Few remember Our Lady of Victory in Southern Pines, but some still do.

Our Lady of Victory was once a thriving black Catholic church, but closed in 1963 during a move toward integration when the congregation was expected to join St. Anthony of Padua.

Now, with the help of Pius Gabriel and the support of Raleigh Diocese Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, black Catholics are again being invited to join St. Anthony of Padua parish.

A special reception will be held after an 11 a.m. "homecoming" Mass on Sunday, June 8, for those people who may be interested in rejoining the church.

"There are many black people living in this area and few are coming to our church," said Gabriel, the event's organizer. "With the help of Monsignor Ingham, we have reenergized the African American Ministry and Evangelization (A.A.M.E.) of St. Anthony of Padua Chapter. That's a diocesan-level organization. We hope to encourage former church members to return, and to invite others to the area to join us."

In 1963, Bishop Vincent S. Waters decided that black parishes would be integrated into the rest of the Catholic community.

"It was a remarkably progressive move," said Monsignor Jeffrey A. Ingham, pastor of St. Anthony of Padua. "In practice, it may have alienated many of the parishioners, but in principle, it was absolutely the right thing to do. Whether everyone accepted it was the question."

Few blacks tried to join St. Anthony, and others joined other faiths. Some moved away, and by now, some have died.

However, the local A.A.M.E. chapter is nearly 20 strong, and has worked to evangelize the local black population, as well as others.

Ingham said it's difficult to tell what the response will be at this time. He added, "I'm glad that Bishop Burbidge has made this a priority. He's been bishop for less than two years, but he's a very pastoral bishop with a great energy. Our hope is to restore identity and sense of community to black Catholics."

"Our plan is to have the homecoming Mass and build from that," said Gabriel. "Bishop Burbidge has graciously accepted Monsignor Ingham's invitation to come and celebrate the Mass, and we plan to have a nice reception afterward."

Anyone interested in attending the homecoming Mass and reception afterward is invited to call the St. Anthony of Padua parish office at 692-6613.