Black Catholics give `glory to highest’ VIEW GALLERY -- use arrow keys to navigate through photos
CLARKSDALE — Different aspects of Father Maurice Nutt’s presentation appealed to people who attended the 2008 Day of Reflection on Saturday, March 1, which was hosted by Immaculate Conception Parish. It was sponsored by the Office of Black Catholic Ministry.
“He really laid it on the line,” said Irene German, Jackson St. Mary parishioner. “I’ve heard him before, that’s why I came. He is so down-to-earth, so real and so energetic. We Catholics really need that.”
Cornelius Beal, Meridian St. Joseph, appreciated what the Redemptorist priest said about togetherness among Catholics.
“As Catholics, black, white and Hispanic, we all need to come together. We share priests over in Meridian with St. Patrick and I like that the Hispanic priest is there for everyone. Not only for the Hispanics.”
Jackson St. Therese parishioner Gloria Salters has witnessed people leaving for other churches because they don’t feel a part of the Catholic Church. Father Nutt’s knowledge of the African history of the Catholic church impressed her.
“You can tell he’s well-educated and knowledgeable about the history of the church,” she said. “Knowing their history as part of the Catholic Church gives people pride in being Catholic. People need to become more educated about the history of the church. When you don’t know your history, it can be easy to walk away.”
To use the gifts God has blessed one with, to move into one’s bright and happy future in both ministry and service was the primary message Father Nutt wanted people to leave with.
His presentation centered on the theme, “Moving From Desperation to Destination.”
“People need to not be trapped in the bondage of their past, feeling like failures, or trapped in complacency and apathy,” the 45-year priest told over 200 people from a dozen parishes.
“I always talk from the word,” Father Nutt said as he read Exodus 14:5-18, the flight of the Israelites across the Red Sea. “The Israelites were caught between a rock — pharaoh — and a hard place – the Red Sea,” he said. “Our modern-day pharaoh has many of us financially-bound, emotionally-bound and spiritually-bound. Many of us are frozen in fear, disabled by doubt.”
“We must move beyond that. We must go beyond our past mistakes, kick them back,” he said.
Father Nutt told the audience God has brought African-American Catholics a long way. “God makes a way out of no way. God won’t leave you, he will move you into the future. Trust in God, stop thinking things won’t work out. Continue to be faithful.”
To move into the future with the church, people must tithe, promote vocations, evangelize themselves and others, and nurture the priests and religious who minister with them, he said.
The Diocese of Jackson has a beautiful treasure and legacy in Sister Thea Bowman, Father Nutt said. Organizers presented a video of her address to the U. S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in 1989. She died in 1990.
Also, Clarksdale artist Marshall Bouldin reflected on his experience painting Sister Bowman’s portrait.
