Detroit Tigers get church's blessing on eve of Opening Day

From Detroit-

The faithful showed up Sunday morning at St. John’s Episcopal Church to pray for the Detroit Tigers on the eve of Opening Day.

The flock of fans included Shirl Howell, 64, of Hazel Park, who sat in a front pew of the 156-year-old church wearing an orange-and-black “Tiger” striped hairband featuring two pointy striped ears.

“I’ve been doing this for several years — it’s become a tradition,” said a smiling Howell, sporting a T-shirt that read, “God First, Family and then the Tigers.”

Howell was among more than 70 parishioners seeking some extra help for their favorite baseball team.

Some were familiar faces to the Rev. Steven J. Kelly, who gave the blessing after a 20-minute program that included prayers, Scripture, hymns and, at times, a majestic organ accompaniment. The church, at Woodward and the Fisher Freeway, is within a block of Comerica Park.

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http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140330/METRO01/303300032/Detroit-Tigers-get-church-s-blessing-eve-Opening-Day