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October 8, 2026Two Sundays ago we celebrated the African Joy Mass. This Mass was not merely one event in the life of this parish, it is a seed that has been planted that we hope will take root and bear fruit.
The Catholic Church is universal, but universality does not mean uniformity. The Church is one, but she has never been colorless, placeless, or culturally weightless. The Gospel takes flesh in particular peoples, languages, histories, music, gestures, and ways of celebrating. At its best, inculturation is not about placing cultural decoration around the edges of the Mass. It is about allowing the faith to enter deeply into a people and, at the same time, allowing that people’s gifts to enrich the life of the wider Church.
At the same time, we should not pretend that the African diaspora is one undifferentiated culture. African Americans, Nigerians, Ghanaians, Cameroonians, Tanzanians, Kenyans, Sudanese, Congolese, Rwandans, Ugandans, Ethiopians, Caribbean Catholics, and others bring distinct histories and traditions. Part of the beauty of this celebration is that it creates a place of encounter across those differences rather than erasing them.
We cannot measure the success of this Mass merely by attendance, music, food, or atmosphere. Those things matter, but they are not the point. The deeper questions are these: Have new relationships been formed? Will they continue? Will people looking for a spiritual home find one here? Will African musical ministry become more deeply rooted in parish life? Will our young people see more clearly that there is room for their culture and history in the Church? Will our parish become more confident in welcoming people from a wide range of backgrounds? Will we be receptive to how God speaks to us through many different cultures and voices? Will more people have opportunities to tell, gather, and share stories about their journey of faith?
We are also grateful to have had the opportunity to welcome guests from other Christian traditions. They came not simply to observe us, but to share in our prayer as far as their own traditions allow and to experience the hospitality of the Catholic community. Hospitality is not an extra added to evangelization. It is often where evangelization begins.
The African Joy Mass reminds us that worship involves the whole person. African and African-diasporan traditions often emphasize rhythm, movement, call-and-response, procession, communal participation, and joy. These are not merely stylistic features. They remind us that Christian worship is not a spectator activity and that the Eucharist gathers body, mind, memory, culture, and community into the praise of God.
The African Joy Mass was not simply an event on the calendar. It is a sign of the culturally diverse parish God is calling us to become.