Author: CJ Nord

My purpose is to inspire the entire supply chain profession to make a difference in injustice that causes harm to humanity. That’s what this is all about.

“After-mass” coming from my Momma meant when I was going to get my donut, and cup of milk in the church hall. You can keep your Crispy Creams, it’s a chocolate old fashioned for me every time at age 7, or 57.
Today, I’d like to share my experience the first time I attended a gospel mass. Yep…a gospel…Catholic mass.
It opened with African drums. These were drums like the Native American drums I heard as a girl at pow-wows with Momma. I vividly remember standing next to her during the Grand Entrance as our elders and veterans were honored. She stood tall; her head held high, proud to be Lakota.
Momma planted the seed of faith in me by teaching from a depth of knowledge equal to any theologian. When as a smarty pants 13-year-old I had challenged her about the difference between the Great Spirit, and God, she explained, “No matter what we call God, there is still only one God, and we are all His children.” I was trying to get out of going to church. She made me laugh by promising me a donut after mass. She lured me to mass from day one with donuts.
But I digress. Donuts, and drums distract me every time. Let’s get back to the gospel mass. A few years ago, the St. Brigid’s Gospel Choir, along with the Knights, and Ladies of St. Peter Claver came to my parish in Bellflower. Good Lord, my eyes were as wide as saucers, and my heart never celebrated mass with such joy.
Not long after I got cancer, and I needed what gospel gave to get by.
You see, I love the Blues, and I love The Lord…therefore, I love gospel.
So, I started going to gospel mass at St. Brigid’s Catholic Church in south Los Angeles. My friend had told me that her church was praying for me, but I had no idea that her parish was St. Brigid’s until I heard her voice coming from a few pews behind me! I’ve made so many dear friends in the Catholic Josephite community all thanks to the work volunteers did during Black History Month.
God-Daddy has led me to where I would get the help I needed and give the help that was needed.
Nowadays the most contentious issue I am fighting is the use of the images of specific ethnic groups for shooting targets. Many depict Black men as the threat, and that puts my friends, and their children at risk. How could I not fight this battle after growing to love them so much?
I’ve really opened my heart for all to see today, so when I say that I’m going to fight this shooting target issue for the rest of my days, now you’ll understand why. To do any less would dishonor everything I stand for.
I lured you to a sermon with a donut. Learned that one from Momma.