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Faith From the Fields - #6: Practice? What are we talking about? Practice?

2009-09-28T14:12:57-04:00:00

Bringing a positive attitude to practice delivers its own rewards. As I mentioned last week, that attitude is a choice. It can be difficult being the player on a varsity team that doesn't see regular action. Instead of dwelling on lack of playing time in games, successful "bench warmers" make a different choice. They go hard in practice to match the intensity of the starters or first team. When called upon, they can make the most of their opportunities because of the effort that gave in practice. Coaches highly value players like this.

The practice of our faith can be seen in a similar light. As far as our faith goes, each one of us is a bench warmer. The "first team" all have "Saint" attached to their names and the coaching staff is truly divine. Our job is to practice our faith in all we do by honoring the gifts we have been given - just as the saints have done before us. We focus on our faith each day so we can make the most of our opportunities when we are called off the bench.

Faith From the Fields - #5: An Attitude of Gratitude

2009-09-22T12:10:24-04:00:00

Our attitudes affect everything we do in sports. You can always tell when players approach practices and games with the right attitude. In any sport, talent only gets you so far. The right attitude can lead players to realize their full potential. The type of attitude I'm describing is an attitude of gratitude - being aware of and thankful for all things. This type of attitude accompanies virtues like work ethic, teamwork, excellence and humility.

Athletes with an attitude of gratitude work hard in practice because they are thankful for the opportunities to get better. They are respected by their teams because they are thankful for and respect their own teammates. Athletes like these always win - despite the score.

An attitude of gratitude - whether it's in athletics or outside of sports - is a CHOICE. It's a choice that needs to be practiced each day. Our attitudes are a choice that God gives us in everything we do. When we help our kids learn more about making that choice, we give them the keys to winning in life - despite the score.

Faith From the Fields - #4: Lessons From the First Grade

2009-09-11T15:30:00-04:00:00

Sports are MEANT to be FUN! Often times because of our competitive natures, we - as parents, coaches and players - can forget that sports are FUN. We sometimes forget FUN when our kids fall short of lofty expectations. We sometimes forget FUN when an athlete isn't picking up a technique or move we try to teach them. We sometimes forget FUN when our team can't seem to win a game. This past week I caught glimpses of practices for our elementary age sports - flag football, volleyball and soccer. Seeing them reminded me of something I heard former Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong say: "Never forget your beginner's spirit!"

A beginner's spirit is full of energy and enthusiasm. It's the spirit that's willing to learn. It's the spirit that's willing to put forth a strong effort. Above all, it's the spirit that wants to be with friends and has FUN. Since this is grade school sports, there is still a wonderful teaching opportunity for both coaches AND athletes to do new and wonderful things. Coaches and parents can help encourage a beginner's spirit in their athletes by challenging them to make each other better players. Athletes can tap into their beginner's spirit and help their teammates develop their skills in practice by always giving their best effort and by challenging their teammates to do the same. It's more FUN when you work together as a team.

Faith From the Fields - #3: Shake on It!

2009-09-11T15:28:57-04:00:00

Here in the United States, a handshake can express many things like greetings, agreements, apologies and forgiveness. When we celebrate mass, we use it as a sign of peace. Regardless of time or place, every time we offer a handshake it is done to show sincerity.

After games, teams and coaches exchange handshakes and offer up to each other these words -- GOOD GAME. It's a tradition that many of us have brought from our own days of playing sports. Sometimes, however, we need to be careful that we do not simply go through the motions and forget its intent. With this gesture, we give our thanks to the other team for the gifts of effort and participation. Without an opponent, there is no game. Without our opponent's effort, there is no reason to put forth our own effort. Without competition, there is no sports. Be thankful for all things and show sincere appreciation for the team you face that day.

Faith From the Fields - #2: Being Thankful for Mistakes

2009-08-31T14:51:04-04:00:00

Our Fall Sports are just starting up now. For some, this is the first year to play their sport. For others, it is a time to build upon skills learned in the past. Regardless of the situation, mistakes will be made. The way athletes handle mistakes is what can distinguish an elite athlete. The elite athlete will always learn from her mistake and make herself better because of it. This is another example of how sports can be a metaphor for life.

When mistakes are made, this shows that a correction needs to be made. Whether it's during a practice or a game, there are often consequences - things like penalties, points for an opponent or even the occasional scream and yell from a coach - that make mistakes very easy to recognize. Instead of putting himself down and letting his mistake eat at his spirit, the elite athlete recognizes his mistake and learns from it. The elite athlete is thankful for his mistakes. Our Christian Faith tells us that all things are from God and that we should be thankful for all things. Next time you make a mistake on the field instead of getting angry with yourself, try to be like the elite athlete and then say, "Thank you, Jesus" for your mistakes and your ability to learn from them

Faith from the Fields - #1: Generosity and Enthusiasm

2009-08-24T13:16:10-04:00:00

Sports teams are a lot like families. The members of a team bring unique gifts that help define the team's identity. They rejoice together in victory. They support each other when times get tough. Teams build strength through all of their shared experiences. It is a team's strength, not just its record, that is the measure of their success and enjoyment in a season.
The key ingredients to building team strength are generosity and enthusiasm. Jealousy and rivalry tear us down. Generosity and enthusiasm are the opposites of jealousy and rivalry. Discover what it means to be generous and enthusiastic on your team. Make it a goal to encourage generosity and enthusiasm in your teammates, friends and families.
During the school year, the Athletics Ministry will offer a weekly inspiration in the church bulletin and school newsletter. Please take the time to discuss it with your children and remember: pray together, play together!

Peanut Butter

2008-09-10T08:46:34-04:00:00

After talking on the phone with a friend of mine last night, I got to thinking how adventurous his life had become since we last saw each other. That led to me thinking about how mundane and ordinary mine is. I'm pretty much scheduled up to my neck in activities, but nothing like seeing famous people on the street, having meetings with people in the public eye or traveling the world and experiencing other cultures.

But you know what? I'm happy! I'm really, really happy!

The last 12 days or so have been VERY difficult. All this business with my car, project breakdowns at work, dealing with the attention spans of kids on the football field, trying to coordinate schedules with all of humanity and the multiple crises in the house have made me want to stay in my basement, order a crapload of hot wings and turn on the NFL Network.

When I woke up, this thought entered my mind, "I'm out of peanut butter." Then I was in the shower thinking, "I'm out of peanut butter." I loaded the kids in the car and my brain said, "I'm out of peanut butter." After dropping the kids off at school, I actually said out loud, "I'm out of peanut butter." I continued to drive into work with that ridiculous thought repeating itself in my head, "I'm out of peanut butter, I'm out of peanut butter, I'm out of peanut butter." My only recourse was to stop and buy peanut butter. I got to work, made my morning oatmeal and sat down to check the emails that had come in from the night before. While eating my oatmeal, I noticed the jar of peanut butter on my desk and asked myself, "Now what?!?! You HAVE your *@#%ing peanut butter. Now what do you do?!?!"

"Nothing," answered a soft, comforting voice.

Today, I'm thankful that I have the means to buy my own jar of peanut butter and I'm thankful that - with everything going on in my world and the world around me - all I need today is a jar of creamy peanut butter to make me experience a few moments of pure joy.

MVP - John Challis?

2008-05-07T11:51:31-04:00:00

Do you know John Challis? John is an 18-year-old student at Freedom High School in Beaver County, PA. He's a faithful Catholic and a member of his school's baseball team.

Do you know John Challis? Two weeks ago, he hit an RBI single against section opponent Aliquippa.

Do you know John Challis? John has cancer - the kind of cancer that measures the remainder of life in months. However, he has been bravely battling cancer for almost two years. He realizes that being around this long is an accomplishment in itself.

Do you know John Challis? Thanks to one of my former high school teammates in baseball, I do.

I live in Louisville, KY now, but I try to browse my hometown paper's website (The Beaver County Times) each morning. A few weeks ago, I actually read about John's single against Aliquippa. I have to admit that I just glanced over the story and thought, "That's nice he got to do that." What I didn't know was how influencial John Challis is to everyone who knows him.

Last night, one of my co-workers sent me a link to an article about John on the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette website. It tells his story and describes how communities and students from other schools have been touched by John's story. More importantly, the story shows John's strength and conviction to make his life really mean something.

After reading the article, I felt something inside of me leap. I was being urged to get in touch with John some way. John's coach, Steve Wetzel, happened to be a graduate of Blackhawk High School and one of my high school and American Legion baseball teammates. I was able to track him down through some old friends back home.

Picture From Pittsburgh Post-Gazette taken by Matt Freed

The things Steve told me about John were amazing. John's story has created interest from all three major sports teams in Pittsburgh - Steelers, Penguins and Pirates. Rival high schools have honored him by raising money for cancer research. Scholar-athletes from Freedom High School and opposing teams gather with John in prayer following games. Entire faith communities extend their love and prayers to John and his family.

Also, I'm not the first ex-teammate of Steve's to offer support. Guys I used to refer to by nicknames like "Bones", "Smitty", and "ErK" have all been in touch with him because of John. Many of Steve's (and mine as well) former teachers and coaches from Blackhawk like Bob Amalia, Jim Wilson and the legendary Joe Hamilton, have been involved too.

John's story is so moving and emotional for so many people. For me, John's love of baseball and his deep rooted Catholic faith were the most poignant.

Ever since I was 7-years-old, baseball has been a focal point of my life. I've played or coached every year for the past 26 years. I love the game and I love the way it can shape the character of young players. Being one of Steve's players makes John a descendant of a coaching lineage that includes Coach Amalia, Coach Wilson and Coach Hamilton. Those three along with countless other Blackhawk coaches and faculty create a tree of knowledge and support from some of the greatest motivators I've had the pleasure of knowing.

I've been a Catholic my entire life, but really came into a deeper appreciation of my faith when I was in college. I currently serve as a music minister in my own parish. Since our church also supports its own school, I have seen first-hand the faith crises that many of the students (as well as their parents) endure especially in their teen years. To hear how John really connected with God through all of this reassures me that people his age really do seek God in their lives. He is a glorious example of the gifts of love and strength given to all of us by the Holy Spirit. I really experienced true joy when Steve spoke of the faith that John shares with everyone. It's also a credit to his parents and his faith community for being a shining example for John to follow.

I ask anyone reading this to pray for John and his family and friends. Also, I urge you -- in any way you can -- get to know John Challis.

Lord, thank you for allowing me to learn more about you through one of my own Brothers in Christ. Through Baptism and the Eucharist, we are connected on earth. I pray that we unite again in your kingdom when our time here is through.

Was that the Pope? Wait, no.

2008-04-21T15:50:30-04:00:00

In case you missed it, Pope Benedict was in town this weekend. I was delighted to catch the Papal Mass on TV as well as the Mass at St. Patrick on Thursday. The best talk that the Holy Father gave had to be during his visit to the Dunwoodie Seminary in Yonkers, NY. If anything, this had to be a ratings boost for cable network EWTN.

One interesting side note ... My friend Dennis went up to New York for the mass and some "R&R" as well. He was one of the people I looked for on the EWTN broadcasts, but I didn't see him. I saw Fr. Chuck from St. Pius (formerly), the priest who is also a real clown and retired Archbishop Kelly, but no one else that I knew. Dennis told me that he was going to go to Rockefeller Plaza to see the live broadcast of the Today Show this morning. Here's a transcript of the text message exchange we had today ....

Jerome: R u at the 2day sho?
Dennis: Ya. Im in the plaza
Jerome: Im watching 4 u! Wat color is ur shirt?
Dennis: Im wearing a mitre

...

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-30T16:53:32-05:00:00

Family and friends were abundant this Christmas. Many happy wishes to all who weren't able to join us this year!