Exerpted
School of martial arts started by Catholic priest is being taught in Ford City
By Tom Mitchell
LEADER TIMES
Friday, May 20, 2005
FORD CITY – You may punch and kick your opponent, even slam him or her into the ground with a somewhat painful twist of the wrist, as long as you do it in a spirit of kindness, gentleness and humility.
A contradiction?
Not at all, according fifth-degree Tae Kwon Do black-belt masters Ron Vetovich of Apollo and Bill Ross of Freeport.
“There’s absolutely nothing wrong with knowing how to defend yourself,” Ross said. "I started learning Se-Jong Tae Kwon Do in 1980 and in the past 25 years I’ve never had to use the techniques I’ve learned to punch, slap or kick another person outside of training. When I was younger I lived in Japan with my parents who were in the military. I started to take martial arts there but then we were transferred.
“When I came back to the U.S. I simply couldn’t afford the lessons, at least until I heard of a Catholic Priest, Father Robert Connolly, a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and an Aikido master, who was offering free lessons to anyone interested. That’s how I got my start in the martial arts.”
Vetovich started martial arts training in 1981 with his son, Ron, who is now a state trooper. After watching Kung Fu Theater on TV they fascinated by the things the characters in the episodes could do.
“Becoming a black belt in Rev. Connolly’s schools is not a simple matter,” Vetovich said. “All students, regardless of previous experience, begin as white belts, the lowest of the six major ranks. You must train as a white belt for a minimum of six months until you can qualify for a test that will entitle you to a gold stripe on your belt. The tests are free, but your techniques must be well executed. We pass students on merit, meaning they must demonstrate that they have mastered the techniques required for the next belt. Not everyone passes the first time. You either know the techniques or you don’t, it’s that simple.”
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Full article at
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/trib/newssummary/s_336305.html
Insert joke in poor taste about the combination of being a Catholic and martial arts instructor.