Jemison becomes ‘heart listener’ By Fabvienen Taylor
JACKSON — In October, Will Jemison, director of the Office of Black Catholic Ministry, became a “heart listener” at a forum on African American Vocations.
As a “heart listener” Jemison was asked to listen to large and small group discussions addressing vocations — religious and clergy — in the African American community.
In that close listening, a “heart listener” is one open to any strong points God may communicate through the speakers that go directly to the heart, bypassing a person’s consciousness, said Jemison.
The discussions took place at the Oct. 18-21 meeting of the African American Religious Advisory Board Committee in Baltimore at the motherhouse of the Oblate Sisters of Providence, the oldest order of black sisters in the United States.
“The meeting addressed why there is not much enthusiasm among young black people in becoming priests or religious,” said Jemison. “Why are they not attracted to the religious life, why don’t they see it as a viable option for them, what are their impressions of religious life, and the need to better market all the good things about it.”
Jemison said attending the meeting proved unique for him.
“It was a good experience for me,” he said. “It was a chance to be among friends, to be in a relaxed atmosphere of African American clergy and sisters.”
“We were encouraged to go back to our dioceses and spread the word among both youth and adults about black religious and make people aware of the black priests, brothers and sisters serving in or near our diocese,” Jemison said.
Jemison agreed to serve on a new steering committee to address the issues around vocations. The committee will meet again in January.
On a related note, Bishop Shelton Fabre, auxiliary of the Archdiocese of New Orleans and the newest African American bishop, will be the keynote speaker at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration at 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 13, at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle.
The importance of unity among different religious faiths — Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Eastern — will be the theme of Bishop Fabre’s keynote address, said Jemison.
“It will also serve as an opportunity for young people to see one of our black bishops and to actually make personal contact with him,” he said.
