Champions of Faith: The Collector's Edition, now including both Champions of Faith: Baseball Edition and its sequal Champions of Faith: Bases of Life.
FILM 1:
Champions of Faith: Baseball Edition
A groundbreaking film that showcases the intersection of sports and faith in Major League Baseball by profiling many of the most accomplished and devout figures in the game both on and off the field. Major League baseball champions Mike Piazza, David Eckstein, Jeff Suppan, Mike Sweeney, Jack McKeon and Rich Donnelly lead an All-Star line-up in this moving and uplifting sports special that tells the story of faith in baseball like no other film ever made.
Champions of Faith: Baseball Edition serves to humanize some of the most celebrated and accomplished ballplayers of our time and restore the “sports hero” to its proper place in the American culture. You will laugh, cry, stand, cheer and be awed by the captivating personal stories captured in these interviews and the thrilling game highlights provided by Major League Baseball Productions. This inaugural production of Catholic Exchange's new film & video division provides some of the biggest names in our national pastime with a unique forum to discuss faith, family, teamwork, sacrifice, leadership, humility and the many virtues and spiritual lessons they have learned from the game.
Famed Catholic author and men's leader Steve Wood
recommends Champions of Faith highly for this exact
purpose: "The new DVD, Champions of Faith, is just
the kind of media tool that will reach men - even
those men who seem uninterested in the Faith. This
DVD is a perfect gift for any man, a great resource for
youth groups, and an ideal tool for fathers and sons
to watch together."
Additionally, you don't need to be a baseball fan to
be moved by these inspiring stories from the heroes
of our National Pastime. Man or woman, boy or girl,
sports fan or not, you will walk away from this film
touched and enlightened with a deeper understanding of
how the central truths of our faith can make a difference
in your own life.
Champions of Faith already has received rave, "two-thumbs-up" reviews from viewers of all different backgrounds.
FILM 2:
Champions of Faith: The Bases of Life
One of the most acclaimed and top-selling Catholic films has a sequel. Champions of Faith: The Bases of Life will follow the multiple award-winning Champions of Faith: Baseball Edition onto DVD, providing an emotional and faith-filled look inside the personal lives of some of America's most beloved baseball heroes. The second film in Catholic Exchange's Champions of Faith series, The Bases of Life stars Mike Piazza, Darrell Miller, Tom Glavine, Jeff Suppan and others, and uncovers the true meaning of faith and God's message of love and forgiveness to mankind in a striking way. (This title is also available separately here)
Cardinal Justin Rigali of Philadelphia said, "This entertaining and moving film breaks new ground in giving cultural icons an opportunity to be part of a high quality film and at the same time to speak lovingly of Jesus Christ and how their spiritual
lives have enriched their professional careers. This
is a prime example of what the Church needs to be
doing to reach people where they are. It is a beautiful
expression of evangelization through media."
Bishop Thomas Olmsted of Phoenix wrote, "I
thought Champions of Faith was terrific. The witness to
Christ of these baseball stars and their unapologetic
love of the Catholic Church was truly inspiring. I
hope many of our youth will get to see this wonderful
film."
Bishop Ignatius Catanello of Brooklyn hails it as
"a nine-inning faith classic!"
And what do the players themselves say about the
film?
"I've had some great moments in my life but being a
part of this and being able to tell people about my
story is one of my proudest moments. It's not just a
sports film — it's a work of art"
— Mike Piazza, Designated Hitter for the Oakland A's, 12-time All-Star.
"To me it felt like Christmas, New Year's Eve, my
birthday and Easter morning all wrapped into one,
seeing this film Champions of Faith. I've never been
more proud of anything in my life. More proud than
anything that I've done on the baseball field. This is
something that I can show to my kids and grandkids someday.
It truly is a treasure. I'm so blessed to be a part
of it. I think that every person in America needs to
watch this film"
— Mike Sweeney, Captain of the Kansas City Royals, 5-time All Star.
"It was very exciting and very inspirational to see
the other players share their faith. I think it's
going to be a great tool of evangelization. I think
that if you have influence in the Catholic world, I
think you should tell people to buy this film because I
think it's going to spread the Word of God. I give it
two thumbs up and it's very, very inspirational"
— Jeff Suppan, Pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers, MVP of the 2006 NLCS.
Because it is so entertaining and accessible, Champions of Faith is being called "the greatest gift
of evangelization this decade" — greater even than
The Passion of the Christ, which was limited to adult
audiences. If you are looking for the perfect gift for
your son, brother, husband, godchild, nephew, neighbor or
father; this film is it. There is nothing more
inspirational than to hear major athletes at the top
of their game talking about something greater than
winning the World Series or being named a Major League
All-Star — that is, their faith in God, devotion to
the Blessed Mother and love for Christ in the Eucharist.
This film is Not Rated