Joe Cory/Key photo Royals captain Mike Sweeney delivers the second reading at a pre-game Mass at Kauffman Stadium on Sept. 23.

Among the Royals players in attendance were Sweeney, third baseman Mark Teahan, and pitchers Luke Hudson and Scott Dohmann. Long-time Royals player and coach Tom Burgmeier, broadcaster Ryan Lefebre and Sweeney's wife, Shara, also attended Mass. The assembled crowd nearly filled the Royals interview room, where that day, instead of reporters listening to post-game comments, the faithful listened to the Word of God.

After Sweeney, the five-time American League All-Star, gave the first two readings, Bishop Finn read the Gospel. In his homily, the bishop reminded the gathering that each one of them was called to be a disciple for Christ. The bishop said being a disciple involves discipline, with a constant regimen toward holiness and virtue, regardless of one's calling in life.

"We can be a disciple in the midst of whatever it is we do," Bishop Finn said. "Whether we play ball or work in an office, we need to be disciples. We need to bring faith into all aspects of our life."

Bishop Finn said it is important to develop a "plan of life," equating it to the importance of "structure" in a ballplayer's life. "You have a routine, especially when you travel," the bishop said. "You need a similar routine, routine contact with Jesus Christ, so we can be his representative. Do your work for our Lord, whether playing ball, whatever it is, out of a deep love and commitment to him."

Those words resonated with the Royals captain.

"Like Bishop Finn said, whatever you do, do with all of your heart serving Christ," Sweeney said from in front of his locker in the Royals clubhouse. "I think when you take the baseball field, or go sit behind your desk, or take care of your kids, you do it in a way that you're honoring God, which is doing it with all your heart.

"I get excited because we can honor God with the way we play the game. As long as our eyes are focused on Christ throughout the day, we can do all things."

Bishop Finn concluded his homily by reminding the gathering to turn for guidance to Mary, the mother of God, who was the "perfect disciple," and to Joseph, "a just man, a holy man." He urged everyone to find special opportunities to be a disciple for Christ.

During Offertory prayers, the bishop remembered Royals Manager Buddy Bell, who underwent surgery Sept. 22 to remove a growth in his throat. Just a few feet from the make-shift altar where Bishop Finn prayed, was Detroit Tigers Manager Jim Leyland, a long-time friend of Bell and his family.

"I just wanted to be there," he said, moments before the game that night between the Royals and Tigers. Leyland, a Catholic, has a brother who is a priest. "I just wanted to pray for Buddy," he said quietly.

The simple ceremony concluded with Bishop Finn again thanking Sweeney for the invitation to celebrate Mass with the Royals. Sweeney said afterward, he should be the one saying "thank you," not Bishop Finn. "I spoke with Bishop Finn and told him how much of a need there is to feed the sheep here," Sweeney said. "I think, by Bishop Finn coming here and celebrating Mass with us, it got us excited, as ballplayers, about our faith!

"We, unfortunately, don't get Sunday's off for six months straight," Sweeney said. "So, for Bishop Finn to come here and celebrate Mass with us is huge. It shows the hunger we have for Jesus Christ.

Sweeney said many of the players attend "baseball chapel" on Sundays, but, it's not the same. "A lot of the guys don't have the chance to worship fully," he said, "which for Catholics means receiving the body and blood of Christ.

After Mass, Bishop Finn, sporting the traditional blue Royals cap, and Father Richard Rocha, wearing the popular Royals blue cap with the black bill, watched the Royals take batting practice. About an hour and a half later, they watched the Tigers take batting practice on the Royals, scoring 10 runs in the first inning en route to a 15-4 win.

"I really like baseball," the bishop said while watching Sweeney hit towering fly balls over the outfield wall. "Of course, coming from St. Louis, I watched a lot of soccer in the parishes, but I really like baseball."

With that, the bishop tugged on the bill of his royal blue cap, and watched another Sweeney fly ball travel high into the deep blue sky.

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