Priests Play B-Ball, Encourage Holiness

By CHRIS DALE, GB Youth Board

Published: December 18, 2003

ATLANTA—It was a warm Sunday afternoon. At the quiet Legionary House on Spalding Drive, the smell of hot dogs was in the air.

On the back porch, a group of guys, from high school and college, priests and co-workers were sitting around the grill, just talking about whatever.

Taking turns grilling the food, they discussed how badly the Falcons were doing, who was going to beat whom in basketball--the normal, everyday stuff.

Then as Father Scott Reilly, LC, chaplain of St. Pius X High School, Atlanta, arrived, the food was brought inside and everyone bowed their heads and there was a moment of silence as he blessed the food. The silence continued as everyone began to chow down on the great dogs, and the rustle of chips was heard constantly.

When everyone had finished eating, the guys headed over to the small, beautiful chapel in the adjoining room. There Father Reilly gave a moving talk on how to stand up as Christian men, and take up our crosses as Jesus did, and fulfill God’s plan for our lives.

After a few minutes of reflection, everyone got up, genuflected, and piled into the cars to head to the nearest basketball court. Soon, an exciting game of five on five was underway. To be honest with you, I was impressed at how good everyone was. These guys could play.

The priests were surprisingly good too. Father Eamonn Shelly, LC, chaplain at Pinecrest Academy, Cumming, was a bit of a cherry-picker (for you non-sports fans, that means he hung around his own team’s basket trying to score easy points rather than play any defense) and Father Reilly would whine every time he got bumped, but apart from that, it was really fun.

After the game, people began to comment on what they thought about it. Pat Gannon, a junior at St. Pius, and a parishioner of All Saints Church, Dunwoody, actually came by accident, and he had a great time.

“The basketball was exhilarating,” he said.

David Sweeley, a senior at St. Pius and a parishioner of Our Lady of the Assumption Church, Atlanta, enjoyed himself as well.

“(It was) a good opportunity to hang out with a cool group,” he said.

Father Reilly also gave his insights.

“Guys can connect with their faith and have fun at the same time,” he said. “They realize that faith isn’t reduced to church.”

He summed up the event as, “knowing more, and growing in fellowship with each other and Christ.”

If you are a Catholic and like to play basketball, this is really a great thing to do. And face it, what else would you be doing on a Sunday afternoon? Come and have a great time instead of just sitting around at home bored!

Currently there are no set dates for the next Dogs and Hoops, but Father Reilly and team are looking toward 2004 to determine more activities that combine faith and fun. Those who are interested in Dogs and Hoops may contact Father Reilly at (404) 636-3023.

Chris Dale is a sophomore at Holy Spirit Preparatory School and attends St. Jude the Apostle Church, both in Atlanta.