Beginning with just 4 in a dorm room . . .
This semester, a group of student-athletes, namely those from the baseball and track programs, has met weekly to read and discuss various Bible passages. Beginning with just 4 in a dorm room, the group has grown to shelter up to 18 at once. Meeting consistently at an off-campus home in Blue Bell, this group has grown so close both on and off the field. As a result of the growth caused by meeting and praying together, GMercyU’s Base
ball team implemented prayer on the field during warmups prior to games.
What Bible Study Looks Like
Throughout the year, the group discussed passages from James, Philippians, Romans, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Passion accounts in the Gospels. Each week, the group read and talked about Scripture, applying it to both life and their respective sport. This became a really special thing, as young men were allowed to open up, be vulnerable, and share their faith journey with others in their shoes. At the end of every meeting, prayer intentions were collected and openly prayed for, a practice impressively led by one of the group’s founders, Dylan Ganey.
Fostering a Key Connection
As this progressed, a connection between Jeff Wallace of the Mercy Center and Father David Friel of the neighboring St. Ch
arles Seminary formed, leading to Fr. Friel even leading a Bible study on campus (as pictured in the cover photo). This was a unique experience, as having somebody with studied and professio
nal wisdom about Scripture proved so beneficial, as the group consists of all student athletes within 3 years of each other. That week, the team read and reflected on Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. It was here they discovered a key verse in which the group itself and the connection to the seminary was built on, Proverbs 27:17, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpensanother.” Having a priest join for a week allowed for new conversations to flourish, new wisdom to be shared, and a new level of expertise to be brought in. This has sparked a conversation between some of the athletes and the seminary, pitching a sort of chaplain-like relationship to be explored. Because of the campus proximity, the seminarian’s interest in sports, and the hunger for Jesus possessed by more student athletes at GMercyU than one may expect, this can be something that comes to fruition in the coming seasons.
What’s Next
Altogether, what is happening on campus is exciting and something special. For GMercyU’s Baseball team, this has become a true brotherhood, a bond that is much deeper than any on-field accolades. This Bible Study group plans to continue meeting and nurturing each other, with more plans ahead to pursue Jesus and their Catholic faith.
This article is dedicated to Kevin Sturley, an integral part of the Bible Study group, who will be joining ROTC and studying at Liberty University next fall. Ecclesiastes 11:4.
