A FRANCISCAN MINISTRY
                                         with African American Families

Family Life + Respect Life Ministry

Spring 2000

 Father Jim Goode, OFM, Ph.D

Pastoral Director

Minister Carmela Rodriguez

President, Confraternity of Solid Ground

Br. Harold R. Williams, Jr.

Program Coordinator

  Healing Service

Representatives from various Volunteer AIDS Ministries throughout the City attended the healing and remembrance service.  Nia-Imani Consultants assisted SOLID GROUND MINISTRY in coordinating this service of healing and comfort.

At the conclusion of the “Prayer Service” SOLID GROUND MINISTRY made presentations to three HIV-AIDS Ministries in the City of New York, who are giving hope and compassion to those that are infected with and affected by HIV-AIDS.  The groups honored that night were: MCC HIV-AIDS Ministry on 36^th Street NYC, Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary Court 229 HIV-AIDS Ministry, and the Berean Missionary Baptist Church HIV-AIDS Ministry.

The following day a Mass of Consolation was offered at the Holy Mother of God Chapel at 12:10 PM for parents whose children are dying due to complications of HIV-AIDS.  The Office of Black Ministry Archdiocese of New York sponsored the Mass.

GRATITUDE

Thank you for reaching out to SOLID GROUND MINISTRY and making it possible for us to provide a Franciscan ministry of compassion and hope.

Fr. Robert M. Campagna, OFM, Provincial Minister and the Order of Friars Minor, Province of the Immaculate Conception.

Fr. Rey V. Culaba, CSsR, Rome, Italy, for your gift of graphic art to SOLID GROUND MINISTRY.

St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, CO-OP City, New York, for the toys and gifts for needy children at Christmas/New Years.

Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary Court 229 for clothing for the homeless, Christmas gifts for needy families and the gifts and party for the young people at Children’s Village.

Brother Tyrone A. Davis, CFC, Office of Black Ministry Archdiocese of New York.

Solid Ground “Guardian Angels” Fr. Marion and Fr. Sebastain for the many bags of toys, clothing and household goods.

Transfiguration Catholic Church, Los Angeles, California, for the donation toward our HIV-AIDS Project.

AND

To all those who have taken the time to bring clothing, supplies and donations to SOLID GROUND MINISTRY.   May God richly bless your generosity.

Franciscan Sister Thea Bowman Remembered

Sister Thea Bowman will be remembered on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of her death at the Jubilee for Children’s Mass at Children’s Village on April 9, 2000.  Thea’s love for children and her dedication to their growth and development makes the setting at Children’s Village a wonderful place to remember her Franciscan life and mission.

Sr. Thea Bowman Fraternity

Sr. Loretta Theresa Richards, FHM, Spiritual Assistant

Holy Mother of God Fraternity

Fr. Jim Goode, OFM, Spiritual Assistant

These Secular Franciscan Fraternities on different occasions have conducted their Days of Prayer and Reflection at the Holy Mother of God Chapel and SOLID GROUND MINISTRY.  Their Franciscan presence has brought joy to our friary.

LET US REMEMBER THOSE WHO ARE SICK.

THEY NEED OUR PRAYERS AND WORDS OF COMFORT.

KATHERINE CAIN        FATHER BILL NORVELL     WILLIAM SAM

FATHER KEN HAMILTON   FATHER RON BROUSSARD  DEACON AL WELHOUS

Trust in the Lord and he will help you.

(Proverbs 20:22)

Our prayers and love are extended to the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament as they prepare for the Canonization of Mother Katharine Drexel.  We rejoice with you on this happy occasion.  We thank God for the life of Mother Katharine and the dedication and untiring commitment of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament.

Blessed Assurance Jesus is Mine!  

National Black Catholic Apostolate For Life

OUR COMMITMENT TO THE GOSPEL OF LIFE

COMPELS US TO BE

PROACTIVE FOR THE UNBORN + THE CHILDREN + THE ELDERLY + THE FAMILY

IT’S ALL ABOUT LIFE

CENSUS

  We need to be in that number when the census 2000 is counted.  Please complete your Census form and send it in.   Almost half of the nation’s 332 metro areas could lose out on $11.1 billion in federal funding this decade if the 2000 Census misses people at the same rate it did in 1990.

Federal funding from 2002 to 2012 will be based on Census 2000 population numbers.

If you need help in completing your 2000 Census Form please call us at Solid Ground Ministry.  We will have some volunteers who will be glad to assist you.   Let us be in that number.   Let the Church say, “ AMEN!”  

CHILD CUSTODY PROTECTION ACT 

We have joined the NCCB Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities in urging the Senate to vote in favor of the Child Custody Protection Act (S.661)

  The Child Custody Protection Act (S. 661) affirms the right of parents to protect their minor daughter from those who have no legal responsibility for her, and who unilaterally decide that a secret abortion is in her best interest.  

The Act seeks to protect vulnerable teens by allowing parents to file suit in such cases to vindicate their fundamental rights and responsibilities regarding the care of their children.  This will help protect parental autonomy in states with parental notification or consent laws on abortion.  No one else-boyfriends, in-laws, counselors, friends—can usurp the fundamental role of parents.

Write to your Senator today and voice your support for the Child Custody Protection Act S. 661.  LET’S STAND UNCONDITIONALLY FOR LIFE.  

JUVENILE JUSTICE 

SOLID GROUND MINISTRY will co-Host a Juvenile Justice Conference this spring.  The date will be announced after Easter.

  We must engage in mentoring and other prevention programs that help at-risk children make the right choices. We must also protect our families from gangs and violent juveniles who prove beyond the reach of preventive efforts.  In the name of Life we must make every effort to give our children a second chance.  For every child lost is a loss to our society.

SOLID GROUND MINISTRY

A FRANCISCAN MINISTRY WITH AFRICAN AMERICAN FAMILIES

                 +  Family Life + Respect Life

                 +  Advocate for Life, Public Policy and Social
                     Concerns Issues

                 +  Distributes clothing & counseling to needy persons.

                                             +  Provides spiritual direction and guidance to families,

                                                             children and youth.

                                                          +  Community planning and development.

                                                          +  Comfort & consolation to those infected with

                                                              and affected by HIV-AIDS.

                                                          +  Reaching, Teaching, and Preaching Ministry.

                                                          +  Evangelizing and being evangelized by the people of God.

SOLID GROUND MINISTRY is an evangelization and outreach ministry that is touching lives and building hope.  SOLID GROUND MINISTRY is empowering the powerless to dream new dreams and celebrate the dignity of human life.

SOLID GROUND is a tax exempt not for profit organization.

PLEASE REMEMBER OUR DECEASED LOVED ONES

Lawrence Jackson, Sr.                                  Constance Solomon

Lorraine Vertullo                                           Genesis Lampkin

Colonel Elmon Elmore                        Patrick Dorismond

  Ethel Crawford

SOLID GROUND MINISTRY is one of the co-sponsors for the Interfaith Voices Against Hunger’s 4^th Annual Holy Week-Passover Walk for Food, Jobs and Justice. The Holy Week-Passover Walk will be held Monday, April 17, 2000, 9:00 – 11:30 A.M.  Marchers will circle New York City’s City Hall seven times, singing, telling stories of Holy Week and Passover, and blowing shofars to make the walls of hunger and poverty come tumblin’ down.  Gather at City Hall Park (Corner Park Row and Broadway)

Solid Ground is in need of clean used clothing

Toiletries and paper goods.

New socks and tee-shirts (M, L, XL)

For the anticipated warm days ahead