POINT PLEASANT BEACH — The commercial fishing fleet based in Point Pleasant Beach, one of the major fishing ports in the state, received blessings from the local clergy at the ceremonial Blessing of the Fleet last Friday morning.
Members of the commercial fishing community and local parish gathered at the Fishermen’s Dock Cooperative (Co-Op) on Channel Drive to see off the first fishing boat of the day with a blessing and a prayer.
The Blessing of the Fleet tradition in Point Pleasant Beach was started in 2023 by the late Rev. Kevin Ashe, a local Catholic priest.
The Rev. Robert Schlageter of St. Peter R.C. Church presided over the blessing, with prayers for the success and safety of Point Pleasant’s local commercial fishers. He recounted the “Calming of the Storm” Gospel story in which Jesus performed a miracle saving his disciples.
“Jesus got into the boat and his disciples followed him, and suddenly a violent storm came up from the sea so that the boat was being swamped by waves,” he said. “But Jesus was asleep. The disciples called out; ‘Lord, save us, we’re perishing.’ Jesus said to them, ‘Why are you terrified? O, you of little faith.’ Then, he got up, rebuked the winds and the sea and there was great calm. And the people were amazed and said, ‘What sort of man is this?’”
“The land and the sea are a gift from God,” said the Rev. Schlageter, noting that, through a process called gleaning, much of the fishers’ bycatch — extra fish caught that were not being specifically hunted — is donated to charity.
“And it’s a beautiful thing to think about. These people here work hard all day, and then a portion of their hard work goes to those who go without…It reminds us all that everything we have is a gift from God, and that we should share what we have.”
Point Pleasant Beach Mayor Doug Vitale and Council President Mike Ramos were present, with Ramos speaking on behalf of the council and Vitale paying homage to the town’s active commercial fishing fleet.
“We are here today to celebrate and bestow blessings on our fishing fleet,” said Ramos. “Our fishing fleet is the heart of Point Pleasant Beach, and has been for well over 100 years. You’re stewards of the ocean, and provide food for our tables; you provide provisions for local restaurants and businesses that drive economic benefits to our town and state; you are also our neighbors, our friends and our family.”
The Rev. Schlageter also spoke about the practice of seafood gleaning, which involves gathering seafood from commercial fisheries for food banks after the harvest has gone to market. He explained how the term “gleaning” has significance in the Bible.
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