Carolina Hurricanes player brings Stanley Cup to his Detroit parish

Published: 2006-08-31

DETROIT (CNS) -- Father Ron Babich says it was an "awesome experience" when the limousine pulled up at Our Lady Queen of All Saints Parish July 27 and Carolina Hurricanes hockey player Chad LaRose got out with the Stanley Cup. "I hadn't seen Chad in a long time, and the first thing he did was give me a big bear hug," said Father Babich, pastor of the parish in suburban Fraser, about six miles northeast of Detroit. LaRose had been baptized by Father Babich as an infant and grew up in the parish, and his parents -- Grant and Sandy LaRose -- are still members of the parish. Calling Lord Stanley's Cup "magnificent, " Father Babich said it was an honor to have been able to see it, but it was even more important that LaRose took the time to visit the Shrine of Our Lady Queen of All Saints and offer prayers of thanksgiving for the team's 2006 National Hockey League championship. "I was asked by Chad to say a blessing and to bless the cup, Chad and all in attendance. This was very special for me, and most of all a special and great honor for this parish," Father Babich added.

Copyright (c) 2006 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .