Cardinal Dolan to Attend Catholic Education Night At Dutchess Stadium

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A special guest and an added giveaway will highlight the ninth annual Catholic Education Night at Dutchess Stadium in Fishkill Monday, June 17.

Cardinal Dolan is scheduled to attend the 7:05 p.m. ballgame between two New York-Penn League rivals, the Hudson Valley Renegades, the Class A short-season affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays, and Lowell Spinners, a minor-league affiliate of the Boston Red Sox.

In honor of the cardinal’s visit, the Renegades will distribute a free St. Patrick’s Cathedral logo baseball, which they had made for the occasion, to the first 2,500 fans through the gates.

Catholic Education Night also offers opportunities and contests for students. Students are invited to parade on the warning track with their school or parish banner before the game. Interested students should arrive when the gates open at 6 p.m. to participate in the parade.

Singing contests are being held at St. Columba Church in Hopewell Junction Monday, May 13, at 7 p.m., to determine the groups of five or more students who will perform the National Anthem and “Take Me out to the Ball Game” as well as a soloist to sing “God Bless America.” Names of the singing contestants must be submitted no later than May 10 to Father Michael McLoughlin, pastor of St. Columba parish and coordinator for Catholic Education Night.

An essay contest will determine who will throw out the first pitch. A typed, one-page essay on Cardinal Dolan, which can include mention of his love for baseball, should be given to the school principal or parish religious education coordinator by May 17. The principal and religious education coordinator will submit one essay for consideration to Mary Jane Daley, regional superintendent for the Catholic Schools Office for Dutchess County. Deadline is May 20.

Game tickets are $12 per person. For each ticket purchased, each person will be given a Renegades cap and his or her school/religious education program will receive $5. The school/religious education program selling the most tickets will be invited to have a pre-game catch on the field. Deadline is June 1 for the ticket contest.

For more information, contact your school/religious education program.