Evangelization conference energizes attendees
By Fabvienen Taylor
JACKSON — John Robinson, Jackson Christ the King parishioner, wishes a video of the energy and spirituality of a recent evangelization conference was available.
“It would have sold out. I would have bought one and downloaded it on my iPhone,” said Robinson, who is on the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) team at the west Jackson parish.
“Then when people say being Catholic is dead and dull, I could whip out my telephone and say look at this.”
Robinson returned home revitalized from the seventh Interregional African American Catholic Evangelization Conference (IAACEC) held Thursday through Sunday, Nov. 12-15, in Indianapolis, Ind.
“I wanted to see, to explore, to feel, to be exposed to, be a part of the energy as African American Catholics from across the United States practice our faith. I wanted to see how we do it from people all over,” Robinson said.
The experience has fueled his enthusiam for his RCIA ministry, he said.
“I am really energized, most definitely. The spiritual aspect of the conference was absolutely great. Now I feel like I can prod people a little better in becoming Catholic and being Catholic in general,” he said.
Robinson and his wife, Carrie, a small group leader in the Why Catholic? program, were among the 31 people from the Diocese of Jackson to attend the conference.
Christ the King/St. Mary pastor Ricardo Phipps was a presenter at the conference. Norbertine Father Jeremy Tobin attended also.
“Continuing the Journey . . . Listening, Living and Sharing the Word” was the theme of this year’s conference. Organizers said the theme highlighted “the call to evangelization as African American Catholics through committed service.”
The center of the conference was prayer and worship, with general sessions featuring nationally-known speakers in African Amercian spirituality, the family and community outreach.
Also, there were morning and afternoon workshops/breakout sessions for youth and adults.
Father Phipps presented the “Who’s in Your Friendship Circle?” workshop for teens.
“I was really encouraged by the young people who participated in the workshop,” he said.
“They shared their sense of evangelization and had a broad sense of it in that they think it doesn’t have to be about preaching to others. They feel it can be about just openly being a good person,” he said. The Office of Multicultural Ministry of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis hosted the conference.
The IAACEC is made up of representatives from dioceses in Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee and Mississippi.
The June 2011 conference will be hosted by the Office of Black Catholics in the Diocese of Jackson.
Will Jemison, director, is on the planning commission of the IAACEC which met in Jackson last summer.
“It was very important for people to be able to see and hear that caliber of speakers in one venue, in one place address evangelization,” said Jemison.
“In 2011 we will be able to bring the people of our diocese, who are pretty spread out, together to hear top-knotch speakers and wonderful, inspiring music, and attend excellent workshops. Attending such a conference is a phenomenal experience and no one diocese can do it alone,” he said.
