Diocese to host National Black Catholic Men’s Conference
This October, the Diocese of Birmingham’s Office of Black Catholic Ministry, in collaboration with the Bowman-Francis Ministry and the Society of the Divine Word Missionaries, will host the 2026 Father Chester P. Smith National Black Catholic Men’s Conference with the theme of “The Rock I stand on.” The gathering will be held at the Sheraton Birmingham Hotel in downtown Birmingham from Oct. 15-18.
This October, the Diocese of Birmingham’s Office of Black Catholic Ministry, in collaboration with the Bowman-Francis Ministry and the Society of the Divine Word Missionaries, will host the 2026 Father Chester P. Smith National Black Catholic Men’s Conference with the theme of “The Rock I stand on.” The gathering will be held at the Sheraton Birmingham Hotel in downtown Birmingham from Oct. 15-18.
The Bowman-Francis Ministry, which was founded in 1993, is led by Society of the Divine Word Fathers Charles Smith and Ken Hamilton. The ministry’s primary mission is to “minister to the total Black Catholic: spiritually, physically, and intellectually.” The programs offered are “designed to empower men, women, young adults and youth to instill in them the tools needed to thrive in their personal lives and help them grow in their faith.”
So why is the diocesan Office of Black Catholic Ministry partnering with the ministry to offer a National Black Catholic Men’s Conference? On the one hand, the man of the 21st century is expected to be the protector, producer, and provider. While on the other hand, he is almost required to also be gentle and supportive. What is a man to do? This men’s conference will focus on developing spiritual and life enhancement skills that will help men, young and old, live more effective lives. Having a moral character, taking calculated risks, resisting the temptation to succumb to failure, exercising sexuality properly, and having quality male friendships are all necessary in the global world.
A series of local and national speakers have been confirmed for the conference, including Father Vernon Huguley, Vicar of Black Catholic Ministry for the Diocese of Birmingham in Alabama; Father Gerald Holloway, former University of Alabama football chaplain; Father Kenneth Keke, S.S.J.; Father Phil Paxton, C.P.; Danny Carr, District Attorney of Jefferson County; Ron Jackson, senior director of Government Relations for Catholic Charities U.S.A.; and Bishop Steven J. Raica.
The diocesan Office of Black Catholic Ministry is funded through support of the Diocesan Annual Appeal for Ministries, also known as Catholic Charities and Communities.
Details
The conference will open on Thursday with Mass at Holy Family Catholic Church at 6 p.m. The next day will feature Confession, Mass, a keynote address by former Birmingham Mayor William Bell, a museum visit, a panel discussion, and a Jazz and Casino Night. Saturday will begin with the offering of the sacrament of Confession, another keynote address, and numerous workshops. The day and conference will conclude with Mass at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church celebrated by Bishop Steven Raica, followed by the closing dinner.
Registration is required, and hotel reservations must be booked by Sept. 1. For complete registration information, please visit bowmanfrancis.org. The hotel is located at 2101 Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard, North, in downtown Birmingham. For any other information, please contact James Watts, director of the diocesan Office of Black Catholic Ministry, at jwatts@bhmdiocese.org or 205.838.8313.
