STEUBENVILLE, OHIO - Through the Franciscan Missionary Outreach Department, hundreds of students, faculty, and staff traveled across the United States and abroad to serve during Spring Break. Franciscan Athletics was well-represented with athletes from seven varsity programs participating. Head Athletic Chaplain
Fr. Gregory Plow, T.O.R., Head Women's Soccer Coach
Nick Miller, and Assistant Women's Tennis Coach
Madalen McManamon participated on various trips.
"Spreading the light of Christ and building the Kingdom of God is the ultimate purpose of Franciscan Athletics, said Director of Athletics
Danny Andersen '97. "Each year, the athletes, coaches, and chaplains who spend their spring break on mission trips carry this purpose beyond the competition venue, campus, and local community to those in need of the gospel in poor and underdeveloped areas around the world. In the spirit of our patron, St. Francis of Assisi, who generously spared nothing to preach the gospel to the marginalized wherever he could reach them, they embody the Franciscan Athletics mission of forming disciples, developing leaders, and pursuing excellence."
Father Gregory made the trip to the Mexican border alongside a couple of Franciscan athletes.
The twelve student missionaries (six men and six women) included many current Franciscan athletes: Aidan Mahony of men's soccer, Elise Doyle of women's soccer, a women's volleyball player Molly Quinn, and Luke Hurley of men's cross country / track & field. Along with faculty advisor Dr. Tiffany Boury (Education), we all volunteered with ministered to the children, faculty, and staff at Loretto School in Douglas, Arizona. This K-8 Catholic School in a 'border town' has a considerable portion of its students that cross over the Mexican-United States border every day. They do this not only for a quality education and excellent faith formation. Their graduates often go on to their local public high school excelling among their classmates and further provide for themselves and their families a good and faithful future.
--Fr. Gregory Plow T.O.R.
Franciscan Women's Soccer was well-represented on the Bronx Mission trip. Head Coach
Nick Miller served as the chaperone, and
Abigail Parker, team captain from the fall, served as the Mission Lead.
Daniel Bolster of Track & Field was also a part of this successful trip.
"Going on mission was one of the most formative experiences of my time at Franciscan, said Parker. It has taught me how to love others without cost and live a life that sees Christ in the hidden, the poor, and the simple. The Bronx mission was one of my greatest gifts of Franciscan!"
"Going on mission is an incredible experience, said Coach Miller. A week that is centered around prayer, service, and being the hands and feet of Jesus to those in need is life changing. The encounters that you have and relationships that you build are able to help deepen your faith and see the love of God in everything and everyone! We are blessed to have such an amazing missionary outreach program at Franciscan to live out our calling as followers of Christ."
Coach McManamon went to the Dominican Republic with a group of students, including
George Phillips of the men's soccer team.
"Our mission was a teaching and retreat mission to serve 7th-12th graders in knowing and loving Jesus more and how to pray and deepen their prayer life, said Coach McManamon. I was asked to be an advisor and wasn't sure how the Lord was going to use me, but mission week was the best week of my life and has changed my life. I loved watching our students connect with the kids we were serving, but also encounter the Lord and deepen their Faith."
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