Catholic night, a landmark event packed with potential for spiritual solidarity and companionship among Catholics across Orange County, is nearly here.
Scheduled for Friday, Feb. 21 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Catholic Night will offer fun and fellowship for Diocese of Orange parishioners who will be cheering on the Anaheim Ducks as they take on the Colorado Avalanche.
“It’s a rare and wonderful opportunity to openly express our Catholic identity and fellowship at a public venue and event,” said Hank Evers, director of marketing, Diocese of Orange. “It’s an occasion to take pride in being Catholic at an event that fosters community.”
When the Ducks aren’t on the ice, Catholic students will take center stage. Catholic Night will feature a performance of the National Anthem by Rosary High School’s choir during the St. Catherine’s Academy Color Guard presentation. Students on the Servite, Santa Margarita, JSerra, and Mater Dei high school hockey teams will participate in a showcase of their skills during intermission. Exclusive post-game on-ice fun includes a Slap Shot experience and family photo opportunities with Wild Wing and the Zamboni.
Now in its fourth year, Catholic Night is a partnership between the Anaheim Ducks, a professional sports franchise in the National Hockey League, and the Diocese of Orange, one of the largest faith communities in California.
The Ducks also support Orange County’s large Catholic community by sponsoring the Parochial Athletic League (PAL). PAL benefits students and families in all Catholic elementary schools across the Diocese of Orange, including independent schools. Their mission is to provide an opportunity for friendly competition in sports with other schools within the boundaries of the Diocese. All the net proceeds from Catholic Night will be directly supporting PAL.
“Art and sports speak to all cultures, and they are timeless,” said Gabriella Dominic, marketing manager at the Diocese of Orange. “They have a universal message to the community, and the Catholic faith is universal. We are the Orange County Catholic community, and the Anaheim Ducks represent Orange County. We have the Orange County spirit, but we have to bring in the Catholic spirit as well.”
The love of sports is a universal language. Sports serve as a unique avenue in which people from all backgrounds and walks of life can come together and give the best of themselves. In a document called “Giving the Best of Yourself— A Christian Perspective on Sport and the Human Person,” Pope Francis stated, “Sports is a context in which to concretely experience the invitation to be an outgoing Church.”
The first 1,000 discounted tickets sold include an exclusive Anaheim Ducks Catholic Night commemorative hat. Tickets can be purchased at AnaheimDucks.com/CatholicNight.