Dorothy Gereke, TEC founder, launched a ministry for teens

In early February, while at a youth ministry meeting in Seattle, I received word that Dorothy Gereke had passed away at the age of 89. Dorothy was instrumental in co-founding “Teens Encounter Christ” with Father Matthew Fedewa in 1965 in the Diocese of Lansing, Mich.
Teens Encounter Christ (TEC) is a spiritual movement and retreat weekend for older adolescents and young adults. Today, TEC is active in 44 dioceses in the United States, as well as six international sites. TEC arrived in the Archdiocese of New Orleans in 1966 after Father Charles Pagliughi came back from his TEC experience in Michigan with a renewed vision for the evangelization of the youth of the Crescent City.

Dorothy Anne Neibauer Gereke was born in Emmetsburg, Iowa, on Feb. 19, 1924. She entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1943 and completed nursing school in 1948. She was the administrator of a hospital in Battle Creek, Mich., from 1957-66, helping to found TEC during this time. From 1966-69, she served as diocesan TEC coordinator in the Diocese of Lansing, all the while helping to start TEC in multiple other regions, including Louisiana.

After leaving religious life in 1969, Dorothy continued to work in health care for many years and in 1973 married Paul Gereke. They lived in Boca Raton, Fla. In 1985 she was surprised to learn that TEC was still in existence, and felt called to become re-engaged as an advisor and leader.

After her husband’s death in 1991, she traveled extensively as an “Ambassador for TEC” and was involved in the development of the National TEC Manual. In 1998, she had the joy of traveling to Rome with TEC’s episcopal moderator emeritus Archbishop Roger Schwietz, O.M.I., and others to present the TEC manual to Pope John Paul II.

Into her 80s, Dorothy was engaged with the work of the TEC Conference and her home TEC Community in Florida. She was a valuable contributor and a spirited evangelist. In December 2010, in New Orleans, Dorothy’s life spent in the service of the young church was recognized when she and Father Matt Fedewa received Lifetime Achievement Awards from The National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry.

Memorial Mass April 5
Dorothy channeled her love for Christ and young people, touching thousands of lives over the years and introducing them to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. For me, she was an inspiration and a living reminder of the joy of service. About a month before her death, we spoke on the phone. She stopped me from apologizing for the infrequency of my calls, saying, “You are supposed to be doing the Lord’s work by sharing TEC with others, not catering to me.” Selfless to the end.

Dorothy’s life will be celebrated April 5 at a Memorial Mass to be held at St. Christina Catholic Church in Chicago. Her friend, Father Fedewa, will be the principal celebrant. The interment of Dorothy’s ashes will follow.

Billy O’Regan is executive director of the TEC Conference. The TEC office moved to Louisiana in 2012 and is located at 1007 Airline Park Blvd. Metairie, LA 70003.

For more information on the Mass, reception and memorial gifts honoring Dorothy Gereke, visit www.tecconference.org.