tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560483615460834385.post7310342423948009706..comments2024-03-22T05:53:17.342-04:00Comments on On This Rock: Speedway vs. Ritter HomilyFather John Hollowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12850864104003705536noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560483615460834385.post-9935126030274563402011-09-13T18:27:46.191-04:002011-09-13T18:27:46.191-04:00Thank you for sharing your message with all of us ...Thank you for sharing your message with all of us in the Catholic community. While many may have watched the filth posted by some, just as many are watching the maturity and class of the Ritter community's response. Thank you Father Hollowell for reminding us all about how Jesus calls us to act, and for your clarity about anger, especially during times when it feels confusing. I will pray for the boys who may not know God, who may not have the privilege of being part of a faith filled community, who likely know more hatred than love. I will pray for the continued strength of your players as they heal from this pain. Tonight, I will share their story with my three sons who are football players on CYO teams. Please remind your players that because of the high school uniform they wear they are "heros" to so many little ones who are watching closely how they act. Please extend my sincere thank you to them for being men who are outstanding Christian role models, and for being men who seek to do God's will. You must be so proud of your team. May God continue to bless all of you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560483615460834385.post-15392389196651537622011-09-12T13:57:04.997-04:002011-09-12T13:57:04.997-04:00While we can't will away emotions per the idea...While we can't will away emotions per the ideas of Stoicism. We can minimize the effect of emotions on our mind, body and soul, by prayer, more specifically meditative prayer. Such as the meditative prayers of the Desert Fathers, St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross. The book "The Cloud of Unknowing" is a great starter, but you have to be ready to receive it, or you will fail at it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560483615460834385.post-13288143007424877792011-09-12T13:51:20.168-04:002011-09-12T13:51:20.168-04:00As a follow up - our team lost to Speedway by thre...As a follow up - our team lost to Speedway by three points when they kicked a field goal as time expired. The MVP of the game was one of the "singers" from the video.<br /><br />From everything I saw on the sideline, despite a couple of tauntings from the opponent, our guys kept their cool, played with tremendous class, had no personal fouls, and truly I've never been more proud of a group of men before. As I told them after the game - in my time at Ritter this was, by far, our finest hour.<br /><br />After everybody showered up, I was able to stand with some of our coaches and players who were most affected by the "song". Slowly, because of the layout of Lucas Oil Stadium, Speedway made its way past us towards their bus. As the players who starred in the video passed by over the course of a few minutes, not one of them said anything to us and we said nothing back to them. One of their coaches showed a lot of class and apologized to some of our guys affected - the rest of the coaching staff from Speedway said nothing. Through it all, our guys again held their tongues and took the road less traveled.Father John Hollowellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12850864104003705536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560483615460834385.post-48418095135754279622011-09-12T10:37:50.996-04:002011-09-12T10:37:50.996-04:00What a terrific homily and profound message, Fr. H...What a terrific homily and profound message, Fr. Hollowell. You are spot on. Our Lord's example in the account of Him cleansing the Temple should be a template for us. There is no sin in righteous anger, the question is, what do we do with it. I will pray for your school community who has had to deal with such insulting and ridiculous actions, with seemingly no repercussions. Way to lead, Father. God bless you, and your ministry.Fr. Steve Laflammenoreply@blogger.com