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January Spotlight - Joseph and Rhea Gawerecki
The MOQ Spotlight shines on
Paul and Rita Scalise The MOQ Spotlight shines this month on parishioners Paul and Rita (Rotella) Scalise. They are homebound Catholics, with Paul providing care for his beloved wife. Rita is in an advanced stage of Alzheimers. Paul was born in 1923 in Terrevecchia, Italy, and came to Omaha in 1940. He served four years in the U.S. Army Air Force, attaining the rank of staff sergeant. Even then, he was noted for his culinary skills, which would soon earn him a reputation as a chef of Italian cuisine. However, his career path led him to employment with Greyhound Lines as a diesel mechanic and spray painter. In 1978 he took a job at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, where he was responsible for planting hundreds of flower bedsas painting the stripes on the football field. He retired from UNO in 1992. Paul and Rita recently celebrated their 60 th wedding anniversary. Both were active members of St. Ann 's Parish. Paul was an usher and worked with Rita at parish social functions. This included two annual spaghetti dinners -- each time Paul helped cook around 1,200 pounds of spaghetti and Rita helped make Italian pastries and cookies. They are members of the American Italian Heritage Society and were active in festival work, making pizzas and biscotti. Paul loves gardening, canning, cooking and hunting. If you haven't tasted his homemade meatballs and canned beets, then you haven't really lived. Rita is an Omaha native. She was busy in several activities over the years. That included normal domestic duties, arts and crafts and cooking. She was employed by Boys Town and Nebraska Art Statuary for awhile, as well as by Rotella's bakery. She was a natural at providing child care to assist many parents, and she helped with the school meal program at St. Ann 's. Rita's pride and joy though was to baby sit her grandchildren. Paul and Rita have two girls and two boys. They also have eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Daughters Kathy and Michaela pursued employment in the medical field as X-ray technicians. Now they assist Paul in the loving care of Rita as her disease progresses. Son Larry is a captain in the Omaha Fire Department, and son Frank is skilled in antique furniture refinishing. Paul is faithful to his prayer life, and even though Rita can no longer join him in prayer, he continues his daily rosary. His Catholic faith has always been strong, and he has a deep trust in the providence of the Lord. Paul and Rita, we honor you for your faith-filled journey and for your full participation in the life of the Church.
Here's how you can help bring recognition to a fellow parishioner The MOQ Spotlight is a new feature dedicated to introducing members of the parish to the broader parish community. 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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