Father Rayford E. Emmons
The Knights of Peter Claver and Ladies Auxiliary will present their annual Claver Award to Father Rayford E. Emmons on Saturday, Nov. 19 at 5 p.m. at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.
Father Emmons is the first African-American priest to become pastor of a parish in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. He will be honored for his lifelong dedication to the Catholic community by the largest Black Catholic fraternal organization in the country.
Ordained in 1974, Father Emmons was named pastor of the former St. Elizabeth Parish in North Philadelphia in 1987. During his 42 years in the priesthood, he has served in prison, hospital and senior citizens ministries, as well as the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) and Catholic Social Services. He is currently parochial vicar at Holy Cross Parish in Philadelphia.
The theme of this year’s Claver Award banquet is “Spreading Faith, Hope and Charity” (Forty Years of Claverism), which highlights the 10th anniversary of the award.
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The banquet emphasizes the mission of the Knights’ and Ladies’ patron, St. Peter Claver, by acknowledging the time, talent and treasure of those adults and young people whose efforts have significantly impacted their church and community.
The Knights of Peter Claver is the largest historically Black Catholic fraternal organization in the United States, founded in 1909, in Mobile, Ala. Its current headquarters is in New Orleans, La. – see the website KofPC.org. In 1976 the organization’s first council and court in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia was established.
The Knights’ mission is to follow St. Peter Claver’s example by serving others in friendship, unity and Christian charity.
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Congratulations Fr. Emmons. I remember when you were at MOST BLESSED SACARAMENT in the late 70s and joining your CYO. I remember celebration of Mass out in the woods. (I have no ideas where). I brought my siblings and we enjoyed our selves with a picnic/BBQ and sports and friendship. I was new to Catholicism and my mom followed years later. You have a great knowledge of the African Saints, and I appreciated workshops and pilgrimages you organized. This award is a Blessing for your hard work and dedication. God Bless you and Congratulations.
Congratulations, Father Emmons! He served at St. Cyril Parish in East Lansdowne and was a very engaging person who gave excellent sermons. I still remember one where he spent his allowance and then expected his mother to give him the extra money he needed to buy a pair of shorts! He supported all of the parish ministries. He is very deserving of this award!