This coming November 22-24, 2024, we will host an Academic Symposium honoring two important anniversaries: the 40th of the Black Bishops’ pastoral letter What We Have Seen and Heard and the 20th of the death of liturgical pioneer Fr. Clarence Joseph Rivers. The 2-day Academic Symposium will be held at the University of Dayton (Friday afternoon through Saturday evening) with festive liturgies, followed by Sunday Morning Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains in Cincinnati for the Solemnity of Christ the King, with Wilton Cardinal Gregory presiding and preaching. Father Rivers’ music and legacy will be featured throughout. Predominantly Black Catholic parishes in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati will be asked to forgo their normal Sunday Masses to share in this extraordinary archdiocesan-wide celebration at the close of Black Catholic History Month. We share this great opportunity to commemorate Father Rivers and the Pastoral Letter: What We Have Seen and Heard! Our Keynote Speakers for the Academic Symposium are: Rev. Dr. Joseph Brown, S.J., Most Rev. Edward Braxton, and Dr. Kim R. Harris. It is our hope that Father Rivers’ contribution and the wisdom in the pastoral letter is not forgotten, and that we build a future on the extraordinary efforts of our elders.
Marriot at University of Dayton South Patterson Blvd. Dayton, Ohio 45409
