POPE’S VISIT RENEWS , REFRESHES CAC’S MISSION

By Jim Penrice

Catholic Athletes for Christ has always known that God can be met on an athletic field. So it was perfectly natural for several CAC members to gather April 17 at Nationals Park in Washington, DC for Holy Mass with Pope Benedict XVI. For an organization that leads people closer to Christ at athletic venues, celebrating the Eucharist with the Vicar of Christ on a baseball field was literally the best of both worlds.

Joining CAC founder and president Ray McKenna for Papal events in Washington were baseball star Mike Piazza, New York Jets quarterback Kellen Clemens, Chicago Bears owner Pat McCaskey, former Philadelphia Eagles General Manager and Ronald McDonald House founder Jim Murray, Olympic swimming hopeful Kate Zeigler, former professional soccer player and film maker Antonio Soave, former NCAA basketball player and coach Theresa Grentz, and Chicago Blackhawks hockey legend Stan Mikita and his wife Jill.

Kellen Clemens and Mike Piazza addressed the faithful before Mass. At the conclusion of the liturgy Clemens and his wife Nicole experienced a life-changing moment when Pope Benedict blessed their infant daughter, Kate Elizabeth, as he made his way down the aisle.

“He came right over to my wife and Kate and traced the sign of the cross on her forehead,” Clemens told the New York Post, “and then he knelt down and kissed her forehead. It was just an amazing blessing for her and us as parents to be able to witness it, to have our child blessed by such a powerful, religious, spiritual man.”

Jim Murray knows the wonder of having a child blessed by the Holy Father. When Pope John Paul II visited Philadelphia in 1979, he blessed Murray’s youngest child and papal namesake, John Paul. In 1987 Murray had the privilege of having breakfast with Pope John Paul II, to tell him about Ronald McDonald House and the blessing it has been to countless families. Yet even with such close papal encounters under his belt, Murray was moved anew by the Papal Mass at Nationals Park. The man who helped lead the Philadelphia Eagles to Super Bowl XV described the Mass as a “spiritual Super Bowl.”

“We were celebrating Mass with the 265th successor of St. Peter,” said Murray. “It was about so much more than the personal transformation of each person there. What really struck me was the universality of the Church, the unity that exists in the diversity of all those people who were there. It was totally humbling.”

Humility was something that struck Antonio Soave as well—not just the crowd’s experience, but the Pope’s own profound sense of humility. “I found him to be very kind, caring and compassionate, through his demeanor, disposition, and shy nature,” said Soave. “He was truly the embodiment of Christ, not just officially as the Vicar of Christ, but his person was a true reflection of Christ.”

Soave noted that while Pope John Paul II captured popular appeal with his charismatic personality, Benedict is beginning to touch people to a similar degree through his shyness. “He appeals to a much broader audience than Catholics,” he said. “I saw many non-Catholics who were drawn not just by the spectacle. His holiness comes through in his shy and humble nature. He is the embodiment of the words of St. Francis: ‘Preach the Gospel; if necessary, use words.’ The Pope is showing non-Catholics how much holiness and sanctity can be found in the Catholic Church.” Soave compared Benedict to Mother Teresa, a humble disciple who simply did the work of God without seeking to draw attention to herself. In doing so, she drew the attention of the world.

As a CAC member, Soave sees important ramifications for the sports world in the Pope’s example. “The message for athletes is that so very much can be accomplished when ego is set aside,” said Soave. “The glory of God comes across when we can humble ourselves, not grandstand.”

“Life is a team sport,” said Jim Murray, reflecting upon the athletic connection to faith. “In both sports and life you need a leader, direction and rules. The Pope is that leader, giving that direction, teaching the rules.” Speaking of the importance of a strong faith presence in the sports world, Murray said, “There has never been a greater need for an organization like Catholic Athletes for Christ. Young kids are hungry for this message. If you can deliver it through a catcher’s mitt or a goalie’s mask or whatever, all the better. We really underestimate the hunger young people have for faith.”

Antonio Soave agrees. “Young people very much want guidance, direction, and the experience of reverence,” he said. “They want to experience the holiness and sanctity of the Catholic Mass. For too long we had a ‘marketing campaign’ that removed many sacred aspects of the Mass in an attempt to attract young people. This Pope is bringing back those sacred elements.”

Soave said that young people are reaching out for a leader, and they see one in Pope Benedict. “He is a visible expression of piety,” he said.

CAC’s presence during the Holy Father’s Washington visit went beyond the open air Mass. Among those attending President Bush’s welcome ceremony for the Pontiff at the White House were Ray McKenna, Pat McCaskey and Stan and Jill Mikita. After the Nationals Park Mass, CAC hosted a luncheon attended by Mike Piazza and Episcopal Advisory Board members Bishop Robert Finn, Bishop Michael Burbidge, and Bishop Thomas Paprocki. Bishop Martin Holley of the Archdiocese of Washington, another Episcopal Advisory Board member, was instrumental in welcoming the athletes to the nation’s capital.

On Friday, Bishop Finn delivered the keynote address to the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast, which was attended by Mike Piazza, Kellen Clemens, Jim Murray, and Pat McCaskey.

Perhaps the overall experience of attending the Papal events is best summed up by Pat McCaskey. “It was very encouraging, edifying and exhilarating,” he said. Upon returning home McCaskey has felt “more serene and calm” in dealing with his daily affairs, with a renewed commitment to his discipleship. By that measure, Pope Benedict’s visit was a great success.