3rd Annual Priests vs. Seminarians Basketball Challenge

There were an estimated 3,000 people in attendance at the Leavey Center on the campus of Santa Clara University to watch the Third Annual Priests vs. Seminarians Basketball Challenge on February 6th. The ‘REVS’ clergy team was made up fifteen priests and one permanent deacon representing 12 parishes, including one priest from the Society of Jesus and one priest from the Legionaries of Christ. The ‘SEMS’ seminarians team consisted of seventeen seminarians: 11 studying for the Diocese of San Jose, 1 from the Diocese of Reno, 1 from the Diocese of Sacramento and 2 brothers studying for the priesthood with the Legionaries of Christ. Those players not from the Diocese of San Jose are currently ministering in Santa Clara County.

Highlights of the night included an address via video by Bishop McGrath (who was in Ireland attending the funeral of retired Diocese of San Jose priest, Father Barry Freyne), musical entertainment provided by the Saint Francis High School band and free-throw shooting contests. It was a close game throughout and the REVS clergy team won by a score of 37-32. The REVS team now leads the series with 2 victories over the SEMS single victory in 2007.

Seminarian Anthony Uytingco was awarded Most Valuable Player of the SEMS team and Father Daniel Massick, LC, superior of the Legionaries of Christ community in Cupertino was recognized as the MVP of the REVS team. More than $20,000.00 was raised to benefit the seminarians of the Diocese of San Jose. Photos were taken by Charlie S. Aczon of Visual360° Photography, Sofyan Nugroho, and Darwin Sayo of Shades of Beautiful Photography. For more information about the Vocations Office and Seminarians of the Diocese of San Jose, please visit the Vocations Office. To check out the Santa Clara Weekly article on this event click here.