The following is an excerpt from the Diocese of Pittsburgh memo on the role of sports in Catholic schools...
"All Catholic School activities must begin with both teams coming together for prayer in the middle of the court or field. The following prayer is to be said by the home coach or player.
Dear Lord,
You have blessed us with many gifts and talents.
We thank you especially for the ability to participate in sports today.
Help us play in a Christ like manner.
Help us to play in a way that fosters good will and teamwork.
Help us play to the best of our abilities.
Win or lose we hope to have fun, make friends and celebrate life.
Amen"
I remember having to say this prayer before basketball games at my small Catholic grade school. It was just something we did, like classrooms saying the pledge of allegiance.
I was strangely reminded of having to say this specific prayer through gradeschool when my youngest brother (who just started at my Catholic high school and went to the same gradeschool) added me on facebook. I had to chuckle when I saw his information...
Age, 14
Sex, Male
Relationship Status, Single
Political Views, Republican
Religious Views, Christian-Catholic
So much of who we are, especially at the age we start high school, is taught to us in our homes, families, and schools. The things we learn, (example saying this prayer before games and my little brothers republican political affiliation at the age of 14), are the building blocks of who we are going to become... the things that we bring to the table when while we are figuring out who we are out in a bigger world. I don't say this prayer before games, but I hold the values it taught me. The values it professes hold true beyond Catholic Doctrine, anyways. And so, I'm glad I said it all of those years.
"All Catholic School activities must begin with both teams coming together for prayer in the middle of the court or field. The following prayer is to be said by the home coach or player.
Dear Lord,
You have blessed us with many gifts and talents.
We thank you especially for the ability to participate in sports today.
Help us play in a Christ like manner.
Help us to play in a way that fosters good will and teamwork.
Help us play to the best of our abilities.
Win or lose we hope to have fun, make friends and celebrate life.
Amen"
I remember having to say this prayer before basketball games at my small Catholic grade school. It was just something we did, like classrooms saying the pledge of allegiance.
I was strangely reminded of having to say this specific prayer through gradeschool when my youngest brother (who just started at my Catholic high school and went to the same gradeschool) added me on facebook. I had to chuckle when I saw his information...
Age, 14
Sex, Male
Relationship Status, Single
Political Views, Republican
Religious Views, Christian-Catholic
So much of who we are, especially at the age we start high school, is taught to us in our homes, families, and schools. The things we learn, (example saying this prayer before games and my little brothers republican political affiliation at the age of 14), are the building blocks of who we are going to become... the things that we bring to the table when while we are figuring out who we are out in a bigger world. I don't say this prayer before games, but I hold the values it taught me. The values it professes hold true beyond Catholic Doctrine, anyways. And so, I'm glad I said it all of those years.
i like that you posted about this subject. A lot of my friends who went to public schools criticized the act of praying before games and other activities because they weren't used to the concept. They said it would make them feel uncomfortable. But what they miss is that it really does bring people together. The prayers gave us an identity beyond our team name. I think its comforting for the players before a game and should be recognized positively.
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