150 attend Black History Month Mass

About 150 people answered the call Saturday to an annual celebration of Black History Month, dedicated in part to drawing more black Roman Catholics back into the church.

Hosted by the Ministry to Catholics of African Ancestry at St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Centre, worshippers pondered such themes as celebration of life, tenacity and resilience, and exhortations toward forbearance and forgiveness.

A special guest priest delivered the homily -- interspersing traditional preaching with song, including spirituals -- and emphasizing the role of black women leaders.

As part of an effort to address dwindling numbers of blacks among the faithful, the diocese and ministry brought in Msgr. William John-Lewis of the Diocese of Roseau in Dominica for the 31st annual Black History Month Mass of Thanksgiving.

Blacks have migrated in growing numbers from the church to other faiths, church officials said.

Speaking after the service, the Rev. Joseph Baidoo of the Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church in Roosevelt said he could recall a time, about 10 years ago, when the annual event would have been packed.

"Part of it is the Haitian community split away, based on a difference of language and culture -- wanting to celebrate in French. This Mass particularly was affected," the pastor explained. "I would love this community to grow, there's always room for more."

Still, yesterday's attendance included several Haitian-born Americans, including Leonne Lamy, 54, of North Babylon, who said she appreciated the way the monsignor linked historical African-American leaders to today's diverse congregation, which included people from countries such as Jamaica, Trinidad, Ghana and Nigeria.

"We are one family, and he spoke with such love about this really nice family," Lamy said.

"It's like the Bob Marley song, 'One Love,' " said her friend, Jamaican-born Joan Jankee, 58, of Valley Stream. "There's no distinction . . . we can all feel proud of this history and the struggle to overcome."

Organizer Darcel Whitten-Wilamowski, who heads the diocese's Ministry to Catholics of African Ancestry, said she was pleased by the turnout but that just as Msgr. John-Lewis had referenced the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., she, too, has a dream. "My dream is that one day we fill this cathedral on this day."