Michael Castlen, a participant in a Catholic youth pickleball group, looks on after hitting a ball during a game on Aug. 18. (Archival photo: Olivia Castlen)
If you watched the Olympics this August, you may have heard that breakdancing made its official Olympic debut, but pickleball, America’s fastest-growing sport, did not make an appearance in the Summer Olympics.
But the game is becoming more popular in the Archdiocese of Louisville, encouraging Catholics to bond together.
In this paddle sport, players hit a hollow, perforated ball over a net. It can be played in singles or doubles and can be held indoors or outdoors.
Four new pickleball courts opened at Iroquois Park this spring, and following a national trend, several indoor pickleball facilities have opened in downtown Louisville in recent years.
Catholics have gathered on the courts at several parishes, including Holy Family Church in Mount Washington, Ky., St. Bartholomew’s Church and St. Francis Xavier Church. Each parish has a group that offers open-play pickleball every week, either for free or for a donation.
Most groups start by giving newcomers a brief introduction to the game, then play mixed-gender pick-up games that allow people of different skills to participate.
St. Bartholomew parishioner Gina Priddy has been running the parish group with her husband since December 2021. She became interested in the sport after a co-worker invited her to play the game.
Dennis Habeeb, a player with Holy Family Church’s pickleball group, hits a ball during a game on Aug. 21. Holy Family groups meet at 9 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays at the gymnasium, 3938 Poplar Level Road. (Archival photo: Olivia Castlen)
For Priddy, the group grew as she initially texted friends and old classmates. To her surprise, she said in a recent interview, she found out about it when she overheard someone in the group talking about it in line at the grocery store.
At St. Francis Xavier Church and Holy Family Church, the parish has had an impact on the start of the game.
Jennifer Sweeney, business manager at St. Francis Xavier Church, explained that when the church’s multi-purpose facility, the Xavier Center, neared completion, the trustees surveyed parishioners to ask how they wanted the building used. Pickleball was a popular request.
Similarly, the Holy Family Church social club started a pickleball group, purchasing the nets needed for the game.
Most players are middle-aged or retired, according to parish groups, but the sport also attracts younger people.
Catholic youth from different parishes in Louisville have formed pickleball groups that are not affiliated with their parishes. Their meetings vary based on participants’ availability, and they use a group messaging app to share details of meeting times and locations.
In August 2024, the group had about 70 young people, with 15-20 of them participating in weekly pickup games.
Monica Dougherty, left, a participant in a Catholic youth pickleball group, reaches for the ball during a doubles game with Jack Sheldin on Aug. 18. (Archival photo by Olivia Castlen)
From the youngest player to the oldest, most players said they were just starting out in the game.
Bob Easton, a devout member of St. Francis Xavier Church, has been playing pickleball at the Xavier Center since it began in 2021. “I’d never played pickleball before,” Easton, 81, said in a recent interview.
But he decided to give it a try, adding it to other activities like golfing and walking. He said he found pickleball to be “good, healthy exercise.”
Donna Menzenski, a parishioner at St. Francis Xavier Church, also uses pickleball to stay active.
Priddy said she was initially drawn to pickleball because “it’s not too strenuous and it’s good exercise.”
Priddy said she’s “not the most athletic” and that the sport was easy to pick up. “You can play at different skill levels and it works,” she said.
But the physical activity isn’t the only benefit the athletes are finding: social connections are fostered, too.
“A lot of times when you go to church you don’t get a chance to get to know somebody,” Menzenski said in a recent interview. Pickleball helps build relationships in a natural way.
Reenie Kaufman, a lifelong Holy Family Church member and Holy Family School graduate, said in a recent interview that Holy Family groups bring together believers, Holy Family School alumni and non-believers.
“It’s all about having fun,” Kaufman said. “We’re all welcome.”
Priddy noted that although “people didn’t know each other” at first, friendships developed over time.
“Everyone’s friendly,” said Easton, who is often the first to introduce himself to newcomers and said he enjoys meeting new faces and explaining the basics of the game.
“I’m having a lot of fun,” Easton said. Asked if he was a good player, he laughed and said, “Good? No.” “But I love playing.”