Editor Emeritus - Ed Wilkinson

Here’s the Scorecard for Catholic Day at Citi Field

As the baseball season enters its final month, the excitement around Catholic Day, Sept. 9, at Citi Field, home of the New York Mets, continues to grow.

Organizers here at DeSales Media have announced that the Rhett Walker Band will continue its comeback tour on the entertainment stage that is being erected in Marina East section of the ballpark’s parking area.

The Rhett Walker Band is a nationally known, Grammy-nominated Southern Christian rock group that comes out of Nashville, Tenn. Formed in 2011, it members are Rhett Walker; Kenny Davis on drums; guitarist Joe Kane and bassist Kevin Whitsett.

Their debut single “When Mercy Found Me” in 2012 was nominated for a Grammy for best contemporary Christian rock song. Its first album “Come to the Water” and its second “Here’s to the Ones” were both released by Essential Records.

Early last year, the group decided it had had enough and disbanded “because the road we were on didn’t have room for trucks like us. So we made the decision to shut the door.”

After about a 13-month absence from the stage, the group realized how much it missed putting faith to music. This past week, they appeared in North Carolina and following their time with us here in Queens, they will hit the road for FaithWorld, Charlestown, Ind., Sept. 16; the Hancock County Fair, Kiln, MS, Sept. 20; and the Greenville Convention Center, Greenville, N.C., Sept. 30.

While Rhett Walker Band will headline the entertainment venue at Catholic Day, several other local bands will also be appearing, beginning after the 9:45 a.m. Mass celebrated by Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio. Musical groups from the Jornada movement as well as the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal will perform. Stefanie Hanvey, a finalist from American Idol, also will lend her voice.

In addition, games will be organized. The Friars of the Renewal will put on a basketball exhibition. Believe me, you don’t want to challenge these guys!

Also a temporary chapel is being erected along with a “cool room” where you can hang out or grab a chat with a priest or religious who will be available.

And now comes word from the Vatican, that Santiago Perez de Camino will represent the Church and Sport Office of the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life at the event. The notification came in a letter from Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Prefect of the Dicastery, who wrote that his office was “very interested in increasing the networking with all the institutions who work around the world promoting Christian values through sports.” He added that he hopes the visit “will be useful to know more about the sports pastoral ministry in the United States.”

Craig Tubiolo, who is directing the DeSales Media efforts, says that he is anticipating about 4,000 young people to attend Catholic Day, a major event of the Year for Vocations called by Bishop DiMarzio.

Tickets can be purchased by logging on to mets.com/CatholicNight. For groups of 15 or more, call Young Choi at 718-559-3027 or email YCHOI@NYMETS.com.