From the Desk of the Pastor
Father Robert Easter 2024 Message
You Are Invited!!!
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Before the historic dust settles on this year’s March Madness, there was something different. The difference was the excitement around women’s basketball because of one person: Caitlin Clark, an Iowa University shooting phenomenon. There have been many great women players, but none have captured the attention that Caitlin engendered.
Typically, the location of a college or university immediately demands fan loyalty, but I am not a fan of University of Iowa basketball. I have also not followed women’s basketball very much. Even the hype around March Madness did not normally in my psyche include the women’s game. But I must admit, I found myself stealing a few moments and looked forward to watching Iowa plow its way through the bracket/division of the NCAA with an interest in the performance of Caitlin Clark.
I marveled at the consistency of her 25-foot plus jump shot. In my playing days, and no, it was not a peach basket hung on a tree in the backyard, if I took a shot at the distance that she did, I would hear the whistle blow and I would be sitting next to the coach on the bench.
Perhaps the greatest shooter in the modern game of basketball is Stephen Curry of the San Francisco Warriors. He might well be the GOAT (greatest of all time) in that category. But those ultimate determinations are left to the “angels” who defy time and space.
Caitlin Clark is certainly a great shooter, but she is also a great passer, and her assists were exciting to all students of the game. She was a complete player. I believe what established her unique quality is her “common touch.” She connected with fans of basketball, and even those who were not fans enjoyed seeing a young girl achieve her dream of playing a game she loved at a collegiate level. And apparently, through all the celebrity attention, she stayed connected to her family and her community through a “common touch” that elevated her status.
Many people who enjoy a gift – either athletic, artistic, or intellectual – often become caught up in their own personal achievements; their egos grow exponentially. I do not know what will become of Caitlin in the future. Her star status may blind her to that “common touch.” But at least for this period, she captured the girl next door who was living a dream and embraced the love of her family and friends.
Having watched and listened to sports commentators, I was disappointed in some comments made by observers during the Final Four game of Iowa vs. UConn. An illegal screen was called on a player from UConn. It was a one-point game, and I am sure that the commentators wanted to see that last attempt, but a foul was called. I heard them say that you do not make that call in this situation.
Defense was always an important part of the game I played. It’s not a glamorous part of the game; it never gets the attention it deserves. Everyone knows that refs do not always make all the right calls, but this was a foul and the call was made. When we start to make calls based on how we would like to see the game finish, we might as well throw out the rules and just script the game the way we think it would best serve our particular interest. I averaged five fouls per game in college, although if you asked me, I never committed a foul and the ref should never have made the call. However, instant replays would deny my contention.
As people of faith, let us strive to have the common touch. It was our Lord who completely identified with us. He is true man. He came into the world so that we might have life and life in abundance. I was fortunate to play sports with individuals who were far more talented and put up with my inadequacies; the coaches who did the best they could with what had been given to them; and my family and friends who, wearing rose colored glasses, considered me an all-star. Our Lord has given us a game plan and that is the common touch to LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
Sincerely,
Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki
Archbishop of Milwaukee
Every Wednesday, Archbishop Listecki shares a brief, encouraging video message with topics ranging from holy days to favorite movies.
To watch, just visit www.archmil.org/good-news.
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