Member Log InOn a chilly, rainy Monday evening, an enthusiastic crowd estimated at 250 people enjoyed the annual Runnin' with the Revs basketball game Bishop Miege High School, the first post-COVID edition of an event that started years prior. In those prior years, it was youth against the priests. As a post-COVID innovation this year, the Black-shirt and White-shirt teams were each composed of priests and young men between 8th grade and 12th grade from area schools and homeschool programs. Selected by teachers and administrators based on assessment of leadership, faith, and school/community involvement, the young men joined up with diocesan priests from around the area in a high level, spirited hoops contest.
From the op
ening tip, the evening was packed with fun, energy, and entertainment for everyone. A fast-paced game, full team substitutions occurred in four-minute intervals of each 20-minute half (a coaching move that undoubtedly benefited the priests more than the young men.) A generous benefactor offered to contribute $50 for every 3-point shot made during the game. A whopping twenty-three (23) three-pointers were made by priests and young men sharpshooters! The game was tied at halftime, 38 - all.
Diocesan Vocations Director, Fr. Dan Morris took the microphone at one point during the evening, thanking the crowd for coming out to the game. He spoke about the good things happening with vocations in the Archdiocese and asked the crowd to continue to pray for priestly and religious vocations.
Volunteer referees whistled a competitive hoops match-up, inviting guest free-throw shooters from the crowd, tossing out a couple of intentional flop calls, and awarding a 10-point free throw (or two. Or three.)
I caught up with Fr. Dan after the event concluded and asked him how he felt. "Great!" he replied. "Never felt better!" he added with a wink. He commented again about the thrill of seeing so many folks in attendance and the fun in competing with the other priests and young men on both teams. He indicated he will play again at the Topeka event in April.
Serra Clubs from Kansas City, KS, Johnson County, KS, Atchison, KS, and the new Serra Club of Topeka, KS, were represented at the event. District Governor, John Caton, spoke at halftime about the benefits and beneficence of Serra involvement.
A split-the-pot garnered a $500 prize to winning ticket holder, Ginny Skoch. All proceeds from the evening's event will be used to help defray expenses for young men and women in vocation discernment programs. 
If you missed the game at Bishop Miege, you can catch the second installment of Runnin' with the Revs on Monday evening, April 25, 2022, at Hayden High School in Topeka, KS, where priests will again team up with young men in 8th through 12th grades, this time from Topeka area schools and homeschool programs. Bring the whole family!
