On April 4-6, 2025, a listening session for black Catholic young adults, “Where Do I Fit In,” was held in Birmingham. The effort was sponsored by Catholic Home Missions, the Subcommittee of African American Affairs of the USCCB, and the Diocese of Birmingham in Alabama’s Office of Black Catholic Ministry. The Birmingham listening session was the second to be held regionally, with the first being in New Orleans in November of 2023. Going forward, listening sessions will be hosted nationwide to gather essential data, to help shed light on and raise awareness, and to provide solutions to ongoing issues.

As a result of the listening sessions, challenges were identified, including a lack of religious formation and education. Once the challenges were identified, feedback was given by the young adults present. Those gathered highlighted a need for a greater investment in black Catholic schools, an openness to the black Catholic culture, and mentorship. Among over a dozen areas the young adults suggested needed improvement within the diocese, the apparent common theme was a desire to be a part of the Church and be valued as a contributing member. To help address the areas needing attention, the group recommended building relationships with various allies, which included St. Vincent’s DePaul Society, fraternities, sororities, the Knights of Peter Claver and Ladies Auxiliary, and diocesan parishes, especially Our Lady of Fatima, Holy Family, St. Mary’s, St Francis of Assisi, Our Lady Queen of The Universe, and St. Paul’s Cathedral. 

At the conclusion of the weekend-long session, next steps were determined, which included meeting with clergy regularly, creating events that are interesting to young adults, recognizing and identifying the talents of young adults, and hosting an annual young adult retreat.

Following the gathering, the Office of Black Catholic Ministry expressed a hope that the weekend would “help ignite a revival of homecoming for young adults to return to the Catholic Church.” 

For more information about the office and ongoing efforts, please e-mail jwatts@bhmdiocese.org.