February already a month full of icons to the faith

by Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann

Unfortunately, the Philadelphia Eagles squeaked out a Super Bowl victory over our valiant Kansas City Chiefs. Maybe the Eagles win was a bit more decisive than a squeaker.

I lost a bet with my good friend, Bishop Michael Burbidge, the bishop of Arlington, Virginia. Bishop Burbidge is a native of Philadelphia, a devoted Eagles fan and served as a priest for many years in the City of Brotherly Love. I did not see much “brotherly love” from the Eagles defensive line on Super Bowl Sunday. 

Bishop Burbidge succeeded me as chairman of the U.S. Bishops’ Pro-Life Committee. Honoring our wager, I have sent a $500 personal donation to the Gabriel Project in the Diocese of Arlington. One other term of our bet is that I must be photographed in an Eagle’s jersey for publication in The Leaven and the Arlington diocesan newspaper.

Despite the disappointing results of the Super Bowl, the Chiefs had a truly remarkable season. The Chiefs’ success over several years is a credit to the Hunt family, Andy Reid and his coaching staff, and a remarkably dedicated and talented group of players.

I was particularly inspired in the past several weeks by the leadership of Patrick Mahomes. In a media interview, after winning the AFC championship game, Mahomes first gave honor to God, who made their success on the field possible by the physical and mental gifts with which the Lord endowed the players. I love that part of Mahomes’ routine prior to games is to kneel in prayer.

After their many victories this year, Mahomes always made a point in every interview to acknowledge that the success is not because of him, but the entire team and coaching staff. After the Super Bowl defeat, Mahomes did not blame his teammates, but rather acknowledged his own mistakes and failures. Mahomes said with sincerity that he needed to play better. Patrick Mahomes is a remarkable athlete. However, he also is perhaps an even better example of excellent leadership.

The Wall Street Journal published an op-ed a few days before the Super Bowl making the argument that the one defect of the Chiefs is that they are not good at the role of villains. With their multiple years of amazing football success, many people across the country were tired of the Chiefs winning. The author bemoaned that it is hard to detest the Chiefs because they are just too likable!

I hope the Chiefs coaches and players get some well-deserved rest. Three years ago, the Chiefs suffered a Super Bowl loss to Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After that defeat, the Chiefs made some changes and adjustments that led to them winning Super Bowl championships the next two years. I look forward to seeing the adjustments the Chiefs will make during the off-season. They have given the Kansas City community a lot to cheer about for several years. Go, Chiefs!

Sports are fun, but for the Christian, they are not the source of our hope and joy. There were many beautiful events happening the days before the Super Bowl that do give me both hope and joy.

Last Thursday, Feb. 6, our Foster Care Ministry hosted a viewing at the Glenwood Arts Theater of the Angels Productions movie, “Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot.” It is the true story of the families of a little African-American Church in Possum Trot, Texas, who welcomed 77 foster children into their homes.

The film does not romanticize the challenges of foster care. However, it shows a united faith community who supported each other in the belief that every child deserves the opportunity to grow up in a loving family. The hearts of the 270 people in attendance were touched.

Ten of our parishes currently have active foster care ministries. I hope more will choose to engage in this life-changing ministry. Kathy White, who leads the foster care ministry in the archdiocese, told me that one couple after the movie expressed interest in becoming foster parents and another was interested in becoming certified as a foster respite family.

On Saturday, Feb. 8, St. Michael Parish in Leawood hosted the annual White Mass, a special Eucharist for doctors, nurses and others involved in the health care ministry. It was the best attended White Mass since the Kansas City metro Catholic Medical Association Sts. Cosmas and Damian Guild began this annual tradition more than 10 years ago.

At the end of the Mass, the doctors renewed their promises as Catholic physicians. The promises include: 1) improve their professional knowledge and skills; 2) defend and protect human life from conception to natural death; 3) donate part of their time for free and charitable care of the poor; 4) practice medicine in accord with Catholic moral principles; and 5) cultivate a deeper relationship with Jesus through daily prayer and frequent reception of the Eucharist. It was inspiring to witness the strong faith of these dedicated and talented doctors.

Finally, on Sunday, Feb. 9, I celebrated a Mass at Sacred Heart Parish in Shawnee for World Marriage Day. I expressed to the married couples how important their marriages are to society and the church. Married couples, in their efforts to live daily their marriage vows of faithful, fruitful and forever love, become an icon of God’s love.

Sacred Heart Parish in Shawnee recently committed to partner with the Communio ministry, whose mission is to equip parishes to provide opportunities for married couples to deepen their love for each other. Christian marriage is a call to heroic love. The family is the foundation of society, the nation and the church, and marriage is the foundation of the family.

I thank all of the married couples in the archdiocese for the gift that their marriage is to the church. The church wants to support and encourage you in living the beautiful but challenging vows of Christian marriage. Please check with your parish as well as our marriage and family life office for opportunities to renew and strengthen your marriage.

Despite a Super Bowl loss, the Holy Spirit was quite active in the archdiocese during these early days of February. The reason for our hope as Catholics does not rely on football victories. Our reason for hope and joy is the amazing, faithful love of God and the foster families, the doctors and nurses, and the married couples, who are icons of God’s love in the archdiocese.