This week on WCLK's The Local Take(Saturday mornings 8am) I welcome Father Urey Patrick Mark from Lyke House. The Lyke House Catholic Center serves students at Clark Atlanta University, Spelman and Morehouse Colleges, and Georgia State University. November is Black Catholic History Month and on November 14th a memorial gallery will open to the public in remembrance of Archbishop James Patterson Lyke for whom the center is named.
I ask Father Mark about his leadership at the Lyke House serving young people in our community. He speaks about providing spiritual guidance in support of students. He talks about being a Catholic priest who takes on different assignments. In this assignment, he works closely with young minds as they transition into adulthood.
Many people may not realize that November is Black Catholic History Monthth. I ask him about this and he explains that this is unique to our nation. During this month the church explores the journey of Blacks in the history of the church. They celebrate Black Catholics who were leaders including Archbishop James Patterson Lyke.
Considered a member of the “Top Ten” in Black Catholicism, Lyke was a pillar the community. He was born in 1939 in Chicago and joined the Franciscan order. The Gallery at the Lyke House will exhibit his history.
I ask Father Mark about the worship services at the Lyke House. He says that the Catholic church is a universal church. Services all over the world from Rome to Liberia his home country follow an outline or pattern. Each ethnicity or culture can add to that outline. Members of the Ghanaian Catholic church in Atlanta join their services with drums for a cross-cultural experience that the young people enjoy.
Father Mark leaves us with a word from St. Paul’s letter to the Romans. Romans 25 - 28. He speaks about the present suffering that doesn’t compare to the glory that will come. He encourages us to be our brother’s keeper and asks God to bless the human family.
For more information on Father Mark
For more information on The Lyke House Catholic Center
For more information on Archbishop James Patterson Lyke
For more information on Black Catholic History Month