Catholic sports fans in Darwin are combining their love of sport with their faith by training to become sports chaplains. Source: The Bridge.
Daniel Ryan and Dean Chisholm last year completed a six-week online course with Sports Chaplaincy Australia, responding to an invitation from Darwin’s Bishop Charles Gauci.
The pair have been involved in local sport for many years as coaches and players, with Mr Ryan representing Australia in kayaking.
Mr Chisholm, who is in formation for the permanent diaconate and is part of the diocese’s Aboriginal Catholic Ministry, said sport was a particularly significant part of social life in Darwin.
“Everyone here is playing two or three sporting codes at once; most families just roll into different codes all year round,” he said.
“I think sport chaplains are really needed here, especially in this day and age, with so many life challenges and pressures.”
With a background playing Australian Rules football, kayaking professionally, umpiring and coaching, Mr Ryan said he sees many parallels between sport and faith.
“Something I see in sport is discipline, which is essential for growth in faith,” he said.
“Also, in sport you generally have to prepare a lot and the rewards are delayed. We live in an instant culture, but in sport, many work for 10 months to hold up a trophy at the end of the year. Our faith is very similar in that we work towards something in the future.”
The training course highlighted several key aspects of sports chaplaincy, Mr Ryan said.
“It’s a ministry of presence … and you reach the people on the periphery as well, which is something I’m fascinated by,” he said.
“Sport in general tends to gravitate towards the player with the best skills or the biggest name, but in sports chaplaincy, everyone’s equal – the weakest or the newest player on the team is no less than the person who scores all the goals.”
Bishop Gauci said engaging in the area of sport, whether it be as a participant or chaplain, provided a great opportunity for Catholics to witness to their faith.
“We’re excited to see how this ministry will grow and enrich lives in our diocese.”
FULL STORY
Faith and sports joining forces in Darwin (By Matthew Biddle, The Bridge)
