By Gabriel Esparza

The opening drive started out so promising for the Bills! An opening 70 yard drive that ended in a field goal, not a bad start. Unfortunately for the Bills, the New England Patriots were on the other sideline.

On Sunday we saw a team on a mission. The brilliance of the Patriots franchise was on full display at the New Era Field. They won the field position battle, to give Brady a shorter filed to work with. Also defensively the Patriots were willing to give up some yards but near the goal line the defense stiffened up, Matt Patricia was going to trade giving up touchdowns for field goals. Offensively Brady systematically and methodically picked apart the Bills secondary. The wide receivers were able to quickly get open and Gronk was simply a match-up night. The play that stood out was  Gronk dragging four players with him for an additional 10 yards, it was honestly unfair.

The absence of LeSean McCoy  and missing Marquise Goodwin (and Sammy Watkins) was very notable, the final score would have been closer. But more importantly for the Bills, they will need their injured players to return if they hope to still make playoffs (which is still a good possibility). The playoff hopes of Buffalo will depend on the legs of LeSean McCoy.

Being at the game you saw the difference between the two football cultures. The Patriots always had their players ready, during a unit transition they were on the field first. The substitutions were more seamless, in between possessions Brady and Garoppolo were passing to each other, Tyrod was not. The punter, Ryan Allan was practicing his punts while arguably the best QB in history had the ball (not too many three and outs for Tom Brady), if anyone could afford to take it easy it would be the Patriots punter. Rex Ryan on the other hand either is unaware or lost his composure and challenged a play within the final two minutes.

These may seem like only small things, that’s precisely what they are! It is the great attention to detail and composure that helps to explain the winning culture of the Patriots. The Bills could learn from Bill Belichick and the Patriots organization, the talent is there for the Bills to take the next step as a franchise.

“Every picture should tell a story,” said Father Judd, the new Hilbert College Chaplin. As you listen to Father Judd talk about his childhood hobby- photography- you can begin to understand his approach to life.

According to Father Judd, a picture has to have the correct settings, and must be taken in proper context. It should not be staged or inauthentic. Every picture must have personal meaning to be brought to life. Just like pictures, Father Judd speaks about his experiences being brought to life from Franciscan values, which are the basis of Hilbert’s foundation.

Father Judd’s previously attended University of Buffalo Law School. While comparing the UB setting to the setting here at Hilbert, Father Judd stated, ”People at Hilbert are not in as big of a rush to get to the next place. People are more inclined to stop what they’re doing to chat for a bit.” He likes the size of the school because it’s not too overwhelming. He also said that he enjoys the opportunity to speak openly about the Franciscan values, which play a major part in his every day life.

Father Judd was able to live out Franciscan values from 1991-92, when he spent a year in Peru during the constitutional crisis. During this unrest in the streets, Father Judd was able to learn Spanish as he helped to provide a calm atmosphere and stability for the people of that area. One memorable moment in particular was walking through a violent neighborhood with his congregation in a prayer march. This was a sign of peace and hope, especially for the people that have to endure violence everyday. While only staying a year, he was able to make friends that he still keeps in contact with.

Father Judd also spent some time in Camden, New Jersey. He helped assist students in the public schools where children had little hope or support at home. The stable, educational environment at school allowed these kids to succeed further than anyone would have given them credit for. Children from poorer areas were known to win prizes and receive recognitions at state and national levels. To Father Judd, this was his most fulfilling work. At a future Franciscan spirit club event, he hopes to show a slideshow from his experience in Camden.

Due to the priest shortage in the area, Father Judd does not currently know if he will be able to remain at Hilbert beyond this year. But he hopes to makes the most of his time here and, like in Peru, he hopes to help improve lives and make lasting friendships. “I am bad with names, but I love it when people come up and talk to me,” said Father Judd apologetically. However, he encourages everyone to stop in and say hi!

Join Father Judd for mass in St, Claire chapel Sunday at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday at 12:30, or Thursday 8 a.m.

Have you been following Gabriel Esparza’s Podcast, Running Wild? NFL and More! Here’s the most recent episode.