Cultural Enrichment and Outreach
Taste of O'Toole
Young at Heart
Kwanzaa
History - The Kwanzaa Committee/Ministry was first established in 1989 and celebrated its first Kwanzaa Celebration on Sunday, December 31, 1989. The ministry has had twenty-seven years of Kwanzaa celebrations and service to the parish of St. Lawrence O’Toole since its inception. The Organizers were parishioners Iris Gueringer and Andrew Lyke.
Mission - We, the St. Lawrence O'Toole Kwanzaa Ministry, celebrate and execute the principles of Kwanzaa through our actions in our faith community, as well as, our secular community.
Vision - We celebrate our Catholic Faith (Imani). We are creative (Kuumba) in how we devise plans and work (Ujamaa) on various committees within our parish community to help build cultural and spiritual wealth and a stronger faith community (Ujima, Nia). We do these things because of our commitment to our church (Umoja, Nia, and Kujichagulia).
Ministry Services - The Kwanzaa Ministry hosts an annual Kwanzaa celebration for the entire parish. During the Mass, there is an overview of the meaning of Kwanzaa, presentation of Kwanzaa Symbols, lighting of the Mishumaa Saba and the Libation, and representation of the African-American culture.
Since the inception of the Kwanzaa Ministry, we have sponsored the following:
The Kwanzaa committee is an integral, vibrant and productive ministry in the fabric of St. Lawrence O’Toole Church community.
Kwanzaa, is an African American and Pan-African holiday which celebrates cultural reaffirmation, is one of the fastest-growing holidays in the history of the world. Celebrated from December 26th thru January 1st, its origins are in the first harvest celebrations of Africa from which it takes its name. The name Kwanzaa is derived from the phrase "matunda ya kwanza" which means "first fruits" in Swahili, a Pan-African language which is the most widely spoken African language.
Kwanzaa is a spiritual, festive and joyous celebration of the oneness and goodness of life, which claims no ties with any religion. It has definite principles, practices and symbols, which are geared to the social and spiritual needs of African-Americans. The reinforcing gestures are designed to strengthen our collective self-concept as a people, honor our past, critically evaluate our present and commit ourselves to a fuller, more productive future.
Kwanzaa, which means "first fruits of the harvest" in the African language Kiswahili has gained tremendous acceptance, since it was founded in 1966 by Black Freedom Movement. Kwanzaa has come to be observed by more than 15 million people worldwide. Kwanzaa is based on Nguzo Saba (seven guiding principles), one for each day of the observance.
We, the St. Lawrence O'Toole Kwanzaa Ministry, celebrate and execute the principals of Kwanzaa through our actions in our faith community as well as our secular community. We celebrate our Catholic Faith (Imani). We are creative (Kuumba) in how we devise plans and work (Ujamaa) on various committees within our parish community to help build wealth and a stronger faith community. (Ujima, Nia). We do these things because of our commitment to our church (Ujomja, Nia, and Kujichagulia).
Mission - We, the St. Lawrence O'Toole Kwanzaa Ministry, celebrate and execute the principles of Kwanzaa through our actions in our faith community, as well as, our secular community.
Vision - We celebrate our Catholic Faith (Imani). We are creative (Kuumba) in how we devise plans and work (Ujamaa) on various committees within our parish community to help build cultural and spiritual wealth and a stronger faith community (Ujima, Nia). We do these things because of our commitment to our church (Umoja, Nia, and Kujichagulia).
Ministry Services - The Kwanzaa Ministry hosts an annual Kwanzaa celebration for the entire parish. During the Mass, there is an overview of the meaning of Kwanzaa, presentation of Kwanzaa Symbols, lighting of the Mishumaa Saba and the Libation, and representation of the African-American culture.
Since the inception of the Kwanzaa Ministry, we have sponsored the following:
- Established the Iris Gueringer Scholarship awarded to a graduating 8th grader from the SLOT School and Religious Education
- Provided support services for PADS
- Donated to the SLOT school Black History activities
- Supported concessions for the church Bingo ministry
- Active participant of Cafe O’Toole and Taste of O’Toole
- Facilitators of the SLOT Christmas Giving Tree
The Kwanzaa committee is an integral, vibrant and productive ministry in the fabric of St. Lawrence O’Toole Church community.
Kwanzaa, is an African American and Pan-African holiday which celebrates cultural reaffirmation, is one of the fastest-growing holidays in the history of the world. Celebrated from December 26th thru January 1st, its origins are in the first harvest celebrations of Africa from which it takes its name. The name Kwanzaa is derived from the phrase "matunda ya kwanza" which means "first fruits" in Swahili, a Pan-African language which is the most widely spoken African language.
Kwanzaa is a spiritual, festive and joyous celebration of the oneness and goodness of life, which claims no ties with any religion. It has definite principles, practices and symbols, which are geared to the social and spiritual needs of African-Americans. The reinforcing gestures are designed to strengthen our collective self-concept as a people, honor our past, critically evaluate our present and commit ourselves to a fuller, more productive future.
Kwanzaa, which means "first fruits of the harvest" in the African language Kiswahili has gained tremendous acceptance, since it was founded in 1966 by Black Freedom Movement. Kwanzaa has come to be observed by more than 15 million people worldwide. Kwanzaa is based on Nguzo Saba (seven guiding principles), one for each day of the observance.
We, the St. Lawrence O'Toole Kwanzaa Ministry, celebrate and execute the principals of Kwanzaa through our actions in our faith community as well as our secular community. We celebrate our Catholic Faith (Imani). We are creative (Kuumba) in how we devise plans and work (Ujamaa) on various committees within our parish community to help build wealth and a stronger faith community. (Ujima, Nia). We do these things because of our commitment to our church (Ujomja, Nia, and Kujichagulia).
