Jessica's blog

Priest Plays Poker to Win Money for Church

COLUMBIA, S.C. - A South Carolina priest missed the $1 million top prize in a poker tournament to be televised this weekend but he won $100,000 for his church and he hopes his participation gives viewers a “fun twist” on their perceptions of the priesthood.

The Rev. Andrew Trapp said he entered the PokerStars.net Million Dollar Challenge in hopes of putting St. Michael Catholic Church “super close” to its $5.5 million fundraising goal to build a new facility. He also wanted to strike a public relations blow for priests.

“At the very least, even if I didn’t win any prize money, I was hoping it would help people to see that priests can have fun and be normal people and hopefully get a little bit of a fun twist on the image of the priesthood,” the assistant pastor said Tuesday.

The top prize went to retired New York Police detective Mike Kosowski. But Trapp won $100,000, untaxed, in a semifinal round in October for the coastal church’s building fund, which has amassed $4 million after four years of fundraising.

For the final episode, a camera crew filmed a Sunday mass at the church, about 10 miles southwest of Myrtle Beach, and taped Trapp talking about the need for a new building.

'God gave me a gift'
“It’s really old. It’s too small for our needs, and it’s really vulnerable if a hurricane comes,” he says in a segment on PokerStars.net.

He adds, “God gave me a gift of playing cards — that interest, that hobby — and I could put it to use to help build our church. That just was really exciting for me.”

Congregants will gather Sunday afternoon at the church to watch the final televised round.

The 28-year-old Aiken native said he started playing poker in middle school at family gatherings. But it was in seminary in Columbus, Ohio, that he learned Texas Hold ’Em.

“We just played for fun,” he said. “It was just a way to hang out with each other and to enjoy each other’s company.”

Ordained in July 2007, Trapp is the youngest Catholic priest in the statewide diocese.

“A lot of young people out there, young Catholics, have never seen a young priest,” he said, adding that maybe the show will lead others to consider the profession.

Before playing, Trapp got permission from his pastor, who told him to “go for it.” The Charleston bishop later gave him permission to be on TV, he said.

Joseph Ohens, executive assistant to the bishop, confirmed Trapp had the bishop’s permission. “He wanted to show the world that priests are human beings like every one of us. ... He wanted to demystify priesthood.”

Poker-playing priest an attraction
To earn a spot on the poker finals, Trapp had to place among the top 10 in a free Internet tournament involving 10,000 contestants, then submit a two-minute audition video.

Trapp said he knew he would be chosen if he could just earn the right to audition: A poker-playing priest would attract attention and viewers. He played in his priestly attire. Since that’s what he’s used to wearing, it would’ve felt weird not to, he said.

PokerStars.net notes Trapp’s profession in promoting the show, calling it “a story of biblical proportions.” Officials from PokerStars.net did not immediately return a message seeking comment.

Trapp calls it a game show where, instead of answering trivia questions, he plays cards. “This isn’t even gambling, so to speak,” he said, since everything, including the trips to Los Angeles, was cost-free to him and the church.

Trapp said the Catholic church doesn’t see a moral problem with playing cards or games of chance, within reason.

“It’s a question of moderation — just like anything else,” he said. “We believe it’s fine to enjoy a beer or glass of wine, but not to abuse it to get drunk.”

Traveling Handwritten Bible

What a cool idea.  Traveling the country having each Bible verse written by a different person.  Ages 4 - 80s.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/02/17/handwritten.bible/index.html

Marathon-running priest chases stolen collection money

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Call it Godspeed.

A Washington priest went sprinting through the streets, just before Mass, to recover collection money that a thief swiped from the church safe.

"I said, 'Hey, I'm going to go catch a thief,'" the Rev. Bill Hegedusich told startled congregants at St. Peter's church on Capitol Hill as he bounded through the church door Sunday morning.

Hegedusich said the man had taken two bags of money, totaling about $125, from an unlocked safe.

The 48-year-old marathon runner, clad in his black shirt and white clerical collar, said he chased the man for about two blocks and yelled at him to return the money. The man threw one bag on the ground and kept running.

Hegedusich returned with the single bag. He estimated that he recovered about $60.

No arrests have been made.

The priest called it "disheartening" that someone made off with offerings for the poor.

"It's not my typical Sunday morning, I'll tell you that," added Hegedusich, who celebrated the 11 a.m. Mass a few minutes late.

Real-life Altar Boys

These guys are the real Altar Boys, although they seem to stick with traditional music.  Still, it's neat to see 3 priests (2 of them brothers) being welcomed into the music industry.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Music/10/23/music.priests/index.html

We should approach Frs. John & Scott Detisch and see if they want to start up an Erie trio!  Maybe with Fr. Mike...? :-)

May we all be like little children...Jessica

And you thought nuns were boring...UPDATE

Below is my original blog.  However, this morning it was announced that the "Miss Sister" pagaent will not be taking place.  Check out the story here: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26379900/?GT1=43001  Many people thought it was in bad taste, but the priest who came up with the idea said it was all misinterpreted.  Even if the pagaent won't be taking place, the priest made a very important point, that "being ugly is not a requirement for becoming a nun."  For those giving even the slightest idea to a vocation, don't forget beauty comes from within.  Even nuns can be beautiful.

May we all be like little children...Jessica

The first ever "Miss Sister 2008" beauty pageant for nuns!  Don't worry, they won't be parading around in bathing suits or performing a talent.  But, they will have a description page listing information on their life & vocation.  Visitors to the website will be voting on which nun will be "Miss Sister 2008."  Do you think it's right to have nuns "compete" in a competition that highlights external beauty?

Check it out here: http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/08/25/nuns.beauty.ap/index.html