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Beloved Young Athletes!
About Us!
A Message from the Athletic Director
At the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, we believe that athletics plays an important role in the development of the "whole" child. While our focus has been, and
continues to be, the pursuit of academic excellence in a faith-filled environment, so too do we strive for excellence beyond the classroom in the arts, sciences, technology,
and athletics.
Pope John Paul II, for whom soccer, skiing, and hiking was a passion in his youth, explained that the Church "considers sports as an instrument of education when it
fosters high human and spiritual ideals; when it forms youth in an integral way in values such as loyalty, perseverance, friendship, solidarity and peace." As such, he has
referred to the lessons and values that we learn in sports as "virtues that harmonize well with the Christian spirit because they demand a capacity for self-control, self-denial,
sacrifice and humility." The Holy Father further states that "Sports are not merely the exercise of muscles, but the school of moral values and of training in courage, in
perseverance, and in overcoming laziness and carelessness. There is no doubt that these values are of greatest interest for the formation of a personality which considers
sports not an end in itself but as a means to total and harmonious physical, moral and social development."
Pope Benedict XVI furthers these teachings of Pope John Paul II with his comments to European youth soccer players from 16 nations playing in an international
tournament;
“Dear friends, your presence offers me the opportunity to underline the importance of sport, a discipline which if practiced with respect for the rules
becomes a learning instrument and a vehicle for important human and spiritual values.”
The Athletic Department at the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans believes that athletics and sports aren't about winning or losing, they're about the development of our
youth and the embodiment of Christian values that will prepare our students for a lifetime of learning, teamwork, and friendship with an attitude of gratefulness to God, who is
the giver of every good and therefore also the giver of the necessary physical and intellectual talents…
Sincerely in Christ..
C. Vincent Mangum
Athletic Director
continues to be, the pursuit of academic excellence in a faith-filled environment, so too do we strive for excellence beyond the classroom in the arts, sciences, technology,
and athletics.
Pope John Paul II, for whom soccer, skiing, and hiking was a passion in his youth, explained that the Church "considers sports as an instrument of education when it
fosters high human and spiritual ideals; when it forms youth in an integral way in values such as loyalty, perseverance, friendship, solidarity and peace." As such, he has
referred to the lessons and values that we learn in sports as "virtues that harmonize well with the Christian spirit because they demand a capacity for self-control, self-denial,
sacrifice and humility." The Holy Father further states that "Sports are not merely the exercise of muscles, but the school of moral values and of training in courage, in
perseverance, and in overcoming laziness and carelessness. There is no doubt that these values are of greatest interest for the formation of a personality which considers
sports not an end in itself but as a means to total and harmonious physical, moral and social development."
Pope Benedict XVI furthers these teachings of Pope John Paul II with his comments to European youth soccer players from 16 nations playing in an international
tournament;
“Dear friends, your presence offers me the opportunity to underline the importance of sport, a discipline which if practiced with respect for the rules
becomes a learning instrument and a vehicle for important human and spiritual values.”
The Athletic Department at the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans believes that athletics and sports aren't about winning or losing, they're about the development of our
youth and the embodiment of Christian values that will prepare our students for a lifetime of learning, teamwork, and friendship with an attitude of gratefulness to God, who is
the giver of every good and therefore also the giver of the necessary physical and intellectual talents…
Sincerely in Christ..
C. Vincent Mangum
Athletic Director
| The Cathedral of St. John Berchmans Catholic School 947 Jordan Street Shreveport, LA 71101 318-221-6005 www.sjbcsathletics.com www.sjbcathedralschool.org |