The Caribbean Catholics of North America (CCNA) are responding to the US Bishops' invitation to the “new immigrant Church ” to organise themselves into a viable apostolate.

"Celebrating unity in Caribbean diversity"

In an effort to do so, the first Convention of Caribbean Catholics will be held at the Sheraton National Hotel, Arlington, Virginia from August 26 to 28. The theme of the event is Celebrating Unity in Caribbean Diversity .

The sub-theme is “Sustaining the Caribbean Family”. Speakers will cover topics such as “Immigration”; “Development of and Access to Resources”; “Sustaining the Faith of the Caribbean Family”; “The Caribbean Church”; and “Being Young, Caribbean and Catholic”, among others.

The conference aims to create linkages between Caribbean Catholics across the United States. It is also intended to allow participants to:

• Identify and celebrate the gifts brought by Caribbean people to the American Church ;

• Pray together;

• Collaborate and educate;

• Create and foster a sense of community; and

• Share in the Caribbean culture

Speakers will include Fr Clyde Harvey of Trinidad and Tobago, Msgr Patrick Anthony of St Lucia, Sr Marie Chin of Jamaica, as well as representatives from organisations such as Caribbean Catholics of North America (CCNA), US Conference of Catholic Bishops, and the Office of Black Catholics - Archdiocese of Washington.

The planning committee includes US and Caribbean representatives. Sr Joan Angela Edwards SSM (T&T), Norma Blaize ( Grenada ), Ambassador Sonia Johnny ( St Lucia ) Charles Caldeira ( Guyana ). Others on the committee are Karen Barrington, Danielle Smith and Vonulrick Martin.

There is a conference registration fee of US$150. This fee includes conference materials and some meals. It does not include hotel accommodation or air/rail/ground transportation.

The Sheraton Hotel, however, has arranged special rates for those attending the conference. For more information, one can contact the following persons in the United States:

For registration :

Brian Doyle: 202-541-3350, or bdoyle@usccb.org

Mary Ellen Davey: 202-541-3223 or mdavey@usccb.org

For Programme:

Sr Joan Angela Edwards: 414-353-4631, or Edssm@aol.com

Norma Blaize – 718-270-6466, or NBlaize@mec.cuny.edu