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By JOE HEALEY jhealey@leader.net
Sunday, January 30, 2000 Page: 3A
For a lot of professional-football fans, the Super Bowl is the holiest of
days.
Many, including many area clergy members, will be worshiping in front of
the television for several hours tonight.
So just what do local ministers and priests do on the big day?
Monsignor John Bendik and the Revs. Gerard Hawley, Hugh McGroarty and Frank
Homets usually watch the Super Bowl together in St. John’s Rectory in
Pittston.
“It’s become a tradition,” Hawley said. “We’ll have chips and soda and
have whimpies for dinner. We have a lot of fun. We like to do it every year.”
Monsignor Joseph Kelly, pastor of the Church of the Transfiguration and SS.
Peter and Paul in West Hazleton, said there’s usually a bit of an increase in
the number of warm bodies in Sunday services because the Super Bowl is held in
the evening rather than the daytime, when most regular season games take
place.
“Everybody stays home this weekend,” Kelly said. “No one goes out of
town or takes vacations. No one goes to meetings or social events or dances.
So there’s an increase of people coming to church. I’ve always noticed the
church is fuller on Super Bowl Sunday.”
Kelly said he made a big mistake several years ago by scheduling a church
youth group meeting on Super Bowl Sunday. He said he had invited several
speakers to talk to the students about the dangers of drugs and alcohol.
This year’s big game will pit the Tennessee Titans against the St. Louis
Rams. Kelly said he usually roots for the underdog. “I’m for Tennessee. They
have a bunch of young guys, and I hope they come out on top.”
He said he’ll even say a prayer before the game.
The Holy Name Society of Sacred Heart in Duryea is having a Super Bowl
party for its parishioners. The party will include a big-screen TV and three
smaller TVs, a buffet and refreshments. Tickets are $15 a person, and children
under 12 are admitted free. The doors open at 5 p.m.
The Rev. Richard Zavacki, pastor of St. Hedwig’s Church on Zerbey Avenue in
Kingston, said he will likely mention the game in his sermon.
“It’s on everyone’s mind,” he said. “I’m more of a college football fan,
but I like the game. I like to relax and watch it and not have to worry about
anything.”
He said he will have dinner and watch the game at his sister’s home.
Call Healey at 829-7225.