Building the Dream! Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration at St. Paul Cathedral Parish January 13, 2008

PITTSBURGH – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday will be celebrated on Sunday, January 13 at St. Paul Cathedral Parish in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood. Sponsored by the parish’s Race and Reconciliation Dialogue Group, the observance begins at noon with Mass celebrated by Most Reverend Paul Bradley, Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Music will be provided by combined choirs from St. Paul Cathedral, St. Benedict the Moor Parish in the Hill District, and St. Charles Lwanga Parish in the East End of Pittsburgh.

A reception and program will follow immediately in the parish social hall with keynote speaker Rev. Thomas E. Johnson, Jr., head of The Neighborhood Academy. Awards will be given to student winners of an essay contest about Dr. King.

The community is invited to the Mass, reception, and program.

The Race and Reconciliation Dialogue Group was the 2005 recipient of the YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh Racial Justice Award. They were formed as a response to the 1998 Diocese of Pittsburgh initiative to address and work towards the elimination of racism initiated by Archbishop Donald Wuerl, former Bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh. The organization sponsors community workshops and programs that focus on racism, diversity, and reconciliation between races, cultures, and religions.

The celebration is sponsored in collaboration with the Office for Black Catholic Ministries, Diocese of Pittsburgh. For additional information, contract the Race and Reconciliation Dialogue Group, 412-688-0832, or Black Catholic Ministries, 412-456-3170.