Pray for the "Poker Playing Priest": Fr. Andrew Trapp to Appear on PokerStars.net Million Dollar Challenge

Father Andrew will be placing his skill at playing Poker at the service of building of new Church building where he and the Pastor can celebrate Holy Mass, administer the Sacraments and care for the faithful.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - The parishioners of St. Michael Catholic Church in Garden City, South Carolina are praying for their "Poker Playing Priest". In fact, Fr. Andrew Trapp has already become quite a celebrity before the big event even begins. He is nicknamed "Father Rambo" for his skill at another sporting competition, paintball. Now, his skills and competitive spirit are placed at the service of the good work of his Church.

Father Andrew Trapp was ordained to the order of Priest in 2007. He is 28 years old and full of energy, love for the Lord and joy in his priestly ministry to the faithful. He also likes to play cards with family and friends. His game of choice is Poker. "Poker is one of my hobbies. I play it with family and friends. It's a way for people to come together, have fun and enjoy each other's company" said the priest, adding quickly "There's no moral issue."

In fact, the Catechism of the Catholic Church does address the issue of games of chance such as Poker clearly in Par. 2413: "Games of chance (card games, etc.) or wagers are not in themselves contrary to justice. They become morally unacceptable when they deprive someone of what is necessary to provide for his needs and those of others. The passion for gambling risks becoming an enslavement. Unfair wagers and cheating at games constitute grave matter, unless the damage inflicted is so slight that the one who suffers it cannot reasonably consider it significant."

Father Andrew will be placing his skill at playing Poker at the service of building of new Church building for the good people of St. Michael's where he and the Pastor can celebrate Holy Mass, administer the Sacraments and care for the faithful. He will donate any winnings to the building fund. The young priest has another reason for participation, he see's the National exposure he will receive during this "football weekend" as an invitation to participate in a form of evangelization, "Even if I didn't win any money, it would be an opportunity for people across the country to see that there are still young men choosing to be priests, and that one can be joy-filled and have fun as one serves God." What a Priest! Now... can he play Poker? Tune in and find out!

On Sunday, Oct. 11, airing directly after NFL on FOX coverage, Father Andrew Trapp will join qualifiers from around the country in their quest for a grand prize in the PokerStars.net Million Dollar Challenge. Who would have thought that on a show which features Super Bowl Champion Jerome Bettis, four-time NBA Champion John Salley, UFC champion Tito Ortiz, four-time WSOP bracelet winner Daniel Negreanu and Jayde Nicole that this young Catholic Priest from South Carolina could be its biggest star?

Father Andrew heard about the PokerStars.net Million Dollar Challenge game show and decided to enter a specially designated online tournament at PokerStars.net. He put together an entry video, hoping that he would make it onto the show and get that chance to win a million dollars ($1,000,000.) in order to help St. Michael's build a new church building. The fundraising effort the parish has undertaken is progressing. However, it is currently $1.5 million short of its goal. (You can watch the video Fr. Submitted right here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcY2nVsO4EI).
The story of the young Poker playing priest continues, and it gets even more interesting. Father's video earned him a spot on the show. After receiving the blessing of both his Pastor and his Bishop, the Most Rev. Robert Guglielmone, he flew to Los Angeles to pursue his chance at winning the $1,000,000. Should he be successful, he will contribute all of the winnings to building a house for the Lord.

In order to win, this young Catholic Priest will first have to beat one of the celebrities in an opening round "heads up" match,. He would then progress to face off against a Team PokerStars.net Pro such as World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event Champion Chris Moneymaker, Barry Greenstein or Vanessa Rousso for a chance at winning $25,000.00 Beside his own skill, his prayer and the enthusiastic support and prayers of his parish at home, he will have another resource. Fr. Andrew he will be coached by four-time WSOP bracelet winner Daniel Negreanu.

Finally, if by showing the kind of skill which some who have played against him say that he has and unleashing the competitive spirit which earned him the name "Father Rambo", actually wins the first two rounds, he would have to face his coach, Daniel Negreanu, in a "heads up" match. Victory in that one would bring the priest (and his parish) a $100,000 prize. A victory in the third round, and Fr. Trapp would get a chance at the $1,000,000 grand prize by competing in a final competition which would take place in the series finale in December.

Tune in to FOX on Sunday, Oct. 11 to see how far Father Andrew Trapp is able to go on his quest for the $1,000,000.to contribute to building a Church. Also, watch how he bears witness to the joy he has found in serving the Lord as a Catholic Priest.

Free Catholic PDF's - Home / Parish / School / Bulletin Inserts

---

'Help Give every Student and Teacher FREE resources for a world-class Moral Catholic Education'