Steeped in Holy Cross Gala tradition - Don't miss out! Join us at the beautiful Scott Conference Center on April 26th, 2025, to raise money for our beloved Holy Cross. Your evening will be filled with a wonderful sit-down meal, 100 + silent auction packages, live auctions items, Raise the Paddle, jewelry raffle (three gorgeous pieces from Borsheims!), Kentucky Bourbon/Wine Pull, Celtic Cross Award presentation to Bob and Mary Gonderinger, the big money raffle drawing and dancing to the sounds of Chaos Productions! There is something for everyone so please share our event and mail your RSVP in by April 14th!
If you would like to sponsor our event or RSVP online, please use the buttons below:
Thanks to the inspiration of his aunt and uncle, the late Dottie and John McCarthy, and Mary’s aunt and uncle, Mary Jo and Larry Rice, Bob chose an apartment in the Holy Cross area for his years at Creighton Law School (directly across the hall from Maribeth and Doug Greiser!) in 1979. After they married in 1982, he and Mary bought their first house near Morton Ave. on Hickory Street.
Their first involvement with Holy Cross was the Parish Festival when they helped run the now-absent White Elephant Booth. Their involvement spiraled from there. It was easy to volunteer when you enjoyed the company of fellow parishioners and volunteers!
Debbie and Jim Sterling were instrumental in the Gonderingers finding the house on Walnut Street in 1991. Mary looked at it on Sunday, took Bob to see it on Monday, and they had bought it by Wednesday! The Holy Spirit is a marvelously convincing realtor! They were delighted to stay in the Holy Cross neighborhood – and the movers found the move extremely easy as they backed their truck up Walnut Street the two blocks from Hickory!
Mary and Bob’s first four children, Matthew, Jesse, William and Emily, were born while in the house on Hickory. Christine followed in 1994, and a puppy, Cass, from Santa in 1996. The morning walk to school was a steady stream of navy blue and Holy Cross plaid with several households of kids meeting up and trekking up the hill together. Summer evenings always included exciting games of Capture the Flag or Kick the Can.
During the raising of kids, Mary and Bob continued volunteering in a variety of organizations. Mary served on School Board, on the Home and School Board as secretary, vice-president and president between 1992 and 1996, and then as secretary on Parish Council for three years. Early on, Bob served as Festival co-chair for three years, as Parish Council member and president, and on Finance Committee. While the boys were in scouting between 1988 and 2012, Bob served as Committee Chair and as Treasurer. Most recently, he served 14 years in Knights of Columbus finance positions. Bob has also been a Lector, and both he and Mary served as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Eucharist for decades. They co-chaired the Gala in 2007. It was through these events and organizations that they came to know and love so many wonderful Holy Cross parishioners, fun school parents, and dedicated office and school staff. During those years, Mary and Bob feel blessed to have been able to work under the wise and spiritual and welcoming leadership of three pastors: Monsignor Edward O’Donnell, Father Chuck Swanson, and Father Carl Salanitro.
As empty-nesters, Mary and Bob enjoy having their kids, spouses and five grandchildren come visit, and watching the next generation of navy-blue uniform-clad students make their way to Holy Cross School. Mary is retired, most recently from 16 years as an Education Para, and is a children’s book author. She continues the 34-year streak of a morning walk around the neighborhood with her walking buddies. Bob is entering a retirement process at Croker Law Firm, having practiced for 43 years. He still gets in an occasional round of golf. They travel often, sipping copious amounts of wine and taking in God’s beautiful world.
