Our Lady of Africa Parish celebrates its many cultures
Parishioners at Our Lady of Africa Parish celebrated African American Heritage Month Feb. 20, 2022, with a Mass that featured readings, songs and prayers in Igbo, a language spoken in Nigeria; Twi, a language spoken in Ghana; and French, as well as parishioners wearing traditional dress. (Karen Callway/Chicago Catholic)
Director of Music Tyrone Pittman leads the Our Lady of Africa choir in the opening song at a Mass celebrating Black History Month Feb. 20, 2022. The Mass featured the parish’s multicultural faith community with parishioners and guests dressed traditional clothing from several African countries. Communities represented were African American and those from Togo, Congo, Benin, Guyana, Haiti and the Caribbean; Ghana and Nigeria. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
A parishioner prays during Our Lady of Africa Parish's Black History Month Mass on Feb. 20, 2022. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Father Stan Chu llo gives the homily during at Black History Month Mass at Our Lady of Africa Parish on Feb. 20, 2022.(Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
The gifts rest in the sanctuary during Our Lady of Africa Parish's Black History Month Mass on Feb. 20, 2022. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Members of the Igbo choir sing during Our Lady of Africa Parish's Black History Month Mass on Feb. 20, 2022. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Father Stan Chu llo bows at the altar before the eucharistic prayer during Our Lady of Africa Parish's Black History Month Mass on Feb. 20, 2022. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Joe Oheri prays after Communion at Our Lady of Africa Parish's Black History Month Mass on Feb. 20, 2022. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Parishioners share the sign of peace during Our Lady of Africa Parish's Black History Month Mass on Feb. 20, 2022. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
A young parishioner wears a mask reading “Respect Your Elders” after receiving Communion at Our Lady of Africa Parish's Black History Month Mass on Feb. 20, 2022. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
A parishioner prays near a statue of St. Martin de Porres during Our Lady of Africa Parish's Black History Month Mass on Feb. 20, 2022. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Parishioners sing and pray after Communion during Our Lady of Africa Parish's Black History Month Mass on Feb. 20, 2022. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Divine Word Missionary Father Robert Kelly, pastor of Our Lady of Africa Parish, thanks everyone for coming to the Black History Month celebration and Mass on Feb. 20, 2022. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
