Keeping Dr. King’s Dream Alive through the Catholic Church

Celebration planned for Monday, January 19, 2009

As a seminarian for the Diocese of Galveston-Houston at Sacred Heart School of Theology, Hales Corners, Rev. Patrick Wells imagined an event that would commemorate the life and teachings of the late Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and allow all seminarians the chance to experience African-American music and preaching. In January 1991, his vision was realized and the first annual Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Prayer Service was held at Sacred Heart.

The Milwaukee Archdiocese Office of African-American Ministry became one of the early co-sponsors of the event and the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Prayer Service Committee was formed. In 1995, the service was formally opened up to the greater Catholic community in southeastern Wisconsin and Saint Francis de Sales Seminary and the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist Parishes were added to the list of co-sponsors. St. John’s hosted the memorial for the next five years. In 2000, the invitation to host the annual service was extended to other parishes in the archdiocese.

This year, the 18th annual memorial prayer service will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Milwaukee, on January 19, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. The parish’s history and mission are both fitting tributes to the civil rights’ leader. St. Francis of Assisi has served a diverse congregation since its inception in 1851 and shares many of the tenets held by Dr. King. During the turbulent 1960s, while Dr. King was working for civil rights across the nation, the Capuchin friars of St. Francis of Assisi, who staff the parish, backed the civil rights’ movement in Milwaukee and participated in demonstrations supporting equality for minorities. 

The prayer service committee has worked diligently to ensure that the service itself will advance the legacy of Dr. King through the Catholic faith, as well as embrace St. Francis of Assisi’s spirit of community outreach. To accomplish this, choirs from several parishes including All Saints, St. Martin de Porres, St. Michael and St. Francis of Assisi have been invited to join in song for a musical prelude prior to the service. After liturgical dancers open the memorial, participants will celebrate with music and readings, including a recitation of Dr. King’s “Letter from a Birmingham Jail.” A pledge for charity, justice and peace will also be part of the prayer service. Organizers felt Brother Bob Smith, OFM. CAP, and his work truly reflected Dr. King’s ideologies and selected him as the keynote speaker.

Since becoming a member of the order of Friars Minor-Capuchin in 1979, Br. Bob has done much to enrich the Catholic and African-American communities. He was the second African American ever to be elected to the Provincial Council of the Capuchin Province of St. Joseph in its 142-year history.  Br. Bob also became the first lay Brother and the first African American in the history of United States Capuchins to be elected Minister Provincial. Additionally, he has worked as a parole officer, a juvenile detention home chaplain and has been a keynote speaker at presentations across the country. He is currently president of Messmer Catholic Schools and works to ensure the quality of education for urban youth through innovative programs.  His efforts to improve education have garnered several awards both locally and nationally. However, regardless of his title or the awards he wins, Br. Bob inspires those in the community around him because he strives to positively shape tomorrow through investment in today’s children. 

In addition to finding inspiration in Br. Bob’s work, the organizers of the prayer service believe the Catholic faith can be served through Dr. King’s message of peace and unity. Though he was not Catholic, Dr. King embraced many of the teachings of the Catholic faith including peace, harmony and service to God. Of this, Armitta Kilgore, this year’s chairperson of the prayer service committee, has said: “The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. believed in the equality of men, yet he knew the many injustices exist. He spent his life fighting these injustices and even died because of his beliefs.  Above all, he believed in God. … My faith teaches me to love my neighbor, treat others as I want to be treated, respect other people and their property, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the sick and imprisoned and turn the other cheek; which I do to the best of my ability. … My God, who is a God of mercy and justice, tells me that all things are possible through Him and to have patience.”
        
Article by Gillian Lester-George