- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 445,724
- Reaction score
- 44
Well, now they’re guaranteed to win every race.
That’s what Fr. Michael Connolly said jokingly after reading a Bible passage and praying alongside the Our Lady of Lourdes rowing team.
Of course, it’s understood that prayer won’t assure the crew of success on the water this spring, but the practice does offer the athletes comfort and, the priest said, some lessons within scripture.
“It’s a reminder to them that God is with them everywhere, in all aspects of their lives,” said Connolly, who has served for five years as the chaplain at Lourdes. “He’s their strength, and I think them knowing that helps.”
The Warriors were among a handful of local teams that had their first official practice of the rowing season last Thursday and, in keeping with a longstanding school tradition, Lourdes opened with its annual “Blessing of the Fleet” ceremony at the Hudson River Rowing Association boathouse.
Raising the bar: With impressive start, upstart Lourdes baseball has reason for optimism
Merrily, merrily: Rhinebeck, Wappingers capture Hudson Valley Rowing League titles
Following the prayer and a speech, Connolly splashed holy water in the direction of the rowers and coaches and their eight-seat shell.
The Catholic custom dates to the 15th century in European fishing communities, when local clergymen would bless the boats in hopes of the fishermen having a safe and productive season. The ritual became popular in maritime culture and has since been adopted by many rowing teams with religious ties, who’ll essentially be fishing for championships.
“I’ve grown up Catholic, so it’s not new to me, but I always enjoy taking part in this,” senior Cecilia Altavilla said. “I think deep down, it makes me feel a little safer on the water. It’s good to have that added confidence in the back of our minds.”
Lawrence Barron was raised Lutheran but, the senior said, he has learned a lot about Catholicism since enrolling at Lourdes in the ninth grade, and he appreciates this tradition.
The ceremony included a food drive in support of the Poughkeepsie-based St. Martin de Porres Knights of Columbus, who provide services to Dutchess Outreach, a charity attempting to combat local food insecurity.
“A sport like this gives the athletes no choice but to work together and encourage each other,” Connolly said. “Those are valuable lessons that will carry over into adulthood, and it fills me with pride to see them doing that.”
He’ll be even more proud if the team can make good on his playful prediction.
Since its establishment in 1998, this program has enjoyed several successes, most notably a national championship in 2010. Lourdes now is in somewhat of a rebuilding phase, but the team is anchored by a strong senior core.
Among the standouts is Barron, who is a member of the boys varsity 4 and 8 crews. The Fishkill native recently received a scholarship offer and likely will row collegiately. Dom Marsh, Hunter Anderson and Luke Zitz are among the experienced athletes whose chemistry will be an asset, Barron said.
“We’ve got a lot of returning rowers so I’m expecting us to do well,” Barron said. “A lot of us are similar in size and work well together. We also worked hard in the offseason, and I think that’s going to pay off.”
The girls team has star power with a trio of seniors who’ll also compete at the next level. Bridget Leonard is committed to Iona College, teammate Emma Berardis is headed to Long Island University, and Emily Luttman is bound for Loyola-Maryland.
Altavilla was born in Georgia, the child of military parents, and moved often before the family settled in New York when she was in the fifth grade. She picked up rowing as a freshman at the suggestion of a friend and “fell in love with it.”
She’s joined by Berardis, Luttman, Gabriela Andujar-McNeil and coxswain Ana Seidler in the girls varsity 4. That group, Altavilla said, has “state championship” aspirations.
“There’s a lot of talent and experience in that boat,” said Mark Dinges, who coaches alongside Casey Darling and Victoria Lawrence. “I think states is within their reach.”
And if not, Connolly quipped, “I’ll take the blame.”
Stephen Haynes: [email protected]; 845-437-4826; Twitter: @StephenHaynes4
This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: Rowing: Lourdes blesses its fleet as spring crew season begins locally
Continue reading...
That’s what Fr. Michael Connolly said jokingly after reading a Bible passage and praying alongside the Our Lady of Lourdes rowing team.
Of course, it’s understood that prayer won’t assure the crew of success on the water this spring, but the practice does offer the athletes comfort and, the priest said, some lessons within scripture.
You must be registered for see images
“It’s a reminder to them that God is with them everywhere, in all aspects of their lives,” said Connolly, who has served for five years as the chaplain at Lourdes. “He’s their strength, and I think them knowing that helps.”
The Warriors were among a handful of local teams that had their first official practice of the rowing season last Thursday and, in keeping with a longstanding school tradition, Lourdes opened with its annual “Blessing of the Fleet” ceremony at the Hudson River Rowing Association boathouse.
Raising the bar: With impressive start, upstart Lourdes baseball has reason for optimism
Merrily, merrily: Rhinebeck, Wappingers capture Hudson Valley Rowing League titles
Following the prayer and a speech, Connolly splashed holy water in the direction of the rowers and coaches and their eight-seat shell.
You must be registered for see images
The Catholic custom dates to the 15th century in European fishing communities, when local clergymen would bless the boats in hopes of the fishermen having a safe and productive season. The ritual became popular in maritime culture and has since been adopted by many rowing teams with religious ties, who’ll essentially be fishing for championships.
“I’ve grown up Catholic, so it’s not new to me, but I always enjoy taking part in this,” senior Cecilia Altavilla said. “I think deep down, it makes me feel a little safer on the water. It’s good to have that added confidence in the back of our minds.”
Lawrence Barron was raised Lutheran but, the senior said, he has learned a lot about Catholicism since enrolling at Lourdes in the ninth grade, and he appreciates this tradition.
You must be registered for see images attach
The ceremony included a food drive in support of the Poughkeepsie-based St. Martin de Porres Knights of Columbus, who provide services to Dutchess Outreach, a charity attempting to combat local food insecurity.
“A sport like this gives the athletes no choice but to work together and encourage each other,” Connolly said. “Those are valuable lessons that will carry over into adulthood, and it fills me with pride to see them doing that.”
He’ll be even more proud if the team can make good on his playful prediction.
You must be registered for see images attach
Since its establishment in 1998, this program has enjoyed several successes, most notably a national championship in 2010. Lourdes now is in somewhat of a rebuilding phase, but the team is anchored by a strong senior core.
Among the standouts is Barron, who is a member of the boys varsity 4 and 8 crews. The Fishkill native recently received a scholarship offer and likely will row collegiately. Dom Marsh, Hunter Anderson and Luke Zitz are among the experienced athletes whose chemistry will be an asset, Barron said.
You must be registered for see images
“We’ve got a lot of returning rowers so I’m expecting us to do well,” Barron said. “A lot of us are similar in size and work well together. We also worked hard in the offseason, and I think that’s going to pay off.”
The girls team has star power with a trio of seniors who’ll also compete at the next level. Bridget Leonard is committed to Iona College, teammate Emma Berardis is headed to Long Island University, and Emily Luttman is bound for Loyola-Maryland.
Altavilla was born in Georgia, the child of military parents, and moved often before the family settled in New York when she was in the fifth grade. She picked up rowing as a freshman at the suggestion of a friend and “fell in love with it.”
You must be registered for see images attach
She’s joined by Berardis, Luttman, Gabriela Andujar-McNeil and coxswain Ana Seidler in the girls varsity 4. That group, Altavilla said, has “state championship” aspirations.
“There’s a lot of talent and experience in that boat,” said Mark Dinges, who coaches alongside Casey Darling and Victoria Lawrence. “I think states is within their reach.”
And if not, Connolly quipped, “I’ll take the blame.”
Stephen Haynes: [email protected]; 845-437-4826; Twitter: @StephenHaynes4
This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: Rowing: Lourdes blesses its fleet as spring crew season begins locally
Continue reading...
