Wendell S. Rieck

1919 - 2000

This page is dedicated to our memories of Dad. If you would like to contribute any stories let me know.

  Some of the fondest memories I have of my Dad go back to the mid-70's. We lived in the house on Broadway here in Orlando. It seemed like such a great time in all of our lives. It was after his heart attack and before Mom's terrible accident. It was Mom, Dad, Ed, George, Renie and I. We had all recently rediscovered our faith. All of us (in our own ways) began living spiritual lives.

  Ed, George, Renie and I all became active in St. James. Where we met a wonderful woman named Mary Ellen Barret. She was the Parishes "Director of Religious Education." Who very quickly got all of us involved in helping to form a youth group for the Parish.

   Mom and Dad had gotten involved in the Charismatic Renewal, happening within the Church. This renewal soon led them both to become very active in the Church. They both became Eucharistic Ministers, giving out communion not only at Sunday Mass. But also at the monthly Charismatic Mass, and weekly distribution to the sick in the local hospitals. They where both full of Gods joy and love and where probably the happiest I had ever seen them. Especially after a Charismatic Mass.

   There was one such mass I remember when Father Gonzalez was the Celebrant. Now Father Gonzalez was a Spirit filled man whose excitement and love for the Lord was like a wild fire that consumed all within earshot. That is if you could understand his English. For He had a very thick Spanish accent. But could He celebrate a Mass!

   It was about a week or so after that particular Mass I remember coming home and hearing Dad in the living room praising God. I went in to see what all the fuss was about when I heard the news on the TV that Sadat and Began had just signed the Camp David Peace accords. Then Dad started calling Mom from the kitchen to come and see the news. She came in and was as delighted as I was but neither one of us had Dads level of excitement. "Wait till we see Father Gonzalez!" He said. "Why is that?" I asked. "Because He told us to pray for the Jews." My Dad replied. Then started into praising God again. Mom was clearly puzzled by all of this and asked him, "Wendell, what are you talking about?" "Don't you remember, Ruthie?" He replied, "At the Charismatic Mass. Father Gonzalez told us to pray for the Jews." Then I saw a look of recognition come in my Mothers eyes. "Oh my!" She said. "Wendell he said pray for the youth! The youth, not the Jews." Dad paused for a moment to consider this new development. Then said, "Well I've been praying for the Jews all week and look what's happened." And went right back to praising God with a fervor.

   I always laugh when I remember my Dad that day. So sincere and full of love. So delighted at peace in a troubled part of the world. So moved at the thought that he somehow played a part in it. And I can't help but believe that he did.

Paul