A large group of Sisters of Charity of Nazareth joined community members at St. Monica Catholic Church in Bardstown on June 19 for Freedom’s Resurgence, a Juneteenth Songfest honoring freedom, resilience and unity.

The evening brought together local churches, musicians and neighbors for prayer, music and reflection as the community commemorated Juneteenth, the day marking the end of slavery in the United States. Participants lifted their voices in songs of hope and remembrance, including “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” written as a poem in 1900 by NAACP leader James Weldon Johnson and set to music by his brother, J. Rosamond Johnson. The song is a powerful prayer of thanksgiving and a symbol of resilience for Black Americans.

The Sisters were grateful to stand in solidarity with those gathered to remember the struggles and sacrifices of the past while recommitting to the work of justice, human dignity, and the common good. The celebration reflected the spirit of community and shared responsibility that continues to call people forward in building a more just and peaceful world.

Thank you to St. Monica Catholic Church and all who helped make this meaningful evening possible. Watch the video below to see and hear this meaningful Juneteenth celebration at St. Monica Catholic Church.