Taking a Stand for God

Although I no longer have kids in high school, I still enjoy skimming the Sun Chronicle for the latest sports results. It’s fun to see how the local teams are faring and often recognize the names of former students who I taught in faith formation. I was especially excited this fall to follow the KP football team whose successful run ultimately led to playing at Gillette Stadium in the Division 2 Super Bowl playoffs. I never attended an actual game, but many Saturday evenings, at the 5:30 St. Martha Mass, I would get the Friday night game highlights from Stefanie Nineve, mom of a senior player.

What was so special about this year’s squad was how close they became during the season. The parents took turns hosting a Senior dinner the night before each game and Stefanie led a prayer prior to the meal. Each week she encouraged them to play their best as a team and asked God to keep them safe and strong. Regardless of their religious affiliation, the boys always counted on “The Blessing,” and Stefanie felt this greatly united the boys and likely impacted their success.

I’ve recently reflected a lot on this story and how I stand for God. Stefanie had the courage to demonstrate her faith in a way that inspired and empowered the team. She did not allow their myriad of religious beliefs to deter her from appearing before the players, coaches and parents and leading prayer on their behalf. Working at the rectory, I can easily profess God’s goodness to those who share my faith, but how am I doing outside of my comfort zone? What am I doing to bring my nonpracticing Catholic friends back to church? Who am I praying with or for? Am I the best disciple of Christ that I can be? May we all be reminded that there are many ways we can take a Stand for God in our lives and it is important to take that sometimes uncomfortable risk in order to touch those around us with God’s grace.