Something For Sunday – Well Done Good and Faithful Servants
By Michael Reel
Education and faith are the hallmarks of the ministry of Reverend Dr. Calvin O. Butts, III. Dr. Butts has served as Pastor of the globally renowned Abyssinian Baptist Church in the City of New York for over 30 years, and is President Emeritus of the State University of New York College at Old Westbury. Presently, Dr. Butts serves in the Fordham University Graduate School of Education as a Distinguished Visiting Professor in the Educational Leadership, Administration and Policy Division.
Dr. Butts continues as the eminent pastor of The Abyssinian Baptist Church, one of the most historic faith institutions in the nation. In addition to growing Abyssinian’s core values that focus on Worship, Evangelism, Service, and Education, Reverend Butts helped found, and is the current Chairman of the Abyssinian Development Corporation, a community- based, not-for-profit organization responsible for over $1 billion in housing and commercial development in Harlem. Dr. Butts was also instrumental in establishing the Thurgood Marshall Academy for Learning and Social Change – a public, state-of-the-art, intermediate and high school in Harlem, and he is the visionary behind the Thurgood Marshall Academy Lower School.
During his presidential tenure at SUNY College – Old Westbury, Dr. Butts reinvigorated one of the most diverse public college campuses in America to its largest enrollment ever, adding full- time faculty and expanding student support services. Under his leadership, SUNY College at Old Westbury earned new accreditations and created its first-ever graduate programs, conferring graduate degrees in more than fifteen disciplines. Further, Dr. Butts oversaw the College’s investment of approximately $150 million in capital projects, including technological advances, residence halls, a Student Union, and a major academic building.
Dr. Butts serves as a member of the leadership board of New Visions for Public Schools. In September 2020, he was appointed President Emeritus of SUNY College at Old Westbury College, and remains Chairman Emeritus of the Board of the National Black Leadership Commission on Health (NBLCH), as well as a founding member of the organization’s Board of Commissioners.
The Reverend served as President of Africare NYC, an independent organization dedicated to the improvement of the quality of life in rural Africa, and was a member of the board of the September 11th Fund. Dr. Butts received honorary degrees from Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; the City University of New York/The City College of New York and many others. For his community activism, Dr. Butts received innumerable honors and commendations, including the United Negro College Fund’s Shirley Chisholm Community Service Award; The Medal for Distinguished Service from Teachers College, Columbia University and Man of the Year, Morehouse College Alumni Association.
Dr. Butts is married, with three children and six grandchildren
Father James, has joined our ancestors. He walked our Verbum Dei halls from 1970 through 1986.
Thomas James developed a love for education and the Church at an early age while attending a segregated school run by the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament. James was educated at Notre Dame Elementary School in St. Martinville, LA, and at St. Augustine’s Seminary in Bay Saint Louis, MS.
Ordained in December 1969 in Lafayette, James immediately became active in the just-formed National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus. He devoted much time to the goal of increasing African American vocations to the priesthood.
His first priestly assignment was at Verbum Dei High School in Los Angeles, CA. Ministering as priest, teacher, deputy, and administrator from 1970 through 1986 — including six years as principal – he worked tirelessly to develop the surrounding neighborhood before returning to the Diocese of Lafayette. Shortly thereafter, he became pastor of St. Edward Parish in New Iberia, LA (1988 through 2002). Finally, James – an SVD priest — became pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish; significant given this parish was built to accommodate the four African-American priests first ordained by the Society of the Divine Word Missionaries in Bay Saint Louis in 1934: Frs. Anthony Bourges, Maurice Rousseve, Vincent Smith, and Francis Wade. James also serves as Episcopal Vicar of the Central Region of the Diocese of Lafayette. He celebrated the 49th anniversary of his ordination to priesthood in December 2018.
Fr. Thomas James Svd’s passing on Friday, October 28, 2022 has been publicly announced by Syrie Funeral Home – Lafayette in Lafayette, LA.
SERVICES
Visitation
Friday, November 4, 2022
9:00 AMCathedral of St. John the Evangelist
515 Cathedral Street
Lafayette, LA 70501
Rosary
Friday, November 4, 2022
10:00 AMCathedral of St. John the Evangelist
515 Cathedral Street
Lafayette, LA 70501
Funeral Service
Friday, November 4, 2022
12:00 PM Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist
515 Cathedral Street
Lafayette, LA 70501
