Starting November 13, the bishop has given me a new assignment as administrator of St. Benedict Moor Parish in the Hill District and Downtown.

I expect to work collaboratively with neighboring parish pastors to promote discipleship, evangelization, and to reenvision urban Catholic ministry, of which Black Catholic ministry is a significant part.

In this new assignment, I will work closely with St. Benedict the Moor primary and middle school to promote Catholic education, especially among non-Catholics.  I will also continue to serve as the part-time chaplain to strengthen the Catholic identity and character of Oakland Catholic High School.

I look forward to expanding the sacramental and liturgical services offered at St. Benedict the Moor and promoting African American culture through which our Catholic faith is expressed.

Fr. Matthew Hawkins