A Faith That Built a Nation: African American and Native American Catholic Witnesses Masterclass
2-Part Masterclass hosted by Father Maurice Henry SandsStarts April 14. ENROLL NOW!
In this FREE Masterclass, Father Maurice Henry Sands explores the powerful witness of African American and Native American Catholics and their lasting contributions to the history of the Church in the United States. Participants will discover inspiring stories of faith, perseverance, and holiness that continue to shape the Church today.
AGENDA
CLASS 1—Six African American Candidates for Sainthood
April 14, 2026 at 5 p.m. EDT
We’ll explore the remarkable lives of:
- Venerable Pierre Toussaint
- Venerable Mother Mary Lange
- Venerable Henriette DeLille
- Servant of God Julia Greeley
- Venerable Father Augustus Tolton
- Servant of God Sister Thea Bowman
Learn how these men and women lived lives of heroic virtue and how their witness continues to inspire Catholics today.
CLASS 2—The History of Native American Catholics
April 15, 2026 at 5 p.m. EDT
We’ll discuss:
- Early Spanish and French missionaries in what is now the United States and Canada
- The life and legacy of Kateri Tekakwitha, the first Native American saint
- The impact of U.S. government policies on Native American Catholics in the 19th century and how the Church responded
- The ongoing work of the Bureau of Catholic Indian Missions as part of the Black and Indian Mission Office
There are two ways you can attend the Masterclass:
- Attend the classes LIVE via Zoom (where you can ask questions during the class and connect with other attendees)
- Access the Masterclass videos, reflection questions, and featured resources the day after each live broadcast
Watch both classes and receive a Certificate of Participation. Details will follow.
Join, the Advance Your Expertise In Catechesis Facebook Group so you can connect with other educators and get additional support throughout the Masterclass and beyond.
About the Father Maurice Henry Sands
Fr. Maurice Henry Sands is the Executive Director of the Black and Indian Mission Office in Washington, DC. Fr. Sands is a priest of the Archdiocese of Detroit. He is a full-blooded Native American who grew up on a beautiful island known as Bkejwanong First Nation, located on the St. Clair River, just north of Detroit. He is a member of the Ojibway, Ottawa, and Potawatomi tribes, and he is an enrolled member of the Little Traverse Bands of Ottawa Indians. Fr. Sands also serves as a Consultant to the USCCB Subcommittee on Native American Affairs, as a consultant to the USCCB Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism, and as an ex officio board member of the Tekakwitha Conference.
Fr. Sands's work focuses on supporting ministry programs that serve African American and Native American Catholics in dioceses across the United States. He travels throughout the year to visit parishes, schools, diocesan ministry offices, and national organizations that serve African American and Native American Catholics. Fr. Sands has a particular interest in supporting and strengthening Catholic schools serving African American and Native American communities.
