Here are some great images capturing the Annual Knights of Columbus Family Night to Celebrate Vocations at Jackson Field, home to the Lansing Lugnuts baseball team, on Friday, August 7.
The annual vocations event has been organized by the Knights of Columbus since 1999. As ever, it proved popular with Catholic families drawn from all parts of the Diocese of Lansing.
There to meet and greet this year was Bishop Earl Boyea, as well as diocesan priests and seminarians, along with female religious, including the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, and the Sisters of Mercy of Alma.
The Chair of the Vocations Department for the Diocese of Lansing, Father Michael Cassar, now explains why the evening is so worthwhile:
“As in years past, the Night of Vocations at the Lansing Lugnuts baseball game was a great event. For our seminarians, it's an opportunity to gather together with one another and with their families before the new academic year begins.
“In fact, attending the game is often more impactful for their families. Parents who may be nervous about their sons going to seminary are able to meet other seminarians, other parents of seminarians, the bishop, and see how much support there is from the diocese for their sons.
“As the years have progressed, the game has also taken on a significance for the diocese in general. Parishes throughout the diocese bring groups to enjoy the baseball game and the Catholic community. I know people who never make it to their seats for the game because they are busy speaking to and reconnecting with familiar faces and old friends.
“Lastly, the number of religious sisters who attend the game is truly special. Not only is it a blessing to see them out and watching the game, many of the sisters take the time to talk with those who approach with a question or comment.
“Especially in an era where not everyone has interacted with a religious sister, their presence at the game is enormously important.
“Overall, I could not be happier with the game, and am thankful to the Knights of Columbus for putting in the work each year to make it a reality.”
The evening’s baseball concluded with a 13-2 victory for the Lansing Lugnuts against the Lake County Captains, followed by a fireworks display.
