DC’s jacket helps the sick

by NZ CATHOLIC staff
A Dan Carter jacket is helping the Catholic Chaplaincy Team at Auckland City Hospital.

Fr Christopher Brady, the priest chaplain at the hospital, said he got the jacket, once worn by the world famous All Black, at the time of the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
Fr Brady said he always goes to “after matches”, whether for Baptisms, funerals, weddings. He said it is important, as people can get to know the chaplain and share in a personal way.
While in a parish a few years ago, he joined family and friends after a Baptism. He was sitting at a table when the father of the newly baptised child asked him to remove his jacket. He then put another jacket on him and said: ”This is Dan Carter’s jacket from the last World Cup (2011), which he wore while he was watching the matches while
injured.”
Realising the significance, Fr Brady asked: ”Do you want to think about this more?” but the child’s father said, “No, it’s yours”.
An hour or so later, Fr Brady again asked about keeping the jacket, and it was reiterated that the jacket was being given to him.
Fr Brady said he and the rest of the chaplaincy had seen God working in the lives of many patients, with some miracles. Through the sacraments, people were brought much closer to God.
Auckland Hospital is the largest in New Zealand.
Fr Brady said it turned out that the person who gave him the jacket was part of the All Blacks’ medical team. There were a few other rugby people at the house, including the then deputy CEO of the New Zealand Rugby Football Union.
Fr Brady was later appointed chaplain to Auckland City Hospital.
He now takes the jacket for sick children to wear when appropriate, with their parents’ permission, at Starship Children’s Hospital to help brighten up their day.
“It certainly gives them something to look forward to after their operation or treatment,” he said. When All Blacks’ first five Dan Carter wore the jacket, he never knew if he was going to play rugby again, Fr Brady said, because of his injuries. “I can remember when it was announced that Daniel was out of the 2011 World Cup, the whole
country was concerned that losing him would make our chances of winning the 2011 World Cup much harder!”
Dan Carter knows he has the jacket, Fr Brady said, “as I have spoken to him about it, and he is happy with the way I am using it”.
“I wore the jacket with honour and pride during the knockout phase of the 2015 World Cup. What outstanding games Daniel played. He is a great inspiration for the sick to overcome the often huge obstacles before them.”