The Omaha Padres played Sunday

A collection of priests from the Omaha Archdiocese gathered Sunday for the I-80 Collar Series at Werner Park as they  hosted the priests from the Lincoln diocese.

Fr. Pietramale brought plenty of holy water.

 All the priests signed posters...

 ... and took in the atmosphere of

 playing before 8,000 fans.

 But before they even took the

 field, they met and prayed.

 Then it was time for the national anthem ...

 and player introductions ...

 ... before the game got underway.

Fr. Brancich was the first priest from

 the Omaha team to get a hit (and score).

Fr. Vogel would soon be on base as well.

Above Fr Mario Rapose tagged third for 

one out and looks to first for a double play.

There were some hi-jinks on the field.

The Omaha team kept the trainers busy. Fr. Korth felt his hamstring pop during warm-ups. He was, we think, the only Omaha priest to play baseball in college. He was unable to take the field (though he did manage to bat with a pinch-runner.) On the right, Fr. Vogel got some cuts bandaged.

Captain-Father Voithofer called his shot.

 Fr. Ben Boyd stays on second base.

 Fr. Mark Beran got his workout on the field.

We don't recall exactly what the final score was or who won. We do know the last batter for the home team ended up being Fr. Hoesing (stepping up the the plate above) and the last play was him sliding for an inside the park home run.

It was a great and fun event!

Preparing for the Big Game

Yesterday Fr. Vogel and some of his teammates got together for practice as the Priests of the Omaha Archdiocese face the Priests of the Lincoln Diocese in the I-80 Collar Series. Since Werner Field is within our parish boundaries, we expect him to represent St. Columbkille well!

But before they practiced, they prayed.

Here Fr.Roza warms up with Fr. Oscar Perez.

Fr. Harry Buse won't be playing, but he did host the practice and made sure everyone was prepared.

Fr. Damien Wee is used to hitting a ping pong ball, so a softball makes a big target.

Fr. Oscar Perez made a fancy play scooping up a grounder, spinning and throwing to first.

Fr. Frank Jinda showed he's in shape with some nice plays.

Team Captain Fr. Michael Voithofer said he updated his funeral plans before the game and Fr. John Pietramale was once of three priests had oils on hand for the anointing of the sick.

Here Fr. Damien Cook gets his bat on the ball.

Fr. Joe Taphorn showed his range in the outfield.

Fr. Oscar Perez impressed his teammates at the batting cage on Monday. Here he gets in a workout with Fr. Mike Eckley catching. Fr. Eckley played in a softball league for 20 years before hanging up his cleats just a few years ago.

Fr. John Brancich was honing his skills at second base.

Fr. Kevin Vogel played well at first base, but played even better in the outfield before coming in for some batting practice.

Fr. Mario Rapose scooped up this grounder before the quick throw to first.

They're working to make sure they're ready Sunday!

The game is at Werner Field. Tailgating starts at 3:30 with the game at 5:00. All of the proceeds will fund vocations in the two dioceses.