AIKEN --- The Rev. Andrew Trapp said it was tough disappointing about 3,000 people who were looking forward to rooting for him to win $1 million Sunday.
On Tuesday, a New York news outlet reported that New York police detective Mike Kosowski, not the Rev. Trapp, had won the big prize on Fox's PokerStars.Net Million Dollar Challenge. The Aiken-born priest had planned to use the money toward his Garden City church's building fund, he said.
The Rev. Trapp, who had already garnered $100,000 for St. Michael Catholic Church, came in second in the competition. The show will air Sunday at 4 p.m. on WFXG-TV (Channel 54).
"It was definitely disappointing of course," he said. "The guy who wins is a hero from Sept. 11. His family's been going through a rough financial time, so I think he was meant to win it. I think it was all in God's plan."
The Rev. Trapp, 28, said church members and his family will gather at the church Sunday to watch his last appearance on the show. The producers taped a one-minute segment at St. Michael that will air Sunday.
"I'm talking about the church, and preaching," he said. "I know everybody's really excited to see that. We'll have a lot of people cheering."
The "poker playing priest," as he's been dubbed, started playing poker with his family as a child and later honed his skills at an Ohio seminary. His game of choice is Texas Hold 'Em.
He entered the competition to help his church and change the way people look at priests. Since he has accomplished that, he said Sunday's show will likely be the last time a national audience views him.
"I think I'm going to hang up my game show hat," he said. "It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
His mother, Beth Trapp, said she and her husband will leave Aiken on Christmas Eve to visit the Rev. Trapp and watch him play his last game of poker for the cameras Sunday.
"We're really proud of him," she said. "It was pretty exciting, and I'm happy for his church. He did something awesome."
The church has been raising money toward the building fund for about four years, he said. With his $100,000 donation, the fund is less than $1 million shy of its goal of more than $5 million. The Rev. Trapp said he hopes his television appearances will inspire church members to reach that goal.
"I'm hoping I'll get people pumped, so we can pull together and get the church built soon," he said.
Reach Stephanie Toone at (803) 648-1395 ext. 110, or stephanie.toone@augustachronicle.com.
Comments
Does anything remain the same Justus?? Now U know how we feel about everything else around us,,
The priest doesn't set a good example for his flock with his gambling. However, who knows what the religious values are at his congregation? It's usually not the indulgence that's the sin, it's the over indulgence. This incident would be a great basis for several good sermons.
justus, I have much less of a problem with a priest who uses his skills, talent and interests to earn money for a good cause than I do for preachers endorsing political candidates based solely on race while enjoying tax-exempt status for their churches.
Gambling is not a skill it is a disease, and a man of God should not be doing it.
The only way gambling is bad, and the same goes for consumption of alcohol (Jesus' first miracle was changing rancid water into wine at the wedding at Cana, remember?) is if it becomes an addiction. There is nothing wrong with gambling if it is done lightheartedly and for the purpose of helping others. Father Trapp makes that point in this interview. He does not tell others to do it, and he makes it known that his gains will go to a good cause. Heck, I'd gamble to help my church!
Lighten up people, I wouldn't play against him because using divine intervention is kind of like cheating..."Lord help me draw to this inside straight"......or "Lord let the river hold two aces" ..how do you compete against that?
The GOD of the BIBLE is interested in the "saving souls". His intervention in "games", particularly those that breed habits that leave helpless children without food and clothing, is nil. If the reverse were true, then Notre Dame would be National Champs every year in every sport.
I fail to see where children are left without food and clothing in this article, deekster. BUT I do see where many children will soon have a new church. Common sense needs to be invoked here.
I am a compulsive gambler...I am clean for 13 years now and to see a Catholic priest or any man of the cloth gamble with his rosery at hand...This upsets me and he needs help...God bless him....
"Having been a permanent fixture in the church in my growing up,"-guess he missed out on the lessons about prejudice and hate
Y'all must be a blast at the BINGO games many Catholic churches hold in their meeting halls.
The Bible talks about eating meat offered to idols. Technically, there is nothing wrong with eating the meat offered to idols. However, if it causes your brother to stumble then it should be avoided. This means that if what you are doing could be viewed as a stumbling block to others then it should be avoided.
gambling is along the same lines... it can be viewed by many as a stumbling block and therefore should be avoided.
I agree with your 7:10am UncleStrom
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