Latest news with #Sichko
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Kentucky priest asks what to do with UK jersey signed by late pope, head coach
LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56) — In the wake of Pope Francis' passing on Monday, April 21, a Kentucky priest is left wondering what to do with one of the last gifts from him. Father Jim Sichko, Papal Missionary of Mercy, posted a video on Facebook just before 1 p.m. on Thursday, asking the community what to do with the last items that the Pope had given to him. Kentucky priest asks what to do with UK jersey signed by late pope, head coach NFL Draft 2025: What to watch for as picks come in The NFL's most powerful piece of paper — the Draft Card 'I remember when I went to the Vatican the last time I saw him, just about three months ago, he, without me asking, he signed the UK jersey that Coach Pope had autographed for me to give to Pope Francis,' Fr. Jim said. 'I just don't know what to do with it!' Sichko presented the jersey, signed by University of Kentucky men's basketball head coach Mark Pope, to Pope Francis in May of 2024. On the same day, Pope Francis also signed two bottles of Sichko's Kentucky Bourbon, Papal Willett, which are decorated with the Papal Seal and the Pope's coat of arms. Those bottles would go on to sell for about $30,000, benefitting Paws 4 the Cause. Sichko said he was torn between keeping and cherishing the double-signed jersey, giving it to UK Athletics or other university leaders, or putting it up for auction and donating the benefits to a Kentucky charity. Man accused of filming women inside Louisville dressing rooms Fayette County inmate accused of jailhouse stabbing Kentucky priest asks what to do with UK jersey signed by late pope, head coach 'Someone suggested that maybe I ask you all,' Sichko said. 'Just let me know what your thoughts are.' Fr. Jim said the jersey was the last item he had received from Pope Francis. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘Many memories, many cherished memories': Kentucky priest shares stories about Pope Francis
LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKRN) — Reactions poured in from around the world and right here at home on Monday following the death of Pope Francis. 'We just saw him yesterday going around the square meeting the vice president, extending Easter blessing, and then you wake up this morning and he's gone,' recalled Father Jim Sichko, a Papal Missionary of Mercy based in Lexington, Kentucky. Photos: Pope Francis through the years People from around the world woke up to the news of the pope's death Monday morning after what's considered to be the holiest day of the year in Catholicism. 'Many memories, many cherished memories, I could tell you story after story,' Sichko told News 2. Father Jim Sichko is one of about a 1,000 priests from around the world to be appointed by Pope Francis to serve as a Papal of Missionary of Mercy. Part of the mission is doing random acts of kindness. In 2024, Sichko offered to pay for Riley Strain's funeral costs. Strain's story captured national attention when he disappeared after a night out on Broadway and was found dead in the Cumberland River two weeks later. 'Here was a young vibrant individual and we all felt, what can we do?' Sichko told News 2 last year. Pope Francis' last week: How the Catholic leader spent his final days According to Sichko, serving others with humility and mercy is how Pope Francis lived his life. 'He was definitely what we would say the people's pope,' he said. Sichko showed News 2 that last picture he took with the Francis — just two days before he was hospitalized. 'It was a great honor and what was so interesting was when I first met him nine years ago, one of the things I did was I brought a bottle of bourbon from Kentucky because that's part of who we are,' Sichko said. ⏩ Over the last nine years, the two have had 58 encounters, with Sichko bringing the pontiff a bottle of bourbon during each meeting. 'He always says the same thing it's 'holy water, holy water,' Sichko said. On Monday, President Trump signed an executive order to direct all federal and state flags to fly at half-staff in commemoration of Francis. A funeral has yet to be determined by the cardinals but typically takes place four to six days after the pope's death. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
A victory sip for kindness: Bourbon bottles autographed by the pope raise thousands for charity
LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — It sounds like the opening line of a joke: What happens when the pope gets his hands on two bottles of Kentucky bourbon? But it actually occurred and the punch line is heartwarming: the autographed bottles raised tens of thousands of dollars to help poor and sick people, as well as homeless cats and dogs. The plan was concocted by the Rev. Jim Sichko, a Kentucky-based Roman Catholic priest. He saw an opportunity to turn a signature Kentucky product, and his access to Pope Francis as a papal missionary of mercy, into a way to help those in need by auctioning off bourbon bottles signed by the pope. 'I understand that at times people say, 'What is this priest doing?' I get it," Sichko said in a recent interview. "I think outside the box all the time.' See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. His unconventional idea raised about $30,000 when Sotheby's auctioned off two bottles signed by the pope, plus another bourbon bottle autographed by former Super Bowl-winning quarterback Tom Brady. The proceeds are being divided among organizations selected by Sichko. He presented the first check on Jan. 31 to Paws 4 the Cause, an animal rescue organization in Lexington, Kentucky. Other checks will help hospice care in his native Texas and a legal clinic in Lexington that assists immigrants, he said. The Catholic Diocese of Lexington, where Sichko is based, will use some of the money to help people in need. It all began several years ago when Sichko gave Francis a bottle of hard-to-get Pappy Van Winkle bourbon as a gift when the priest visited Rome. After that, Sichko routinely presented a gift, often Kentucky bourbon, when encountering the pope as part of his role as a papal missionary of mercy. Sichko is one of hundreds of such missionaries appointed by Francis. They are assigned to travel the world spreading kindness, forgiveness, joy and mercy to people they encounter. Sichko, 58, said he travels the world about 300 days a year as a missionary and evangelist. During a visit to the Vatican last year, Sichko carried with him two bottles of bourbon, but with a different mission. He wanted to spread good to others by having the pope sign the two bottles donated by Willett Distillery in Kentucky. The bottles carried special seals and contained Willett bourbon that had aged for 10 years. When the time came, he mustered the nerve to seek the papal signatures. 'I just pulled out the bottle of bourbon with a pen,' Sichko recalled. 'And he looked at me and he signed it. And I was shocked. And then what I did was I pulled out the other bottle. And he signed that.' Sichko wasn't ready for what happened next. 'He looked at both bottles and he looked at me and he said, 'Father, which one of these is mine?'' Sichko recalled. That led to an uncomfortable confession. 'I said, 'Neither one of these are for you. I want to come up with a creative way to auction them off for the good of others,'' Sichko said. 'And that's how it came about.' Sichko's teammate on the project was Drew Kulsveen, the master distiller at Willett Distillery. 'From the first conversation, our door was open knowing this contribution can impact countless people in need through his work,' Kulsveen said in a statement. Kulsveen and his wife joined Sichko on the journey to Rome. He called it a 'tremendous honor' watching the pope sign the bottles of bourbon from his distillery. Sichko received a warm welcome from workers at the animal shelter when he arrived carrying a $7,375 donation. Anita Spreitzer, vice president and general manager of Paws 4 the Cause, said it would help pay for an expansion of the shelter that was underway. Part of the donation, however, will be passed along to another animal rescue group, she said. That brought a hearty approval from Sichko, who said, 'That's the way it goes — give and receive.' Sichko said he expects to return to the Vatican in about six months but doesn't know if he will ask the pope to sign more bourbon bottles. 'It loses its flair if you're constantly getting him to autograph things,' the priest said. Sichko said he hopes his work has a ripple effect, inspiring acts of kindness by others. It can be as small as opening the door for someone or letting someone go ahead of them in the grocery checkout line. 'Everyone can do something,' Sichko said. "It costs nothing to be kind. 'Our world is turning into a very angry world,' he added. 'And I think it's time that we just chill out a bit and recognize truly what we're called to be. And that is brothers and sisters. We may all have different skin colors. We may have all different ways of life. But I think we all come from the same place, and that is love and love of God.'
The Independent
15-02-2025
- General
- The Independent
A victory sip for kindness: Bourbon bottles autographed by the pope raise thousands for charity
It sounds like the opening line of a joke: What happens when the pope gets his hands on two bottles of Kentucky bourbon? But it actually occurred and the punch line is heartwarming: the autographed bottles raised tens of thousands of dollars to help poor and sick people, as well as homeless cats and dogs. The plan was concocted by the Rev. Jim Sichko, a Kentucky-based Roman Catholic priest. He saw an opportunity to turn a signature Kentucky product, and his access to Pope Francis as a papal missionary of mercy, into a way to help those in need by auctioning off bourbon bottles signed by the pope. 'I understand that at times people say, 'What is this priest doing?' I get it," Sichko said in a recent interview. "I think outside the box all the time.' His unconventional idea raised about $30,000 when Sotheby's auctioned off two bottles signed by the pope, plus another bourbon bottle autographed by former Super Bowl-winning quarterback Tom Brady. The proceeds are being divided among organizations selected by Sichko. He presented the first check on Jan. 31 to Paws 4 the Cause, an animal rescue organization in Lexington, Kentucky. Other checks will help hospice care in his native Texas and a legal clinic in Lexington that assists immigrants, he said. The Catholic Diocese of Lexington, where Sichko is based, will use some of the money to help people in need. It all began several years ago when Sichko gave Francis a bottle of hard-to-get Pappy Van Winkle bourbon as a gift when the priest visited Rome. After that, Sichko routinely presented a gift, often Kentucky bourbon, when encountering the pope as part of his role as a papal missionary of mercy. Sichko is one of hundreds of such missionaries appointed by Francis. They are assigned to travel the world spreading kindness, forgiveness, joy and mercy to people they encounter. Sichko, 58, said he travels the world about 300 days a year as a missionary and evangelist. During a visit to the Vatican last year, Sichko carried with him two bottles of bourbon, but with a different mission. He wanted to spread good to others by having the pope sign the two bottles donated by Willett Distillery in Kentucky. The bottles carried special seals and contained Willett bourbon that had aged for 10 years. When the time came, he mustered the nerve to seek the papal signatures. 'I just pulled out the bottle of bourbon with a pen,' Sichko recalled. 'And he looked at me and he signed it. And I was shocked. And then what I did was I pulled out the other bottle. And he signed that.' Sichko wasn't ready for what happened next. 'He looked at both bottles and he looked at me and he said, 'Father, which one of these is mine?'' Sichko recalled. That led to an uncomfortable confession. 'I said, 'Neither one of these are for you. I want to come up with a creative way to auction them off for the good of others,'' Sichko said. 'And that's how it came about.' Sichko's teammate on the project was Drew Kulsveen, the master distiller at Willett Distillery. 'From the first conversation, our door was open knowing this contribution can impact countless people in need through his work,' Kulsveen said in a statement. Kulsveen and his wife joined Sichko on the journey to Rome. He called it a 'tremendous honor' watching the pope sign the bottles of bourbon from his distillery. Sichko received a warm welcome from workers at the animal shelter when he arrived carrying a $7,375 donation. Anita Spreitzer, vice president and general manager of Paws 4 the Cause, said it would help pay for an expansion of the shelter that was underway. Part of the donation, however, will be passed along to another animal rescue group, she said. That brought a hearty approval from Sichko, who said, 'That's the way it goes — give and receive.' Sichko said he expects to return to the Vatican in about six months but doesn't know if he will ask the pope to sign more bourbon bottles. 'It loses its flair if you're constantly getting him to autograph things,' the priest said. Sichko said he hopes his work has a ripple effect, inspiring acts of kindness by others. It can be as small as opening the door for someone or letting someone go ahead of them in the grocery checkout line. 'Everyone can do something,' Sichko said. "It costs nothing to be kind. 'Our world is turning into a very angry world,' he added. 'And I think it's time that we just chill out a bit and recognize truly what we're called to be. And that is brothers and sisters. We may all have different skin colors. We may have all different ways of life. But I think we all come from the same place, and that is love and love of God.'
Associated Press
15-02-2025
- General
- Associated Press
A victory sip for kindness: Bourbon bottles autographed by the pope raise thousands for charity
LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — It sounds like the opening line of a joke: What happens when the pope gets his hands on two bottles of Kentucky bourbon? But it actually occurred and the punch line is heartwarming: the autographed bottles raised tens of thousands of dollars to help poor and sick people, as well as homeless cats and dogs. The plan was concocted by the Rev. Jim Sichko, a Kentucky-based Roman Catholic priest. He saw an opportunity to turn a signature Kentucky product, and his access to Pope Francis as a papal missionary of mercy, into a way to help those in need by auctioning off bourbon bottles signed by the pope. 'I understand that at times people say, 'What is this priest doing?' I get it,' Sichko said in a recent interview. 'I think outside the box all the time.' His unconventional idea raised about $30,000 when Sotheby's auctioned off two bottles signed by the pope, plus another bourbon bottle autographed by former Super Bowl-winning quarterback Tom Brady. The proceeds are being divided among organizations selected by Sichko. He presented the first check on Jan. 31 to Paws 4 the Cause, an animal rescue organization in Lexington, Kentucky. Other checks will help hospice care in his native Texas and a legal clinic in Lexington that assists immigrants, he said. The Catholic Diocese of Lexington, where Sichko is based, will use some of the money to help people in need. It all began several years ago when Sichko gave Francis a bottle of hard-to-get Pappy Van Winkle bourbon as a gift when the priest visited Rome. After that, Sichko routinely presented a gift, often Kentucky bourbon, when encountering the pope as part of his role as a papal missionary of mercy. Sichko is one of hundreds of such missionaries appointed by Francis. They are assigned to travel the world spreading kindness, forgiveness, joy and mercy to people they encounter. Sichko, 58, said he travels the world about 300 days a year as a missionary and evangelist. During a visit to the Vatican last year, Sichko carried with him two bottles of bourbon, but with a different mission. He wanted to spread good to others by having the pope sign the two bottles donated by Willett Distillery in Kentucky. The bottles carried special seals and contained Willett bourbon that had aged for 10 years. When the time came, he mustered the nerve to seek the papal signatures. 'I just pulled out the bottle of bourbon with a pen,' Sichko recalled. 'And he looked at me and he signed it. And I was shocked. And then what I did was I pulled out the other bottle. And he signed that.' Sichko wasn't ready for what happened next. 'He looked at both bottles and he looked at me and he said, 'Father, which one of these is mine?'' Sichko recalled. That led to an uncomfortable confession. 'I said, 'Neither one of these are for you. I want to come up with a creative way to auction them off for the good of others,'' Sichko said. 'And that's how it came about.' Sichko's teammate on the project was Drew Kulsveen, the master distiller at Willett Distillery. 'From the first conversation, our door was open knowing this contribution can impact countless people in need through his work,' Kulsveen said in a statement. Kulsveen and his wife joined Sichko on the journey to Rome. He called it a 'tremendous honor' watching the pope sign the bottles of bourbon from his distillery. Sichko received a warm welcome from workers at the animal shelter when he arrived carrying a $7,375 donation. Anita Spreitzer, vice president and general manager of Paws 4 the Cause, said it would help pay for an expansion of the shelter that was underway. Part of the donation, however, will be passed along to another animal rescue group, she said. That brought a hearty approval from Sichko, who said, 'That's the way it goes — give and receive.' Sichko said he expects to return to the Vatican in about six months but doesn't know if he will ask the pope to sign more bourbon bottles. 'It loses its flair if you're constantly getting him to autograph things,' the priest said. Sichko said he hopes his work has a ripple effect, inspiring acts of kindness by others. It can be as small as opening the door for someone or letting someone go ahead of them in the grocery checkout line. 'Everyone can do something,' Sichko said. 'It costs nothing to be kind. 'Our world is turning into a very angry world,' he added. 'And I think it's time that we just chill out a bit and recognize truly what we're called to be. And that is brothers and sisters. We may all have different skin colors. We may have all different ways of life. But I think we all come from the same place, and that is love and love of God.'
