Fan With Holy Connections Says She's Putting In A Good Word For The Phillies
By Community Affairs reporter Cherri Gregg
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - As the Phillies play in Dodger Stadium this weekend, a longtime fan with holy connections says she's putting in a good word, with you know who.
Sister Mary Anne Gardner works at Saint Anthony of Padua in South Philadelphia. She joined the religious teachers of Saint Lucy Filippini in the 1950s and says she loves her students, living in the city and of course - her Phillies.
"When I watch games, I have a confession to make," she says, noting she always watches them on TV, "I mute the other team and I just watch the Phillies."
In her mid-70s, Sister Mary Anne has been an avid Phils fan since the 1980s. She's never been to a game, but she's definitely put it on her bucket list.
"I want to go on reduced-price hotdog night," says Gardner, "because I love hotdogs!"
For good luck, Sister Mary Anne frequently wears a pink Phillies' visor and if you sign it she'll say a prayer for you. So far, she's got dozens of signatures.
"Some children, doctors and nurses," she says. "But no Phillies! I would so love for them to sign it!'
She prays for them anyway, but wants them to do their part.
"I pray for them to W-I-N!" she says, laughing, "But they better hustle and keep winning, game after game after game."
Sister Mary Anne's praying that the public helps her get to a Phillies game. She says a tour of Citizens Bank Park would be pretty cool too.
"If they find it in their heart they can donate a hat to me," she says.
Then again, it's not necessary. She says a win would be much more satisfying.
