New York Black Catholic Congress 2025

1. Pastoral Leadership & Parish Life
Title: “Vision Keepers: Leading with Faith and Clarity”

Description: How do lay leaders help articulate and carry out the vision of parish life in partnership with their pastors? This session explores collaborative leadership, parish councils, communication strategies, and sustaining a clear spiritual direction rooted in the Gospel.

Goal: Equip lay leaders to discern and “make plain” the parish’s vision for mission, stewardship, and growth.

Presenter: Dr. Kathleen Bellow

2. Evangelization & Missionary Discipleship
Title: “Go Tell It: Proclaiming the Vision in Word and Deed”

Description: Inspired by Habakkuk’s call to share God’s vision clearly, this workshop focuses on practical evangelization within the Black Catholic community—how to invite, engage, and accompany others in faith. Participants will learn methods for parish outreach, personal testimony, and community witness.

Goal: Strengthen participants’ confidence and creativity in sharing the faith.

Presenter: Sister Lynn Marie Ralph

3. Youth & Young Adult Ministry (OFFERED IN SESSION II ONLY)
Title: “Write It on Their Hearts: Empowering the Next Generation”

Description: This session explores strategies for building vibrant youth and young adult ministry rooted in identity, joy, and hope. How do we help young Black Catholics claim their place and purpose in the Church today?

Goal: Provide tools to form young disciples and future leaders who will carry the vision forward.

Presenter: Fr. Desmond Drummer

4. Social Justice & Community Engagement (OFFERED IN SESSION I ONLY)
Title: “Making Justice Plain: Faith in Action”

Description: Habakkuk’s vision includes God’s demand for justice and righteousness. This workshop connects Catholic social teaching to the lived experiences of Black communities—addressing issues of equity, advocacy, and parish-based service.

Goal: Empower participants to respond to social challenges through faith-filled, organized, and prophetic action.

Presenter: Fr. Desmond Drummer

5. Worship & Music Ministry
Title: “The Sound of the Vision: Liturgy that Speaks to the Soul”

Description: How can our liturgies “make plain” the beauty and depth of Black Catholic spirituality? This session explores enculturated worship, inclusive music ministry, and the role of art, prayer, and preaching in shaping a faith-filled community.

Goal: Foster creativity and reverence in liturgical planning that celebrates the diversity of God’s people.

Presenter: Mr. Joseph Murray

6. Faith Formation & Spiritual Growth

Title: “The Vision Within: Nurturing the Spiritual Life of Lay Leaders”

Description: Leadership begins with inner renewal. This workshop invites participants to deepen their spiritual lives through prayer, Scripture, and discernment. It emphasizes how leaders can remain grounded in grace while serving their parish communities.

Goal: Form spiritually mature lay leaders whose ministry flows from a deep relationship with God.

Presenter: Dr. Monica White

7. Mental Health & Emotional Wellness

Title: “Healing the Mind, Restoring the Spirit”

Description: The vision for a healthy Church includes healthy people. This workshop provides faith-based tools for recognizing and addressing mental health challenges within our communities. Facilitator will discuss stress, burnout, grief, and trauma through a pastoral lens—bridging the insights of psychology and spirituality.

Goal: Equip leaders to foster healing environments in their parishes and promote wholeness of body, mind, and spirit.

Presenter: Mrs. Riquelmy Lamour, LCSW

Renown speaker and professor at Fordham University and weekend associate at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Harlem

Full Bio:

Father Bryan Massingale is a priest of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. He completed his formal education in Rome at the pontifical institute for moral theology, earning the degree, Doctor of Moral Theology, “summa cum laude.”

He is the James and Nancy Buckman Professor of Theological and Social Ethics at Fordham University and the Senior Fellow in its Center for Ethics Education. An award-winning scholar, teacher, and activist, he is a leader in Catholic theology. He is a former President of the Society of Christian Ethics, a former President of the Catholic Theological Society of America, and a former Convener of the Black Catholic Theological Symposium.

Dr. Massingale has authored two books and more than 200 articles, book chapters, and book reviews. His monograph entitled, Racial Justice and the Catholic Church, received a First Place Book Award from the Catholic Press Association of the U.S. and Canada. He is a co-editor of a volume of essays, All of Us: A New Agenda for Catholic Theology from Queer Catholics of Color (Fortress Press, 2026). He also authored a major document for Catholic Charities USA, entitled, “Poverty and Racism: Overlapping Threats to the Common Good.” He is an award-winning contributor to major Catholic thought vehicles such as US Catholic, Commonweal, America Magazine, The Tablet, and The National Catholic Reporter. As a public intellectual, he frequently addresses issues of racial and sexual justice in global venues. His current writing and research projects explore the contributions of the Black radical imagination to Catholic theology; the challenge of white Christian nationalism; and the intersections of race, sexuality, and faith.

In addition to his academic pursuits, Professor Massingale strives to be a scholar-activist through serving civic and faith-based groups advancing justice in society. He has served as a consultant to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, providing theological assistance on issues such as criminal justice, capital punishment, environmental justice, and affirmative action. He has also been a theological consultant for the National Black Catholic Congress, Catholic Charities USA, the Catholic Health Association, the National Catholic AIDS Network, Catholic Relief Services, the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, the Conference of Major Superiors of Men, and the anti-racism teams of Call to Action and Pax Christi USA. He is a leading voice among Catholics advocating the full inclusion of LGBTQ persons in both society and the faith community.

Dr. Massingale is the recipient of numerous honors and recognitions for both his academic scholarship, teaching, and advocacy for justice. Among these are four honorary doctorates; Marquette University’s highest award for teaching excellence; the prestigious Ketteler Award for Social Justice; Pax Christi USA’s Teacher of Peace Award; the Ignatian
Solidarity Network’s Faith Doing Justice Award “for leadership for social justice grounded in faith”; and the Rev. Al McKnight Award@ from the National Joint Conference of Black Catholic Clergy, Sisters, Deacons and Seminarians for outstanding witness on behalf of justice for the marginalized.

Former pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Church in Harlem and current Superior of the New England Province of Jesuits.

Full Bio:

Fr. Gregory Chisholm joined the New England Province of the Jesuits in 1980 and was ordained a priest in 1993.  He now belongs to the USA East Province of the Jesuits and serves as the Superior of the Jesuit Community.  From April of 1998 until June of 2005 Fr. Chisholm was in full time parish ministry as Administrator of Holy Name of Jesus Church in Los Angeles.  At Holy Name of Jesus he served a strong and diverse Roman Catholic community.

In 2005 Fr. Chisholm became pastor of an equally diverse parish at St. Patrick Church in Oakland, CA.  The parish, with 350 families, has been a ministry of the Society of Jesus since 1999. Fr. Chisholm also taught courses in pastoral practice (presiding, confessional practice, urban ministry, African American ministry) at the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University in Berkeley, CA.  While at the Jesuit School of Theology he taught briefly at Jesuit-run Hekima College in Nairobi, Kenya.

Until October 1, 2021 Fr. Chisholm was missioned by the Society of Jesus to service in the Archdiocese of New York.  Cardinal Dolan appointed him as Pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Harlem from July of 2011 to July, 2021.  Fr. Chisholm was particularly pleased to serve the people of Harlem, which has a long and proud history among black Catholics.

Currently Fr. Chisholm serves on the governing board of Fordham University in New York.   He is a 4th Degree Member of the Knights of Peter Claver, a Catholic fraternal organization.

Fr. Chisholm is 71 years old.  He was born in New York City and raised in Harlem, where his family attended St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church.  He went to Catholic schools in Harlem and the Bronx.

Fr. Chisholm attended college and graduate school at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts.   He has a B.Sc. (1973), an M.S.(1975) and a Ph.D.(1989) in Mechanical Engineering from M.I.T.  Fr. Chisholm taught Engineering as a Jesuit at the University of Detroit-Mercy in Detroit, Michigan for several years.  He did his priestly training at Jesuit-run Heythrop College at the University of London in London, England and at the Weston Jesuit School of Theology in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Fr. Chisholm holds a B.A.(1992) in Philosophy and Theology from the University of London and a Licentiate in Sacred Theology (S.T.L., 1994) from Weston Jesuit School of Theology in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Director of Music at the Parish of St. Charles Borromeo, Resurrection & All Saints.

Br’Von Neal (Musical Director), a Grammy Award-winning Artist, is a native of Dallas, Texas. Br’Von expressed a passion for music and the arts at a very early age. After graduating from Booker T. Washington High School of Performing Arts, Br’Von went on to pursue and receive a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Music Education from Santa Fe University of Art & Design, in New Mexico. After returning home to give back to his community in Dallas as a public school teacher, he also met Grammy Award-winning Gospel artist, Kirk Franklin. Working with Mr. Franklin on his Grammy Award-winning record, Whatcha’ Look’n For and God’s Property STOMP album, Br’Von won a Grammy Award for Collaboration. Not long after that, Br’Von decided to continue his musical journey and relocated to New York City. Since arriving in the City, he has performed nationally and internationally and worked with artists as: Erykah Badu, Melba Moore, Freddie Jackson, Ashford & Simpson and Ms. Roberta Flack. Currently, Br’Von serves as Director of Music at the Church of St. Charles Borromeo & Chapel of the Resurrection in Harlem; and since 2017 has served as Musical Director for the Annual Pierre Toussaint Awards Dinner. Br’Von’s motto: One will never know how many steps it takes to fulfill your life’s destiny. Until the first step is taken!

Owner and Chief Word Stylist Grand Pearl Communications 

Full Bio:

Dr. Monica A. White is the Founder and CEO of Grand Pearl Communications Incorporated, where she provides instructional design, coaching, and writing consultation to leaders in education, nonprofit, and business sectors. With over 30 years of experience in urban K-12 education, Dr. White has made an impact as a teacher, staff developer, innovation coach, consultant, researcher, and executive director in the New York City and New Orleans public schools. She holds a Doctor of Education degree in Curriculum and Teaching from Teachers College, Columbia University, where her research focused on leadership and accountability. In addition to consulting, she also serves as an adjunct professor in the Summer Principals Academy at Teachers College, Columbia University, preparing school leaders for the principalship in diverse school settings.

Dr. White lends her expertise as a community volunteer with several organizations. She has also been a regular prayer leader on “The Prayer Line,” started by the Archdiocese of New York Office of Black Ministry, underscoring her commitment to nurturing and uplifting the community. She is the Director of Religious Education at St. Charles Borromeo/Resurrection/All Saints in Harlem, NY. In her spare time, she writes and looks to publish her writing soon. She is a proud mother of two adult children and resides in Brooklyn, New York.

Pastor at Saint Anthony of Padua and Most Blessed Sacrament, Atlanta, GA

Full Bio:

Desmond Drummer is priest of the Archdiocese of Atlanta. He serves as pastor of Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in South Fulton and St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Atlanta. His ministry emphasizes global mindedness, inclusivity, ecumenical and interreligious respect, Catholic Social Teaching, and the public understanding of science. He was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory on June 28, 2014. Desmond serves as a consultant for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Subcommittee on the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. Additionally, he promotes global citizenship education as a global fellow with Catholic Relief Services, the official international development and relief agency of the Catholic Church in the United States. Desmond graduated from Morehouse College, where he majored in economics and minored in public health, and earned a Baccalaureate of Sacred Theology and a Master of Divinity from the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein, Illinois. He also earned a Master of Science in the history and sociology of technology and science from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Desmond is an active member of the National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus.

Pastor at Blessed Sacrament Church, New Rochelle, president of the National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus (NBCCC) and a board member of the National Black Catholic Congress (NBCC). 

Full Bio:

Father Kareem R. Smith is a Roman Catholic priest of the Archdiocese of New York, widely recognized for his passionate preaching, pastoral leadership, and unwavering commitment to fostering spiritual, cultural, and social engagement within the Church.

Ordained to the priesthood on May 26, 2018, at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral by His Eminence Timothy Michael Cardinal Dolan, Fr. Kareem completed his theological formation at Saint Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers, NY, following his undergraduate studies at St. John’s University, where he majored in Philosophy and Theology.

Fr. Kareem currently serves as Pastor of the Church of the Blessed Sacrament in New Rochelle, NY, where he shepherds a diverse and vibrant parish community.

His ministry extends beyond parish boundaries. He is the Senior Chaplain for the Pierre Toussaint Scholarship Program and the Chaplain for Black Catholic Ministry in the Archdiocese of New York, supporting leadership, formation, and pastoral outreach across the region.

A dedicated advocate for Black Catholic leadership, formation, and flourishing, Fr. Kareem serves as President of the National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus (NBCCC) and is a Board Member of the National Black Catholic Congress (NBCC). He also serves on the Board of Directors for Iona Preparatory School and the Board of Trustees of Cardinal Spellman High School, contributing to the advancement of Catholic education and leadership development for young people.

Previously, he served as President of the National Black Catholic Seminarians Association (NBCSA). He continues to be a sought-after speaker and retreat leader on topics of Black Catholic spirituality, racial justice, youth engagement, and liturgical inculturation across the United States and abroad.

With a heart for ministry, a mind for scholarship, and a vision for a more inclusive and vibrant Church, Fr. Kareem R. Smith remains steadfast in his dedication to serving God’s people with faith, wisdom, and unwavering commitment.

Associate Professor, Theology Department. Director, Institute for Black Catholic Studies of Xavier University of Louisiana.

Full Bio:

Kathleen Dorsey Bellow is a practical theologian and professor who specializes in Black Catholic ministry, including worship, evangelization, and faith formation. She currently serves a director of Xavier’s Institute for Black Catholic Studies and holds the Drexel Society Endowed Professorship in Black Catholic Studies.

Education

D.Min., Catholic Theological Union, Chicago (2005)

Th.M., Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans (1997)

M.B.A., McNeese State University, Lake Charles (1987)

B.A., Loyola College (Loyola University Maryland) (1975)

Junior Year, University of San Francisco, Valencia, Spain

Director of Behavioral Health & Social Work at SOMOS Community Care

Full Bio:

Riquelmy Lamour, LCSW is the Director of Behavioral Health & Social Work at SOMOS Community Care, where she leads trauma-informed and culturally responsive initiatives across clinical and community settings. She serves as a lead clinician for Catholic Charities’ Parish Counseling Network, providing individual faith-based therapy, and with Catholic Charities Immigrant and Refugee Services, conducting psychological evaluations for asylum seekers.

Riquelmy has led a Young Adult Ministry at her home parish and co-founded Fiat Forward, a women’s ministry inspired by a 90-day asceticism journey for women seeking spiritual renewal. She has served as a catechist and lector at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church, and a mental health consultant for the Pierre Toussaint Scholars Program.

In addition to her parish and community work, she serves as an Adjunct Professor of Sociology at the University of Mount Saint Vincent and maintains a private therapy practice, providing virtual sessions integrating faith and clinical practice. Her ministry and professional mission center on restoring wholeness of body, mind, and spirit through accompaniment, formation, and hope.

Dedicates her life to the congregation of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, and  serves as the Chaplain Coordinator at Holy Redeemer Hospital overseeing the Pastoral Care Dept.

Full Bio:

Sister Lynn Marie Ralph, SBS continues to dedicate her life to the congregation of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, founded by Saint Katharine Drexel. Coming from a family that valued education, Sister Lynn Marie earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from the College of Mount Saint Vincent (NYC); and a Master’s Degree in School Administration from Seton Hall University (NJ).

Sister Lynn Marie served as a teacher for fourteen years and as a principal for seven years. She has had the privilege to minister in the states of New York, Louisiana, Alabama, New Jersey, Tennessee, and Pennsylvania. She considered each assignment an opportunity to provide youth with a quality education. In addition to being an educator, her philanthropic endeavors and affiliations have allowed her to set an example of a generous spirit.

Sister Lynn Marie is a member of the National Black Sisters’ Conference, Kappa Delta PI (honors education), Association of Parish Directors, Coordinators and Administrators of Religious Education Executive Board (PDCARE), as well as being the Director of Religious Education for eleven years at Saint Martin De Porres Parish in Philadelphia. Sister’s immense writing skills and passion for the written word, have enabled her to serve as the Assistant Editor for the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament Mission Magazine. She has also ministered in the Office for Black Catholics in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.  She is a trustee of the Tonya Dorsey New Vision Foundation where she serves as editor.

In 2025, Sister Lynn Marie served as Chairperson for the National Black Sisters Conference that took Place at the Philadelphia Marriott Airport. She has served as a retreat director in various churches and schools. She has led many Days of Reflection activities in various churches, particularly in African American parishes. A few examples of where she has left a lasting positive impression as a guest speaker include; Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Washington, DC: Holy Family Parish in Hillcrest Heights, MD, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, DC, Saint Barbara Parish, PA, Blessed Sacrament Parish in Newark, NJ. She has also had the opportunity to serve as a retreat leader for the Office of Black Catholic Pierre Toussaint Scholars in the Archdiocese of New York.

Sister Lynn Marie was involved in doing a video for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia for the 25^th Canonization of Saint Katharine Drexel, entitled “The Heart of Saint Katharine Drexel.” She has also given this presentation to Xavier alumni, DC.

Sister Lynn Marie had the privilege of joining many esteemed women who give reflections from a woman’s perspective. The website is entitled “Catholic Women Preach.” In her reflection she changed the parable of the “Prodigal Son,” to the Prodigal Daughter as it stirs the heart of women today.

In honor of the National Black Catholic Congress in 2023, a segment was dedicated to those on the Road Toward Sainthood. Sister wrote the script entitled “The Sacred Six.” The play was performed by the students from Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Academy in Washington DC, along with an adult from NJ. The play received rave reviews and national media coverage.

Currently, Sister Lynn Marie serves as the Chaplain Coordinator at Holy Redeemer Hospital overseeing the Pastoral Care Dept., which serves the clergy of various denominations. She is also a part of a team for the Redeemer Food Pantry, PA.

One of Sister Lynn Marie’s favorite quotes from Saint Katharine Drexel is, “Press Forward and Fear Nothing.” Sister believes in the power of not giving up and by moving forward one can’t help but to believe that as long as God is leading the way, we have nothing to fear.

Music Co-Director at St. Martin de Porres Parish

Full Bio:

Joseph P. Murray has been a part of the St. Martin de Porres Parish family since 2017 when he was hired as Associate Music Director.  Since then, he has taken on the role of Co-Director, alongside his friend & colleague, Ms. Joan Delahut, and couldn’t be happier!

Mr. Murray holds his degree in Vocal Performance from the Catholic University of America. Notable roles include Tolomeo in Handel’s ‘Giulio Cesare’ (CUA) as a Counter-Tenor, Mozart’s ‘Die Zauberflöte’ (2nd Spirit, Summer Opera, Washington, DC), and Offenbach’s ‘Orpheus in The Underworld’ (Mercury [Understudy], Bronx Opera, NY). Joseph has served as MD and AMD for various productions, including the National Black Theatre’s world premiere of ‘A Time to Love,’ a critically acclaimed original theatre piece featuring the music of Stevie Wonder, written by Sade Lythcott, executive director and daughter of NBT founder Dr. Barbara Ann Teer. Writing/Production collaborations include Teron Beal (singer/songwriter for Bonnie Raitt, Michael Jackson) and NAACP Award-Winning performer Chester Gregory (Dreamgirls, Nat’l Tour, Sister Act: The Musical, Motown: The Musical). Mr. Murray continues to work as a cantor/keyboardist throughout the Dioceses of Brooklyn & New York, as well as release original music as an independent artist in NYC.