The Second National Convention of Caribbean Catholics of North America was held in Rochester, New York from August 17-19.

The convention was sponsored by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' Office for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Refugees (PCMR), the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother and Caribbean Catholics of North America, (CCNA) Inc.

The theme Caribbean Catholics: Call and Response explored the ways Caribbean Catholics in North America are responding to the call to be Christians in this land "away from home". 

Following the welcome by the Most Reverend Matthew Clark, Bishop of Rochester, a vibrant opening ritual performed by the Khalid Saleem Dance Group prepared participants for a dynamic weekend experience.

The convention featured keynote addresses by Gerard Granado, General Secretary of the Caribbean Conference of Churches, Dr Gerald Boodoo, Professor of Systematic Theology at Duquesne University and Dame Calliopa Pearlette Louisy, Governor General of St Lucia.

Gerard Granado

Dr Gerald Boodoo

Mr Granado's presentation on "Our Impact as Caribbean People in the US Catholic Church" focussed on the need for Catholics to engage the vast resources available to them by means of their tradition and to draw upon these resources to ground their endeavours.

Foremost in these endeavours, said Mr Granado, should be the exercise of solidarity which, in conjunction with the sacramental nature of Catholicism, affords us a way to understand who we are and what we should do as Caribbean American Catholics.

In keeping with his office, Mr Granado underscored the significance and importance of ecumenical dialogue and relations as necessary for the fullest expression of Catholicity.

Dr Boodoo's presentation "Call and Response" attempted to give a framework for understanding Caribbean American Catholic identity. He presented four points on the issue.

The first point addressed the immigrant nature of the community and their ability to belong to many worlds simultaneously and without conflict.

The second point explored the notion of hospitality as a hallmark of Caribbean American people. The third point looked at how inter-religious dialogue typifies the very nature of what being a Caribbean Catholic is like and the fourth point presented the strategy of accommodated resistance as a uniquely Caribbean way to negotiate complex relationships.

Dame Pearlette Louisy was the banquet speaker. Her presentation, “We Are Called to be Educators” emphasised that Caribbean Catholics in North America should never forget they have an obligation to share their cultural heritage with their children and friends.

In addition, they must be educators where character is concerned, being sure to instill in their children living in North America the values their own parents had taught and which helped make them successful. 

Following her presentation, participants ended the evening dancing to the rhythmic sounds of lively Caribbean music provided by DJ Solomon Muhammad.

The convention's workshops included "A Sword Pierces Our Hearts: Caribbean Women's Spirituality in a Broken World" by Dr Anna Perkins, former Dean of Studies and lecturer in Social Ethics at St Michael's Theological College, Jamaica; "A Marriage Encounter: To Love and to Cherish" by Donald Bridgeman; "Church and the Caribbean Male" with Trinidadian Fr Clyde Harvey; "Who Are My Sisters and Brothers?" with Amy Newlon, formerly the Education and Development Coordinator in the Migration and Refugee Services-Office for Pastoral Care of Migrants and Refugees of the USCCB; and "Living in a Multicultural Society" by Cecile Motus, Director of PCMR.

Engaging in liturgical events that "fed" the body and soul, starting with Morning Prayer and culminating in the celebration of the Eucharist, participants renewed the commitment to their Caribbean Catholic heritage.

The final session featured a "Town Hall Discussion" where discussion of the mission of Caribbean Catholics of North America, Inc., helped to identify and address some of the challenges and opportunities for Caribbean American Catholics.

The Second National Convention of Caribbean Catholics of North America ended with the concrete commitment of participants to use their talents to further the mission of the CCNA and to share their positive and spiritually uplifting experience with their sisters and brothers in their parishes.