Father John MacPherson rejoins Flying Fathers
A 19-year veteran of the Flying Fathers is joining the revival of the hockey team of Roman Catholic priests.
Father John MacPherson, a parish priest at St. Joseph’s in Kentville, N.S., played with the Flying Fathers from 1989 until their final game in March 2008. MacPherson and Peterborough resident and retired OPP officer Frank Quinn managed the team’s affairs in its final 12 seasons.
The number of priests on the team had dwindled over the years to the point they were using as many or more lay people to fill out the roster. MacPherson felt it defeated the spirit of the team so they brought it to an end. Formed in 1963, the Flying Fathers toured Canada for 45 years raising funds for charity. They were founded by two northern Ontario priests, Les Costello and Brian McKee. Costello played for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 1940s, winning a Stanley Cup in 1948, before his ordination. They played more than 900 games and raised more than $4 million.
Father John Perdue, a native of Douro where he played rep hockey growing up, has recruited enough priests from across Ontario to bring the Flying Fathers back for a fundraising game Jan. 29 at 6 p.m. at the Robert E. Young Recreation Complex in Ennismore. Proceeds will go to the vocations office for the Diocese of Peterborough.
Originally none of the past Flying Fathers were expected to participate but MacPherson said he could fit it into his schedule so he decided to check it out. The 53-year-old says he still plays men’s hockey twice a week in Nova Scotia.
“I was curious as to what kind of hockey players they are and what kind of interest there is,” said MacPherson, who was originally recruited by the Flying Fathers while attending St. Peter’s Seminary in London. He played varsity hockey while attending Acadian University. “For now it’s a one-off game. We’ll see what happens. Maybe this will become a yearly thing. Over the years a few of us talked, even while we were playing, about different approaches to what we were doing in terms of how we organized our trips. Who knows what this could become. I’ve committed to nothing. I’m just going up to see what’s going on.”
“Myself, Frank Quinn and the other Flying Fathers are honoured to have Father MacPherson join us in Ennismore,” Perdue said. “He provides a living link between the original team and us. I’ve talked with Father MacPherson several times in preparation for the upcoming game and his memories, ideas and energy have added greatly to our vision and enthusiasm. He helped flesh out some of the scripts I have from the past and to revise where necessary. I have no doubt he can teach me how to take a pie in the face, too.”
The Flying Fathers have recruited one lay person for their team who is well known in local hockey circles. Former Peterborough Petes’ captain and pro hockey player Mike Martone, now a teacher in the Catholic school system, will join the team, said Perdue.
“I was hunting around for someone to come out and play the role of Smitty the Clown, a favourite member of the Flying Fathers team,” Perdue said. “Fr. Bill Moloney recommended Mike Martone, former Petes captain and great guy. I was at a Christmas party at Wayne Clark’s (former Petes assistant coach) where I met Mike. Turns out Mike had played against the Flying Fathers twice already while he was studying and playing hockey at St. FX on the east coast. I told Mike the plan, gave him a script and he’s in. It’ll be a blast watching Mike clown around on the ice. It’s shaping up to be a great night with lots of laughs and some good hockey.”
The Flying Fathers will faceoff against the winning team from the Father Les Costello Classic tournament to be held Jan. 27 at the Warsaw Arena. The tournament, founded six years ago by Perdue, features teams from St. Augustine’s Seminary, St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School from Lindsay, St. Joseph’s Parish in Douro, St. Paul’s Parish in Lakefield, Our Lady of the Wayside Catholic School in Peterborough and St. Therese Parish from Courtice.
The new Flying Fathers will be comprised of 12 priests from dioceses of Peterborough, St. Catharines, Hamilton, Toronto, Kingston and Ottawa.
Tickets are $15 for adults and children under 12 are admitted free. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the vocations office at 820 Frank St. (next to St. Alphonsus Church) on Tuesdays or Thursdays or online at www.ptbovocations.ca/hockey.