This is an article introducing Father Maurice J Nutt to the world. It was originally wrote by Christine Bordelon from Clarion Herald.

So who is Father Maurice J Nutt?

Father Maurice J Nutt is a faithful and loving Christian Man.  His experience in theology extends beyond the several Great Institute which he has served on including having been on the National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus board and an adjunct professor for Hampton University’s Online Religious Studies Program and St. Louis University’s Department of Theology.   He has a doctorate of ministry from Aquinas Institute of Theology, a master of divinity from Catholic Theological Union and a master of theology from the Institute for Black Catholic Studies at Xavier University (New Orleans, Louisiana).   He also has authored three books, one about his former teacher Thea Bowman.

Who is Father Maurice J Nutt?

Father Maurice has been invited to lead Institute for Black Catholic Studies as its director, he would discerning for six weeks “because I wanted to know if this was where God was calling me,” he said. “I felt God was trying to use me.”

Because of what he gained as a seminarian studying at the institute – the only African-American Catholic studies’ program in the U.S. offering graduate degrees – he wanted to give back.

He said the program allowed him to be “well-prepared and equipped to serve the African-American community as a priest.”

“I felt (those experiences) would serve well in leadership of the institute,” he said. “I knew the program well as a pastor, teacher and student.”

So who is Father Maurice J Nutt?

Taught by a ‘saint’…Father Maurice,  believes he was taught to preach by a modern-day saint – Bowman – and said he never dreamed he would be writing books about her.   He is proud of the caliber of professors from the institute’s founding – such as Fathers Bede Abrams and Cyprian Davis, who wrote ground-breaking works for ministry among African-American Catholics.

“I learned to connect with the word of God and be able to relate it to the lives and experiences of my congregation,” he said.   “I learned that preaching must be both provocative and engaging.   It must be spirit-filled – you use your whole body to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ.”

He believes today’s faculty is also strong, citing how students often express how impressed they are with the depth of knowledge of the professors.   Among this year’s teachers is Fulbright Scholar Dr. Modeste Malu Nyimi from the Congo.   Father Maurice taught Black Preaching II, a commitment he takes very serious.

So who is Father Maurice J Nutt?

As a Christian Man, he has a few immediate goals.   One is to make sure the World gets introduce to Sister Bowman more known worldwide as well as locally.   He plans to continue free, year-round and open-to-the-public lectures and webcasts.   Another is to grow fellow Catholics to become more spiritual.

So who is Father Maurice J Nutt?

Father Maurice believes that “Young people offer hope”.  His youthful spirit and energy attracts Catholics of all ages, but Father Nutt strives to reach out to younger Catholics who aren’t aware of what the Church offers.

“I have a heart for inspiring young Catholics to minister in the church,” he said.

Father Nutt has high expectation for the himself as well as fellow Catholics from whom he asks not only take their faith seriously, but serve as evangelizers and consider returning with other Non Practicing Catholic to Mass.

“We were given a gift, a legacy as a student of our Faith, and it is my obligation to continue the vision that was handed to me,” Father Nutt said. “I look keenly at my fellow Christian brothers and sisters and think, ‘could he or she be the next mentor?’”