Senior Privilege: It's All Mine

Applying the transitive property to this equation may be a stretch, but I have been a part of so many institutions that value “senior privileges,” it’s safe to say I do too. And I do. At my high school, Carondelet, seniors had special parking spaces and options to our so-called “uniform;” heck, we even our own bathroom. At Notre Dame, I longed for the days when only members of the senior class were permitted to walk up and down the steps of the Main Building—home of THE Golden Dome. And at St. Ignatius the primary privilege for seniors is to win (or keep) “The Bruce.” From my perspective, however, the greatest senior privilege at the Prep isn’t one they are privy to—it’s mine, for I get to teach them.

It’s truly an honor and a privilege to work with these students who are on the threshold. The time between their four years of high school and (what is seemingly much more than) the next four years of their life is at hand. It reminds me of what Celtic spirituality refers of as "Thin Places" - those places or events in life where the dividing line between the holy and the ordinary is very thin, to the point that the ordinary becomes holy and the holy becomes ordinary. Nothing is truer as I talk to seniors about discernment, vocation and developing an adult faith.

According to Mindie Burgoyne “Every person will identify a thin place differently. I can only share my own way. A thin place is sensed differently that our present world - you cannot see it, touch it, hear it, smell it, or taste it. Our sense of a thin place transcends the physical limitations of our five senses.

I sense a thin place in two ways.

1. I feel a strong sense of the past still present in the place. 
2. I can hear God more clearly than in any other place - the sense of Divine Presence is very strong to me.”

By high school standards, seniors are the most comfortable in their own skin. They are able to drop their mask and be “real.” I get a sense of their true self—thank you Thomas Merton—and that is a wonderful thing. Consequently, I cannot help but remember students who have come before; a strong sense of the past is still present. How students responds to the curriculum never ceases to amaze me—not only what reaches them but why. The Holy Spirit continues to lead and guide young people in “The Path to Faith: A Lifelong Journey” in new and unfounded ways.

This year’s semester course was no exception. They were privy to something magical—the Giants World Series victory. This feat remains difficult for me to fully comprehend. A team that went from being 41-40 on July 4th and fourth place in the league won the whole thing—for the first time in 52 years. At some point, we didn’t stop believin’. I am glad we didn’t.

The day of the victory parade, my seniors met for class. If it weren’t for the WCAL III cross country meet later that day, I wouldn't have been in class myself; I would have gone to the parade. For those who were in class, they learned a great deal about spiritual direction. And for those at the parade, I am convinced they found their own.

This particular class has been subject to bits and pieces of the impending elective course Sports and Spirituality I aim to teach in the 2011-2012 school year. We identified how exercise, discipline and goals are my no means limited to our physical selves. A healthy spiritual life encompasses the same. I heard the voices of a whole lot of San Francisco Giants fans, a Philadelphia Eagles fan who happens to be the leading Armenian American defensive back in the WCAL (ARAM!), and a cross country runner who asks himself everyday why he runs.

When he said this, I remember thinking how appropriately this question relates to our Christian faith. Cross country is demanding; it is one tough sport. The call and challenge of the Gospel is no different. If we are serious about what our faith truly asks of us, it seems natural to me that we will ask ourselves the same question—why am I doing this? Sam won the Wildcat award; this means he runs with passion and purpose, even with that question. I hope people say the same of me in terms of how I live with faith—with passion and purpose…and with questions.

Do I hear God more clearly in the classroom than in any other place? When my days are full with teaching and coaching, I hate to admit it but my prayer life gets the short shift. I go to sleep thinking of what I have not accomplished and what I must do instead of “raising my mind and heart to God” (my favorite definition of prayer).

Still, God finds ME. God speaks to me where I am at—even in the grading papers or answering student e-mail inquiries. I learned about the life and faith of St. Sebastian through an essay by my student, a dead ringer for Buster Posey. I will never forget how Siobhan’s homework questions launched what became a nightly recap of every single play-off game. I took great joy in reading her report via e-mail on the “aching pain” with a loss or “delicious hope” as we got closer to the title. I am grateful that conversations about this “band of misfit toys” and our common love for Brian Wilson were only a springboard for sharing much more about our lives.

I will miss this intellectually competent, loving and yes, even religious group. I hope to get out to Lake Merced in the spring to cheer for two of my students who row; I will be back to hear the Sound of Sports at my student’s volleyball game. Even though his club teammates are over 6’5” and he a towering 5’6” he is a tremendously valuable contributor as the libero. (NB: A libero is a defensive specialist, they can be recognized by their unique jersey. He told me this is means “free.” He is also the player on the far right in the light blue jersey ;-)

This leads me to wonder if I learn more about sports or about spirituality from my students. I don’t know what disciplines makes it more clear that we each have our unique place in this world; we all have our own gifts and talents. And at some point we are privy to privileges that come with access to those "thin places" where we recognize this humble truth. Thank you seniors for sharing this time and space with me.

Photo Credits
Thin Places
Ignatius of Loyola: the Pilgrim
Aram!
The Giants in the pennant!
Volleyball Huddle: Nate Woo

University High School XC: Proving that Sports are a Real School of True Human Virtue

Sports are a real school of true human virtue. – John Paul II

Call me biased, but I like to think cross country reveals an athlete’s character like no other sport. It makes the same demand of every participant—to complete a 3-mile course as fast as you can. There are no short cuts; there is no debate about how much playtime the athlete gets, no poor officiating, no questionable fouls. Cross country is the great equalizer. 

Wealth and affluence are of limited influence. Yes, competitive runners can get specialized coaching and attend summer running camps, but pricey equipment, access to clubs and managing facilities are a non-issue. Cross country requires a pair of shoes, seven runners and an open trail.

A popular story that came out of University High School proves the egalitarian nature of the sport. UHS is one of-- if not the most elite high schools in San Francisco. Set in Presidio Heights, it is safe to say the student body at UHS has been given a lot; they are people of privilege. But you cannot give a young man or woman their character—their virtues or their vices, for that matter. 

In their article, Ethics and Virtue by Claire Andre and Manuel Velasquez states "Virtues are attitudes, dispositions, or character traits that enable us to be and to act in ways that develop our fullest human potential. They enable us to pursue the ideals we have adopted. Honesty, courage, compassion, generosity, fidelity, integrity, fairness, self-control, and prudence are all examples of virtues." 

All season, the UHS girls cross country team witnessed courage, generosity and loyalty vis a vi their head coach Jim Tracy. Despite his diagnosis of Lou Gehrig’s disease, Tracy mustered the strength to lead and oversee practice, as he has always done since 1994.

His fortitude must have allowed for Holland Reynolds, University’s number two runner who collapsed and crawled across the finish line to complete her race. In doing so, she helped her team clinch the state championship. You can get the full story here.

I don’t care that the tuition for the 2010-2011 school year is $32,750 at this elite private school, this young woman and her teammates made the choice to compete with everything they had. Reynolds had a goal for herself, her teammates and her coach. That may be revealed on race day, but it is inculcated each and every day of the season.

In my 8 years of coaching cross country, I have worked with some tremendously talented runners. I have been inspired by the work ethic of many of my own athletes and others have encouraged me to be a better human being.

In the increasingly competitive and specialized world of high school sports, I am grateful that cross country remains “no cut.” That policy however comes its own set of challenges, and one of those can be working with young people who are deciding if running is for them. These folks enjoy running and staying in shape (or perhaps the idea of staying in shape) and they love the social nature of the team, especially that it’s a co-ed! But, the demands of the sport on race day are very challenging—too challenging for some.

Let’s be honest, cross country embraces the athlete who is a glutton for pain. Racing a hilly, dusty and hot three mile course—there is no where to hide, no one to blame. And THIS is where character is revealed--how a young person responds to task he or she must complete: Do they focus? Do they compete? Do they rely on their teammates and coaches? Do they complain? Do they cheer for their teammates? Do they learn from their mistakes? Do they coddle an injury? Do they find that something *suddenly hurts*? Do they go to the line regardless? 

Pope Benedict XVI said “sport possesses considerable educational potential particularly for young people. So, for this reason, sport is of great importance not only when applied to free time but also in the formation of each individual.” 

Cross country begins in August and concludes in November. The personal growth that I have witnessed in the course of one season is encouraging and truly, it's amazing. However, our young people don’t get there alone. It’s their teammates, their coaches, their program and no doubt about it—the sport itself, that do. 

Congratulations to University High School, Jim Tracy and Holland Reynolds for sharing that message through your example AND your victory! The video clip of her race/finish is here 

Photo Credits 
University High School Championship Team 
UHS in SF
Injured Runner 
SI at the State Meet!--the Otto Family 
Thanks to Nora Miller for the video clip

Saint Drew Brees: Sportsman of the Year

The month of November began with the Feast of All Saints and it concludes appropriately with a feast day for the Most Valuable, Most Inspirational New Orleans Saint: Drew Brees.

Today, the Saints Quarterback was named the Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year. In my world, sporting awards trump all the others. At Notre Dame, the distinction of class valedictorian was a distant second in importance to who was named Mr. or Ms. Bookstore. Today, like the rest of America, I smiled when I learned that Drew Brees won this coveted title. I was in no way surprised. In a small way, this simple recognition affirmed my belief that from time to time—the universe and humanity get it right.

 I could write and read about Drew Brees for days (for example, a fun fact reveals that he played tennis in high school against Andy Roddick. I think Roddick won). He is without a doubt an interesting and compelling figure. I almost hate to go on record with this, for fear of what may be revealed in years to come—but I truly believe he is the real deal.

I think we all believe this. When the Saints won the 2010 Super Bowl, it was impossible not to recognize the significance of this title for both the team and the city of New Orleans. When he held his son Baylen and hugged his wife Brittany on the victory stand, his words that “faith, family and football are what matter most, and football is a distant third” weren’t so hard to believe.

And as he accepts Sports Illustrated's 57th Sportsman of the Year award “for not only leading the New Orleans Saints to the first Super Bowl title in the franchise's history, but also for helping lead the city of New Orleans' rebirth after the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina” they still aren’t. Faith, family and football. Thank you Drew Brees for truly defining the criteria of this prestigious award: Sportsman? What exactly does that mean? “We can agree on some things. A sportsman is talented and driven. He is selfless in a way that makes his team better. But there is something more, something larger.” And for what it’s worth, I think you should be included in People magazine’s 100 Most Beautiful People.

Photo Credits: Sportsman of the Year Superbowl Victory

A Great Way to Give Thanks--the Turkey Trot

I recently heard that U.S. hunger at highest level in 15 years. Moments later, I read that studies continue to report that the happiest people exercise—and they do so in the morning.  While this information may seem incongruous, I couldn't help but connect the dots. Thanksgiving is a time to give gratitude, yet overeating on this national holiday is the norm for millions of Americans. What to do? There’s one simple answer—the St. Ignatius Turkey Trot (or one near you!)

For thirteen years now, St. Ignatius students, alumni, families, friends and a number of dogs have met at the circle at Lake Merced to begin Thanksgiving Day with a Turkey Trot of 4 miles around the lake. This year’s cold morning temperatures didn’t keep nearly 150 runners, joggers and walkers away from this tradition.

All proceeds from the Turkey Trot go to the St. Anthony Foundation. Everyday "St. Anthony’s provides over 1000 people with food, clothing, alcohol and drug recovery help and medical care. To date, they have served over 36 million meals to the hungry." For over 60 years, they have managed to serve our brothers and sisters in the Tenderloin community without any federal, state or civic monies.

Every St. Ignatius sophomore becomes familiar with the mission of the St. Anthony foundation through the sophomore retreat—an urban plunge. And those lucky juniors who take part on the San Francisco Immersion can attest to the breadth and depth of St. Anthony’s justice education and outreach programs. Truly, they can bear witness to the ways and means by which the mission of St. Anthony’s put their own faith into action.

The Turkey Trot is a win-win tradition. Not only does it allow St. Ignatius to continue its support of the St. Anthony Foundation, but participants are assuaged of any guilt from the impending Thanksgiving meal. And, as reported in The Weekend Edition blog “The Happiest Place in America” reports “The effect of exercise gives a person a 10 hour happiness boost, so you want to do it early in the day. If you spend time on outdoor recreation, your endorphins are jumping! With its 9:00 a.m. start, the Turkey Trot is the ideal way to start the Thanksgiving holiday.

There are a number of Turkey Trots throughout the Bay Area. This year’s Silicon Valley Turkey Trot raised a record amount of money for the Second Harvest Food Bank. The Turkey Trail Trot in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park aims to promote the sport of running and youth athletics and benefits a different public school each year. Bottom line, I think it’s a great way to gather friends and family before the day long festivities, food, and football.

My only recommendation is once the run is over, wherever you are—throw a football.

Photo Credits
All photos are taken by Eric Castro

Don't Stop Believin'—The Giants and Prayer

Many people know that Giants closer, Brian Wilson celebrates his saves by thrusting his tattooed arms in the air and crossing them. The X, however, stands for more than execution. As admitted during his interview with Jay Leno, the right-handed reliever is a Christian. His unique gesture first honors one God—the Father, and his own father—Michael Wilson who died of cancer when Brian was 17 years old.

Wilson isn't the only player who displayed overt gestures of his Christian faith on the field. World Series MVP, Edgar Renteria made the sign of the cross before he came to bat and several players said words of thanks to God upon their NLDS, NLCS and World Series victories.

I should take a poll on Americans thoughts with regard to public displays of faith (a new acronym??—PDF?!). I know reactions would be mixed—responses might raise more questions than answers. My guess is the same would be true in light of intercessory prayer. How should we pray for the Giants? Should we? Here is one humble reflection...

“And for what shall we pray on this World Series night?” asked Fr. Gary at the monthly Young Adult Mass at St. Dominic’s parish. Considering what was taking place at that very moment across town on Third and King Streets, there was a nervous laugh from the crowd. Should we pray for the success of the Giants? At least out loud? This is a common question of the faithful—faithful Catholics and those Giants fans that didn’t stop believing.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church cites Saint John Damascene's definition of prayer as "...the raising of one's mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God." Once the pennant race began in earnest, “my mind and heart” were preoccupied with this team, replete with personality and heart. “Requesting good things from God” resonated with my hope for the 2010 Giants but in light of the world’s greater needs—even those of our own San Francisco community, my prayers felt hollow.

Prayer is however a gift, it is a grace, and in prayer, we are always called to dig deeper into our hearts and to realize where God may be working in our midst. For me to sit with this understanding is to open myself up to the reality that God is in the big and the small, the trifling an the critical, my resting and my rising, sports AND spirituality—not an either/or proposition.

That evening some prayers were easy t0 pray. I didn’t have to dig very deep to pray in gratitude for the model the Giants have been to us as a local, San Francisco community. Teamwork, hard work and celebration have been so apparent. The sense of connectedness that October baseball prompted was a gift. I met those prayers that I found challenging to pray in a new light. At that moment, I thought that praying for the Giants to win and bring some needed joy to our community was an appropriate prayer. We don’t live our life in compartmentalized boxes. Even a professional sports team can leverage a community. “God gives the increase.” How true this is!

At the conclusion of the Prayers of the Faithful, Fr. Gary didn’t shy away from what everyone in the church was thinking. He said “we pray tonight for both teams participating in the World Series—for good competition and the health and well being of all participants. And we ask if God should be so generous as to put the series in the favor of the Giants, so be it.” Again, a nervous laugh accompanied a robust “Lord, hear our prayer.” Fr. Gary modeled for me to bring to God what preoccupies my thoughts—the big and the small. He called the community’s attention to what was taking place in the church—from the world’s greatest needs even to those of the San Francisco Giants. And why not? For THIS is what we pray to the Lord.

Photo Credits
Brian Wilson
Don't Stop Believin'
The Other Bruce