More Than a Game

By Fr. Hau Vu, Vocations Director

The world has been captivated by soccer. Every four years, the World Cup has a way of bringing people together. Families gather around televisions, strangers become friends for ninety minutes, and entire nations unite behind one team. There is something beautiful about the game.

But I would argue that there is something even more beautiful than the World Cup.

It is a soccer match between priests and seminarians.

That may sound like an exaggeration until you witness it for yourself.

For the past 11 months, there was a growing anticipation throughout our Diocese of San Bernardino for one event, the long awaited rematch between the Priests and Seminarians. Last year, the seminarians walked away victorious, and the priests had been carrying that loss with them ever since. Friendly trash talk turned into serious training. Practice sessions became more competitive. The rematch was coming, and everyone knew it.

On June 26, at exactly 7:00 p.m., the whistle blew at Aquinas High School.

But something happened that none of us expected.

The game became much bigger than soccer.

Over 2,000 people from all six vicariates came together as one family. Parishioners filled the stands wearing jerseys, waving signs, cheering for their priests, their seminarians, and ultimately for the Church they love. For one evening, parish boundaries disappeared. We were no longer six vicariates. We were one Diocese.

That is what caught my attention.

Communion.

Isn’t that exactly what Jesus prayed for? “That they may all be one.”

The soccer field simply became the place where that prayer was lived.

The preparation for the game was almost as entertaining as the game itself. Both teams trained with surprising determination. Watching them prepare reminded me of Rocky getting ready to fight Apollo Creed. Every practice carried the question, “Who’s going to win this year?” Were the priests Rocky? Were the seminarians Apollo? Honestly, by game day, nobody really knew.

And maybe that was part of the fun.

While the players prepared on the field, another team was preparing somewhere else.

The kitchen.

Thousands of meals had to be served, drinks had to stay cold, desserts had to be ready, booths had to be staffed, and everything had to run smoothly. Like the multiplication of the loaves, Christ fed the crowds through the hands of His disciples. This time, He did it through the generous hearts of countless volunteers.

The Knights of Columbus, Our Lady of Guadalupe (San Bernardino), the Serra Club, parishioners from Holy Name of Jesus and so many other parishes, members of the Vocations Assessment Committee, families, friends, and volunteers all gave of themselves with incredible generosity.

This was the Church.

Not simply talking about love.

Living it.

People often ask me what the Church looks like.

It looks like this.

It looks like people serving burgers with a smile.

It looks like volunteers washing dishes after everyone has gone home.

It looks like parishioners standing in the hot sun because they believe in priestly vocations.

It looks like thousands of Catholics choosing to spend a Friday night together.

That is the Church.

The game itself certainly did not disappoint.

Bishop Rojas found the back of the net for the priests, sending the crowd into celebration.

Fr. Larry followed with another goal. The seminarians answered with three of their own, proving once again that youth has its advantages.

By the final whistle, the seminarians had claimed another victory.

Perhaps it was another David versus Goliath story.

Or perhaps it was simply shepherds joyfully chasing after sheep who happened to be faster.

Whatever the score said, I honestly think everyone won that evening.

The priests may not have taken home the trophy, but they won something far greater, the hearts of the people. You could see it on every face as families walked back to their cars. Nobody was talking about just the score. They were talking about the atmosphere, the laughter, the joy, the unity, and how they could not wait to come back next year.

That is what remains with me.

Not the goals.

Not the saves.

Not even the final score.

Communion.

In a world that constantly finds reasons to divide us, the Church found another reason to gather.

Perhaps that is why Jesus loved sharing meals with people.

Perhaps that is why He walked with His disciples.

Perhaps that is why He continues to gather us around His altar.

Because communion has always been His game.

So now the question becomes…

Will the priests finally reclaim victory next year?

Or will the seminarians continue their reign?

Only time will tell.

One thing, however, is already certain.

The fire has been lit.

And I have a feeling next year’s match is going to be even bigger.