Sunday, June 7, 2026 – The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi)
On May 20, 2026, we lost The Most Reverend John H. Ricard, S.S.J, (The Josephite Community). Bishop Ricard was a well-respected leader in the African American Community and a leading member of the National Black Clergy Caucus. He was an auxiliary bishop in Baltimore before being named Bishop of Pensacola-Tallahassee. He was one of a number of African American bishops who had a powerful voice and witness for African American Catholics and calling the entire church to awareness on many social issues. The Reverend Kareem R. Smith, president of the National Black Clergy Caucus wrote:
Throughout his ministry, Bishop Ricard remained deeply committed to evangelization, Catholic education, priestly and religious vocations, and the pastoral care of Black Catholics. For many within the Black Catholic community, Bishop Ricard represented both wisdom and accompaniment during moments of challenge and transition in the life of the Church. His leadership among the Josephites and his longstanding commitment to justice and authentic pastoral outreach leave behind a legacy that will continue to shape the Church for years to come.
I personally did not know Bishop Ricard, but his description is almost identical to another African American bishop, the late Archbishop James Lyke, who was an auxiliary in the Diocese of Cleveland and later named Archbishop of Atlanta. I personally knew Archbishop Lyke during my years in Cleveland. Archbishop Lyke was a very personable church leader and the comments by Father Smith for Bishop Ricard can easily apply to Archbishop Lyke.
Men like Bishop Ricard and Archbishop Lyke are church leaders who need to be recognized and their pastoral service imitated. The entire church needs leaders who can proclaim the message of the Gospel when it is easy and when it is a challenge. We also see this with Pope Leo. Our current times require such a witness of service to the People of God. Outside the realm of church, we need to identify and promote leaders who are the best civil servants and desiring the common good of all.
A powerful quote describing good leadership is authored by Lance Secretan:
Leadership is not so much about technique and methods as it is about opening the heart. Leadership is about inspiration-of oneself and of others. Great leadership is about human experiences, not processes. Leadership is not a formula or a program, it is a human activity that comes from the heart and considers the hearts of others. It is an attitude, not a routine.