Event Flyer                 Register Online

Sponsored by the Diocesan National Black Catholic Congress Leadership Team-Pittsburgh

Director of Liturgy for Congress XIII, Mr. Rawn Harbor

Rawn Harbor is one of the preeminent African-American Catholic liturgists and musicians in the U.S. today. A gifted pianist and composer, he is also a much sought-after workshop facilitator, speaker, and liturgist.

Harbor studied at Furman University, Howard University, the Catholic University of America, the Catholic Theological Union at Georgetown University, and the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, where he earned his master’s in theological studies in 2001. He was adjunct faculty member and director of liturgy and music at the Franciscan School of Theology in Berkeley, and adjunct faculty and director of the gospel choir at the University of San Francisco. He has taught and served as coordinator of liturgy for the Institute for Black Catholic Studies at Xavier University in New Orleans. Since 1974, Rawn has traveled the country as a liturgist, musician, and lecturer.

Rawn collaborated with ValLimar and Frank Jansen, and Val Parker, on the two-volume collection, Psalms from the Soul, the first psalmody collection designed for all who love gospel music.


Veronica Downs Dorsey

“Ms. Vee” served for many years as the choir director at St. Monica Catholic Church and is the past director of the New Orleans Gospel Soul Children.  She currently leads the Voices of Peter Claver, the main gospel choir of St. Peter Claver Catholic Church. Currently, Veronica serves as the music coordinator for the Institute for Black Catholic Studies at Xavier University and is a director of the Archdiocese of New Orleans Mass Gospel Choir.

Veronica is a member of The New Orleans Black Chorale, where she serves as the chorale’s principal pianist.  She is also a member of the Davell Crawford Singers, and the New Orleans Chapter of the Gospel Music Workshop of America, Inc.

Veronica has been recognized with many awards throughout her career, including the 2015 Trailblazer Award at the NOLA Gospel Awards, a Congressional Commendation by the House of Representatives of the Legislature of Louisiana, and most recently, The 2023 NOLA Music Merit Award was presented at the 8^th Annual Advidity Awards in New Orleans.

St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Parish      91 Crawford Avenue, 15219                        

Friday, November 17, 2023 – 6:00- 8:30 pm (Gathering and Refreshments)
Saturday, November 18, 2023 – 9:30 am – 4:30 pm (Continental Breakfast and Lunch)
Sunday, November 19, 2023 – 11:00 am Mass (Reception to follow)

Scan the QR code to register.