Shipwreck celebrates 33rd annual MLK Solidarity Mass

In the procession of gifts, parishioners carried signs representing some current social justice issues, including DACA, Black Lives Matter, the Children’s Health Insurance Program and the Me Too movement. (Photo courtesy Debra Greenblat)
 
 
February 22, 2018
 
St. Paul of the Shipwreck Parish in San Francisco celebrated its 33rd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Solidarity Mass on Jan. 14. Father Donald A. Sterling, pastor at New All Saints Church in Baltimore, was the presider. Father Sterling, a priest since 1974, was the first African-American priest to be ordained in Baltimore. His parish has some 1,000 families and 37 ministries.
 
 
The assembly joins hands in singing “Blessed Assurance” after the proclamation of the Gospel. (Photo courtesy Debra Greenblat)
 
 
This year’s recipient of Shipwreck’s Community Service Award was Deborah Estell from Alive & Free in San Francisco. Her work there includes coordinating the Leadership Academy, developing, instructing and coordinating the curriculum, directing and instructing the college prep class, counseling students and providing collegiate support. Pictured are Deacon Larry Chatmon; Deborah Estell; Joseph E. Marshall Jr., executive director and co-founder of Alive & Free; and Loretta Chatmon, MLK Mass coordinator. (Photo courtesy Debra Greenblat)
 
 
Members of the Igbo Catholic Community led an uplifting version of the Creed. (Photo courtesy Debra Greenblat)