Archbishop and Advocates to Receive Awards for Work in Black Community

Hartford, Conn. – (October 23, 2012) The Office for Black Catholic Ministries (OBCM) will honor Archbishop Henry J. Mansell, Manuel and Jacqueline Arango, and Beverly Plummer for their commitment to the black Catholic community at the Toussaint/Tolton banquet to be held at the Hartford Marriott Farmington on Saturday, November 3rd. Former UConn Husky and Olympian turned broadcaster Rebecca Lobo-Rushin will emcee the banquet, and the Rev. Reginald Whitt, O.P., professor of Law at Saint Thomas University in Minnesota, will be the guest speaker.

Rebecca Lobo	Father Reginald Whitt, O.P.

The Toussaint-Tolton Awards are given to individuals who encourage a healthy Black Catholic identity in our communities by providing effective leadership and service, said the Director of the OBCM Deacon Arthur Miller. According to him, the recipients have fostered educational opportunities and demonstrated strong personal faith and compassion.

“For Black Americans the struggle for freedom has been very much a part of our history in this country. And the struggle for freedom did not end at the church door. For too long the struggle to remain Catholic and relevant in the community has continued. On November 3rd, we will honor those in our community who continue to keep open the door of faith so that all are welcomed in, and the people are empowered to boldly go out and live the Gospel of Jesus Christ and welcome others to the faith,” said Miller.

Among the recipients of the Toussiant-Tolton award will be Archbishop Henry J. Mansell. As Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Hartford, he has championed many programs dedicated to the black community, and the population at large. The Archbishop’s Annual Appeal under his leadership has raised nearly 81 million dollars in the last nine years. The money has been poured into social service programs, emergency assistance programs that help families with rental assistance, mortgages, and utilities, Catholic school tuition assistance, and medical programs. Under the Archbishop, two mobile medical vans, one in Hartford and another in Waterbury, were established to treat people who are uninsured. In 2004, he was named Co-Chair of the Mayor’s Commission to End Chronic Homelessness and developed a ten-year plan to deal with the problem. With his guidance and support, Archdiocesan agencies have developed several annual events such as: the Youth Spectacular, the Connecticut Catholic Men’s Conference and the Archdiocesan Blue Mass, to name a few.

Manuel Arango and his wife, Jacqueline, will also be honored.  They have been parishioners of St. Michael Church in Hartford for over 35 years. During that time, they have shown their love for their faith and community by serving as Eucharistic Ministers, youth coordinators, and volunteers for church events. They both love to cook, and share their culinary talents at the various church events. Manuel is a also a member of the financial board, an usher, and a Knight of Peter Claver. Jacqueline belongs to the Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary.

Also receiving an award is Beverly Plummer, a devoted member of St. Justin Parish in Hartford. Preparing the schedules and guidelines for the altar servers, serving as a sacristan for weekday Masses and assistant sacristan on Sundays, are among the many tasks that Plummer performs. She is also a catechist for Confirmation classes at both Saint Justin and Saint Michael, a lector, the Chairperson of the Liturgy and Lector Committees of St. Justin, and the secretary for the Parish Council. In addition, she coordinates the Rosary Evening Devotions to Mary, held at the homes of parishioners.

About Pierre Toussaint (1766-1853)

Declared “Venerable” by the Pope John Paul II and a candidate for sainthood, Pierre Toussaint was born a slave in the former French colony of Haiti, and was brought to Manhattan by his wealthy owners in the late 1700s. A profoundly religious man, he used his earnings as a society hairdresser to buy freedom for other slaves, and to help the needy of every race, color and creed.

About Father Augustine Tolton  (1854-1897)

Father Augustine Tolton is the first universally recognized black priest in the United States. Born into slavery, he encountered prejudice as a student. He was forced out of Catholic school because he was a Negro. As he grew up, he became interested in becoming a priest, but at the time, the Catholic Church did not allow black men to study in U. S. seminaries. Finally, in 1880, he was admitted into a seminary in Rome and was ordained in 1886. He was assigned to the Diocese of Alton, IL and quickly earned the reputation as a fine preacher, so much so that many of the German and Irish Catholics began to attend church with the black Catholics. He was later transferred, and became the first black pastor in Chicago.