Hello CE forum!  PLEASE take the time to purchase and view the Champions of Faith DVD-----not much else around these days so well worth the time and money! 

 We received our six-pack of dvds yesterday and viewed it last night--WOW!  You should have seen my 12 year old!  It was as if a light bulb went off----how do I serve God AND play baseball??  Here it is!  But it goes way beyond that.  How moving and inspiring these MEN of Faith. 

We ordered six with the intention of using as gifts for godchildren......my husband has given me the go ahead to order more!  We stayed up late last night writing letters to the principals of our Catholic high school and the AD of our grade school to encourage them to share this DVD is with students before the summer break--it's THAT good.  And it's that CATHOLIC!!  Our original six are long gone.....I'm placing my next order now....

Who else has seen Champions of Faith??

 Beth

Jesus, I trust in You!

I wanted to add this:

THANK YOU CATHOLIC EXCHANGE!!!!!

to call sports a religion is a bit of hyberbole I'm certian.

Still I have to say I often feel like caletart in the sense that sports are given a much greater priority in most peoples life then they should be.

How many people miss mass on superbowl sunday ?

consider the budget and time people give to watching and participating in sporting events.  Then consider the budget and time speant on worshiping God , which seems to have greater priority for many people?

Not to say that there aren't also many holy people out there who enjoy watching sprots,but most days it seems like for every 1 person who has there priorities straight about 'the games' there are at least 3 who would rather watch thier favorite sport then worship God.

 Not that it is particularly suprising.  Americans are into escapism of all kinds , sports , television , movies , clubbing , ( pick your obsession)  'distracted from distraction by distraction' as C.S. Lewis put it.

God should be the most important thing in everyones life and if he isn't you find some other 'act of worship' to fill that whole.  So I don't think it is a problem with 'sports' per se as much as it is a cultural problem throughout the united states.

Well, I suppose you could take it as a commercial ad, but when it comes from a fellow poster, and an average "joe" like the rest of us, I don't take it as an ad, but as a positive endorsement. 

If we didn't know Beth on these forums, or it was her first post here, I might wonder.  But an endorsement from one of our own, I can't take it as anything more than an enthusiastic YEA! - Something worthwhile to spend our money on! 

As a fellow mom, I can appreciate "insider" information.

Maybe I'm biased because I've already got my copies as well.  :-)

Hello Noelfitz--sorry to sound like a commerical....I actually thought about that after I sent the comment but let it ride.  I was quite excited about what I saw in Champions of Faith.  I gave a copy to my son's baseball coach.  I knew he was Catholic and we even had had words a time or two about Sunday games or practices, games during Holy Week, etc.  (Words to the effect....our son can't make the game or practice, etc)  He called me after viewing it and I could tell he was truly touched by it.  

 Yes, PTR, Fish, sports and sports firgures are worshipped.  But it's just little old us, mom and dad, trying to keep our kids on the path to the Lord.  When the kids see someone "in the world" that they admire talking about how THEY try to stay on the path to the Lord, it only helps us. 

 I was moved to tears of joy to hear some of these professional ball players talk about Christ in the Eucharist.  Are these guys perfect?  Heck no!  But no doubt, they love the Lord. 

 Thanks for letting me share my excitement.

 Beth

Jesus, I trust in You! 

I always liked st pauls sports analogies.  They are the first example of the 'sermons about football' I've heard from the palpet in the same tradition.

Human beings seem to easily recongize the need for sacrafice in gaining what is of small or perishable value.  Too few reconginzie the same and greater sacrifice is nessary to gain the kingdom.

Speaking of religion and sports:

A southern Oklahoma farmer dies and, being a heathen, goes to Hell. When he gets there it's 95 F with 90% humidity, but Satan notices he's kicked back on the brimstone relaxing comfortably.

He asks, "Why aren't you miserable like everyone else here?" The farmer replies, "Oh, this is like a warm spring day in southern Oklahoma. I like it."

Angry, Satan turns up the thermostat until it's 100 F and 95% humidity. Still, the farmer's happy. "This is like a good June day on the farm. Not bad at all."

Furious, Satan turns it up to 105 F and 99% humidity. Everyone is even more miserable, except the southern Oklahoma farmer still resting.

"Hey, this is like a good August day on the farm bailing hay. Feels good; the hotter the better."

In a total rage, Satan turns the thermostat down to minus 25 F. Within seconds, the air becomes chilly and frost appears, soon followed by solid ice everywhere. Satan smirks, watching the farmer.

The confused farmer looks down at the frozen ground for a moment, suddenly jumps up excitedly, looks around everywhere and begins to laugh, scream, and jump for joy!

"OSU WON THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!"

I look forward to the football version of "Champions of Faith"

PTR!