By Lori Anne Oliwa  | Correspondent

Over 500 supporters of Catholic education charged into the frigid 40 degree ocean waters in Sea Bright, Jan. 13, for the annual and entertaining tradition known as the Ancient Order of Hibernians ‘Polar Bear Plunge.’ Held for the seventh consecutive year, on a foggy day featuring 58 degree air temperatures and little wind, the event is sponsored by the Patrick Torphy Division 2 of AOH headquartered in St. Mary Parish, Middletown.

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A rite of passage for many and certainly a spectacle for all, the main goal is to generate funds for Catholic education and to foster a strong sense of Catholic identity. “There is nothing better than a Catholic education, and that’s what we are all fighting for,” noted event chair, Jim Shaw, a parishioner in St. Mary Parish. “I want my children and the children of others to have the same opportunity I did,” he added.

Shaw explained that many, if not all, participating schools dedicate the funds generated by pledges and sponsorships to student scholarships or to emergency accounts for families who need financial aid. Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville, created a special fund to help students whose families meet with unexpected difficulties. Principal Mary Liz Ivins noted that the fund, named the Jean McGraw Tuition Fund to honor a beloved social studies teacher, will allow young people who face serious losses in their lives to finish their education at Notre Dame.

Ivins herself took the plunge with about 44 others from the school, raising $3,000. “The plunge was tremendous fun. The winter chill was chased away by the large crowd of good-humored supporters who were all there to say that Catholic education is essential for our children,” Ivins said.

The majority of fundraising is done by the plungers, who secure pledges from faculty and staff, students, parents, alumni, friends, and other individuals from local Catholic schools as well as the community-at-large. Participants designate the school who should receive the pledge amounts. AOH also receives outright donations and sponsorships from both individuals and businesses who want to support Catholic education.

As more than 1,000 spectators lined the dunes and the Patrick Torphy Pipes and Drums led the procession to the water, Shaw was emotional about the love and loyalty forged by Catholic bonds of brotherhood. “There’s no doubt. The event is getting bigger and bigger, and enthusiasm is growing, at an all-time high this year. It’s amazing,” Shaw said.  The 2013 plunge, according to Shaw, shattered every record for fundraising and school participation and generated close to $128,000. He anticipates the final total will yield over $130,000 as additional donations are expected.

 The frigid waters have not dampened anyone’s spirits nor have they discouraged individuals or schools from returning or first-timers from making freezing forays into the ocean. St. Aloysius Elementary School, Jackson, returned with 281 participants generating a windfall of over $20,000. Principal Elizabeth O’Connor, plunging for the third year, was proud of the entire parish community and particularly the 18 out of 22 teachers who attended.

“They always rise to the occasion and have faith,” she said, adding, “And they’re all crazy!”

Melissa Wisk, principal of Mother Teresa Regional, Atlantic Highlands, was the embodiment of enthusiasm. She never misses a chance to go into the water. “Look, I even have a princess crown on this year,” she joked, pointing to the shiny and large ornament on her head. Wisk was accompanied by about 20 other ‘plungers,’ many of them students. The team raised approximately $6,000 through pledges and sponsorships.

Father Daniel Swift, pastor of St. Benedict Parish, Holmdel, a second-year participant, took the cold in stride along with students from Saint Benedict School. “Actually both years weren’t that bad. I was very surprised as one would expect one’s heart to stop or one’s breathing to stop. It was a piece of cake,” he quipped cheerfully.

St. Veronica School, Howell, made a very strong showing as a first-time participant with 200 plungers raising $10,500. Resurrection Sister Cherree Power, principal, and Resurrection Sister Antoinette Nowosielski, both braved the waters. Sister Cherree eloquently summarized the purpose of the day. “Today, in terms of Catholicism, it’s the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. We are not at the Jordan River, but are at the Atlantic Ocean instead. I think the Lord is well-pleased,” she said.

Father Jeffrey Kegley, pastor of St. Mary Parish, Middletown, who was a first-time participant amongst a 90-member team from Mater Dei Preparatory and St. Mary Elementary Schools combined, both long-time participants, was moved by the camaraderie and collaboration. “It was a great experience of Christian community coming together to support our mission,” Father Kegley stated.

Participating diocesan schools were Mater Dei Preparatory and St. Mary Elementary School, New Monmouth; Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft; St. James Elementary School and Red Bank Catholic High School, Red Bank; Mother Teresa Regional, Atlantic Highlands; St. John Vianney High School and St. Benedict School, Holmdel; St. Denis Elementary School, Manasquan; Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville; St. Aloysius Elementary School, Jackson; St. Veronica School, Howell, and All Saints Regional Catholic High School, Manahawkin. Two schools from outside the diocese – Hudson Catholic Regional High School, Jersey City; and Immaculate Conception School, Spotswood – also participated.