Faith Bowl to Air Ahead of Sunday's Big Game

On Sunday, February 1, 2009, Major League Baseball's Mark Loretta (Los Angeles Dodgers) will appear on the "Faith Bowl" with former professional soccer player and current director of the Benedictine College School of Business, Antonio Soave. The "Faith Bowl" is a made-for-television special that addresses faith and sports, and how those elements combine. Set to air at 4:30 p.m. (CST) on the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN), the "Faith Bowl" provides an in-depth analysis of the role that Catholicism and Christianity play in professional and collegiate sports.

The "Faith Bowl" is produced annually by Father Willy Raymond and Family Theatre in Los Angeles. It is a joint production that is co-sponsored by Ray McKenna and Catholic Athletes for Christ (CAC). Father Patrick Peyton, the founder of Family Theatre, is perhaps best known for his devotion to the Holy Rosary and for his creating the catch phrase, "The family that prays together, stays together." Fr. Peyton is presently being considered for sainthood (beatification). The CAC is one of the foremost Catholic sports organizations in the country and promotes the active practice of the faith in and among college and professional athletes.

Mark Loretta was a seventh round draft pick in 1993 and has played in the major leagues for over 15 years. A graduate of Northwestern University, Loretta has been a mainstay in with teams such as the Milwaukee Brewers and San Diego Padres. Returning to his native city, he will play second base this year for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Loretta is a devout Catholic who lives his faith on the field and off.

Joining Loretta on the "Faith Bowl" is Antonio Soave, a former international soccer player and current faculty member and administrator at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kan. Soave was a high school All American soccer player at Notre Dame High in Harper Woods, Michigan, and went on to play in Italy and the U.S. After a short career as a semi-pro, he joined an ownership team to create the World Youth Soccer Academy at Disney's Wide World of Sports. He later went on to become the producer and host of an internationally televised program, "The Soccer Academy," and most recently coached the Men's Varsity Soccer Team at the Franciscan University of Steubenville in Steubenville, Ohio (Fall 2008).

Both Loretta and Soave are interviewed by the acclaimed Canadian actor, Chris Kramer ("The Collector"). Jeff Suppan, MVP for the 2006 National League Championship Series as a St. Louis Cardinal, NFL wide receiver Chris Horn, former Olympian and professional softball player Lauren Bauer, actor Matthew Marsden ("Rambo") and actor Eduardo Verástegui ("Bella") have previously appeared on the special.

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