Father Jim Shea talks about Katie Ledecky's faith
CHARLOTTE — Katie Ledecky has become a household name for Americans watching the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
The champion swimmer from the Washington, D.C., area racked up four gold medals and a silver medal at the Rio games, besides two new world records.
For Father Jim Shea, pastor of St. Peter Church in Charlotte, Ledecky's success in the pool comes as no surprise. Ledecky is his goddaughter, and he's seen her grow up to become a balanced, sweet 19-year-old who doesn't shy away from the pressure of success or in witnessing to her Catholic faith.
"I'm very proud of Katie," Father Shea said Aug. 8, after Ledecky won her first gold medal in Rio. "She's very centered. She's unflappable. She doesn't get all upset."
Pictured: Katie Ledecky competes in the 400-meter freestyle final Aug. 7 during the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. (CNS photo/David Gray, Reuters)
And part of the reason for that is her faith, he said, formed within a close-knit Catholic family and a Catholic education from pre-kindergarten through high school.
"Her faith is important to her, and it sustains her. It grounds her, and it centers her."
That comes as "a great joy" to the Jesuit priest, who baptized her, gave her first Holy Communion, and served as her confirmation sponsor.
He's known the Ledecky family since he was a priest in the D.C. area more than 20 years ago, where he worked with Ledecky's mom at Georgetown Hospital. He officiated at the Ledeckys' wedding, and has remained very close to the family ever since.
"It's a family tradition that I would have Thanksgiving dinner with them," he said, and he's done that nearly every year.
For the years that he has known the Ledecky family, though, Father Shea got an up-close look at Ledecky's record-shattering performance in the pool only recently: at the Olympic trials in Omaha, Neb., in late June.
"It was the first time I ever saw her swim in a meet," he recalled. He sat with the Ledecky family and was able to meet with Katie briefly. "I was able to give her a blessing."
Ledecky talks often about her Catholic upbringing, and how that grounds her through all of the attention and accolades she is receiving as a world-class athlete.
Before every race she offers a prayer, she recently told the Catholic Standard, newspaper of the Archdiocese of Washington.
Jesuit Father Jim Shea poses with his goddaughter, Katie Ledecky, during the Olympic trials in Omaha, Neb., in late June. (Photo provided by Father Jim Shea)"I do say a prayer – or two – before any race. The Hail Mary is a beautiful prayer and I find that it calms me," she told the Catholic Standard in an email interview.
In the interview, Ledecky discussed how her faith is a source of strength and how the communities at home have supported her along the road to her second Olympics. She attended Little Flower School through eighth grade and Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart in Bethesda, Md., for high school.
"I received an excellent, faith-filled education at both schools. Having the opportunity to attend academically rigorous schools has facilitated my interest in the world and in serving others and has enriched my life so that it is not solely focused on my swimming and athletics," Ledecky said in the email. "Nevertheless, going to these schools was important to my swimming – my Catholic schools challenged me, they broadened my perspective and they allowed me to use my mind in ways that take me beyond just thinking about swim practices, swim meets and sports."
"The importance of balance in one's life is a lesson I have learned, and one that I hope will help me in college and beyond," said Ledecky, who will attend Stanford University this fall.
Father Shea said he is confident that Ledecky's success in the pool is going to continue. She already holds world records in the 400-, 800- and 1500-meter freestyles, and the American record holder in the 500-, 1000- and 1650-yard freestyles, and on Aug. 7 she broke her own world record in the 400-meter freestyle.
Besides the gold medal she earned early on in Rio in the 400-meter freestyle, Ledecky has claimed the gold in the 200-meter freestyle and the 4x200-meter freestyle relay. She also earned a silver medal in the 4x100-meter freestyle relay.
"It's just the beginning," Father Shea said Aug. 7, as he rattles off the times of each scheduled meet with excitement. "I've got it all in my calendar," he said with a laugh.
"Unless she breaks her leg, she's going to have an historic Olympics."
He added that Ledecky understands the importance of her role in the spotlight, particularly on the world stage in Rio.
"She's very conscious. She's seen herself how important it is to have role models as a swimmer and as a person."
Father Shea said he feels gratified that he has played "a little role" in ministering to the family over the years, administering the sacraments to Katie as well as to her older brother Michael.
"It is always a great joy to a priest when there's a family (for whom) you are really their priest in a special way."
"I just feel very grateful to have such a lovely person in my life," he said. "I would do anything for that kid."
— Patricia L. Guilfoyle, editor. Kelly Seegers, staff writer for the Catholic Standard, newspaper of the Archdiocese of Washington, contributed through Catholic News Service.