Tag: mass

Watch: Red Panda performs halftime show at Notre Dame

Prepare to be blown away if you haven’t seen this act.

Since I was covering both games at Purcell Pavilion this past weekend, my wife and I spent two nights just off the Notre Dame campus. In between a pair of Irish losses, we made the most of our time. We attended Mass at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, and we caught the national tour production of “Fiddler on the Roof”, which happened to be in South Bend for the weekend. But I also found entertainment in a way I didn’t expect, specifically the halftime entertainment for the two basketball games.

For some time now, I have seen basketball reporters on Twitter make a fuss whenever Red Panda has been the halftime entertainment at games. If she had performed at any games I had attended in the past, I have no idea because I typically get up and go to the bathroom during halftime. But during a first-half timeout during Saturday’s men’s game, a graphic on the video board said Red Panda would be performing during halftime. No longer wanting to be among the uninitiated, I chose to stay at my spot on press row.

As our wonderful editor Nick Shepkowski told me later, you never forget your first time with Red Panda. I was blown away by the things the acrobat could do. Doing only one of riding a tall unicycle or balancing and then flipping bowls perfectly onto the top of your head would be difficult for most people. But she’s been doing this for a long time now, and fans stay in their seats just to watch her.

When I returned to Purcell Pavilion for the women’s game the next day, it occurred to me that Red Panda might appear again. Sure enough, she was announced as the halftime entertainment. This time, I figured I should record the performance for my wife as well as you lovely readers. And so, ladies and gentlemen, I give you Red Panda:

One interesting fact about this past weekend is that she needed three attempts to nail the final flip during her first performance. She didn’t need any redos for her second show, so I’m glad I captured this particular one. Even a professional juggler will drop things once in a while, so I guess she’s entitled to a few imperfections of her own.

Hopefully, you’re lucky enough to be at a basketball game with Red Panda at some point in the future. Resist the urge to hit the restroom or the concession stand if you know she’s going to perform. Believe me when I say that sticking around for her is totally worth it. Here’s to her continuing to thrill basketball crowds for many years to come.

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Follow Geoffrey on Twitter: @gfclark89

Marcus Freeman has converted to Catholicism

Welcome to the Church, Coach!

Not everyone who works or goes to school at Notre Dame is Catholic, but Catholicism is the primary identity of the university. Anyone who professes the faith can fit in right away strictly for that reason. Now, you can add [autotag]Marcus Freeman[/autotag] to that list. The Irish football coach officially has joined the faith according to the Sept. 11 bulletin at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Granger.

The Rev. Nate Wills, Notre Dame’s football chaplain, had been preparing Freeman for this moment ever since Freeman first came to South Bend. During a Mass in August that included the [autotag]Rev. John Jenkins[/autotag], Notre Dame’s president, Freeman was confirmed and made his First Communion:

By joining the Church, Freeman joins his wife and six children as members. It also paints his decision to reinstate the pregame Mass with the football team in a new light. This is his faith now, and he can serve as an example to the community with that faith.

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Follow Geoffrey on Twitter: @gfclark89

Watch: Notre Dame has final Mass before NCAA Tournament

The Irish gathered before beginning their March Madness run.

Loyola-Chicago is back in the NCAA Tournament, which means more attention will be showered on the beloved Sister Jean. However, Notre Dame has its own spiritual leader accompanying it on its own tournament journey. The Rev. Peter McCormick, the Irish’s team chaplain, has long been associated with the program. With the program’s first March Madness in five years upon it, it only made sense for the Irish to celebrate one final Mass before taking the court in the single-elimination tournament:

Catholics who attend Mass regularly will notice that this one is taking place in a simple setting with chairs and a little table. Despite this, none of it matters as long as the message gets across. Plus, the Irish are lucky to have this opportunity to worship at a time when there is a great humanitarian crisis happening overseas. There are people out there who have nowhere to go and gladly would take this setting.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Geoffrey on Twitter: @gfclark89

Notre Dame combines Easter and basketball with one tweet

Happy Easter, everybody!

For Christians, Easter is the holiest day of the year. Naturally, the day is a big deal at Notre Dame, though you probably knew this given that you’re reading this site. Among the places Easter Mass is being held on campus this year is the Joyce Center. That meant the opportunity to stage a photo appropriate for both the day and the location:

There’s no word yet on whether the priest in this photo actually shot the ball or if he simply posed with it. We don’t even know if we’ll get an answer to that question. Regardless, you have to admit it’s an awesome sight to see a priest getting ready to celebrate Mass and working on his balling. He’s even using the correct hand on the left side the basket.

Happy Easter to everybody who comes to our site throughout the year. We appreciate you taking time out of your day to read what we have to offer. It makes all of our efforts worthwhile.