Kim Harris and Layla Karst faculty in the Department of Theological Studies will host a faculty colloquium about their work on “The Fire this Time: A Black Catholic Sourcebook” on Tuesday, Oct. 10, from 3- 5 p.m. in the Theological Studies Village in University Hall 3700.
This new book is for liturgists, musicians, parish committees, students, scholars, interested family and friends, as well as fellow travelers of different faith communities, and allies who continue to journey and struggle alongside members of the Black Catholic community. “Kim Harris is one of the key scholars in North America writing about the experiences of African American Catholics,” said Amir Hussian, professor of theological studies. “This book, titled after a powerful work by the blessed Jimmy Baldwin, is crucial reading.”
Harris and Karst have presented the Liturgy of Lament for Racism in several different spaces and conferences across the county. “The book is important at this time in United States history,” said Harris, “when states and municipalities, libraries and school districts are outlawing the teaching of African American/ American history and issues such as enslavement, Jim Crow and ongoing racism in our institutions and communities.”
The event is open to the LMU community and refreshments will be provided. To receive copies of the chapters that will be discussed, email Hussian at amir.hussain@lmu.edu.
The Center for Religion and Spirituality is also offering a Certificate in Contemporary Black Catholic Spirituality. This on-line program focuses on the concerns of Black Catholics and their unique history, traditions, and voice in the universal Church. The two courses being offered this fall are “Living the Gospels with Rev. Dr. King and Sister Dr. Thea” and “Black Catholics Sharing their Distant Gifts of Blackness in the Catholic Church.” For more information on that program visit their website.
