ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NEW YORK, Jan. 20, 2006 - Darcel B. Whitten-Wilamowski, founder and director of the Sister Thea Bowman Rockville Centre Diocesan Gospel Choir and host of the “Total Praise” show on the diocesan television station, Telecare, has been appointed Coordinator for Ministry to Catholics of African Ancestry for the Diocese of Rockville Centre.

The Ministry to Catholics of African Ancestry is part of the new diocesan secretariat for New Evangelization directed by Father Richard Figliozzi. Ms. Whitten-Wilamowski will continue as director of the Diocesan Gospel Choir and host of Total Praise.

Ms. Whitten-Wilamowski attended Queens College and has both instrumental and vocal training in theatre and opera along with over 30 years of experience performing in and directing church choirs. Under her guidance and direction, the Diocesan Gospel Choir has participated in a Pontifical Mass commemorating the North American Devotion to Blessed Tanzi at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York, as well as other special liturgies at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Newark and churches throughout the Diocese of Rockville Centre.

As Coordinator of the Ministry to Catholics of African Ancestry, Ms. Whitten-Wilamowski will provide direction and coordinate services and programs that will ensure the participation of Catholics of African ancestry in every facet of diocesan life.

Ms. Whitten-Wilamowski is currently planning a diocesan celebration honoring 25 years of ministry to Catholics of African Ancestry. As part of that celebration, Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory, Archbishop of Atlanta, will preside at a special Mass in St. Agnes Cathedral on February 26 at 2:00 p.m.

EDITOR NOTE: PHOTO ATTACHED - PHOTO CREDIT: Photo courtesy of The Long Island Catholic newspaper and taken by Gregory A. Shemitz
 

About The Diocese of Rockville Centre
The Diocese of Rockville Centre (www.drvc.org) was formed in 1957 and covers 1,222 square miles in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. The diocese serves approximately 1.4 million Catholics (total population in both counties is approximately 3.3 million). There are 134 parishes in 115 towns. Last year over 20,000 baptisms, 18,000 confirmations, 20,000 first communions and 5,000 marriages took place in the diocese. There are 2,137 students in Catholic kindergarten, 23,825 in primary or elementary school, 12,628 in secondary school and 3,300 in higher institutions. There are 76 Catholic elementary and high schools and one Catholic college in the diocese. Catholic Health Services of Long Island consists of five hospitals, three nursing homes, two home-care agencies, two senior housing complexes, a community-based home for those with special needs and a hospice. Last year, Catholic Charities assisted more than 80,000 individuals who are poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged on Long Island.

For more information:
Sean P. Dolan
sdolan@drvc.org
516-678-5800, ext. 625
Cell: 516-313-8215

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