Pardon my Irish

A lighter moment from life in the monastery at Saint Meinrad:

Early Tuesday morning, just hours after Notre Dame's top-ranked, undefeated football team was humiliated 42-14 by Alabama in the BCS National Championship Game, Fighting Irish-booster-in-residence Fr. Timothy Sweeney, O.S.B., presided at the conventual Mass. At his side as the server just before Mass began, and having no knowledge of the game's result, I whispered to Fr. Timothy, "Who won the game last night?" The rest of the conversation proceeded as follows:

Fr. Timothy: "Pardon?"

Br. Francis (slightly louder): "Who won the game last night?"

Fr. Timothy: "Pardon?"

Br. Francis (Oh, Fr. Timothy is not hard of hearing): "Sorry, I didn't know."

With this, the lights in the church went up and the processional hymn began.

Fr. Timothy (half smile, half scowl): "Let us PRAY, Br. Francis."