I doubt it's a "Catholic" thing, but the Irish nonetheless have a perception of greatness which they want to keep going.
I've posted on this before, and now is a good time to repeat.
ND expressed interest in joining the B1G about 100 years ago, and were turned down because it's a Catholic school (fortunately, that would not be a factor today). Ever since, the Irish have grown their football program into a nationwide following.
Nonetheless, the school recognized the need for all varsity sports not called football to be able to compete in a conference. The ACC should have stood strong, telling ND that ACC membership requires that all sports you sponsor in which the league sponsors a championship, your team must compete for the championship (Side note: Miami was a baseball independent during their Big East years.). Instead, the ACC "compromised," allowing ND to remain independent in football, but agreeing to schedule about 5 games each season against ACC schools.
If we hadn't left the league, I would have hoped that the USC administration would have voted against this nonsense, and would have refused to schedule ND in football under these circumstances had enough members foolishly agreed to it.
Yes, more and more people are seeing the facade which is Notre Dame Football. Looking forward to the day when ND gives up the ruse and competes in ACC football.