Diocesan News

Franciscian Hospitality, Gametime Prayer a Big Deal During Big East Tourney

March 13, 2026
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MIDTOWN — As the Big East takes over New York City from March 11-14, locals and visitors alike can find banners for each institution hung at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, located just a block away from Madison Square Garden.  

Father Brian Jordan, the church’s pastor, had the banners hung to welcome anyone in town for the tournament to come in and pray. After all, St. Francis of Assisi was named “the official Big East Conference Church” by the conference, he said. 

“We should be the sign of Franciscan hospitality and open the doors of the church to anyone involved in the Big East looking for a place to pray,” Father Jordan said. “And this being the Franciscan Jubilee Year, it should be more so that we show Franciscan hospitality to all the schools, especially the Catholic schools.” 

By the numbers, a look at the Catholic legacy of this year’s Big East Conference. 

Of the conference’s 11 men’s basketball schools, nine are Catholic. St. John’s University, which sits atop the conference after winning its second consecutive Big East regular-season title, is joined by Creighton University, DePaul University, Georgetown University, Marquette University, Providence College, Villanova University, Seton Hall University, and Xavier University.  

The University of Connecticut and Butler University are secular schools. 

Father Jordan said pews have been filled with college basketball fans.  

“Last year, there were a lot of people from all of the schools coming here, even UConn, and everyone was talking about it,” he said, noting that’s when he approached the Big East Conference with his request to become its official church, which they granted.

The Tablet attended the March 12 noon Mass as St. John’s eliminated Providence from the conference tournament 85-72 across the street at The Garden. 

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When asked what team he’s rooting for, Father Jordan said, “They’re all the favorites. We’re all showing Franciscan hospitality to everyone.”  

The same can’t be said about the fans, however.  

School spirit doesn’t end at Carnesecca Arena in Queens for Professor Kathryn Shaughnessy, who supports St. John’s in any borough.

Kathryn Shaughnessy, a professor and librarian at St. John’s University, traveled to Manhattan to pray for St. John’s success.  

“Every bit of support for the basketball team helps,” Shaughnessy said. “Earthly support and heavenly support is always in order.”  

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Tom Nolan, St. John’s University Class of 1992, was at Stout NYC, the official restaurant and sports bar of the St. John’s University men’s basketball team, on March 12, watching the game on his lunch break.

However, he told The Tablet that he wished he had been at Mass at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, which he said is part of his faith life.  

Tom Nolan, who works in public relations, took time out of his busy schedule to support his alma mater, St. John’s University, during their first game of the Big East Conference tournament.

“I went there for ashes a couple weeks ago,” he said.  

As a St. John’s graduate and a Catholic, he said that having a local church where hoops fans can find a moment of prayer is something incredible.  

“It was kind of crazy when the Big East sort of split into this whole all-Catholic university conference,” he said. “But I think it’s amazing that all these schools are playing each other and they’re all Catholic colleges.”