What’s going on here? It’s obviously a basketball game. The two teams are the “Men in Black” versus “Minor Orders” — respectively, the priests of the Diocese of Lansing versus students from Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit. But why were they playing each other, and, crucially, who won? Here with his sports report is Father Tim MacDonald, Pastor of Queen of the Miraculous Medal in Jackson. Father MacDonald says:
“This past Friday evening, May 8th, I had the honor, along with Father Joe Krupp, of providing play-by-play and color commentary for the priest versus seminarian basketball game."
“This was held at the Lumen Christi High School gym in Jackson. It was a fundraiser for Saint Joseph Shrine in the Irish Hills, with proceeds going toward the restoration of their historic outdoor Stations of the Cross."
“It was a well-fought contest between the priests and the seminarians. The priests held the lead until the final minute of the game. Then Father Jim Rolph, stepping to the free throw line after a flagrant foul, put the priests back in front for the win.”
“It was a great evening for all involved in support of a worthy cause. We hope to do it again next year.”
And so, the final score was Men in Black 52, Minor Orders 51.
“To gather together as God’s family for such a joyful and important event was really fantastic,” said Father MacDonald’s co-commentator, Father Joe Krupp. “We all had such a great time, and I thank God that I was able to be a part of it.”
For the record books, the teams were:
Men in Black (Priests):
Father Randy Koenigsknecht, Saint John the Evangelist, Jackson
Father Vince Richardson, Cristo Rey, Lansing
Father Jim Rolph, Immaculate Heart of Mary, Lansing
Father Riley O’Shea, Saint Thomas Aquinas / Saint John, East Lansing
Father Zach Mabee, Saint Joseph Shrine, Brooklyn
Father Jack Jobst, Saint John the Baptist, Ypsilanti
Father Satheesh Caniton Alphonse, Saint Louis Center, Chelsea
Father Franklin Michael, Saint Louis Center, Chelsea
Minor Orders (Seminarians):
Joseph Streight, Diocese of Lansing
An Nguyen, Diocese of Lansing
Levi Bowser, Archdiocese of Detroit
Jason Jimenez, Archdiocese of Detroit
Dominic Hoving, Incoming Seminarian, Diocese of Lansing
Kian O’Donohue, Friend of Seminarians
Max Sumerto, Friend of Seminarians
• For more information about Saint Joseph Shrine’s project to restore their outdoor Stations of the Cross, visit: https://sites.google.com/site/stjosephbrooklynmi/home
