Our Mother of Africa THELEAVEN.ORG | VOL. 44, NO. 13 | NOVEMBER 4, 2022
CNS PHOTO/PATRICK RYAN FOR THE NATIONAL BLACK CATHOLIC CONGRESS VIA CATHOLIC STANDARD
Bishop Ward graduate Ed Dwight and his wife Barbara stand in front of his sculpture of Mary and the Christ Child in the Our Mother of Africa Chapel at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington on Sept. 17. Dwight was honored for his artwork at the 25th anniversary of the chapel.
Black Catholics take pride in local contribution to D.C. shrine By Jill Ragar Esfeld jill.esfeld @theleaven.org
On this anniversary, Bailey was able to bring along her daughter Monica Randle. ANSAS CITY, Kan. — “I “The basilica is so beautiful,” said just felt proud,” said Bar- Randle. “I’m without words to debara Bailey, pastoral asscribe it. There are 99 chapels honsociate of Our Lady & St. oring various saints of different culRose Parish here. “I felt tural backgrounds.” very proud that there is a Mother of The sculptures in Our Mother Africa Chapel and I know the artist.” of Africa Chapel were created by On Sept. 17, Bailey, world-renowned who is also the director artist Edward Joseph NOVEMBER IS of the office of Black Dwight. Catholics for the ArchBut Bailey knows BLACK CATHOLIC diocese of Kansas City him simply as “Eddie.” HISTORY MONTH in Kansas, attended the “I’ve known Eddie 25th anniversary of the all my life,” she said. “I dedication of Our Mother of Africa grew up with him. He and my older Chapel in the Basilica of the National sister were the same age; they went Shrine of the Immaculate Concep- to school together at Our Lady of tion in Washington. Perpetual Help. It was a return visit for Bailey, “We all went to school down who had fond memories of attending there.” the original dedication in 1997. In 1968, Our Lady of Perpetu-
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al Help Parish was merged with St. Rose of Lima Parish to become Our Lady & St. Rose in Kansas City, Kansas. When Dwight spoke at the dedication Mass, he recalled growing up in the Wyandotte County parish where he was an altar boy for 10 years. “I was unwittingly, probably with my background, destined to do this memorial,” he said In 1947, Dwight was the first Black student to attend Bishop Ward High School in Kansas City, Kansas. Being invited to join the National Honor Society was only another of the “firsts” he collected along the way. “I was a great ‘accomplisher,’” Dwight admitted. But art was not yet his focus. In fact, in a few years, it was as >> See “CHAPEL” on page 4
Special invitation Before each National Black Catholic Congress, local parishes are required to have a day of reflection to include everyone, whether attending the congress or not. The upcoming National Black Catholic Congress will be held July 20-23, 2023, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland. The congress theme is: “Write the Vision: A Prophetic Call to Thrive.” The Day of Reflection will be held: Nov. 12 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Donnelly College Event Center 608 N. 18th St., Kansas City, Kansas. A continental breakfast and lunch will be served. Even if you don’t plan to attend the congress, we welcome your input! If interested in the Day of Reflection, please RSVP to Barbara Bailey at (913) 3211958 or by email at: olsr2300@gmail.com.