Nazareth Catholic Community
February 9, 2020 - 5th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Sr. Thea Bowman: Advocate for Cultural Awareness and Racial Justcie
Growing up in Jackson, Mississippi, Thea Bowman listened and learned from the wisdom of the elders of her community. Ever precocious, she asked questions and gained insights on how her elders lived, thrived and survived. She learned from family members and those in her community coping mechanisms and survival skills. These skills proved essential as she navigated through the horrid experiences of blatant racism, segregation, inequality, and the struggle for Civil Rights in her native Mississippi. At an early age, Thea was exposed to the richness of her African-American culture and spirituality, most especially the history, stories, songs, prayers, customs and traditions.
For Thea Bowman, Catholicism was rooted in what she witnessed: she was attracted to the Catholic Church by the example of how Catholics seemed to love and care for one another and worked for justice. For Thea, she was impressed by how Catholics put their faith into action. At the age of fifteen she told her parents and friends she wanted to join the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration and left the familiar Mississippi terrain to venture to the unfamiliar town of LaCrosse, Wisconsin where she would be the only African-American member of her religious community.
At her religious profession, she was given the name, “Sister Mary Thea” in honor of the Blessed Mother and her father, Theon. Her name in religious life, Thea, literally means “God.” She was trained to become a teacher. She taught at all grade levels, eventually earning her doctorate and becoming a college professor of English and linguistics.Sister Thea became a highly acclaimed evangelizer, teacher, writer, and singer sharing the joy of the Gospel and her rich cultural heritage throughout the nation. In 1978, Sr. Thea became the director of the Office of Intercultural Affairs for the Diocese of Jackson. In this position Sister Thea continued to assail racial prejudice and promote cultural awareness and sensitivity. She was a founding faculty member of the Institute for Black Catholic Studies at Xavier University in New Orleans.
In 1984, Sister Thea faced devastating challenges: both her parents died, and she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Sister Thea vowed to “live until I die” and continued her rigorous schedule of speaking engagements. In 1989, she was invited to address the U.S. Bishops at their annual June meeting. In her address she explained what it meant to be African-American and Catholic. She enlightened the bishops on African-American history and spirituality. Sister Thea urged the bishops to promote inclusivity and full participation of African-Americans within Church leadership, and to understand the necessity and value of Catholic schools in the African-American community.
Sr. Thea died on March 30, 1990. Her life was always one of Gospel joy, enduring faith, and persevering prayer even in the midst of racial prejudice, cultural insensitivity, and debilitating illness. This past November, the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops approved the first steps in the process to declare Sr. Thea Bowman a Catholic saint.
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Note: We will celebrate TWO Masses next Sunday, 2/16, for siblings weekend: 11:00AM and 7:00PM.
THIS TUESDAY: Adoration with Praise and Worship Music
Come and experience a beautiful night of Eucharistic Adoration along with Praise and Worship Music. This night of worship will be led by our very own Nazareth College Catholic Community Choir! THIS Tuesday, February 11th from 7:00PM to 8:00PM Linehan Chapel
Come and experience praise and worship, faith-sharing, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and an opportunity for prayer and reflection. All are welcome!
Ash Wednesday: Save the date!
THURSDAY, 2/20: Mass and Meal OFF CAMPUS!
Sister Donna and the Sisters of St. Joseph she lives with have invited us to their home to celebrate Mass and enjoy a home-cooked pasta dinner!
Meet at GAC 151 at 5:30PM and we will travel together to St. Boniface parish where Sister Donna lives (only 10 minutes from Nazareth). Or you can find the directions below and meet us there. Mass will be at 6:00PM followed by supper.
We want to make sure we have enough food! Let us know if you have any food allergies or dietary restrictions. Gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian and vegan options available.
THURSDAY, 2/20: Mass and Meal OFF CAMPUS!
Thursday, Feb 20, 2020, 05:30 PM
314 Gregory Street Rochester, NY
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
Intercollegiate Weekend Retreat!!
Join college students from all over western New York for a weekend retreat in the Franciscan tradition at Mt. Irenaeus.
Friday, March 27 (leave late afternoon) to Sunday, March 29 (return around 4:00PM)
Mount Irenaeus is the retreat center for St. Bonaventure University. Once a semester, the students at St. Bonaventure invite students from other area colleges to an intercollegiate weekend.
Consider taking a break from the stress of the semester!
Cost is only $20.00 ~ Transportation provided
Space is limited to 6 Nazareth students!!!
Please RSVP below!
Intercollegiate Weekend Retreat!!
Friday, Mar 27, 2020, 03:00 PM
Mt Irenaeus, Roberts Road, Friendship, NY, USA
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
Do you like to sing? Do you play an instrument? Our Mass Choir is for you!
Come again or for the first time!
If you play an instrument bring it along!
Questions? E-mail Our Choir Directors:
Caelie Flanagan, cflanag11@mail.naz.edu
Julianna Pollicino, jpollic3@mail.naz.edu
Nazareth College Catholic Community Pastoral Team:
Julianna Pollicino
Emma Clive
eclive6@naz.edu
Caelie Flanagan
Danica Aquitania
Sacristan
daquita8@naz.eduPope Francis
Bishop of Rome
Gabriela Groman
ggroman7@naz.edu
Sarah Schuler
Parish Council President
Nancy Garcia
Coordinator of outreach to Our Lady of Guadalupe Migrant Community
Sr. Donna DelSanto, SSJ
ddelsanto@ssjrochester.org
Jamie R. Fazio, M.Div.
Katie Maya
Cassie Dupre
cdupre0@naz.edu
Fr. Robert Resier, SJ
rreiser@mcquaid.org
Fr. Matthew Temple, O.Carm.
Fr. Richard Briclker
Nazareth College Catholic Community
Wednesday Mass: 12:30PM
Gluten free hosts available upon request - Please contact Jamie Fazio.
For the Sacrament of Reconciliation, please e-mail one of our priests to schedule an appointment.
Jamie R. Fazio, M.Div. (he/him/his), Catholic Chaplain, Office: GAC 160
The Nazareth College Catholic Community is part of the Nazareth Center for Spirituality. All are always welcome!
Email: jfazio1@naz.edu
Website: http://www.naz.edu/center-for-spirituality/catholic-community
Location: Linehan Chapel, East Avenue, Rochester, NY, United States
Phone: 585 389 2308
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/35057526410/