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The MOQ Spotlight shines on the Gawereckis
This month's MOQ Spotlight focuses on Joseph and Rhea (Brogan) Gawerecki. Joe and Rhea fit any definition of "prayer warrior." They have dedicated a room in their home as a chapel, but the rest of their home, too, reflects their love of Our Savior, with the walls and tables adorned with pictures and other articles - a crucifix,the Divine Mercy picture, candles, statues, and other holy objects. Joseph and Rhea feel a special calling to pray for the clergy and religious, both living and deceased. Recitation of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy and Rosary are daily practices in their home, along with the Liturgy of the Hours and other devotions. EWTN programs provide growth avenues. Joe is a South Omaha native, schooled at South High. He has seven siblings, four deceased. A master sergeant in the U.S. Army Field Artillery during World War II, he has followed a career path that engaged him as a machine operator for a printing company in Omaha. Rhea was born in Wall Lake, Iowa. After she graduated from school in Vail, Iowa, she found employment in Omaha . Every day she took a bus to attend early morning Mass before going to work. The Lord arranged" for the two to meet in 1946, and this led to their marriage in August 1950 at St. Cecilia Cathedral. They have three children and six grandchildren. They were active parishioners at St. Adalbert Church on South 31 st Street before moving to Mary Our Queen in 1992, where they have volunteered in many ministries. Rhea was parish council secretary, helped with the candle ministry, served as a lector and participated in many other parish activities. Joseph was a money counter, assisted at funeral masses and daily masses and performed numerous volunteer mechanical and maintenance functions at the parish. Joe and Rhea worked together in helping organize the first 40 Hours' Devotions at MOQ. Joe sees the Mass as the most important element of one's spirituality, and this holds for Rhea as well. Joe feels very strongly that a person's dress and attitude in church, exemplified in avoiding sloppy attire, genuflecting, arriving on time, staying until the priest has processed out and similar signs of reverence reflect the standards we receive from our parents. He wishes that every parishioner would take an extra moment to think about these issues of respect, as they relate to spirituality. It is the elders who set the example for the younger generations. Similarly, Rhea feels that more instruction in the faith is needed, because people seem to be losing sense of the presence of God. She is convinced that an increase in devotional life, such as praying the Chaplet of Divine Mercy daily, will draw the person closer to God. Joe and Rhea, we are grateful for your service and commitment to MOQ.
Here's how you can help bring recognition to a fellow parishioner This look at the Gawereckis by Deacon Rooney is the first appearance of the MOQ Spotlight, a new feature dedicated to introducing members of the parish to the broader parish community. Future Spotlight articles will be featured on the MOQ Web site, displayed in the gathering area of the church and summarized in The Steward . All parishioners are invited to participate. Just choose someone whom you'd like to see recognized. Inform the person and gather a few interesting details about the person's life or faith practices. Be sure to snap a digital photo. And be sure to inform the person that the feature will appear on the MOQ Web site. Assemble the material in a few short paragraphs and email it to The Steward at fpart74465@aol.com to be readied for publication and posting. Any questions may be submitted to the same email address.
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