God's saving work in the world depends on the trusting, affirmative response of people of faith to His call, said the homilist at the fifth annual Black History Mass celebrated Feb. 24 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.

Referring to the popular hymn "Here I Am Lord" Father Giles Conwill noted that "The Bible is a long record of 'Here I Ams.'" Time and again the destiny of the world depended on the faithful response to God's call by countless of people like Abraham, Moses, Samuel, and Mary. "It's amazing what God can do with 'Here I Am,'" said the priest during his impassioned sermon.

Father Conwill, a professor of history at Morehouse College in Atlanta, talked about the 'Here I Am' response of Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr. at a time when the African American community needed people of courage to stand up to institutionalized racism. Dr. King is Morehouse's most renowned alum.

"He took the dead end of prejudice and turned it into the superhighway of freedom," said Father Conwill.

He also noted current struggles that mar the lives of people of color, such as the war in Iraq, Darfur, the aftermath of Katrina recovery, and the need for just immigration reform. He called to task African Americans involved in media production that diminishes human dignity, such as "gangster rap" and pornography.

God continues searching for people through which to do His saving work, said the priest. "He's calling you too. What will you answer?" asked Father Conwill. He then thanked many of the local leaders in the African American Catholic community for their dedicated service.

The liturgy was sponsored by the African American Center for Evangelization. Our Lady of the Angels Region Auxiliary Bishop Edward Clark presided with about a dozen priests concelebrating, including San Pedro Region Auxiliary Bishop Alex Salazar.

More than 1,000 people participated, including a spirited choir, many wearing traditional, colorful African dress.

During the liturgy Bishop Clark asked those 75 years old and older to stand for a special blessing and tribute. Referred to as the "diamonds in our midst," the elders in the African American community were acknowledged for their years of dedicated service and for passing on their Christian faith to their children and grandchildren.

"There was a time when African Americans were on the outside looking in. That time is long over," said Bishop Clark at the beginning of the liturgy. "African Americans are an important part of this church." He praised the community for encouraging and developing leadership skills among its members and for being so well represented during the archdiocesan Synod process.