram.com/blackcatholicmessenger.com donate w/ fees @ givebutter.com/hEseXK donate w/o fees @ facebook.com/BlackCatholicMessenger/fundraisers podcast page (all major platforms): https://blackcatholicmessenger.libsyn.com/

Lydia Ocasio-Stoutenburg joins Alessandra Harris for a discussion about motherhood, family, and faith. ~~ https://blackcatholicmessenger.com https://twitter.com/BlkCathStories https://facebook.com/blackcatholicmessenger https://instagram.com/blackcatholicmessenger.com donate @ https://givebutter.com/hEseXK podcast page (all major platforms): https://blackcatholicmessenger.libsyn.com/

Irorobeje Crystal Owhoso-Maddox, of Indianapolis' young adult Black Catholic ministry, joins Nate on this episode to discuss all things controversial. (Amanda Gorman, David L. Gray, liturgy, racism, etc. Ya know, the light stuff.) story references: - https://www.blackcatholicmessenger.com/amanda-gorman-black-catholic/ - https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/amanda-gorman-inaugural-poet-for-biden-has-history-of-abortion-advocacy - https://nowthisnews.com/videos/news/national-youth-poet-laureate-amanda-gorman-on-abortion-bans Crystal's ministry: twitter.com/IndyBlkCatholic instagram.com/archindyblackcatholics/ facebook.com/Indy-Black-Catholic-Ministry-882725208543544 youtube.com/channel/UCuJjPJICZV2h9DZDnSjWbzw ~~ https://blackcatholicmessenger.com https://twitter.com/BlkCathStories https://facebook.com/blackcatholicmessenger https://instagram.com/blackcatholicmessenger.com donate @ https://givebutter.com/hEseXK podcast page (all major platforms): https://blackcatholicmessenger.libsyn.com/

On this episode, Nate, Alessandra, and Stephen Staten are joined by Jessica Yap and Rosalie Chan to discuss the ongoing crisis of Anti-Asian hate crimes, and how Black Catholics can stand in solidarity. - St Martin's Corner, the Bay Area racial justice collab with which Stephen, Jessica, and Rosalie are involved: https://www.facebook.com/StMartinsCorner/ - Rosalie on Twitter: @rosaliechan17 - Jessica on Twitter: @nagadoooo - Stephen on Twitter: @Zteoheb ~~ https://blackcatholicmessenger.com https://twitter.com/BlkCathStories https://facebook.com/blackcatholicmessenger https://instagram.com/blackcatholicmessenger.com donate @ https://givebutter.com/hEseXK podcast page (all major platforms): https://blackcatholicmessenger.libsyn.com/

Jalissa Pollard joins the show to talk about her trailblazing book, "My Grandma is a Lady", her journey into Black Catholic parish life, her passion for faith and Black culture, and her plans for future ministry. Buy her book: https://g.co/kgs/65ysz7 Follow her on IG: @jayybouquet Follow her on Twitter: @TheYSS_Writes ~~ https://blackcatholicmessenger.com https://twitter.com/BlkCathStories https://facebook.com/blackcatholicmessenger https://instagram.com/blackcatholicmessenger.com donate @ https://givebutter.com/hEseXK podcast page (all major platforms): https://blackcatholicmessenger.libsyn.com/

Dede Miller joins Alessandra Harris and Nate Tinner-Williams to discuss Bishop Barron's recent article on "wokeism", and also to explain the organization she helps to run, Catholics United for Black Lives. Bishop Barron's column: https://www.wordonfire.org/resources/article/wokeism-in-france-the-chickens-coming-home-to-roost/29871/ Catholics United for Black Lives: https://www.cubl.org/ ~~ https://blackcatholicmessenger.com https://twitter.com/BlkCathStories https://facebook.com/blackcatholicmessenger https://instagram.com/blackcatholicmessenger.com donate @ https://givebutter.com/hEseXK podcast page (all major platforms): https://blackcatholicmessenger.libsyn.com/

Cory Frontin joins Nate Tinner-Williams to discuss Michael Heinlein's new Black saints book with Our Sunday Visitor, racism, subsidiarity, and so much more. (Forgive the sound quality! 😁) ~~ https://blackcatholicmessenger.com https://twitter.com/BlkCathStories https://facebook.com/blackcatholicmessenger https://instagram.com/blackcatholicmessenger.com donate @ https://givebutter.com/hEseXK podcast page (all major platforms): https://blackcatholicmessenger.libsyn.com/

Co-hosts Alessandra Harris and Gunnar Gundersen discuss the recent event at Catholic University of America involving Abby Johnson, and the resulting fallout involving the school's administration. ~~ https://blackcatholicmessenger.com​ https://twitter.com/BlkCathStories​ https://facebook.com/blackcatholicmes...​ https://instagram.com/blackcatholicme...​ donate @ https://givebutter.com/hEseXK​ podcast page (all major platforms): https://blackcatholicmessenger.libsyn.com

In this episode, Alessandra Harris, and Mary Bast chat with Olga Segura about Black Catholic witness in the modern age, and about her new book "Birth of a Movement: Black Lives Matter and the Catholic Church". https://www.orbisbooks.com/birth-of-a-movement-black-lives-matter-and-the-catholic-church.html ~~ https://blackcatholicmessenger.com https://twitter.com/BlkCathStories https://facebook.com/blackcatholicmessenger https://instagram.com/blackcatholicmessenger.com donate @ https://givebutter.com/hEseXK podcast page (all major platforms): https://blackcatholicmessenger.libsyn.com/

In this episode of the Black Catholic Messenger show, Nate Tinner-Williams and Alessandra Harris are joined by Rana Irby to discuss an EWTN hit piece on Amanda Gorman concerning abortion, liturgical mayhem reported in Charlotte by National Catholic Reporter, and Pope Francis' unintentional response to the madness with his address to Italian ministers on Vatican II. ~ Show Notes: 1. Amanda Gorman story: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/amanda-gorman-inaugural-poet-for-biden-has-history-of-abortion-advocacy 2. Charlotte Traditionalists story: https://www.ncronline.org/news/accountability/came-latin-incense-and-burned-books-out-went-half-parishioners 3. Pope Francis on Vatican II and schismatics: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-01/pope-francis-catechesis-is-the-echo-of-the-word-of-god.html ~~ https://blackcatholicmessenger.com https://twitter.com/BlkCathStories https://facebook.com/blackcatholicmessenger https://instagram.com/blackcatholicmessenger.com donate @ https://givebutter.com/hEseXK

Welcome to the Black Catholic Messenger Show, a podcast where we keep it Black and we keep it Catholic. In this episode, we discuss the formation, mission, and work of Black Catholic Messenger (including the inspiring example of the late great Daniel Rudd), Black authorship and ownership, and some current events—including our newly inaugurated queen, Amanda Gorman, and how Black Catholics might express a Whole Life Ethic. Episode hosts: Nate Tinner-Williams, Alessandra Harris, and Preslaysa Williams. ~~ Show Notes 1. BCM vision: https://www.blackcatholicmessenger.com/about/ 2. BCM story on Amanda Gorman: https://www.blackcatholicmessenger.com/amanda-gorman-black-catholic/ 3. Alessandra's website: https://alessandraharris.net/ 4. Preslaysa's website: https://preslaysa.com/ 5. Nate's website: http://natemup.com/ ~~ https://blackcatholicmessenger.org https://x.com/BlkCathlicMsngr https://facebook.com/blackcatholicmessenger https://instagram.com/blackcatholicmessenger.com Make a tax-deductible donation to BCM @  https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/7faed8f8-4ba2-4687-b83c-4dc18ccb6061