• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Catholic Review

Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Menu
  • Home
  • News
        • Local News
        • World News
        • Vatican News
        • Obituaries
        • Featured Video
        • En Español
  • Commentary
        • Contributors
          • Bishop Robert Barron
          • George Weigel
          • Question Corner
          • Effie Caldarola
          • John Garvey
          • Father Ed Dougherty, M.M.
          • Guest Commentary
        • CR Columnists
          • Archbishop William E. Lori
          • Rita Buettner
          • Suzanna Molino Singleton
          • Christopher Gunty
          • George Matysek Jr.
          • Paul McMullen
          • Father Joseph Breighner
          • Father Collin Poston
          • Father T. Austin Murphy Jr.
          • Robyn Barberry
          • Hanael Bianchi
          • Amen Columns
  • Entertainment
        • Events
        • Movie Reviews
        • Arts & Culture
        • Books
  • About Us
        • Contact Us
        • Our History
        • Meet Our Staff
        • Photos to own
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
  • Advertising
  • CR Radio
  • Printing
  • Subscribe
The fifth annual Men in Black basketball game paired priests and seminarians against Anne Arundel County youths Nov. 5 at Archbishop Spalding High School. The youths have now won all five matchups. (Courtesy Carrie Joneckis)|

Men in Black showdown a slam dunk success

Avatar November 11, 2010
By Catholic Review
Filed Under: Local News, News

Father T. Austin Murphy paced courtside in Archbishop Spalding High School’s gymnasium Nov. 5.

The archdiocese’s director of vocations felt a momentum shift. On the court, his brother priests and seminarians had teamed up to play Anne Arundel County youths in the fifth annual Men in Black basketball game.

The youths jumped out to a sizable first-half lead. During the third quarter, Father Murphy pumped his fists, chanting, “Men in Black!” Soon, the hundreds of people in attendance joined him in a loud chorus to support those who have followed the religious calling.

The Men in Black, led by Father Brian P. Nolan and Father Jesse L. Bolger, staged an inspired comeback, taking a lead with under two minutes remaining in the game. The crowd roared its approval.

The youths, though, got clutch baskets from Colin Rainey and Stephan May, both of St. John the Evangelist in Severna Park to seal a 44-41 victory with seconds remaining.

“They always bring it,” Rainey said of the Men in Black’s intensity.

May said, “They’re ordinary people, and it’s nice to share a game we all love.”

The youths have now won all five Men in Black games, which have been sponsored by the Anne Arundel County Vocations Committee Ministry and the archdiocesan vocation’s office.

Organizers Marlene Lauer and Christine Butrim beamed with pride at the night’s end.

“There was a lot of energy and a great deal of fun,” Butrim said. “There were a lot of families and I love seeing that.”

The youth team was told early on to bring their “A” game. Coach Rob Miller warned of the Men in Black in a pregame speech: “They’re not here to say Mass.”

“It’s exciting for them to see priests are normal and fun and they’re competitive,” Lauer added. “They’re out there to win, even though they’ve lost every time.”

Butrim, a parishioner of St. John, promotes vocations because the call is “a path to happiness.”

She was pleased to see the free game had a near-capacity crowd. Attendees donated money for seminarians while dining on snacks.

Lauer, a parishioner of Glen Burnie’s Holy Trinity parish, wore a “Be a priest” T-shirt and helped coordinate a tailgate party.

She said young Holy Trinity parishioners pray for vocations and the parish organizes informational rectory visits.

“Some are just unaware that priests are normal people with special gifts given by the Lord and the Spirit,” Lauer said. “Being a priest is a great life and that’s what we want youths to know – that if they’re called, to not run away from that call, but to embrace it.”

Father Murphy said the Men in Black game breaks down preconceived notions.

“You realize none of these people were hatched out of an egg,” he said. “They actually grew up in families and do the same things everyone else does. It can help a young person who is discerning say ‘Well, I might be on the right track and be exactly where God wants me to be. I don’t have to give up the things that make me unique, make me who I am.’ ”

Eamonn Clark, a freshman at Mount St. Mary’s University and a college candidate for the seminary, played with his potential future brothers.

“It was just so fun to come out with all the guys and try and spur on a little fervor for vocations,” he said.

Print Print

Primary Sidebar

Catholic Review

Avatar

The Catholic Review is the official publication of the Archdiocese of Baltimore.

View all posts from this author

For the latest news delivered twice a week via email or text message, sign up to receive our free enewsletter.

Latest Local News

Social Ministry honoree brings Latin America experience to migrant issues

One year in: Families, institutions adjust to ongoing pandemic

Our daily bread: Irish tradition enjoyed on more than St. Patrick’s Day

RADIO INTERVIEW: How to pick a Bible translation

Homebound, Operation CRS Rice Bowl nonetheless raises awareness of hunger

Latest World News

Movie Review: ‘Tom & Jerry ‘

‘Finally,’ pope says he will be able to make pilgrimage to Iraq

Pope taps Newark cardinal as member of Congregation for Bishops

Bible reading boosts mental well-being among Christians, U.K. survey says

Bishops address concern over Johnson & Johnson vaccine’s abortion link

Catholic Review Radio

CatholicReview · Catholic Review Radio

Footer

Our Vision

Catholic Review Media communicates the Gospel and its impact on people’s lives in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and beyond.

Our Mission

Catholic Review Media provides intergenerational communications that inform, teach, inspire and engage Catholics and all of good will in the mission of Christ through diverse forms of media.

Contact

Catholic Review
320 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
443-524-3150
mail@CatholicReview.org

 

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent

  • Social Ministry honoree brings Latin America experience to migrant issues
  • Movie Review: ‘Tom & Jerry ‘
  • Doing the impossible
  • ‘Finally,’ pope says he will be able to make pilgrimage to Iraq
  • Pope taps Newark cardinal as member of Congregation for Bishops
  • The fish-stick dilemma
  • Washing dishes for Lent
  • Bible reading boosts mental well-being among Christians, U.K. survey says
  • One year in: Families, institutions adjust to ongoing pandemic
  • Our daily bread: Irish tradition enjoyed on more than St. Patrick’s Day

Search

Membership

Catholic Press Association of the United States and Canada

Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association

The Associated Church Press

© 2021 CATHOLIC REVIEW MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED