Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki Archbishop of Milwaukee
As the dust settles on the Green Bay Packers loss to the Arizona Cardinals (26-20), all aspects of the game will be replayed in the memories of Packers fans. The “woulda’s, shoulda’s and coulda’s” will be argued over and over until next season begins. Why didn’t those refs call the blatant interference that would have given the Pack a first down toward the end of the game? Why did Coach McCarthy waste a challenge on reception which cost a crucial timeout needed for the end of the game? If only the interception could have been made by the Packers defensive back, ending the Arizona Cardinals’ drive in the fourth quarter. Did the refs forget they had a flag in their pocket? Did they swallow the whistle? And that coin flip: how does a referee fail to toss a coin properly? Don’t they teach that in referee school – Coin Flipping 101? I can assure you that if that had happened in a street football game in my childhood neighborhood on the south side of Chicago, there is no way a second coin flip would have been tolerated without yelling, shouting or throwing a few punches. If it was “re-tossed,” it would have been best two out of three. There is no doubt that the Packers are a class organization. I know that any other team would have been moaning about the injuries that were sustained – not only in this playoff game, but all throughout the year. One key injury after another, and yet the Packers seemed to play through it and still capture the admiration of fans everywhere. If there is a silver lining to this otherwise tragic playoff game, I believe that it is found in the area of spirituality. I don’t believe that there is any other team in the history of the NFL that was granted by God the completion of not one, but two Hail Mary passes in one professional season. If I am right, that means that the Mother of God is a Packers fan. Why not? The only officially recognized apparition in the United States is found in the Diocese of Green Bay at the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help, which is located in the community of Champion (Are we getting any hints of divine inspiration?), 4047 Chapel Dr., New Franken. I would suggest that Coach McCarthy, as part of his pre-season practices this coming year, rent a bus and take his players to the Shrine. First, in gratitude for the two successful Hail Marys, we better say thank you – especially to Mother. Second, to dedicate the team to Our Lady of Good Help (so that injuries are kept to a minimum), while impressing upon the team their connection to the community of “Champion.” With regret, we say there is always next year. However, we as fans should visit the shrine just to thank God that we are not Chicago Cubs fans who say at the end of their season, “There’s always the next millennium.” Yes, we are all God’s children (even Cubs fans), so as Mary would tell us, “Do whatever he tells you” – and He tells us to LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
Note: This blog originally appeared as the January 19, 2016 "Love One Another" email sent to Catholics throughout the Archdiocese of Milwaukee by Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki. If you are interested in signing up for these email messages, please click here.
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