Laïcs En Mission
Bowman Francis Ministry
By Mike Krokos It was something the late Divine Word Father Chester Smith felt called to do. And nearly 20 years later, the outreach he helped create continues to bear fruit. The National Black Catholic Men’s Conference (NBCMC)was launched in Indianapolis in 2004, with Father Chester playing an integral role in developing the yearly gathering. …
The Society of the Divine Word is known for sending missionary priests and brothers to the farthest corners of the earth to serve. But sometimes SVDs are needed in less exotic locations. Twin brothers Fr. Charles Smith, SVD, and Fr. Chester Smith, SVD, saw a need to evangelize to African American youth across the United …
Father Chester Smith SVD, half of the first set of African-American twins to become Catholic priests, died suddenly on April 8 at age 60. https://www.divineword.org/obituaries/chestersmith/#.Y9MkxXPa6ww.mailto