Missionaries of the Sacred Heart

With the summer racing season now in full swing, Fr. Phil De Rea, MSC has a busy schedule traveling to different locations each weekend to preside at Mass on race day for his traveling “congregation.” Fr. Phil is the Catholic Chaplain for the Indy Racing League. He got started in this ministry back in 1971 when childhood friend, Mario Andretti introduced him to Dr. Joe Mattioli and his wife, Rose, track owners of the Pocono Raceway. The Mattioli’s invited Fr. Phil to come there to celebrate Mass.

Fr. Phil’s number one concern is the safety of the drivers. “We want an exciting race with maybe a couple of little bumpers, but we hope that everyone gets home safely. You don’t want anybody to get hurt.”

Fr. Phil has always liked racing saying, “When I was a kid, my dad and my brother and I would sneak into the track at Nazareth. I’ve been a fan ever since.” Over the years, Fr. Phil has officiated at many weddings of drivers, including the weddings of Dario Franchitti and Ashley Judd, Bruno and Luciana Junqueira, Scott and Emma Dixon (Scott was the winner of the Indy 500) and those of Michael and Jeff Andretti. He has performed many baptisms, heard confessions and presided at funerals. Fr. Phil feels blessed to be part of this ministry. “There are so many people who could do this, so it’s an honor that they ask me.”

Indy Racing League Ministry also coordinates the collection of food items for local shelters and missions. According to their May/June '08 Newsletter, so far (after races in five cities) they have collected 23,500 pounds of food (valued at $47,000). .For more information on IRL ministry, check out their website at http://www.irlministry.com/.