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All young adults, ages 18-35 of any faith or ethnicity, are invited to Jeans & Jesus – Come as You Are, a Spiritual Retreat sponsored by the Office of Black Catholic Ministry under the direction of Dr. Robert L. Watson, Ph.D., J.D.

Saturday, November 2, 2019
8 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Mt. Claret Retreat Center
4633 N 54th St, Phoenix, AZ 85018

We encourage people to come for the whole day or even part of the day!

Catholic or non-Catholic, this retreat focuses on giving young adults a spiritual experience where they will encounter Christ through:

  • the Saints
  • Worship (in the African American tradition)
  • Virtuous Leadership
  • the Stations of the Cross

We know that the statistics are higher than normal for African American Catholics to leave the faith because of the strong Protestant influence in the Black Community, where their worship traditions includes gospel music, singing, clapping of hands, use of diverse instruments and sometimes dancing; that is not normally associated with Catholic worship style. With this retreat being interfaith, we will show the fallen away Black Catholics and educate the non-Black Catholics that they can be spiritually fed in our beautiful faith, without sacrificing the Black traditions of worship associated with our culture.

This spiritual retreat is educational and interactive, with quiet time for spiritual reflection, group discussions, dynamic speakers, engaging workshop facilitators, live entertainment, and GREAT FOOD.

Our line up for the day:

  • Keynote speaker and workshop facilitator: Dr. Ansel Augustine from New Orleans – national Black Catholic Youth and Young Adult speaker and retreat facilitator and former Director of the Office of Black Catholics, New Orleans, LA
  • Keynote speaker: Fr. Teilo Lwande, AJ, of St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church, Phoenix
  • Facilitator: Dr. Mathew Whitaker, Director of Diversity & Inclusion at Brophy Preparatory College and Founder/CEO of Diamond Strategies, LLC
  • Facilitator: Dawn Crutchfield Board, OBCM Social Media Manager, Founder/Chief Technology Consultant of Inspired Daily Designs, LLC, and former Director of the Office of Black Catholics, Richmond, VA
  • Facilitator: Fr. Edward Urassa, AJ, of St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church, Phoenix
  • Facilitator: Bill Board, Chair of the OBCM Advisory Board, and Claims Manager at Allstate Insurance
  • Mass Officiant: Fr. James Aboyi, St. Benedict Catholic Church, Phoenix
  • Praise Dancers: Doxology, Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, Phoenix & Gilbert
  • Gospel and African Choirs: TBD
  • International Spoken Word Artist: Mr. Tramere Monroe, Roanoke, VA
  • Internationally known Neo-Soul Saxophonist & former Prince band member: Mr. Adrian Crutchfield, Charlotte, NC

In addition, we will have a diverse menu food from local vendors:

  • Breakfast: Personal Touch Catering (traditional American style)
  • Lunch: Hot Pot Caribbean Restaurant, Chandler (Caribbean)
  • Dinner: Ezekiel’s Restaurant and Just Rib It Catering Truck (soul food)

After dinner, we will have a Theology on Tap session, discussing social justice issues that plague the Black Community and how we are all called to serve, according to our Catholic Social Teachings. We will end the evening with a social hour and live music by Mr. Adrian Crutchfield. Young adults can network or just hang out and get to know each other.

We do offer scholarships to anyone wanting to attend, if feel they cannot afford the $15 registration fee. Also, the first 30 people to register will receive a $15 Visa gift card the day of the retreat.

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