Hundreds Of Black Catholics Come Together For 2-Day Revival To Kick Off WMOF
By Cherri Gregg
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The region's seventeen Black Catholic parishes came together for a two-day revival to kick off the World Meeting of Families.
Hundreds of members from 17 of the region's predominately African American parishes filled the Church of the Gesu at 18th and Girard Monday night.
"The idea is to create an environment of worship that is culturally based."
Father Sy Paterka is pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Germantown. He says the pastors and their team spent months planning.
The two nights include praise dancers, non-Catholic preachers and, for the first time, a 115 voice choir.
"I'm 58 years-of-age and I've lived and breathed Catholicism," says Cynthia Brown, one of the organizers. She says they're hoping the day's events inspire people to come back to the church.
"Grow our faith, that's my passion, to grow our faith," she says.
As for thoughts about the upcoming visit by Pope Francis, "He's a cutie pie," says one parishioner.
I am so happy and so busy," says Rosalyn Wells, who attends St. Ciprian. She's volunteering at the seminary for the Pope's upcoming visit.
"I'm pretty excited," says Alonza Baker. "Look at this turn out, I know all of the work will be worth it."
And they all say they'll be there.
Day two of the revival starts at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Church of the Gesu at 18th and Girard.