News
Men in Black Basketball Game Provides Spirit and Fun
An estimated 600 people turned out January 5 to watch a basketball game between a group of seminarians from the Diocese of Raleigh and players from Saint Thomas More Academy, an independent Catholic school in Raleigh.
While the focus was on the players in what amounted to a spirited four-quarter game, attention was also paid to one of the officials, the Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge, Bishop of Raleigh.
In addition to being a fun event for the players as well as the fans, the game drew attention to the formation program of the diocese and one of Bishop Burbidge's major priorities, namely to increase vocations to the priesthood and to consecrated religious life.
Six of the diocese's 18 men in formation participated in the contest: Deacon Anthony DeCandia, Michael Spurr, Jeff Bobby, John Gournas, Dan Maloney and Michael Burbeck. They were joined by Reverend Bernard (Ned) Shlesinger, III, newly appointed Diocesan Director of Vocations, and Father Philip Tighe, pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Rocky Mount.
In a very tightly played game, the Men in Black came up short, falling to their younger competitors 30-29.
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Above: Saint Thomas More Academy students in white uniforms against the "Men in Black" at basketball game held at Cardinal Gibbons High School Gymnasium January 5. STMA eeked out a 30-29 victory over the MIB.
Below: Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, one of the two "officials" for the game, and Reverend Bernard (Ned) Shlesinger, III, newly appointed Diocesan Director of Vocations. |
