#1: Friday, July 27, 2018 - 4th National Black Catholic Women's Gathering, New Orleans, LA ~ Photos by EJCooley

Grace-Filled Black Catholic Women, Standing on the Promise

2018, 4th National Black Catholic Women's Gathering, New Orleans, LA

Sponsored by the National Black Sisters' Conference

Black Catholic Women from over the United States (Oakland, San Diego, San Francisco, CA; Lynchburg, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Richmond VA; Chicago, Ill, Detroit, Michigan, Washington, DC, Baltimore, MD, Philadelphia, PA, New York State, North Carolina, South Carolina, to name a few) converged onto New Orleans, LA to be welcomed by Srs. Patrice Chappell, Roberta Fulton, Jamie Phelps, Eva Lumas, Jane Nesmith, Martin de Porres Coleman and The Most Rev. Fernand Cheri, III, Rev. Msgr. Mauricio West and Deacon Lawrence Houston.

After check-in and registration, we gathered for dinner and the Opening Plenary: "Black Women's Spirituality in the 21st Century" with Dr. C. Vanessa White, D. Min. as our presenter.  Dr. White spoke about us as "God centered, imminent and transcendent, the essence and the heart."  She reminded us that "God is the first and the last word, of all our affairs", the Bible is not foreign, "the Bible is our story, it is our hope."  Remember the Kingdom of God is a free gift, all acts of gratitude for all God has done for us.  We can do nothing without God's Grace. There is no room for arrogance, pride.  We are not the one for everyone; we are a sacrament to everyone.  By people of God, by your Baptism, we are a Missionary Disciple, who follows the way of Jesus.

~ Photos and article by EJCooley

#2: Saturday, July 28, 2018 - 2nd Plenary Session - Photos by EJCooley

Grace-Filled Black Catholic Women, Standing on the Promise

2018, 4th National Black Catholic Women's Gathering, New Orleans, LA

Sponsored by the National Black Sisters' Conference

After a lite breakfast and a talk from the Second Plenary, entitled "Missionary Discipleship in Troubled Times" with Presenter, Sr. Jamie T. Phelps, OP, PHD, we all separated to attend two different sessions of our choosing.  Our own Sr. Cora Marie Billings, RSM, was one of the three speakers who spoke to Spiritual, Mental and Physical Health. 

Sr. Cora used Promise to relate to us.  P-prayer and promise, R-relationship, O-ownership, blessings from God, M-manna, I-intentional, S-scripture; Luke 2:55 and Luke 5:4, two of Sr. Cora Marie's favorites, E-eternity.

Thoughts from Tyronna and Tonja Jones:  "The Black Women Catholic Conference was powerful.  I was inspired by their testimonies.  I met some new faces and familiar faces during this event.  I was uplifted by the women's walks of faith.  The journey is so real and it's given me the strength to get motivated and do more for my GOD!"  (Tyronna Jones)


~ Photos and article by EJCooley

#4: National Black Catholic Women's Gathering, New Orleans, LA ~ Photos by EJCooley

 ~ Photos by EJCooley