Washington D.C., Feb 6, 2006 / 22:00 pm
Parishes across America kicked off Black History Month Feb. 5 by celebrating the National Day of Prayer for the African American Family.
The National Day of Prayer for the African American Family was begun in 1989 by Fr. James Goode, OFM, as a day set aside for the African American community to give special thanks to God for their families and to place their cares in the arms of Jesus, stated a press release. This year’s theme was “God’s Ever Present Help Keeps Us Keeping On.”
On Sunday, even non-African Americans were called upon to stand in solidarity with African American families and to pray for them.
“Even though this is the beginning of a new year, for many it will be a time of fear, fear of losing electricity, fear of losing housing, fear of losing Medicare benefits, fear of losing your job,” said the press release.