African Mass: Living Stones to Transform the World
Unique outfits, vibrant hues, and music styles infrequently heard at many of our diocesan churches welcomed people of all backgrounds, cultures, and origins to celebrate African Catholic culture within our diocese at a special Mass.
Unique outfits, vibrant hues, and music styles infrequently heard at many of our diocesan churches welcomed people of all backgrounds, cultures, and origins to celebrate African Catholic culture within our diocese at a special Mass.
Over 260 faithful from across the diocese gathered at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Tampa to celebrate the seventh annual African Mass.
“What a joy it is to be together here, gathered as a family of faith at the Seventh Annual African Mass,” said Deacon John Carter in his homily. Deacon Carter is a deacon at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle and one of the chaplains for the African Catholic community. “We come from many nations and islands as we stand together as one Church, one faith, and one people of God.”
Fr. Peter Okojie, parochial vicar at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Inverness and one of the chaplains for the African Catholic community, works to assist in organizing the African Mass each year. Father Okojie was the main celebrant of this Mass.
Deacon Carter’s homily focused on how all people make up the Church, acting as ‘living stones’ of the temple of God, tying into the Mass readings as the African Mass fell on the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome.
“We come from different nations, ethnicities, colors, and languages, from every land. We are all unified,” Deacon Carter said.
“One of these living stones, both past and present, represents men and women of African descent. These men and women strengthened our Church in the very beginning by their courage, by their service, and by their faith.”
During the Mass, priests and parishioners from a variety of African countries gathered as a community to celebrate Mass, worship God together, and experience first-hand the truth that we are all one Body of Christ. Emphasis was placed on not only the unity of the celebration, but attendees were also encouraged to continue to live out their faith with strength.
“This is about coming together – people of African descent, people who know hardship, who also know great vision and great experiences, that overcoming spirit,” said Deacon Carter. “This is what the future message is about – that we take whatever struggles we have, and we transform them into the greatness of the world.”
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To view photos from the African Mass, click the arrows below.
