THELEAVEN.ORG | VOL. 44, NO. 25 | FEBRUARY 10, 2023
PRAY TO PLAY
Sisters of Charity give whole new meaning to what makes for a ‘faithful fan’ STORY BY THERESE HORVAT PHOTOS BY JAY SOLDNER
Sister Maureen Kehoe, who was once a cheerleader in junior high school, leads the Sisters of Charity in a “C-H-I-E-F-S” cheer while they rewatch the AFC Championship game on YouTube.
Seated, from left, are: Sisters Mary Laura Huddleston, Marie Noel Bruch, Mary Jo McDonald, Sue Retherford, Paula Rose Jauernig, Dorothy Henscheid, Delia Lawless, Gloria Solomo and Rosalie Curtin. Standing, from left, are: Sisters Ruth Reischman, Genitha Regan, Mary Lex Smith, Maureen Kehoe and Marie Michael Mollis. If you were wondering how the Kansas City Chiefs made the Super Bowl for the third time in four years, look no further.
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EAVENWORTH — Gathered for a pregame huddle in Ross Hall at their motherhouse here, a spirited group of Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth (SCLs) enthusiastically shared advice and encouragement in advance of the big Super Bowl game pitting the hometown favorite Kansas City Chiefs against the Philadelphia Eagles. These women know their football — and related sports trivia. To Andy Reid, Chiefs head coach, Sister Paula Rose Jauernig had this to say:
“Say your prayers. Eat your cheeseburger for lunch. Keep your team together!” Sister Mary Laura Huddleston’s message to the Chiefs was even more succinct: “I’ll pray. You play.” But Sister Maureen Kehoe thought a little help from the booth was in order — a very, very high booth. “OK, Lord,” she prayed, “have the Holy Spirit tell the Chiefs what to do.” Taking a more pragmatic approach, Sister Gloria Solomon advised, “Hold on to the ball,” and Sister Mary Jo McDonald said, “Stay safe.”
Far from being a pregame prayer service, the interview with the SCLs was a rip-roaring experience. They tossed inflated footballs, wore their Chiefs apparel and expressed their opinions freely. Five or six of the participants are Kansas City area natives; at one time or another, all served ministries in the metropolitan area — a.k.a. Chiefs Kingdom. Two of the Sisters who had lived in Denver confessed they finally converted from their Bronco fever to Chiefs’ fandom. Upon relocating to the Leavenworth motherhouse, Sister Marie Michael Mollis recalls the nottoo-friendly looks she received when
she mistakenly wore her Broncos shirt to a televised game played against the Chiefs. She learned her lesson and converted a few years later. (But she’s holding onto her Broncos shirt, just in case.) Whether they hail from Colorado, Montana, Wyoming or the Midwest, the Sisters’ loyalties tend to run Chiefs’ red — especially leading up to Super Bowl Sunday. They want the Chiefs to win, but the Sisters are aware that the final score predictions point to a close game. >> See “SISTERS” on page 5