Joy, holiness called keys to attracting African-American vocations

Published: 2007-07-27

NEW ORLEANS (CNS) -- Manifesting joy and living a life of holiness are fundamental ways to attract young African-American men to consider a vocation to the priesthood, Redemptorist Father Maurice Nutt of Memphis, Tenn., told the joint convention of the National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus and the National Black Sisters' Conference July 25. The conference, attended by more than 200 black priests, deacons, sisters and seminarians, focused on vocations and enriching the spiritual, theological, educational and ministerial lives of the participants. The attendees also participated in two service projects -- cleaning out the house of the 90-year-old mother of a deacon and working at the Sisters of the Holy Family motherhouse. "There are a number of young people who are interested in answering God's call to serve the church, and we as clergy have to be more deliberate in our invitation to have men consider the priesthood," said Father Nutt, pastor of Holy Names of Jesus and Mary in Memphis. "The best promotion is by our example and our encouragement of young men and women."

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