More than 1,200 African American Catholic youth and their chaperones gathered in Los Angeles July 5 to 8 for the Knights of Peter Claver and Ladies Auxiliary 17th biannual convention.
With a theme of "Energize your Faith, Expect a Blessing," the event attracted junior knights and daughters ages eight through 18 from across the country for a time of worship, camaraderie and catechesis.
According to Anderson Shaw, deputy of the national organization's western division, the convention drew an attendance far above recent convention numbers. The last time the group had a gathering in Los Angeles was in 1985.
"We have exceeded all expectations," said Shaw, noting that the conference accommodated 30 percent more people than expected. "I believe that what they are doing here is absolutely for the future leaders of our church and our community."
According to Gene Phillips Sr., supreme knight of the Knights of Peter Claver, the group was organized in 1909 in Mobile, Ala., by four Josephite priests and three laymen. Now the organization has councils and courts in 34 states as well as in Colombia.
"In 1909, there was segregation, that is why we have a predominantly black organization," Phillips said. "After 98 years we are still a predominantly black organization, but we accept all Catholics."
During the convention, which was held at the Los Angeles Airport Hilton, the youth attended workshops about the Catholic faith and participated in competitions that included poetry, speech, essay and spelling contests, a science fair, photography and more.
On July 6, students and chaperones boarded 26 buses and visited the Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels. According to Shaw, the group "filled up the cathedral."
"Msgr. Kostelnik was surprised and shocked that we had that many kids," Shaw said of the rector of the cathedral, Msgr. Kevin Kostelnik, who met the group. "It was impressive."
They toured the structure and Bishop Joseph Perry, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Chicago and chaplain of the Knights of Peter Claver, gave a workshop on the history of the cathedral. The bishop highlighted the saints depicted in the building's famous tapestry, especially the African American saints, including Peter Claver, a Spanish Jesuit priest who ministered to enslaved Africans in Colombia in the 17th century and advocated the abolition of the slave trade.
Christy Charles, 16, vice president of the western states in the junior division, has been a member of the organization since fourth grade. Now a senior year at Notre Dame Academy, Los Angeles, and a parishioner of St. Raphael Parish, Los Angeles, she enjoyed attending the convention to "meet all kinds of people from around the country that I never knew."
"I got involved with the Knights of Peter Claver because they came to our school to talk to us about the order and I was really interested," Charles said. "It seemed like they had so much fun. It seemed like they were very religious and very into helping people. So am I, so I thought it was the perfect match for me."
Charles said that for her, one unique feature of the organization is that it has a place for everyone, no matter what age, social status or place in life.
"Young, old, men, women - it is people of all ages here," she said. "That is what is so great about it."
According to Phillips, teaching the youth the importance of leadership and listening for the call to religious vocation are important goals of the convention.
"We are trying to promote vocations among our young blacks because of the decrease of priests, nuns and everything else," he said.
The group also strives to get the entire family involved.
"This is a family organization," he said. "My family, my wife and two sons are all involved. We are trying to promote the Claver family - whether you are a single parent or not. That is what we are all about."
Geralyn Shelvin, supreme lady, said that one of the goals of the junior level of the organization is to give students an opportunity to develop a "well-rounded foundation" of spiritual growth, service and social skills.
"It's a kind of a blend of church, family and economics really," Shelvin said. "We encourage them to do church service and community service. That was what Peter Claver was all about - giving to those that didn't have and caring for the underserved."
Gregory Warner, 12, is the treasurer of the western states council. He has been a member of the organization for about five years.
"My court and I like to help out," he said. "We try to go once a month to a home for elderly people."
Warner said his council holds fundraisers and also takes "time out for ourselves to go and have fun." For the pre-teen, being a member is a family affair.
"What made me want to get involved is that I have a lot of family members, like my dad and my sister that were there in the knights," he said. "I found out who they were [the organization] and I wanted to join. I thought it would be a good experience."
Warner said his mother and brother are also involved.
Gabrielle Deculus, the immediate past junior supreme lady, had been a member since she was eight years old. Now at 18, she will be moving into the adult court for women.
She said she joined the Knights of Peter Claver with her family after moving to Baton Rouge.
"My Dad is in the Army and we wanted to get involved with the church," she said of her parish, Immaculate Conception in Baton Rouge. "There was a group of girls there dressed all in white and we heard about St. Peter Claver. We were very interested so we joined."
Bishop Perry celebrated the final Mass at the convention on July 8 in one of the hotel ballrooms, with Josephite Father Robert Kearns pastor of St. Brigid Parish, Los Angeles, concelebrating. In his homily, the bishop stressed that, like the Gospel of the day from Luke, chapter 10, where Jesus commands the 72 followers to go out and preach the Gospel, members of the St. Peter Claver organization should also pursue Christ's directive.
"You are these 72 brothers and sisters commissioned then and now by the Lord to help announce this good news," he told the junior knights and daughters and their chaperones. " … We have in our power a story that works power in the lives of others; namely, the story of Jesus Christ. And your baptism gives you the greatest job that anyone could have." |