Roaring in the Twenties Gala
Hi. My name is Mary Jo Maslowski. My husband Jim and I have been members of St. Dominic since 2002. We have 3 children. Our 2 oldest daughters are both in college and our son is a 5th grader here at St. Dominic Catholic School. Both Jim and I have been involved in various parish volunteer roles throughout our time here. One of the most rewarding volunteer opportunities I myself have been a part of is the Gala. I have volunteered in different ways each time. I have taken some years off, but I keep coming back. When Fr. Dennis approached me about chairing the 2022 Gala, I was very hesitant. I wasn’t sure it was something I was willing to take on. I took some time to think about it, pray about it, discuss it with Jim. I kept asking myself what makes me want to say yes. The answer was always because of the people: the amazing volunteers that are part of the event, the staff here at St. Dominic who are so willing to push up their sleeves and help in whatever way they can, the parishioners who are so generous in so many ways. While working on past galas, I have met some amazing people and have formed some lifelong friendships. I have been able to get to know parishioners that I might never have met because of the gala. I was called not to sit in silence, or to watch from the sidelines, but rather to say yes, lead by example and use my abilities to make a difference for the St. Dominic Parish Community.
After I said yes, I began having conversations with people, asking for their help with the gala, who in turn said yes to me. Yes! They would co-chair with me. Yes! They would chair a committee. Yes! They would serve on a committee! Yes! They would be there to help in whatever way they could.
Hi, I am Tina Jessick and Tim and I have two children, Garett who lives in Alaska and Madelyn who is graduating from DSHA this spring. Tim and I have also been involved with the parish in a variety of ways which have created some wonderful friendships, like Mary Jo.
When Mary Jo asked me to co-chair Gala 2022 with her, my response was, “I have to think about this. Let me get back to you.” As I reflected on the last 10+ years we have been members of St Dominic Catholic Parish, and my experience co-chairing the 2016 and 2018 galas, I was reminded that it was a pretty great experience! The parish staff who are amazing and always willing to assist. The army of volunteers who graciously shared their valuable time, varied talents, and creative ideas to help create a lively evening. The parishioners and business owners who overwhelmingly supported our efforts by donating gifts and sponsorships. So I asked myself, “Why wouldn’t I say yes?”
St. Dominic Catholic Parish is home for me and my family. We joined almost 11 years ago and it was the best faith decision we made as a family. We have been filled spiritually - enough so that we want to share our gifts with the community so others can be filled and continue to feed others down the line. St. Dominic’s mission - to seek Christ, know Christ, and become Christ, each one for the sake of God - is the same mission it was when we joined and it will be the same mission in the future, very similar to our personal family values. Church is our home and we are blessed to be able to say yes and be fulfilled by the power of the great force of an extended family.
Today we ask each of you, our extended family, to prayerfully consider how you can say yes as we plan for Gala 2022 throughout this next year. Can you volunteer the night of the event? Do you want to attend the gala and ask friends to join you? Are you in a position to donate an auction item or make a sponsorship donation? How can you say yes?
Each yes, big or small, contributes to the success of the gala. You have an opportunity to be a part of something great. We are reminded in 1 Corinthians, chapter 10 verse 31 that we can “do all things for the greater glory of God.”
Coronavirus may have disrupted our lives this last year, but it did not change the mission of our church and it definitely gave us more purpose to celebrate our family, our faith, and the force we have when we all work together. Please keep us in your prayers as we continue to plan over the next year.
We are especially excited to announce the theme, ROARING IN THE TWENTIES. Gala 2022 will be held on February 19 at the brand new Brookfield Conference Center, bringing the event closer to home.
Let’s celebrate St. Dominic style by “Roaring in the Twenties”!