Mass to honor Deacon Streit for years at Grotto

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
August 7, 2003

WEST BEND - A Mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Aug. 17 at Sts. Peter and Paul Church to give honor to Deacon Gerald Streit for his work as executive director of the Grotto of the Redemption.

Streit began his work at the grotto in 1988, managing the gift shop and restaurant. He also worked side by side with the late Father Louis Greving, who had served at the grotto since the 1940s.

"When I became involved with the grotto, I became involved as a deacon at the request of Father Greving. Bishop Soens had encouraged Father Greving to find someone, a deacon if possible, to work with him and eventually become the director, which I did. I was very honored to work with Father Greving," said Streit, who was ordained to the permanent diaconate in 1986.

He said he is very grateful to have had the opportunity to work at the grotto.

"I don't know that many jobs would compare with this. I view it as a ministry of service. It wasn't like going to a job, it was going to be of service to the people," said the deacon. "I would always be brought back to the real meaning of the grotto by the visitors who came here because of what they appreciated and the awe that many of them expressed."

On several occasions people have commented about the sense of peace and serenity they experience at the grotto. For example, when the film crew came to West Bend while filming for the move "The Straight Story" one cameraman said he had been all over the country and never had he experienced such peace as he did at the grotto.

Sometimes referred to as the "Eighth Wonder of the World", work began on the grotto in 1912 by Father Paul Matthias Dobberstein, a German immigrant. As a seminarian, Father Dobberstein became critically ill with pneumonia. As he fought for his life he prayed to the Blessed Virgin Mary (the Mother of God) to intercede for him for the grace of health. He promised to build a shrine in her honor if he lived. By 1912, the grotto began to take shape.

The Grotto of the Redemption consists of nine grottos centered on the life of Jesus. It is the largest grotto in the world.

"Father Dobberstein was so far ahead in evangelization when he built the grotto. It appeals to people of all religions," said Deacon Streit. "It is a wonderful, wonderful gift for the diocese and the people of our area."

Upon the retirement of Father Greving, the deacon was named director in 1994.

"I want to thank the people of the area and those that have supported the efforts of the grotto - financially and through prayers," said Streit. "I am convinced that the prayers of the people who visit here are the heart and soul of the grotto."

As the director, one of his main accomplishments was the 1999 capital campaign, "The Gathering for the Millenium," focused on both current repairs and the establishment of an endowment for future repairs.

"We were well aware of the fact that the grotto needed to be preserved due to the 80 years of Iowa winters and the six million hands that have passed through," he said.

In the fall of 1999, the grotto received a historic site preservation grant from the State of Iowa for $87,600. Coupled with funds from the campaign, the grotto has spent about $300,000 over the last three years for repairs and preservation efforts.

"We are well aware that we need to be continuing to address the annual needs of the grotto through minor repairs and preservation," said Streit.

Presently, the grotto is mainly in a preservation mode versus expansion mode. However, he explained that prior to 1994 Father Greving had made a clay model of a Pentecost grotto. Father Greving and Father Dobberstein had talked about this shrine.

"At some point in the future, that may well take shape," noted Streit. "And near the souvenir stand there is blank spot where Father Greving said he had intended to put a bust of the four evangelists - Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. One on each corner and that may be done at some point. But for right now, our emphasis is that we preserve this wonderful gift and maintain it."

During his tenure as the executive director of the Grotto of the Redemption, Streit became active in Iowa Tourism Association. He served as a board member and as president of the Western Iowa Tourism Region. Through this work, he was honored twice with the Governor's Volunteer Award. The deacon said involvement in the tourism association has created more awareness for the grotto, including a few articles in national publications that drew tourists.

Tourism picked up in the last four to five years. This year's numbers are down a little, he noted, due to economic conditions.

While his full-time employment of the grotto comes to an end, Streit will stay on as the operations manager. This "part-time" position will consist of about 30 hours a week during spring and summer during the peak tourist season with some time off during the winter.

"Operations manager covers many things, but my main emphasis will be on continued repair and preservation of the structure itself which I have learned over the last several years from the craftsmen we've had through the historic site preservation grant," explained the deacon.

"I also hope to continue to work and develop more of the spirituality here."

He pointed out that he has been available in the past to lead prayer services for parish or school groups, but it was on a limited basis due to his other responsibilities. The grotto staff is presently exploring the options for expanding spiritual offerings such as prayer services by appointment and/or retreats.

"We had a group that came from Wisconsin a year ago. They spent three days here and used it as a pilgrimage. It was a wonderful experience for them," said Streit. "They are coming back in September."

Had it not been for the work of Father Dobberstein, Matt Szerensce (Father Dobberstein's right hand man) and Father Greving, Deacon Streit said that people would not have the opportunity to enjoy and appreciate the grotto today.

Deacon Streit and his wife, Ellen, have seven children - one son and six daughters. They have 15 grandchildren and two on the way. One of the greatest benefits of retiring as the executive director is time to spend with his children and grandchildren.

In addition to continued work at the Grotto of the Redemption, the deacon helps his son farm on occasion. He also does woodworking, stained glass and rock creations. Many of his rock artworks are sold in the gift shop.

A social will be held following Mass on Aug. 17. The public is invited to attend.