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Author uncovers hidden saints |
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Published by InvestCatholic.com
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Wednesday, 27 February 2008 |
 Article Written By LISA SOCARRAS, Originally published at CatholicHerald.com
Sports are more than a pastime for local author and lawyer Frederick
Day; they are activities where saints are discovered.
Heroic individuals who wear jerseys and swing bats are a source of inspiration
for this man of deep faith, who happens to be a lifelong athlete and
sports fan. Underneath the helmet and uniform is often hidden an inner
man with a heart bigger than his legend, known only to God and those
closest to him for an exemplary life of service to others.
Day has recruited a sports team that aspired to play by these higher
standards — a collection of vignettes, glimpses into lives well
spent, on and off the field. These champions continue to live on by inspiring
others in Day’s latest book, Dream Team: Saints and Gentle Souls
from the World of Sports.
It all began when Day was disappointed after reading a book about modern
day saints several years ago.
“It was missing athletes,” he said. “There were none included
and I knew of some that should be in the book.”
The idea for Dream Team came from a friend’s suggestion in November
2005. Day’s friend, Ellen Flannery, a fellow parishioner at St.
Anthony of Padua Parish in Falls Church, sent him an e-mail on Nov. 1
in recognition of the feast of All Saints. She asked him if he had picked
out a “dream team” of saints.
“I responded with my dream team of saints: Arthur Ashe, Joe Delaney,
Roberto Clemente and Mickey Mantle,” Day said.
His dream team line up grew as more sports giants came to mind.
“The next day as I was driving back from court, I started picking out
more players, including former Redskin linebacker Harold McLinton and Brooklyn
Dodger Pee Wee Reese,” Day said. The team list kept growing along with
his research as he uncovered hidden lives. Friends nominated other candidates
and eventually the idea evolved into a book that includes more than 400 winners
at life. Day had previously authored other books related to sports, including
The Clubhouse Lawyer and Sports and Courts.
The dream team included stars that stood out in Day’s memory, including
one player he stumbled upon on a 1993 business trip to California. He
heard about the funeral of Eddie Sadowski, former Atlanta Brave and Los
Angeles Angel who died of Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS) at the age
of 61. Day slipped into St. Columban Church where the life of this former
player and coach was being recounted. Many people were touched by this
gentle mannered man who was great beyond his years in the sports spotlight.
His impact on everyone, especially the children whom he coached, would
live on forever.
More dream team members include Pete Schneider of the Bethlehem Bulldogs
in the American Football League, known for constantly giving time and
money to charity, especially to poor children. Another Day favorite is
Alan Ameche of the Baltimore Colts who said, “If I could help just
one individual the rest of my life, I would consider that I accomplished
something significant.” This sentiment reflects Day’s own
feelings.
A closer look reveals that Day ought to be included on the “dream
team” of gentle souls making a difference in the world. Not only
does he have a knack for detecting and promoting hidden goodness in others,
but the author himself bears a striking resemblance to those he portrays
although he would never admit it.
His own game plan has been carefully and deliberately laid out to schedule
time for prayer and God, family and work as a busy attorney. That includes
a large percentage of pro bono cases and legal advice he gives out on
Saturday mornings during his parish’s free legal clinics, which
were started by St. Anthony parishioner Norman Hicks.
“We are always looking for more legal helpers and translators on Saturday
mornings,” he said. With more than 47 nationalities represented at the
Falls Church parish, legal help for immigrants is always needed. Day has devoted
much of his practice to just that since 1995 when he struck out on his own.
His dream someday is to do solely pro bono cases.
Day rises early to make time for daily Mass at St. Anthony, and the rosary
which he says at his office at 7:30 a.m. He is an extraordinary minister
of the Eucharist and leads the rosary at the Tuesday evening miraculous
medal novena. A cradle Catholic and a product of Catholic education,
Day’s faith and prayer life have deepened over the years as he
and wife, Bic, raised nine nieces and nephews from Vietnam as their own
children.
“There were times when there were no solutions but prayer,” he
said.
“I need a lot of help,” he laughs about the effects of prayer and
how he manages to juggle his spiritual and professional lives. “Prayer
seems to always make things better. I prayed before I started writing the narratives
that I would do a good job and put into print the right words that would be
useful for the remaining family members.”
Day says he tries to put into action the words of Blessed Mother Teresa
of Calcutta, who said, “The very fact that God has placed a certain
soul in our way is a sign that God wants us to do something for him or
her.”
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 27 February 2008 )
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