Engaging Faith

With the 2017 World Series upon us, take time to share the story of Andre Ethier, an outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers, who always makes time for Sunday Mass within a hectic season. The story is taken from Meeting Jesus in the Sacraments (2nd Edition) from Ave Maria Press. Also share other players in this year’s World Series who attended Catholic high schools or colleges. Do you feel that it’s hard for you to get to Mass? Think about Catholic professional athletes in any of the major sports who play games on Sundays. Have you ever wondered if, and how, these Catholic athletes are able to set aside time on Sunday for going to Mass in the midst of preparing for and playing an important, high-pressure game? One person who does this successfully is Andre Ethier, an outfielder who plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers. A native of Phoenix, Arizona, Andre has revealed in interviews that his Catholic faith has played an important part in his life. Andre says, “It’s developed me into the person I am. And to shun away from that just because you’re supposed to be more vanilla in certain areas, it wouldn’t be me. I’m always trying to portray myself as who I really am, so that’s definitely part of me—the faith part.” Because Sunday is a game day, Sunday Mass takes a little planning ahead for a major league baseball player. Andre explains, “People ask me, ‘On Sundays, why do you always come dressed up?’ It’s because either I’ve come from church or I am going to go to church following the game.” Occasionally, for home games, the Dodgers provide a team chaplain to say Mass in a room adjacent to the team’s clubhouse. Andre finds that Sunday Mass is “a great time to be able to clear your mind and think about where you’re at in general. Sometimes things get out of perspective pretty quickly. So no matter what happens, good or bad, you gotta keep steady in that faith.” Asked, “How hard is it, being in professional sports, to practice your faith?” Andre answers: “For me it starts probably with the most basic and simple—going to Mass every Sunday, and making a point to do that.” Andre continues: “The faith won’t lead you wrong. It’s led me right the whole way, and I still go to church every Sunday. I love it, and I’m glad to be involved and I’m glad to be a part of that Catholic community.” World Series Players Who Attended Catholic High Schools or Colleges Houston Astros Evan Gattis, Designated Hitter Bishop Lynch High School Dallas, TX Luke Gregerson, Right-handed Pitcher St. Xavier University Chicago, IL Dallas Keuchel Left-handed Pitcher Bishop Kelley High School Tulsa, OK Lance McCullers Jr. Right-handed Pitcher Jesuit High School Tampa, FL Los Angeles Dodgers Andre Ethier, Outfielder St. Mary’s High School Phoenix, AZ Kyle Farmer, Catcher Marist High School Atlanta, GA Logan Forsythe, Infielder Christian Brothers High School Memphis, TN

Here are two activities you can do with your students to help them to critique their own faith history and better answer the question “Why do I believe in Jesus”? In Class Help students reflect on their most strongly held beliefs about Jesus. Begin by inviting students to make a quick list of every person or source from which they have learned something about Jesus. Then, setting this first list aside, challenge them to list the twenty most important things they believe about Jesus. At this point, you might even offer them time to compare lists with a classmate and revise as they feel necessary, based on new ideas from their discussions. Once they feel confident about their lists of twenty, have them evaluate which ten of the twenty are the most important. Finally, have them evaluate which three of those ten are the very most important. Direct them to look back at their lists of sources of information that they first brainstormed, and pose the question: Which of these teachers or sources have contributed to your top three beliefs? Students may find that their most closely held beliefs were those influenced by the largest number of teachers, or conversely, by those teachers whose relationship or example they value most. Discuss student reactions to the exercise as a class. At Home Have students interview a faith mentor. Invite students to spend time talking with someone who has helped shape their faith—perhaps a parent or other relative, a friend, a teacher, or a Church leader. Students should ask their mentors who they believe Jesus is and for what reasons they believe in his divine nature. They should report back about their interviews, using a format of their choosing. If time allows, students might, for instance, create a poster, a video, a written reflection, a prayer service, or any other creative “product” that shares the wisdom of their faith mentor with others.

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