At the beginning of Black History Month in the United States, spend some time focusing on the experience of black Catholics in the United States. Use information on African American Catholics provided by the United States Catholic Bishops to present an overview of the African American Church in America.
Also share information on Franciscan sister Thea Bowman (1937-1990), whose cause for canonization has been opened.
Play the 35 minute video of Sr. Thea’s address to the US Catholic bishops from 1989. At the conclusion of the video have the students write a short four to five page essay that answers the question “What Does It Mean to be a Black Catholic.” 
