The following is a letter posted on the Diocese of Sacramento website:
In June we began a journey by kicking off the anti -racism initiative based on the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops Pastoral Letter against Racism called Open Wide Our Hearts. The letter is a powerful invitation for all the people of God to “face courageously the vice of racism.”
As our diocese continues to reflect on Open Wide Our Hearts, we invite you to attend Tolton: From Slave to Priest, which tells the heroic story of venerable Fr. Augustus Tolton, the first African American Catholic priest.
The play is a powerful multi-media live production, filled with music, drama and inspiring performances. It brings a message of hope and healing for the wounds that plague our culture. The play is suitable for ages 10 & up and will be showing from September 22nd- September 26th throughout different locations in the Diocese of Sacramento.
See all locations and purchase tickets at www.scd.org/tolton
Respectfully,
John Watkins
Office of Catholic Charities and Social Concerns Diocese of Sacramento
Full story at Diocese of Sacramento.
This is great! Fr. Augustus Tolton was named Venerable this past summer. I received a prayer card from my priest brother-in-law, pastor of a black parish in inner-city Newark, New Jersey. It reads (in part): “‘Good Father Gus,’ you who experienced racial and cultural division, help us to overcome our narrow human vision. Venerable Father Tolton, who broke down the barriers of evil which led many black Catholics astray, please inspire us, pray for reconciliation and unity as Jesus Christ calls us to in the Garden of Gethsemane.”
Fr Thomas Edwards of Oakland, a wonderful Priest, (deceased 2013),
worked from the early 2000s and probably earlier
with the Friends of Father Augustine Tolton
to advance his cause of canonization, to make him known as a holy role model,
and to encourage young men to consider the Priesthood.
See http://www.catholicvoiceoakland. org /2006/06-11-20/inthisissue5. htm
Like the Martin sisters, Venerable Fr Tolton had saintly parents; His mother taught him to be single-minded in his love for God throughout hardship and rejection.
..
The Archdiocese of Chicago website includes
The Father Tolton Guild – Official organization for the promotion of the cause of canonization
of Father Augustus Tolton
https ://tolton.archchicago.org/the-cause/what-can-i-do
Chicago’s cathedral, Holy Name Cathedral website provides info on the
Friends of Fr. Augustus Tolton (maybe this is related to the Oakland group but
different spelling).
Please pray for Fr Tolton and for Fr Tom Edwards