WEST WARWICK — More than 300 supporters of Catholic education gathered November 18 at the West Valley Inn for an “All Star Event” to benefit the newly-established diocesan Bread of Life Schools Urban Catholic Schools Consortium.
The star-studded event honored six graduates of local Catholic schools who have gone on to excel in both academics and athletics. Those honored were presented with the St. Christopher Award for their noteworthy achievements.
After the closing of a number of inner-city Catholic schools during the past five years, the consortium was formed to revitalize Catholic education in urban areas, and make it more affordable and accessible for families who seek a quality Catholic education for their children. The consortium schools are St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School, Central Falls; St. Mary School, Pawtucket; Holy Ghost, Bishop McVinney, St. Ann and St. Patrick schools, all in Providence, and Christ the Redeemer Academy, West Warwick.
Superintendent of Catholic Schools Sheila Durante spoke at the event: “The Diocese is very committed to keeping Catholic education in the inner cities. This is an effort to keep these Catholic Schools with us for a long time to come.
Frank Coletta, anchor of NBC 10 News Sunrise, served as master of ceremonies and auctioneer for the sports-themed event. Friends became competitors and stakes ran high when attendees participated in the war to bid for sports items and memorabilia in both silent and live auctions. Items included a New England Patriots gift basket, a baseball autographed by Carl Ripkin, Jr., and the item raising the highest bid, four tickets to a Red Sox game and dinner with Lou Gorman.
Coletta, a graduate of Sacred Heart school in West Warwick, said that it was important for him to participate in the fundraising event.
“My wife and I are firm believers in the importance of Catholic education,” he noted.
Honorees included Jay Rainville, a Pawtucket native and 2004 graduate of Bishop Hendricken High School, Warwick.
Rainville, who holds most of the pitching records at the high school, was later drafted by the Minnesota Twins and currently plays for the New Britain Rock Cats of the Double A Eastern Baseball League.
Edward Laurence Walsh, Jr., a member of the Hendricken class of 1984 and a graduate of Providence College where he played hockey and baseball, was also honored. Walsh holds the all-time record for career batting average and career home runs at Providence College. Walsh was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in 1987, and was a member of the team for three years. He also played one year for the Utica Devils of the American Hockey League. After coaching at Bishop Hendricken and Providence College, Walsh has coached hockey at Warwick Vets and baseball at Tollgate High School for 19 years.
Walsh reflected on how he often draws from the morals and values instilled in him at Hendricken and Providence College to help him with his work with students in the public school system.
Vanessa Cherenzia, a 2005 Prout High School graduate, played soccer, basketball and softball. She was named the Prout Lady Crusader Female Athlete of the Year for two consecutive years and currently attends Sacred Heart University, Fairfield.
Karen Emma Walsh, a 1993 graduate of St. Mary’s Academy-Bay View, East Providence, was also honored with a St. Christopher Award. Karen Walsh, a hockey and softball player, holds a .597 batting average—the highest ever at Bay View. She was the first young woman from Rhode Island to start in the Junior Olympic program and was asked to play on the 1998 Olympic team. She returned to Bay View as hockey coach, led the team to a state championship and was named Coach of the Year in 2005-2006.
Walsh credits her Catholic education for her self-discipline and professional work ethic. “Catholic education gave me that—making me what I am today,” she added.
Bishop Daniel Reilly, D.D.S.. bishop emeritus of Worcester, Mass., is a graduate of the former St. Michael School and LaSalle Academy was also honored. When he addressed those in attendance, he credited his Catholic education for establishing direction and purpose in his life. Bishop Reilly emphasized the importance of supporting Catholic Schools, because they do not only serve those of our faith, but entire communities. He emphasized the need to keep the schools strong for future generations.
Perhaps the most well-known sports figure honored was James “Lou” Gorman. Gorman is a graduate of the former St. Michael School and LaSalle Academy, and earned degrees from Stonehill College and Bridgewater State College, both in Massachusetts. During his college career, Gorman entered the U.S. Navy, and served in the Korean War and Lebanon Crisis before joining the National Guard. In addition to serving his country for 30 years, he enjoyed much success in the world of baseball. In 1963, he began as Director of Player Development for the Baltimore Orioles and in three years, that team won the world champions. He later formed the Kansas City Royals.
Ten years later, he formed and served as General Manager of the Seattle Mariners for six years before joining the New York Mets Organization. After five years with the Mets, Gorman moved closer to home, and served as General Manager of the Boston Red Sox for 10 years. He was elected to the Boston Red Sox, The New England Heritage, The Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of America, and The LaSalle Academy halls of fame.
Gorman, married for 43 years, teaches C.C.D. at his parish, St. Julia’s in Weston, Massachusetts and lectures at Franklin Pierce College in New Hampshire, where he helped establish the master’s degree program in sports administration. “Catholic education is so important,” Gorman said.
When asked what his education means to him, he replied, “I am blessed to have had a Catholic education. I wasn’t a good student, but my teachers helped me. They went out of their way. They were always willing to give extra instruction and had so much compassion.” He pointed out that “time wasn’t important to them. That you did well was important to them. Their lives were lived for the success of their students.”
