- President of the National Black Catholic Seminarians Association
Christopher S. Rhodes, president of the National Black Catholic Seminarians Association and native of Dallas, Texas, is studying for the Archdiocese of Louisville and the Archdiocese of Military Service at the Catholic University of America’s National Seminary Theological College. Before entering seminary, Mr. Rhodes obtained a B.A. in Economics from Morehouse College, received a presidential commission to the United States Army as an Infantry Officer and Finance Officer for the Department of Defense with experience in Military Operations, Intelligence, Personnel Management, Logistics, and as Headquarters Detachment Commander. He started his seminary training in the fall of 2005 obtaining a M.A. in Philosophy from Saint Meinrad School of Theology. Mr. Rhodes, God willing, will be ordained Deacon in April 2011, priest in June 2012, and continue service to the military as a Catholic Chaplain at the rank of Captain with the Kentucky National Guard.
Kareem R. Smith is a college seminarian of the Archdiocese of New York at St. John Neumann Seminary College, which is located at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers. Fall 2010 will mark the beginning of his third year at St. John Neumann. As a native son of the northeast Bronx, Kareem is active in a number of the Northeast Bronx parishes. He received his sacraments at St. Anthony of Padua Church. Kareem attended St. Anthony of Padua School and then moved on to Blessed Sacrament High School. While at Blessed Sacrament, Kareem joined the Cathedral Preparatory Program. He was an active member of Cathedral Prep for his entire four years in high school. During his latter years at Blessed Sacrament, Kareem worked as Director of Development for Harlem Live, a non-for-profit organization. Harlem Live is journalism program with the mission to empower a diverse group of youth towards leadership using experience and exposure to media and technology. Upon graduation from the Cathedral Preparatory Program, Kareem applied to and was accepted at St. John Neumann Seminary College. After finishing first in his class at Blessed Sacrament, Kareem began his college studies at St. John’s University in Queens, New York. Kareem is about to begin his third year at St. John’s where he is double majoring in philosophy and theology. Kareem has served as a member of the Vicariate Council of the Northeast Bronx. Last summer Kareem served at Assumption Parish in Peekskill. This summer Kareem is serving as an assistant to Br. Tyrone Davis, C.F.C. in the Office of Black Ministry of the Archdiocese of New York.
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