The mission of the African American Pastoral Center is to engage the African American/Black Catholic community within the Diocese of Oakland to enhance their spirituality and cultural expressions while being committed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Universal Catholic Church. Our goal is to have all Black Catholics feel free to be Black and Catholic.
Our Founding
The establishment of the African American Pastoral Center (AAPC) is vitally important to our African American Catholic Community. It will serve to engage, evangelize, grow our spirituality, and validate our presence and gifts in the universal Catholic Church, as lived in the Diocese of Oakland.
We have much work to do, and the Center will look to the African American Catholic community within the Diocese of Oakland to bring programs, events, and teachings important to your spiritual growth and knowledge. We will engage in listening sessions to learn more from you, and we will engage our youth and young adults in particular who represent the future of our community.
We seek to build a center that fully represents every aspect of our rich culture, spiritual gifts, and expressions that will result in bringing so many of us back into the church to worship with joy and freedom. I look forward to working with you.
— Dr. Chiquita T. Tuttle, Coordinator for AAPC
Did you know? African American Catholic history
“The National Black Catholic Congress, comprised of member Catholic organizations, represents African American Catholics, in collaboration with these organizations. Aware of the challenges faced by African American Catholics, we are committed to evangelize ourselves, our church and unchurched African Americans, thereby enriching the Church. We hold ourselves accountable to our baptismal commitment to witness and proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ.”
the baobab tree
The Baobab tree was selected as our symbol for its endurance, life, and positivity where little else can thrive.
It produces flowers that can be used for many sources, and its bark is fire resistant and used for making cloth and rope. It absorbs and retains water and produces nutrients and dense fruit.
Its leaves are excellent in protein, minerals, and vitamins A and C.
African Americans have endured many long years of racism, unfair treatment, and struggled for survival, yet they endured. This tree is representative of our struggles and survival. The Tree of Life.
The Baobab tree is also known as the “Tree of Life." The longest-living baobab tree is around 1,275 years old. One in South Africa was dated at around 6,000 years old.
There are nine species. Six are native to Madagascar, two are native to mainland Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, and one is native to Australia.
Where we pray Our historically Black Catholic parishes
The four parishes below have traditionally been identified as Black Catholic parishes in the Diocese of Oakland, with predominately black families attending, worshiping, and practicing authentic and culturally appropriate Catholic Mass services that include gospel choirs and praising where they feel welcomed.
However, African American Catholic families, due to their places of residence, attend Mass services at the other parishes throughout the Diocese.