June 3, 2011 - Archdioceses of Vancouver and Boston Announce "Friendly Wager" on Stanley Cup

*Boston Bruins Flag is flying outside the Pastoral Center for the Archdiocese of Boston

Recognizing the great hockey traditions of both hometowns and the enormous pride each is taking in supporting their team to victory, the Most Reverend J. Michael Miller, CSB, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Vancouver, and Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley, Archbishop of Boston, issued today’s wager.

If the Boston Bruins win, Archbishop Miller will make a $100 donation to Catholic Charities Boston, which provides a broad spectrum of social service care to thousands of needy individuals and families in Massachusetts. In the event the Vancouver Canucks win, Cardinal Seán will make a $100 donation to Project Advance, the annual diocesan-wide appeal that helps fund many of the institutions, programs, ministries, and needs within the Archdiocese of Vancouver.

In a joint statement the two Archbishops said, “The competition between our two great cities is wonderful for hockey, sports in general and our respective communities. We pray that these two outstanding teams play to their best abilities. By making this friendly wager we are also calling to mind the work and mission of the Church that is so vital both in Vancouver and Boston. Our two dioceses share a common love and concern for those most in need. It is our hope that through the experience of this world-class sporting event we can, in some small way, encourage more people to support these two deserving and important charities.”
 
Project Advance:  www.rcav.org/pa/donations 
 
Catholic Charities Boston:  http://www.ccab.org/  
 
Contacts:
 
Paul Schratz
Director of Communications
Archdiocese of Vancouver
[email protected]
604-683-0281
Terrence C. Donilon
Secretary for Communications
Archdiocese of Boston
Email:  [email protected] 
Work:  617-746-5775
Cell:  401-480-0171