Father?s Day inspiration

Richard Lane spent Sunday recalling his father's influence andexhorting Catholics to learn about Christ's relevance to theirlives.

Mr. Lane, who is a full-time Catholic lay evangelist based in St.Louis, is spending the week in St. Joseph. Starting tonight, he willlead a four-day mission for parishioners of St. Francis XavierCatholic Church.

He is the son of legendary National Football League cornerbackDick "Night Train" Lane. His Father's Day weekend involved speakingduring six Masses at the church to promote the mission. He also tooktime to remember what his father's guidance has meant to preachingthe word of God.

"My hope is the Holy Spirit will move in someone's life," Mr.Lane said of hopes for the mission.

Leading parish missions wasn't on his radar screen a decade ago.

"I would've told you (that) you were crazy," he said.

He's been conducting the missions, retreats and similar churchprograms for five years. He is a member of St. Alphonsus Liguori"Rock" Catholic Church in St. Louis. This marks his fourth trip tothe region in 2011.

"I'm on the road for anywhere from eight to nine months out ofthe year," Mr. Lane said.

His famous father played 14 NFL seasons in the 1950s and 1960sfor the Los Angeles Rams, Chicago Cardinals and Detroit Lions. Anundrafted free agent, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall ofFame in 1974. He still holds the rookie record for mostinterceptions in a 12-game season, with 14 picks in 1952.

"At an early age, I kind of knew that my father was somethingspecial to many people," Mr. Lane said. "But I didn't know whatuntil I got so much older. When I realized that was his calling,that really meant a lot to me."

The father-son experiences taught him valuable lessons that guidethe ministries. For instance, he learned the importance of givingundivided attention to the individuals he meets.

"He passed on perseverance, because he went through a lot oftrials and tribulations," he said. "Most important of all, he passedon love to me. He always passed that on to me. Just give them alittle bit of love. Give them Jesus."

Leading parish missions does call for follow-ups, checking inwith pastors and deacons to learn of spiritual progress -- and todetermine whether his services are desired again in the future.

"That's always a blessing and an honor," he said. "The firstparish mission is a wonderful introduction."

He most enjoys mission participants who keep in touch through e-mails and Facebook. The mission's goal "starts with those of us inthe pews."

Those who attend missions need to be willing to embrace changeand defeat an all-too-familiar obstacle, Mr. Lane said.

"We are our own worst enemy," he said.

Having grown up in Detroit, he remains an ardent Lions fan. Heenjoys trolling the Internet to watch long-ago films of his fatherin action on the football field. His father died in 2002.

Mr. Lane hopes pro football will not be halted later this year,despite labor negotiations that linger into the summer.

"I get excited about it," he said. "I can't imagine one seasonwithout football."

Log on to www.CatholicEvangelist.net for more information aboutMr. Lane.

Ray Scherer can be reached at ray.scherer@newspressnow.com.