churCH
i
*
Sister Bowman Tells Life Story As
Black Spokesperson For Catholics
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The life
of Sister Thea Bowman will be the
focus of a one-hour documentary to
air Sunday, June 14, at noon on
NBC-TV, “Sr. Thea: Her Own Story”
relates how the only child of a
phyisician and a teacher from
Mississippi grew up to become an
inspirational, renowned spokes
person for African-American
Catholics and the power of the
individual.
“You have a gift. You have a
talent. Find your gift. Find your
talent. And use it. You can make life
better in this world, just by letting
your light shine and by doing your
part,” Sr. Thea urges her audience.
A teacher, lecturer, and singer of
tranditional gospel songs and
spirituals, Sr. Thea Bowman
brought the joy of life to schools,
seminars, and congregations across
the country. Her message was clear:
Become fully who you are as a child
of God. And it was a message well
received regardless of the ethnic,
racial, or cultural background of the
audience.
She was treated for breast cancer
in 1984, but by then the disease had
spread to her bones. The tall,
commanding nun continued to
teach and give workshops with
vibrancy and energy, drawing
capacity crowds. She was also a
liturgist, writer on spirituality, and
an artist.
During the last two years of her
life, she was confined to a
wheelchair., It was during this time
that she “electrified the bishops of
the United States,” according to
Cardinal Bernard Law, Archbishop
of Boston, at their 1989 meeting at
Seton Hall University. The final
minutes of the program show her
rousing the bishops to clasp arms
and sing “We Shall Overcome.”
Cardinal Law described her as “the
authentic face of reconciling love.”
Through interviews with Sr. Thea
as well as the wide range of people
who knew her. “Sr. Thea: Her Own
Story” celebrates the richness of
cultural heritage as well as the gift
of individuality. She describes her
own ministry as “a bridge over
troubled waters,’ a link between
cultures and communities.
Produced by Oblate Media and
Communication Corp. of St. Louis,
“Sr. Thea: Her Own Story” was
funded by the Catholic Commun
ication Campaign. Edward J.
Murray of Oblate Media and Rev.
Clarence Williams of the Black
Televangelist Network are
executive producers.
The Catholic Communication
Campaign, an office of the United
States Catholic Conference, was
founded by the U.S. bishops in 1978
to spread the Gospel through the
media and to support values
oriented projects in television, radio
and print. Projects are funded by an
annual collection taken up in
Catholic parishes around the
countrv
IN PICTURES
Red Cross Gets Major Gift
American Red Cross President
Elizabeth Dole (center) accepts a gift
from recording artist Cissy Houston
and Phil Wild of Arista Records. The
gift is a combined contribution from
the Whitney Houston Foundation for
Children, Inc., Arista and BMC
Distribution to support the Red Cross
Gulf Crisis Fund, which is still pro
viding aid to U.S. military personnel
and their families as well as war vic
tims in the region. The Foundation,
Arista and BMG have donated to the
fund all of their royalties and profits
from the sale of recordings and the
video of Whitney Houston’s Super
Bowl XXV rendition of “The Star
Spangled Banner.” Whitney, unable
to join her mother for the check pre
sentation in the nation's capital
because she is in Los Angeles shoot
ing her first movie, said: “The
Whitney Houston Foundation is
proud to have been able to make this
contribution to the American Red
Cross. It is always a privilege for me
to sing our national anthem and be
able to do so and raise money for
such a worthwhile cause is a special
and personal honor." For further
information about the Whitney
Houston Foundation, please contact:
Phil Fried at the Dilenschneider
Group-212-922-0900.
TWO MINUTES'
vrth THE BIBLE
BY COKNIUUS R. ITAM MIS.
CHICAGO/ ILLINOIS 60*19
"A STONE OF STUMBLING"
Some thirty years after
the death and resurrection
of Christ, St. Peter wrote
to the believers of the Jew
ish dispersion:
"Unto you therefore
which believe He is pre
cious, but unto them which
be disobedient, the Stone
which the builders disal
lowed, the same is made the
head of the corner. And o
stone of stumbling, and a
rock of offence, even to
them which stumble at the
Word, being disobedi
ent. . .” (I Pet. 2:7,8).
It is true that Israel’s
builders, 1900 years ago,
"disallowed" Christ as the
cornerstone for their build
ing, and that when He be
came "the Head of the corn
er," according to Psalm
118:22, it was for them an
occasion for stumbling and
embarrassment.
But Christ is "a stone of
stumbling" to all who reject
Him. In Romans 9:33 St.
Paul quotes from several
Old Testament passages:
"As it is written. Behold.
I lay in Sion a stumbling
stone and rock of offence;
and whosoever believeth on
Him shall not be ashamed.”
In Peter’s day and in
Paul’s, those who looked
upon Christ as their Corn
erstone were never given
cause to be ashamed. It was
those who disallowed and
refused Him who kept stum
bling over Him and were
constantly embarrassed by
Him.
So today, those who put
their trust in the crucified,
risen Christ are eternally
secure and will never be
put to shame for having
done so. But those who re
ject Christ keep forever
stumbling over Him. They
hear Him preached over
the radio, they see Him of
fered as the One who died
for their sins, they are con
stantly confronted with His
claims and they are embar
rassed. They keep forever
stumbling over Him.
Moral; Trust Him now
as your personal Savior,
for “whosoever believeth on
Him shall not he ashamed "
“Sr. Thea: Her Own Story” is part
of an interfaith series, “Horizons of
the Spirit,” sponsored by the
Interfaith Broadcasting Com
mission, Inc. Members of the IBC
are the Jewish Theological
Seminary of America, the National
Council of Churches, the Southern
Baptist Convention, and the United
States Catholic Conference. The
IBC has produced documentaries
for NBC-TV since 1988.
Smith Temple
Hears Rev,
McAllister
Services began at Smith Temple
Freewill Bapti st Church on Sunday,
April 26, with the pastor, Rev. Theo
dore McAllister, Jr., giving the call
to worship. The Voices of Faith
marched in singing “God Will Take
Care of You.” Following the invoca
tion, the choir sang, “Praise Him.”
Ms. Attiya Taylor led the responsive
reading and the affirmation of faith.
The next song was “Perfect Praise,”
more commonly referred to as “O
Lord! How Excellent.” Ms. Nakei
sha Spearman read I Peter 2:20-25
for the morning scripture lesson.
Michael Brown led the morning
prayer.
The Youth Ushers lifted the mis
sion offering as the choir sang “I
Found the Answer." Ms. Marilyn
More read the church announce
ments and recognition of visitors.
Rev. McAllister assembled the chil
dren of the church at the altar for
Bible verses. During the general
and building fund offerings, the
choir sang, “For the Rest of My Life”
and “Old Revival.” Deacon William
Canady led the offertory prayer.
The pastor led the altar prayer. The
chair sang “When the Praises Go
Up, the Blessings Come Down.”
Rev. McAllister’s sermon asked
the question, “Are You Really in
Christ?” His text was taken from II
Corinthians 5:17. He spoke of how
union with Christ makes us new
beings, and we should have a new
outlook on life. We should have a
changed presence and be united in a
new world.
We must acknowledge God in all
things and stand firm on Christ, the
Solid Rock. Let go of the old. Always
act spiritually and be sure we are in
unity with the Spirit Walk in the
light of God’s love and He will make
ali things new.
The invitation to Christian disci
pleship was extended as the choir
sang “Jesus is a Way-Maker.” The
benediction was given.
Michael W. Brown is church re
porter.
Church Aids
In Sexism In
Community
BUFFALO, N.Y.—Religion and
the black community have long been
intertwined in this country. With
the recent trial and conviction of
Mike Tyson, a disturbing aspect of
this relationship has become
prevalent—that aspect being
religiously inspired sexism among
black men.
In the recent issue of the AAH
Fxamiiier, the official newsletter of
African-Americans for Humanism,
AAH Executive Director Norm R.
Allen, Jr. examines this critical
issue in the light of the Mike Tyson
and Clarence Thomas incidents.
“According to many blacks,” Allen
writes, “Tyson’s and Thomas’
accusers were simply vindictive
women who were trying to bring a
brother down.’ ”
As black religious leaders rushed
to the defense of Tyson and Thomas,
the seriousness of the accusations
were ignored. “In the case of Tyson
many influential religious leaders
hurried to his defense... and the
leader of the National Baptist
Convention asked Desiree
Washington—-the complainant—
not to hurt Tyson.”
This lack of concern for the rights
of women, Allen suggests, stems
largely from the religious influence
in the black community based on a
literal interpretation of the Bible.
“Religious fundamentalism and
sexism fit together perfectly. And
because religion is so influential in
the black community, it should not
be surprising that black religionists
have steadfastly defended black
men accused of committing crimes
against black women.
“The Bible.” Allen continues,” is n
• ghly revered religious text among
- re'i.g >e.n lenders And the
De Klerk
Pays Visit
To Nigeria \
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) -South
Africa’s president ended a milestone
visit to Nigeria last month With a
promise to continue ‘without delay”
the dismantling of white rule in his
country.
Although no major announce
ments emerged from President P.
W. ds Klerk’s overnight visit, it was
a significant step toward ending
South Africa’s isolation. Nigeria is
black Africa’s most influential
country and has been one of the
firmest opponents of apartheid.
“Hopefully, the stage has been set
for continued contact and com
munication and expanded
relations,” de Klerk said after two
hours of talks with Nigeria’s
president, Gen. Ibrahim Baban
gida.
De Klerk, the first South African
leader to visit Nigeria, received an
extraordinarily warm welcome.
At a state dinner, Babangida said
de Klerk’s reforms earned the white
leader a place alongside Nelson
Mandela and other prominent black
opponents of the apartheid system
of racial segregation and white
domination.
De Klerk promised at African
America farewell news conference
those reforms would continue and
that an interim government to
oversee the transition to democracy
would be installed as soon as a plan
could be reached with the black
groups.
Proposed Medicaid Cuts Would Hurt
Blacks Who Need Medical Help Most
BOSTON, Mass. (AP)—Black
residents of Massachusetts will be
the hardest-hit by the Weld
administration’s cuts in Medicaid
and proposed scrapping of the
universal health insurance pro
gram, according to critics.
The comments came after the
state Department of Public Health
released a report showing that the
state’s minority residents are worse
off than whites in most medical
categories from AIDS to substance
abuse and strokes to heart disease.
This is an administration that
eliminated Medicaid for 18- to 21
year-olds,” said Rob Restuccia,
executive director of Health Care for
All, a Boston-based consumer
advocacy group. This administra
tion has proposed repeal of
universal health care. All of thoee
things will have a disproportionate
impact on people of color,” Restuccia
said.
Christopher Christian, a former
state employee who wrote the
health department report, said the
state postponed releasing the
document and toned down certain
passages. He said the delay and
editing indicate officials view the
situation as less than urgent.
The department does a terrific
job of trying, but is it cutting it?”
Christian asked.
“At one point, you have to say, *No
more cuts. We can’t work with all
the limitations that have been
imposed on us federally and
locally.’”
State officials denied changing
the report’s contents or deferring its
release.
They also called minority health
issues a continuing priority.
They cited a proposed $19 million
increase in the next fiscal year in
community health programs for
AIDS, teenage health and family
planning.
The money will come from savings
from closing state public health
hospitals next year.
“I am not asking anyone to put a
rosy spin on data that is not rosy,”
said state Public Health Commis
sioner David Mulligan. This is
tragic data.”
“The situation calls for a
declaration of a state of public
Bible is fill! of sexist teachings.
Indeed, the Tall of man’ in the
mythical Garden of Eden was
blamed on a woman.”
When sexism has such deep roots
in fundamentalist teachings of
black religious leaders, it becomes
“extremely difficult to combat,”
Allen concludes. “As long as
religious fundamentalism contin
ues to be a force in the world, women
will continue to be victimized by
double standards in the name of a
supposedly immutable God.”
Attend The Church
Of Your Choice!
health emergency, particularly in
areas like Roxbury and Dorchester,”
said Luis Prado, executive director
of La Alianza Hispana, a group that
provides health and community
services to Latinos and is baaed in
Boston’s Roxbury section.
Mulligan agreed an emergency
should be declared. *Tm the one wh<
called for this report to b«
developed. Clearly there is rntyoi
work to be done.” Mulligan said.
BY RUTH HEINES
“A year in advance a lady sent for
tickets to a special Broadway hit as
the tickets were hard to get. The
night of the show, she was sitting in
the theater with an empty seat next
to her. A man seated behind her
said, ‘Excuse me, lady. Why is that
seat next to you empty?* ‘Well,* she
answered,! wrote a year ago for the
tickets for my husband and myself,
but unfortunately he died.’ Tm
sorry to hear that, but didn’t you
have any friends you could give the
ticket to?* The lady answered. Tea,
but they’re all at the Amaral.’ *
We eiyoy a good joke, and laugh
ter is good for us. Laughter sets the
world right when things are very
serious and tense.
In earlier times when the royalty
was the order of the day, the kings
and queens had court jesters to give
them entertainment and happy
jokes to make their life pleasant,
and also to ease their problems.
Each year on April 1, are either get
tricked or are able to inflict a joke
and laugh at the other fellow. An old
tradition with a history.
The Hebrew calendar which be
gan with the moment of Croatian
and was used until Julius Caesar
changed it to realign the seasons to
the calendar, which under his de
cree placed 445 days in the year 46
B.C.
The Romans called it the year of
confusion. The Julian calendar was
11 minutes and 14 seconds longer
than the solar year. By the year
1690 the spring equinox fell on
March 11,10 days early.
Pope Gregory then changed the
calendar by dropping 10 days from
October for one year, and 26 min
utes per year.
Until the adoption of the Gregor
ian Calendar, New Year’s was cele
brated in France on March 21 to
April 1. Then it was changed to Jan.
1.
Most people changed their calen
dar to Jan. 1, but some refused to
change, and continued to celebrate
New Year’s Day on April 1. Beacuse
they refused to change when change
was indicated and accepted by most,
those who would not change became
known as “April fools’’... even until
now. .
We can liken ourselves to those
who would not change their calen
dar when the rest of the known
world did to the changes we need to
make in our own lives. This was a
physical change.
“I’m too old to change* you often
hear. It is much like we see the
children when they hear the sound
of a candy wrapper. Supposedly
they had not heard what they were
asked to do, but the sound of the
opening of goodies can be heard
a Way down in the basement.
Do we hear what we want to hear?
Do we roftise to change when the
change would make our lives better,
and when we can align ourselves
with our Maker?
We are living in perilous times
when many of the social diseases are
a plague in our nation, and yes, even
in the world.
How kind our Heavenly Father
was to give us a plan that would
protect us from the evils of sin, and
8atan. To every people in every dis
pensation His laws wars given for
the growth and protection of those
who love and listen to Him. He
clearly stated the Ten Command
manta which have never been re
voked.
Thou shalt have no other gods
before me. Thou shalt not make unto
thee any graven image. Thou shalt
not take the name of tin Lord thy
Godin vain. Remember the Sabbath
Day and keep it holy. Honor thy
(ether and thy mother. Thou shalt
not kill. Thou shalt not commit
adultery. Thou shalt not steal. Thou
shalt not bear false witness. Thou
shalt not covet
As we examine our own lives are
we just a little guilty of one or more
of these? The statistics around the
world show that the social diseases
are rampant, and the plague of sex
ual disease is moving like the plague
in ancient Egypt in the time of
Moses.
Jokes are great fun and we need
them in our lives. However, we also
need to not play the fool, and fool
around with things that the Lord
has forbidden. This would be a spiri
tual change. His Gospel and laws
are the same today as they were in
each dispensation of time since
Adam. God destroyed the wicked in
the days of Noah. Are we beginning
to ripen for destruction?
The message from the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is
the same, as are the warnings which
the Lord has given in us in all the
scriptures.
Let us not be foolish! Accept the
warning signs all around us and
“Choose ye this day to serve the
Lord." Let us all make the changes
we need to make in our lives. God’s
promise is that if we repent and
overcome, His atonement would
cover those sins, and He would
plead our cause with God the Fa
ther. “Spend 30 minutes with Jesus
Christ, and you will spend eternity
with God.*