Don’t Pass the Rock: The Catholic Churches of the 2022–23 NBA Season

My name is Luke Kornet. I am a lifelong Catholic, professional basketball player and aspiring baker. For the sake of this blog series, only the first two identifiers will be pertinent (though if this really takes off, I will be sending cookies to devout readers (incentivize desired behavior!)) Now you may be sitting there thinking, “Luke Francis, what audience do you think you’re trying to reach with this? The Catholic-basketball intersection of the Venn diagram is already well supplied via the schools of the old Big East and John Stockton!” Oh right you are, engaged listener!

Perhaps Vin Baker is Catholic in which case this is titled “The Vin Diagram”

However, this blog really won’t have anything to do with basketball! *gasp* “Luke Francis Simon Peter! Why do you think anyone would have interest in this blog series if its most publicly distinctive characteristic will nary be addressed!” Wow, perceptive once again, reader! Rather, I have started this endeavor to give thanks to and shine a light on the Catholic churches and parishes that have sustained, inspired, uplifted, and comforted me throughout the long NBA season.

From tourist-destination national landmarks to temporarily converted gymnasiums!

This journey has revealed several key qualities of the Catholic Church that I hope to do justice to as I chronicle my travels throughout the 2022–23 NBA season. Among them:

• Beauty: From the cavernous, vaulted ceilings to the most intimate of sculptures, the Catholic Church is home to some of the finest craftsmanship in history (the Sistine Chapel, La Pieta, not The Da Vinci Code!)
• Universality: The altars, creeds, holy water fonts, readings, and pews (that your legs kick down the row behind’s pews every time you kneel. Just me?) All truly united through one everlasting sacrifice.
• Community: I’ve been freely and lovingly welcomed to worship by diverse groups of people from LA to Montreal and Portland, OR to Miami, and everywhere in between.
• Tradition: These churches — some centuries old — bear witness to the faith of generations prior and the sacrifices they made to build these spiritual homes.
• Sustenance: Like the Israelites eating manna in the desert, Catholics come to mass to be fed. However, “unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever.”¹

I hope sharing these incredible houses of worship and the more incredible faith of the patrons therein will open eyes and hearts to the unique truth, goodness, and beauty of the Catholic faith. As I journey through the past year remembering these churches, I will share some of the history, saint relics, memorable anecdotes, and personal reflections that made this year special. Thank you for taking the time to witness some of the incredible craftsmanship and stories embedded in Catholic churches across North America.

Next Time on Don’t Pass The Rock…

Ohhh Canada… Montreal’s Hot Start

If I had noticed the “No Pictures” sign I would have complied, but we can’t change the past now, can we?

PLUS: Pope Francis Pushes for the Euro Step to Be Renamed the Emanuel Evasion; Uproar Ensues

¹ John 6:58