Shaping the future

A lively celebration of art, music, high energy dancing and tributes to saints and those on the path of sainthood capped a month-long celebration of Black History Month at Sacred Heart of Jesus School in Baton Rouge.

The theme of the program was “Black History Month: Know the Past, Shape the Future.”

Present at the celebration were Bishop Michael G. Duca and Louisiana First Lady Donna Edwards.

Referring to the theme, Edwards said, “The past and how it shapes the future is something that is so important for all of us. It shapes who we are as a people and to understand one another and where we come from and appreciate each other. Our different cultures helps us to empathize with one another.

“It helps us to appreciate one another and it’s really at the core of who we are. It helps us to love one another and that’s why I’m here today, to appreciate those who are celebrating Black History Month."


The program kicked off with the Sacred Heart Student Council’s presentation on “Why We Celebrate Black History Month.”

The program highlighted 19 people of African descent who are canonized or on the path to sainthood. Students wore the customary dress in presentations on each of the saints.

Audience members stood and gave thunderous applause following a moving duet, “Rise Up,” by third grade student Lucy Webb and Sacred Heart music director Rianná Reed.

It was also time to dance, clap and celebrate as the Theta Kappa Chapter of Omega Psi Phi performed a high energy dance. Omega Psi Phi Fraternity is the first Black Greek lettered fraternity to be founded on LSU’s campus and is the founder of LSU’s National Pan-Hellenic Council.

The chapter celebrates manhood, scholarship, perseverance and “uplift” on the campus of LSU and area schools.

To conclude the program, Father Josh Johnson, pastor of Sacred Heart Church, lead a Josephite Prayer followed by the melodic voices of the Sacred Heart middle school choir singing “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”

As part of the celebration, art displays featuring cultural diversity were on hand to view.

Sacred Heart principal Cecilia Methvin said, “The number one reason I’ve been here for 25 years and the reason many of you have chosen to come here is that this celebration should be taking place in every school, not just in a school with Black students. It should be taking place everywhere.

“Our job when we leave here, whether it be eighth graders going to high school or in our neighborhoods, in our churches, is to take what we learn here and share it everywhere.”

Kendrick Slan, religion teacher at Sacred Heart, said preparations for the Black History Month program started in December. Leading up to the celebration, the students learned about the highlighted saints in their morning assembly during the month of February.

“This is the climax, the top of the mountain,” said Slan.

He remembers singing the song, “Lift Every Voice and Sing” from the time he was in fourth grade to when he graduated from high school. He was elated to discover that throughout the Bible, readers are urged to “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”

He said the further one goes back into history, the vision of the church has never been of one ethnicity or one entity.

“I do believe that Sacred Heart School of Jesus is what the church is supposed to look like. I’ve seen prayer and inclusion in every single classroom,” Slan said. “I really believe this generation of kids we have here can be the generation that heals us of a social sin called racism. It’s something we have all suffered from it, whether you are the victim or the one perpetrating it.”

Father Johnson commended the teachers, staff, parents and students for working hours together and praying together.

“Today is an important day, not only for our nation, but for our church to come together and celebrate the Black Catholic saints who have preceded us into eternity,” said Father Johnson.

“I think sometimes we aren’t aware of how many people of African descent are saints and beautified members of the body of Christ, venerable and the servants of God. By telling their stories and sharing their lives, it has the capacity to inspire a whole new generation of boys and girls who can see themselves as future saints, who can go out into our very broken world and by the grace of God build up a beautiful civilization of love.”