Msgr. Vladimir Felzmann, a fascinating priest with an interesting history, told me that he is one of the "roving" chaplains for the Olympics. Roving chaplains are not new, as I was involved in peripatetic ministry and outreach to students in the 1980s in London. The Anglicans came up with idea first, realizing that if the people were not coming to church, the ministers had to reach out to the people and be where they are.
There are 190 chaplains of several denominations involved in the Olympics, and Msgr. Felzmann will be working in Central London, with some Anglican ministers. Walking around the parks, streets and being present in the many activities which surround the Olympics, these missionaries will be "there" for the millions of visitors. There is, of course, an inter-denominational team of pastors involved in the Olympic Village, but the outreach may be much more effective.
Please pray for Msgr Felzmann and his confreres. Christ did send his disciples out into the world, and as the world in coming to London this week, Christ is sending disciples out again.
I shall have a separate post on the John Paul II Foundation for Sport, a very worthy cause.
By the way, St. Sebastian is the patron saint of sport, because, as a Roman Centurion, he must have been in top physical condition. May he intercede for all the priests involved in the Olympic ministries.
