NAACUS Annual Conference - July 15-17, 2022 by NAACUS

NAACUS ANNUAL CONFERENCE National Association of African Catholics in the United States

HOSTED BY MIDWEST REGIONS Ohio, Michigan (Region VI) Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin (Region VII)

Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota (Region VIII) JULY 15-17, 2022 Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska (Region XI)

JULY 15-17, 2022

His Excellency

The vitality of your African religious traditions is needed in an increasingly secularized American society where people can get along quite well without God. The new evangelization called for these days is at once frightening and exciting. Thank you for your contribution. I look forward to attending your conference. Most Reverend Joseph N Perry Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago

Secretariat of Cultural Diversity in the Church P A S T O R A L C AR E O F M I G R A NT S, R E F U G E E S A N D T R AV E L E R S 3 2 1 1 FO U R T H ST R E E T NE W A SH I NG T O N, D C 2 0 0 1 7 P H O NE : 2 0 2 - 5 4 1 - 3 3 5 9 F AX 2 0 2 - 5 4 1 - 5 4 1 7 E - M A I L : P C M R T @ U S C C B . O R G * W W W . U SC C B . O R G

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF AFRICAN CATHOLICS IN THE UNITED STATES (NAACUS) Annual Regional Conference (Midwest Regions) Milwaukee, Wisconsin July 15-17, 2022 Theme: “Two Are Better than One: (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10) Together We Shine”

Assistant Director’s Address It is my privilege and pleasure on behalf of the Secretariat of Cultural Diversity in the Church/ Subcommittee on Pastoral Care of Migrants, Refugees, and Travelers (PCMRT) to welcome everyone to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I am delighted we have your Excellences, Most Reverend Jerome Listecki, Archbishop of Milwaukee, Most Reverend Joseph Perry, Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago. Thank you for coming. I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Msgr. Anselm Nwaorgu, Ph.D. PCMRT Consultant for African Catholics in the United States, Rev. Fr. Albert Nzeh, our keynote speaker, Mrs. Sally Stovall, NAACUS president, the executive board members and the coordinators of the Midwest Regions and all the individuals who worked tirelessly to make today a reality. Thank God we are now able to gather after the many challenges of COVID-19 pandemic which has ravaged the economy, health, and education around the World. Thank you for being part of this annual conference. I hope and pray that today inspires ideas and discussions around the ways we can make NAACUS better so that Together We Shine. My Friends, one of the strengths of the early Church was in its community, as described in the Acts of the Apostles. Although most Catholics will not live exactly in the same way as the members of the early Church, they can follow their example of being devoted to the Mass, helping one another, and having a form of community. Indeed, each African Catholic Community being part of NAACUS, united by prayer and love for God, gives us the strength to live authentic Christian life. Christ wills that we care and live together in mutual support as children of God. We help each other to recognize the importance of our faith and use our gifts to work and serve the faith community with joy and passion. In so doing we can foster the growth of our community; draw all members together as one family and build a strong and vibrant community of faithful Catholics. As I encourage and thank you for the progress over the years; especially in laying the foundation to establish strong African Catholic communities in the United States, I want to let you know that a lot more needs to be done, we must overcome those challenges that prevent us from working together as Africans. I am here to encourage you to work together; to invest your time and talents for the future of NAACUS; to take ownership of NAACUS and make it grow. 6

Many African communities are still not organizing themselves and raising awareness within their own parishes and dioceses. We need to wake up, it is essential to respond to the pastoral needs of the growing and underserved African Catholics, as well as the youth and young adult segment of the African Catholic population. We need to create awareness of our presence. We need to affirm who we are as African Catholics. We need to reinforce our sense of belonging. We need to promote and share our rich ethnic heritage in building up of the whole Church. We need to reach to other Africans who have fallen away from the faith. We need to bring our gifts to the table. I encourage you to invest your time and talent for the growth of African communities in your parishes/dioceses. I pray that you may work together to find better methods of raising awareness of African Catholics presence by your active membership and involvement in the various ministries in your parishes/ dioceses. I hope and pray that each of you will be energized more and more, especially to continue to share your gifts of faith and rich cultural heritage with the Universal Church here in the United States. I know most of you here are already members of NAACUS but for those of you who aren't, I urge you to register. Encourage others that are not here to come, so that together, we can build a strong and united African Catholic Association in the United States. We have great challenges and great opportunities and with every hands-on deck, we will meet the challenges and make NAACUS the best association. My brothers and sisters, let us recall the inspiring words of Pope Francis who said, “We can only build the future by standing together including everyone”. We must be organized to build a collective power. NAACUS has too much to do than to sit on the sidelines. Let us have that joyful and proud sense of belonging which will inspire greater and more dynamic participation in the life and activities of our noble organization.

Once again thank you for coming, I truly appreciate your presence and may God bless you all.

Sr. Joanna Okereke, HHCJ Assistant Director

TOGETHER WE STAND, AND TOGETHER WE SHALL SUCCEED Dear Brothers and Sisters, On behalf of the National Association of African Catholics in the United States (NAACUS), I am pleased to welcome each one of you to our 2022 NAACUS annual conference hosted by Midwest Regions. It’s always an exciting time when African Catholics in the United States gather to celebrate our Catholic faith in the Eucharist and to meet our brothers and sisters. NAACUS is trying to reach out and connect with all African Catholics in the USA and the conference is one of the tools adapted for attaining that goal. I am so grateful that we’re able to gather again for this conference after the COVID-19 pandemic. I would like to give you an idea of what you can expect and what we hope to achieve over the next few days. The conference will begin with Women’s retreat, welcome and fellowship reception which includes a prayer. This is an opportunity for Women from various communities to come together as one community to meet and fellowship. Saturday's event consists of presentations, discussions, introduction of the first National Day of Prayer for the African community, Youth and Young Adults activities, concluding Mass and African Style reception. The theme of the conference is “Two Are Better than One: (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10) Together We Shine.” You will have the opportunity to hear from our keynote speaker, Fr. Albert Nzeh. The Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki, Archdiocese of Milwaukee, will preside over the closing Eucharistic celebration with Most Reverend Joseph N. Perry and Most Reverend Bishop Jerome Feudjio. I would like to use this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to the 2022 Conference Chairlady Ms. Reine Marie Assana, Mr. Fessahaye Mebrahtu, NAACUS Midwest Regional Coordinators, Monsignor Anselm Nwaorgu, Sr. Joanna Okereke, Fr. Albert Nzeh, Fr. Romanus Nwaru, NAACUS Executive Board, Midwest Steering committee members, our Volunteers, Sponsors, Donors, Speakers, Performers, African Catholic communities and NAACUS registered members. A special thank you goes to the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, the Office of Black Catholic & Ethnic Ministries of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and the African Catholic Community of Milwaukee, WI, for supporting this event. I truly enjoyed working with you all on this conference. Throughout the planning of the conference, despite all the challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, you never gave up. In concluding, I’d like to thank each of you for attending this Conference. You are truly our greatest asset today and tomorrow, and we could not accomplish what we do without your support and leadership. Throughout this Conference, I ask you to stay engaged, and help us to shape the future of NAACUS. I also urge each one of you to get connected with NAACUS and volunteer utilizing your gift. We would like to get connected so we can build stronger African Catholic communities while ensuring active participation in support of the church. My personal respect and thanks go out to all of you. Have a fruitful conference and may God continue to bless each one of you.

Mrs. Sally N. Stovall NAACUS National President Naacusmadamepresident@gmail.com 8

Dear Brothers and Sisters of the African Catholic community around the United States, Welcome all of you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to our city. This event we have been planning for the past 3 years is finally here. We thank God for making it possible for all of us to gather here for this conference. First, I thank the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and our Most Rev. Jerome E. Listecki for accepting for our diocese to host this conference and for providing us the space. We are very grateful. I also would like to thank Mrs. Sally Stovall our NAACUS President who tirelessly kept pushing all of us day in day out, challenging us to make sure this conference is a success. Many thanks to Sr. Joanna Okereke HHCJ, Monsignor Anselm Nwaorgu for their guidance throughout the planning of this conference. I would also like to thank Fr. Albert Nzeh for accepting to be our keynote speaker and for his support, we are excited to have you. Planning an event of this magnitude is not easy, but with people of Goodwill, who committed themselves from the first date the conference was announced, we did it as a team. Kudos to all our planning committee members and volunteers as we could not have done this without your support and commitment. We were able to involve most of our Midwestern regions where there are predominately African Catholics (Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, and Minnesota). We also were able to gather 3 choirs from Milwaukee, Indiana, Kansas who will be performing together as one Unity choir. I have always dreamt of seeing Africans United some way. Since I may not live to see the United Sates of Africa, I am content to see us all together, to share our faith and spread the gospel through our cultural diversity. Milwaukee is happy to host this conference and seeing our brothers and sisters gather in our city. Thank you all for your commitment to NAACUS and for the opportunity to serve as your NAACUS 2022 Conference Chairlady.

Sincerely, Ms. Reine M. Assana NAACUS 2022 Conference Chairlady NAACUS Assistant Public Relation Officer

Moderator for Women’s Retreat African Catholics in the United States and the Gift of our Communal Spirit: What’s Next Rev. Fr. Albert Nzeh Rev. Fr. Albert Nzeh is the fifth of seven children born of Hon. & Mrs. Vincent and Petrolina Nzeh of Owubilubi in Imo State, Nigeria. Born into a very loving, active, and involved Catholic family, he was exposed from his early childhood to the faith and the discipline of Catholic tradition and practices. This nurturing environment tinged with Catholic flavor influenced him so much that his longing for the things of God became very overwhelming and apparent. Rev. Fr. Albert attended primary school at Central School Owubilubi in Ikeduru Local Government Area, high school at St. Mary’s Minor Seminary Umuowa, Orlu (1981-1982) and at St. Peter Claver Seminary Okpala (1982-1986). He earned a BS in Philosophy at Seat of Wisdom Seminary, Owerri, Imo state and Theology Degree at the renowned St. Joseph Major Seminary, Ikot-Ekpene, Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria. He also holds a Master’s degree in Educational Psychology (M.Ed.), and a post graduate diploma in education (PGDE) from the University of Port Harcourt, River state, Nigeria. On July 6, 1996, Rev. Albert Nzeh was ordained a priest in the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri Imo state, Nigeria by His Grace, Archbishop A.J.V Obinna. Following the recommendations of his Bishop, Fr. Albert arrived in the USA in 2010, to begin a graduate and doctoral program in Education Leadership Management and Policy at Seton Hall University, South Orange, New Jersey, and he is currently working on his dissertation. As a priest of the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri, Rev. Fr. Albert Nzeh served in different capacities within the Archdiocese. He was an Associate pastor at St. Mary’s Parish, Obibiezena (1996-1997). From 1997-2008, he concurrently served as the Associate pastor at St. Paul’s Parish, Owerri, and was the founding principal of St. Paul’s International Boys’ Secondary School, Owerri, Imo State. He also served in many other chaplaincy duties in the Archdiocese. In April 2016, the Archbishop of Newark Archdiocese, Most Rev. John J. Myers (2001-2016), appointed Fr. Albert as the administrator of Blessed Sacrament St. Charles Borromeo Church, Newark New Jersey, and in November 2018, Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.SsR appointed him the Pastor of the same church. In addition to his pastoral office, Fr. Albert is the chaplain of Jesus is Lord Catholic Charismatic prayer group of the Blessed Sacrament St. Charles Borromeo Church, Real Love Ministries of St. Antoninus Church, Newark, as well as the Daughters of the Holy Spirit, USA. Rev. Fr. Albert has preached several retreats, charismatic conferences, and crusades, and is Intensely involved in Eucharistic Adorations, a ministry dearly close to his heart. 10

“Our Journey as Immigrants, Our Spirituality as Africans, Our Role in the American Church: Where are we?” Alexander Nana Danso Alexander Nana Danso, hails from a coastal city of Shama in the Western Region of Ghana. An Ex-Seminarian and a catechist for the Ghanaian Community of Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in Takoma Park, Maryland. He serves as the National Adviser for the Ghanaian Apostolate in the USA, General Secretary for NAACUS, and National Secretary for the Ghanaian Catholic Charismatic Renewal of North America. He is married with children and grandchildren. His knowledge in African Studies and the teachings of the Church has been influential in delivering talks on issues relating to African Culture and Religious Practices, “ Our Faith and Our Tradition in a Foreign Land.” to many African Communities in Maryland and Virginia. Alexander is a Real Estate Broker for Lexidan Realty and Management Services, LLC and Consultant to James Lee Council of Co-Owners in Falls Church, Virginia. His academic credentials include, MA (HONS) International Development Studies- University of Aalborg, Denmark, (1998). Graduate Realtor- GRI: Institute of Professional Development, Post Graduate Course- Center for Conflict Resolution and Development Studies, University of Maryland (2000), Graduate Realtor- GRI: Institute of Professional Development, Wheaton, Maryland- 2010, BA (HONS) Law and History- University of Science and Technology, Kumasi , Ghana (1994), The Holy Ghost Seminary (CSSp), Kumasi, Ghana- Diploma in Human Relations, Philosophy- 1991

Liliane McFarlane Liliane McFarlane is a Grants Operations Manager at the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (IFCJ -Chicago) since February 2022 but was formerly the Grants Manager at the Greater Milwaukee Foundation from 2014, managing grant making and applications processes. She formerly worked as Sr. Treasury Analyst at Charter Manufacturing, Rexnord Industries and Treasury Analyst at Rockwell Automation. For a few years in between her previous Treasury Analyst jobs, she owned a fair trade, hand crafted African clothing and jewelry shop located in downtown Milwaukee with products sourced from different countries in Africa.

Liliane received a Master of Business Administration from the University of WisconsinMilwaukee and a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and International Business from Marquette University. Liliane is the mother of two beautiful young ladies and also a serial entrepreneur with two small businesses: Threadsworldwide.com/LeyeDana and Sew MKE LLC. Liliane loves dancing and is proficient in various dance styles including Chicago Style Steppin’, Salsa, Merengue, Cumbia, African dances and Zouk. She is also an avid sprint triathlete. She is currently one of the lead organizers of the French Catholic Mass in Milwaukee. Liliane is from Cameroon and Benin but spent most of her childhood in Kenya.

Leadership Training For NAACUS Leaders Rev. Msgr. Anselm Nwaorgu, Ph.D. Rev. Msgr. Anselm Nwaorgu, Ph.D., is a priest of the Archdiocese of Newark, New Jersey. He was ordain in May 1992 and was raised to the status of a papal Chamberlin (Monsignor) by the Holy Father, Pope Benedict VI and by this elevation, became the first Native-African-Born priest to be made a monsignor in the United States Catholic Church. He is a licensed psychologist in the State of New Jersey and holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy, from Urban University, Rome; a master’s degree in Systematic Theology, a master’s degree in Counselor Prep, a Master’s in Divinity in Pastoral Ministry, and a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology, from Seton Hall University, South Orange, New Jersey. Over the years, he has received several awards and citations for outstanding performances. In May 1991, he received the Pope John Paul II Medal for Superior Academic Work in Theology. In 2015, he was awarded the “2015 Man of Vision” by The Municipal Council of the City of Newark. Professionally, Msgr. Anselm Nwaorgu has worked as an Adjunct lecturer at Seton Hall University, South Orange, New Jersey and as the Staff Psychologist at the Eric Feldman Child Development Center, Catholic Community Services, Newark, New Jersey. He has made many academic and non-academic presentations to different professional and religious bodies. Some of his publications include a co-authored Book Chapter in the Comprehensive Handbook of Psychotherapy, Inc. Baker & Taylor – 2002, titled: Adlerian Psychotherapy: A century of Tradition and Research. He has also written his own books including: “Beating the Odds”, published by iUniverse (200) and many Devotional Prayer Booklets. Rev. Msgr. Anselm Nwaorgu was the first executive president of the African Conference of Catholic Clergy and Religious in the United States (ACCCRUS). Presently, he is the pastor of St. Michael’s Church, Union, New Jersey, and serves as a consultant on the pastoral care of African Immigrants to the department of the Pastoral Care of Migrants, Refugees, and Travelers, at the United States of Conference of Catholic Bishops. Msgr. Anselm loves writing, conducting retreats and revivals, give seminars and workshops on various issue affecting immigrants and marriages.

I Am An African, I Am American, I Am Catholic: The Journey and Challenges of My Faith

Rev. Dr. Romanus M. Nwaru Fr. Romanus is a priest of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, ordained in Milwaukee in 1995. He was originally from Imo State, Nigeria, and came to the United States in 1989. He studied at Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI before transferring to St. Francis Seminary where he graduated with a Master of Divinity degree. Post-ordination studies included a Master’s degree in Liturgical Studies from the Liturgical Institute at the University of St. Mary of the Lake, Mundelein, Illinois, and a Doctor of Ministry degree (D. Min) from the same University in 2000. Fr. Romanus has served in various parish assignments following his priestly ordination. He is currently the pastor of Blessed Savior parish leader of the Blessed Savior school comprising three campuses and the Moderator (Chair) of the Archdiocesan Council of Priests. He is also chair of the executive committee of the Council and represents priests of the Archdiocese on the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council. He is a 3rd degree member of the Knights of Columbus (K of C) and a 3rd degree member of the Knights of Peter Claver (K OF PC). Fr. Romanus’ greatest passion is in being a priest and serving God’s people in whatever role he finds himself. 12

I Am An African, I Am American, I Am Catholic: The Journey and Challenges of My Faith Catherine Swoboda Catherine Swoboda is a catechist at St. Ambrose Cathedral in Des Moines, Iowa where she is active with sacramental preparation (Confirmation), youth ministry and Family Faith Formation. She is a Lifelong Catholic and catechist for 10 years at St. Ambrose Cathedral, Des Moines, IA. Catechist for children, teens and families from Eritrea, South Sudan, East Africa as well as Asian and Central American countries. She works at College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Iowa State University and current professional role includes Assistant Teaching Professor, Global Resource Systems. She received her Master of Science, Crop Production and Physiology, Bachelor of Science, Agronomy, Iowa State University.

I Am An African, I Am American, I Am Catholic: The Journey and Challenges of My Faith Mrs. Veronica Ouya Mrs. Veronica Ouya was born and raised Catholic. She has attended Catholic schools and been around the Catholic Faith all her life. Having moved to the United States as a young adult, she is aware of how the universal church in Africa compares to America. She is a volunteer catechist at St. Ambrose Cathedral in Des Moines, Iowa and serves with fellow Africans at Catholic African Community of St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Des Moines, Iowa. In her work and service in the church, she has noticed that there are many overlapping identities that affect how we express our faith as Africans here in America. NAACUS gives us an opportunity to come together as African Catholics and share in our oneness. She believes that we are one, holy, Catholic, and apostolic Church and together we are the body of Christ. She works at Des Moines Area Community College and Iowa State University. Current Professional Role includes Speech/ Communication Adjunct professor and Graduate assistant respectively. She has MA in Communication Studies and currently pursuing PhD in Human Development and Family Studies.

Sean and Beverly

MITCHELL AND FAMILY

Congratulations members of NAACUS on your 2022 Conference Very Rev. Henry Atem, V.F.

Congratulations NAACUS on your 2022 Conference and Happy Silver Jubilee Fr. Dr. Edmund Nnadozie, MSP. DMin, BCC May you continued to be sustained by His grace, and may your life of God’s service always be filled with joy