Father Augustus Tolton was the first identified black American ordained to the priesthood in the United States. He was born into slavery and escaped to freedom with his mother and siblings under harrowing circumstances. Throughout his life he displayed a great devotion to the Lord and the Catholic faith despite facing racism within the Church at nearly every turn. Still, he felt and preached that the Catholic Church’s teaching that all people are children of God regardless of race made it the true church for African Americans in the United States following the Civil War. Cardinal Francis George opened Tolton’s cause for canonization in 2010. Pope Francis declared him “venerable” on June 11, 2019. In “Augustus Tolton: The Church is the True Liberator,” Joyce Duriga brings to light Father Tolton’s quiet witness as a challenge to prejudices and narrow-mindedness that can keep us insulated from the universal diversity of the kingdom of God.

Experience the challenges refugees face as they flee for their lives. Tour length is 90 min. Involves physical activity requiring participants to climb stairs/ tents/rafts. Content suited for families ages 10 + Registration required. Free will donations welcome.

he National Gathering on Christian Initiation™ is an annual two-day conference for parish Christian initiation ministers and diocesan catechetical, liturgical, and evangelization leaders. Steeped in the vision of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, the National Gathering on Christian Initiation™ seeks to promote the vision of the Church as constantly evangelizing, catechizing, and initiating disciples. See About NGCI for more information.