Virginia Catholics for Racial Justice

Featured Articles

The Knights and Ladies of Peter Claver

September 3, 2024 | Monthly Gathering Summary

Virtual via Zoom

Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Newport News and their Ladies Auxiliaries. We were joined by Sir Knights JC Gardner, Joseph McMahon, Eric Labat, Derek Howell, and Hilbert Twine, and Grand Lady Janice Davis and past Grand Lady Shirley Patterson as well as other members of the four groups. They shared the history of their organizations, their structure, their mission, and why they joined. They also participated in our breakout rooms. Jimmy Culpepper started the session with the story of his experience with his Knights of Columbus council and how he discovered the Knights of Peter Claver. Many of the participants were introduced to the Knights and Ladies of Peter Claver for the first time.

Takeaways from the panel discussion and breakrooms include:

• The Knights of Peter Claver are an international Catholic fraternal service order founded in 1909 by the Josephites and parishioners from Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Mobile, Alabama because they were not allowed to join the Knights of Columbus in the South.
• It is the largest and oldest Black Catholic lay-led organization still in existence.
• One of their  programs on the national basis that funnels down to the local is their support for sickle cell anemia. They also support other noted African American organizations, such as the NAACP, the National Urban League, the National Black Catholic Congress and others.
• KPC councils and courts are attached to a specific parish but otherwise are organized much like the Knights of Columbus. The Knights and Ladies fall under the National Council and the National Court, respectively. Below the national council and courts, they have districts and states. Our local councils and courts are in the Northern States District, which is comprised of 14 states, which is led by a district deputy for the men and a district deputy for the ladies.
• There is a third council and court in Arlington. Virginia but they are not in our diocese, so they don’t come under the same district.
• Area deputies do not control the councils. The Grand Knight and the Grand Lady are the leaders of a specific council or court.
• Within the councils and courts, they  have the third degree division for both  men and ladies. They also have the fourth degree, with assemblies for the men and chapters for the ladies. The men are called Sir Knights in the fourth degree, and the ladies are called Gracious Ladies. The fourth degree is the highest degree of honor for the Knights of Peter Claver. They also have the junior branch with the junior boys and girls.
• They require all members to have a ministry in the church. They sit on leadership boards in the parish, support the food pantry, the soup kitchen, religious ed, and all of the other activities in the church. They also provide contributions to the church.
• Derek Howell, in addition to his local responsibilities, is co-chair at the national level for the Social Justice Initiatives Committee whose five main pillars are the dignity of Black lives in the Catholic Church, racism within and outside the Catholic Church, combating human trafficking, criminal justice reform to restorative justice, and preventing and healing from domestic violence.
• One can be a Knight of Columbus, as well as a Knight of Peter Claver. There is no rivalry or sharp distinction between the two orders. They’re all in service to the church and to their communities.
• Anybody regardless of race or ethnicity can join the Knights or Ladies as long as they are a practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church.
• Hopefully, when the new Black Catholic Museum is established, there will be a pretty significant display exhibiting the Knights and the Ladies and what they do and what they have done.

You can learn more about the Knights and Ladies of Peter Claver at Home – Knights of Peter Claver

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Why You (a Catholic for Racial Justice) Should Care About this Election: WHAT’S AT STAKE AND WHY IT MATTERS

Virtual via Zoom

October 1, 2025 Monthly Gathering

Guided by the VCRJ mission and the Catholic commitment to Faithful Citizenship, our October Monthly Gathering focused on linking state and local elections to the topic of racial justice. Guest speakers (below top then bottom, left to right)— Cathy Woodson, co-chair, VCRJ and moderator; Sheila Herlihy Hennessee and Robert Lester from the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy, Josey Bergstrom and Ofelia Wattley from the Women’s League of Voters, and Kay Flore from the Hampton Roads Legislative Collaborative Table—shared their perspectives and experiences regarding elections and key issues at the state and local level that relate to racial justice.

Key insights and points shared:

• Voting is a civic sacrament.
• One vote can change the outcome of a state of local election.
• State and local governments make decisions that impact daily lives (housing, criminal justice, education, taxes, health care, environmental policies and individual liberties).
• There are issues under consideration that disproportionally impact people of color: restoring voting rights, maternal health care, inclusive American History in schools, bias training, affordable housing, renter protection, environmental justice, and zoning reform.
• Pay attention to patterns that support your values.  Avoid single issue voting; it obscures reality and negates the full range of values that inform a Catholic conscience.

During breakout sessions, attendees discussed: why do I care about voting.

Responses:

• Honor those who fought for our right to vote.
• Use your vote to support the common good.
• Our optimism and commitment can create change.
• Voting is a civic duty, even if results are disappointing.
• Not voting means giving up your voice.
• The efforts to suppress votes show that every vote matters.
• It’s normal to feel conflicted; voting is the first step, followed by advocacy.

Go deeper:

You can watch the full recording of the October Monthly Gathering HERE

Check out these resource links:

• United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship
• Voter Turnout Rates
• Learn more about 100% Voting Congregations (and other civic engagement opportunities with Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy)
• League of Women Voters’ Guide
• Cardinal News Voter Guide
• Pope Leo on being “pro life” today

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Faith and Resilience: Catholic Education and Partnerships

Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Virginia Beach

September 13, 2025

Key points of engagement included:

• Table dialogue about why collecting, preserving and sharing the stories of Black Catholics is important.
• Table dialogue about how both people of color and people of white are impacted by the institution of slavery.
• Group drumming where everyone clapped and made music together. 
• Creating Hope Squares with words and images of how the event gave us hope.

To learn more about the work of Journey for Change CLICK HERE.

To read a summary of the insights shared about why collecting, preserving and sharing the stories of Black Catholics is important CLICK HERE.

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