8 Catholic universities get ready to compete in NCAA men's basketball tournament
http://www.myspiritfm.com/News?blogid=Catholic-News&view=post&articleid=283104&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
Ryan Kalkbrenner and the Creighton Bluejays are back in the 2025 NCAA men's basketball tournament, one of eight Catholic universities competing in this year's March Madness. / Credit: Nicholas Muller/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty ImagesCNA Staff, Mar 18, 2025 / 15:10 pm (CNA).The NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament kicks off March 18 and this year's tournament includes eight Catholic universities competing for the championship title. They are: Creighton University, Gonzaga University, Marquette University, Xavier University, St. John's University, Saint Mary's College, Saint Francis University, and Mount St. Mary's University.Several of these Catholic institutions are making history with their participation in the tournament this year. The Red Flash from Saint Francis University in Loretto, Pennsylvania, clinched their spot in the big dance when they beat the top team in their conference, Central Connecticut State University (CCSU), 46-43 on March 11. This victory ea...
Ryan Kalkbrenner and the Creighton Bluejays are back in the 2025 NCAA men's basketball tournament, one of eight Catholic universities competing in this year's March Madness. / Credit: Nicholas Muller/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
CNA Staff, Mar 18, 2025 / 15:10 pm (CNA).
The NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament kicks off March 18 and this year's tournament includes eight Catholic universities competing for the championship title. They are: Creighton University, Gonzaga University, Marquette University, Xavier University, St. John's University, Saint Mary's College, Saint Francis University, and Mount St. Mary's University.
Several of these Catholic institutions are making history with their participation in the tournament this year.
The Red Flash from Saint Francis University in Loretto, Pennsylvania, clinched their spot in the big dance when they beat the top team in their conference, Central Connecticut State University (CCSU), 46-43 on March 11. This victory earned them their first NCAA Tournament in 34 years.
During a crucial moment in the final seconds of the conference title game, Red Flash coach Rob Krimmel turned to his faith.
According to CBS Sports, Krimmel had written on his play card three phrases: "audience of one," "surrender," and "thy will be done." So, when CCSU tied the game with 17 seconds left, instead of calling for a timeout, Krimmel reminded himself of the phrases on his play card, encouraging his team to go make the plays they needed to make.
The Saint Francis Red Flash will be playing their first game of the tournament against the Alabama State Red Hornets on March 18.
Another team making history with their participation in March Madness is St. John's University from New York. St. John's Red Storm won the Big East Tournament title on March 15 for the first time in 25 years when the team beat Creighton University 82-66.
Their first game in the tournament will be against the University of Nebraska-Omaha on March 20.
The Marquette Golden Eagles received their fourth consecutive invite to the big dance during the NCAA's Selection Sunday on March 16. Senior guard Stevie Mitchell, who is preparing to play in his fourth March Madness, sees basketball as a tool to inspire the next generation and leave a lasting impact. Last summer, Mitchell hosted a free youth basketball camp at his high school in Pennsylvania.
"To see how grateful they are for us, it really puts life into perspective. They don't care how the game went," he told the NCAA. "The kids who look up to us, they obviously want us to win, but they don't really care how the game goes, they just see inspiration in us. And as long as we can live up to that night in and night out, we'll be proud of whatever we do, whatever outcome may be, because it's so much bigger than basketball."
He continued: "The more time we spend in the community, the more we realize that and the more we're just able to help give back and just make the place around us a better place. I think that's the greatest thing you can do as a basketball player, or anybody really, is just make the world around you a better place," he added.
Marquette will face the University of New Mexico in their first-round game on March 21.
The games for the other Catholic universities competing are: Creighton University will face the University of Louisville on March 20; Gongzaga will play the University of Georgia Bulldogs on March 20; the Xavier Musketeers will face off against the University of Texas Longhorns on March 19; Mount St. Mary's will face American University on March 19; and the Saint Mary's Gaels will compete against Vanderbilt on March 21.
Full Article
http://www.myspiritfm.com/News?blogid=Catholic-News&url=10&view=post&articleid=284540&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
Michael Warsaw, CEO of EWTN. / Credit: Daniel Ibañez/CNAWashington, D.C. Newsroom, May 8, 2025 / 17:26 pm (CNA).EWTN Chairman and CEO Michael Warsaw reacted with joy to the election of the first American pontiff."It is with great joy that I welcome the election of Chicago-born Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as Pope Leo XIV," Warsaw said in a statement. "The election of a new pope is always a historic moment in the life of the Church, but the election of the first American-born pope is particularly momentous."Reflecting on the new pope's trajectory, Warsaw noted that "the new Holy Father carries with him enormous experience as a missionary priest and bishop, which no doubt will help to shape his ministry as the 266th successor of St. Peter."Warsaw, who under Pope Francis served as a consultor with the Vatican's Dicastery for Communication, added that "on behalf of the global EWTN family, I want to assure Pope Leo of our prayers as he begins his service to the universal Church."...
http://www.myspiritfm.com/News?blogid=Catholic-News&url=10&view=post&articleid=284537&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
Pope Leo XIV waves to pilgrims in St. Peter's Square shortly after his election on Thursday, May 8, 2025 / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNAVatican City, May 8, 2025 / 12:11 pm (CNA).Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost has been elected as the 267th pope of the Catholic Church, taking the name Pope Leo XIV. White smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel at 6:09 p.m. Rome time on Thursday, signaling that the College of Cardinals had chosen a successor to Pope Francis, who died on April 21. Thousands gathered in St. Peter's Square erupted in cheers as the bells of the basilica began to toll, confirming the election of a new pontiff. The crowds gathered as word spread throughout Rome that a new pope had been chosen. The new pontiff appeared on the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at approximately 7:25 p.m. local time, where Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, the protodeacon of the College of Cardinals and prefect of the Apostolic Signatura, announced in Latin: "Annuntio vobis ga...
http://www.myspiritfm.com/News?blogid=Catholic-News&url=10&view=post&articleid=284536&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
null / Credit: CNACNA Newsroom, May 8, 2025 / 13:14 pm (CNA).Follow here for live coverage as the conclave unfolds: updates, insights, and key moments in the election of the 266th successor to St. Peter and 267th leader of the Catholic Church.