A few Mondays ago, I experienced an exhilarating evening. By the goodness of some parishioners I was in my seat at the $455 million dollar University of Phoenix Stadium (gee, if only our Catholic schools could offer mail order degrees!) for the BCS National Championship Bowl game. I sat in a section that I thought would be all Florida , but there were some Ohio State fans mixed among us. A Florida fan seated behind said us that the Ohio fans were arrogant and obnoxious. An Ohio State fan turned to him and said, “Yes, and the Florida fans are delusional.” I said, “I think everyone is feeling optimistic.” This was before the game began. Everyone was united as one very energized and excited stadium full of college football fans anticipating a terrific evening. And it was a terrific evening. By the end of the first half Florida fans no longer seemed delusional and our pre-game optimism seemed fulfilled. I saw and visited with Pastor Denny Hieberg from our neighbors at Grace United Methodist Church at half time. We decided our prayers were making the difference! When St. Paul wrote that we, however different as individuals are one body, the body of Christ, I think he was generating the kind of feeling the Methodist and Catholic pastors were sharing as Gator fans. St. Paul , of course, was talking about the body of Christ and the Christian mission and in that Pastor Denny and I also feel a kindred spirit. The second half was also Gators all the way. There were two Ohio State fans sitting in front of the two seats next to me. These guys were in their thirties, I would guess, but I watched them age through the game. They looked like they were 80 by the time they left in the fourth quarter. This has been a great time for all Gainesville and in a special way for our parish. Because two of our own, Coach Billy Donovan and Coach Urban Meyer have proven that Catholic men of integrity bring home the victories. This week they were both here to help raise money for the much needed expansion of SFCHS.Fr. Jeff McGowan |
