Classy Sports Departure

He grew up in the same town I did, was a half generation ahead of me, but gave us all something to shoot for as kids growing up playing the sport that makes "Hockeytown" famous. Unfortunately, for most of his career he played on an enemy team – but the real trick was that he wasn't even supposed to be on any team.

We hear about athletes that are larger than life, this athlete was probably smaller than you. You probably don't know his name unless you follow hockey, but you should. He was quiet, small, and unassuming - but his team could always count on him. Apparently so can his family, but more importantly so can God. He retired with class, a bit of surprise, and with his focus on his priorities - his virtues.

From the Detroit News:

There were no tears, nor was there any hint of regret about passing up $6 million. ("As far as the money goes, there are more important things in life," Rafalski said.) In fact, Holland said Rafalski already had been in his office Wednesday morning to sign his retirement papers.

"So it's completely official," Holland said. "He's retired as a player."

He retires with some impressive statistics — 79 goals and 515 points in 833 regular-season games, plus another 29 goals and 100 points (13th-most all-time by a defenseman) in 165 career playoff games. But what's more impressive is that the 5-foot-10 Rafalski did all that as a player who went undrafted out of college at the University of Wisconsin.

He was too small, the scouts said and the GMs agreed, so Rafalski spent four years playing pro hockey in Sweden and Finland before finally getting a shot at the NHL at age 26.

All he has done in the decade since is blaze a trail for players of similar stature.

"He's an incredible story," Holland said.

Yet as difficult as this final chapter was to write, Rafalski also called this season the "most rewarding" of his career. And with a heavy emphasis on his faith Wednesday, he made it clear this decision was about much more than hockey. Mostly, it was about family, as he and Felicity have three sons, with the eldest, Danny, ready to start high school in the fall.

So before Rafalski closed his remarks citing Scripture — Romans 8:28 was "appropriate" not just for the meaning, he joked, but also because it matched his jersey number — he plainly explained his motivation for leaving behind the game he loves.

"We went through a long process of weighing the factors in our lives and at the end of the day it came down to priorities," he said. "At the top of the priorities came serving God, serving my family and serving others. ... With hockey not being at the top, it was time to move on."

Thanks for the memories Rafalski, and thanks for being the kind of athlete we can tell our children about and that they can look up to. There are few people that can walk away from $6 Million dollars simply by not talking about it at all. Money wasn't in this decision - God, family, and other people were... what hope that inspires.

Go Wings!

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Red Wings - Game 7 - Prayer from AoftheA

Larry D, is from the D (Detroit). I am originally from the D. That means tonight, we will be focused on the Detroit Red Wings playing a Game 7 against the San Jose Sharks. They went down 3-0 in the series, and now have a chance to do the improbable!

LarryD offers his prayer for the wings at his blog:

Our forwards

Who art with centers

Hallowed be their game

The win will come

Should checks be done

At the boards

And in the corners.

Give them this game

Their powerplays

And forgive them any bad passes

And don't give the Sharks good chances, defensemen!

And lead them not into high-sticking

But deliver them from losing.

Amen.

GO WINGS!

San Jose - Friday Morning

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The Vortex: Much ado about Michael Voris

Bishop Bambera - Scranton

If you haven't heard, the Diocese of Scranton (PA) has denied permission to Michael Voris to speak on "church property" within the Diocese. This is a legitimate authority they have, and are free to exercise. Voris, via RealCatholicTV.com, has responded and so have others; and the Catholic Blogosphere has lit up with a ton of commentary about this particular issue.

What is interesting in this entire situation isn't that the Diocese of Scranton seems to have invoked some weird modernist double-standard on speakers, or even the efficacy and prudence of Michael Voris and his "Vortex" videos. Lost in all of this, although some are bringing it to light, is the role the Archdiocese of Detroit is playing in it. The main voice in the seeming wilderness in all of this has been Matt Abbott at Renew America.

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the Michigan connection

As this blog is partially Michigan based, and having come from the Archdiocese of Detroit, I feel this is a valid topic of discussion. Not only that, Voris has been an ardent defender of the Church and supporter of the Ecclesia Militans. Now, before I proceed I do want to say that I support Voris either in method or message 100%. There are some things, as with all people, that I think he has done incorrectly, imprudently, and even uncharitably. For the most part though, I am behind him, as I think he brings to light a lot of issues that others are willing to say. Some of his Vortex videos and his CIA episodes I do take issue with in some regards, but I am not one to throw out the baby with the bath-water.

Many, who are familiar with Scranton, are taking up that side of the issue. As I said, what I find interesting is the Detroit side of things. Those who inquire with the Archdiocese get this emailed response to their inquiry to Voris:

In 2006, St. Michael’s Media of Ferndale, Michigan, through its chief executive, Michael Voris, and his associates, requested approval of its apostolate and programming from the Archdiocese of Detroit. The Detroit archdiocese responded to their initial submission and gave them direction as to the additional information and steps that would need to be taken. At issue was, and is, compliance with our basic archdiocesan media protocols and those of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). While there have been some discussions, the matter with St. Michael’s Media remains unresolved; it is not an approved apostolate.

“In 2008, a Web-based video provider named RealCatholicTV.com was launched, with Michael Voris as the primary host, producer-writer and manager, utilizing new and archive program material produced and provided, primarily, by St. Michael’s Media. The RealCatholicTV enterprise has yet to present itself or receive approval of its apostolate and programming from the Detroit archdiocese.

“Therefore, the catechetical presentations, the analysis of Catholic teachings or positions, and the commentary on Church leadership presented by St. Michael’s Media and/or RealCatholicTV— be they audio, video, or exclusively Web-based— cannot be approved or endorsed by the archdiocese at this time.”

Ned McGrath
Director of Communications
Archdiocese of Detroit
February 2011

Archbishop Vigneron - Detroit

Now, Archbishop Vigneron (Detroit) was in the original "running" for USCCB President. In fact, if you were to ask me, and was  "my pick". [NB: I think Chaput is "more orthodox", but viewed him as "un-winnable."] He has done some great things since taking the reins in Detroit. In fact, he celebrated the Extraordinary Form Confirmation Mass at St. Josaphat's in 2009. He has also made vast improvements in the Archdiocese, one that was plagued with heresy and scandal for many years. So many have seen him as a ray of hope. I personally, have talked him up as one of the Bishops with a "backbone" willing to reclaim the Bride of Christ in honor and glory.

What pains me is that I know chanceries and lay officials within a diocese wield a power and authority that shouldn't have. That being said, it is really hard to know where things stand in the AOD regarding Voris. Now I am not saying that Abp. Vigneron should be judged solely on the Voris issue, but the question of "What to do about Voris and RealCatholicTV.com will continue to come up. The Scranton situation will not be the last. Since the AOD has put out a statement, people will continue to ask the question: "Do you support Voris?" until it is answered. So where will Abp. Vigneron come down? Many that I know in the Archdiocese of Detroit (both supportive and non-supportive of Voris) see this as a tipping-point issue. The AOD is saying that they are "not an approved apostolate" but can they or will they be approved if they go through the whole procedure? This is just one of many questions.

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questions linger...

So many questions remain. Will Archbishop Vigneron come out and make a statement one way or the other on Voris? Will Voris be allowed or denied in any other Diocese? Will this be a tipping point issue in Detroit or other places? There is much ado about Voris in the Blogosphere but I wonder if maybe there is a larger issue at play. In Voris' most recent Vortex, he mentions that this issue isn't about him, or his position on things. In fact, it isnt about Scranton or Detroit. What is at play and at stake is something much larger. It has more to do with the state of things in the Catholic institutional church here in the United States, and it has to do with the fidelity to the true Church. I think he is right, and that scares me, because that is a showdown that will leave many who are unprepared in a fight for their eternal souls. There is much ado about Voris - and the vortex we find ourselves in might be the eternal battle between good and evil.


Links:
The Vortex - Voris' response to the Issue
A perspective on Detroit - Matt Abbott

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Midnight Mass - Christmas: St. Joseph's in Detroit, Michigan

Wanted to post a few pics from where my family attended Midnight Mass on Christmas. Unfortunately, I only took a few pics with my phone as I didn't think to bring the better camera.

We went to:

St. Joseph Catholic Church

Midnight Latin Tridentine Mass

Missa Brevis in G by W. A. Mozart
Ave Verum Corpus by William Byrd
sung and performed by the St. Joseph Cappella, Soloists, and Chamber Orchestra
(preludes begin at 11:30)

The Main Altar

Marian Side Altar

St. Joseph's - Detroit, MI

The Mass was beautiful, the Music was awe inspiring and it really was a Mass that sought the Sacred. 

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