March 30, 2016 // Local

John Bosco Jam

Todays Catholic

Catholic priests challenge seminarians in John Bosco Jam basketball game

SOUTH BEND — Following the success of the Cupertino Classic in Fort Wayne, the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend is hosting the inaugural John Bosco Jam: A basketball game between teams of priests and Holy Cross seminarians on Friday, April 15th at 6:30 p.m. at Saint Joseph High School, 453 N. Notre Dame, Ave. Admission to the game is free and doors will open at 5:30 p.m. Donations will be collected for Catholic Relief Services to help Christians in the Middle East. Official John Bosco Jam T-shirts will be available for purchase for $10.

The event is named after St. John Bosco, who was an Italian priest from the 1800’s. Bosco used his talent in sports to draw young people together through fun activities and then present the Gospel of Jesus in an accessible way. Organizers promote the event as a modern day example of doing the same thing.

“Priests from around the Diocese, the Congregation of the Holy Cross and other Catholic orders will be challenging the Holy Cross seminarians as a way to grow our sense of Catholic community in the South Bend area,” noted Father Andrew Curry, team captain. Curry notes that this event is for all ages and is a fun way to bring people together. “Besides, high school and college students, this event is also a great way for parents and grandparents to bring their children to an event to see priests and seminarians in a way they don’t usually see them,” Curry stated. Organizers expect a crowd of several hundred people to attend.

The roster for the Priest Team includes: Team Captain Father Andrew Curry, North Manchester; Father Mark Gurtner, Fort Wayne; Father Terry Coonan, South Bend; Father Aaron Pidel SJ, Notre Dame; Father Nathan O’Holloran, SJ, Notre Dame; Father Michael Magree, SJ (Notre Dame), Father Jason Freiburger, Elkhart and Father Matt Soberalski, Fort Wayne.