Members of the Maine-Endwell Little League team: Billy Dundon*, Jude Abbadessa*, Brody Raleigh*, Michael Mancini*, Jordan Owens, Ryan Harlost, Conner Rush*, Jayden Fanara, Justin Ryan, James Fellows, Jack Hopko*. Coaching staff: Manager Scott Rush*, Assistant Coach Joe Hopko*, Assistant Coach Joe Mancini*.
One other young man was called forward with the team at the end of Mass on Sunday at Church of the Holy Family in Endwell — parishioner Blaise Brixner. Blaise asked his parents to postpone a trip to Hawaii to support the team. In addition to offering prayers through the intercession of St. Sebastian, he gave his friends the saint’s medals as patron of athletes.
Bishop Robert J. Cunningham recognized Blaise for his sacrifice with a lei from Hawaii sent by the Franciscan sisters. St. Marianne Cope, who grew up in Utica, brought the sisters from Syracuse to serve lepers on Molokai in the 1880s. The Bishop suggested that Blaise might meet the sisters who serve there now when his trip to Hawaii is rescheduled.
*Parishioners of Church of the Holy Family, Endwell
