The Passing of a Much Beloved Man

By Jacki Ragan

One of my dearest friends is Brother Paul O'Donnell, FBP, Guardian Overall of the Franciscan Brothers of Peace in St. Paul, Minnesota. I have had the honor and privilege of his friendship for almost 20 years.

Each year, Brother Paul, along with Brother Anthony, attend the National Right to Life Convention and presents a workshop on medical advocacy for vulnerable adults. Their workshop is centered on their experience in caring for their beloved founder, Brother Michael Gaworski, FBP, over the past 12-1/2 years.

On Thursday, August 28, 2003, Brother Michael Gaworski passed away.

In 1993, just one week prior to Good Friday, Brother Paul found Brother Michael not breathing and without a heartbeat. Struck by a sudden case of bacterial pneumonia, which he thought was only a chest cold, Brother Michael suffered cardiac arrest during the night.

When he was found by Brother Paul, he was clinically dead. Doctors were able to revive him, but the lack of oxygen for an extended period left him with severe brain damage and quadriplegia. He was alert but unable to communicate and had limited awareness. Since that time, he has been loved and cared for by the Franciscan Brothers.

Prior to his illness, Brother Michael devoted many hours to working for the rights of the unborn, helping women in crisis pregnancies, and contributing to the care of vulnerable persons. He was an avid spokesperson for the unborn and became a nationally recognized leader in the right to life movement.

He founded the community of the Franciscan Brothers of Peace of St. Paul in 1982, the first group of religious brothers established in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, at the suggestion of then Archbishop John Roach. He drafted the rules for the new community's way of life and its mission and helped his fellow human beings in all areas of need.

Several days prior to his passing, Brother Michael developed a high temperature. The brothers took him to Saint Joseph's Hospital in St. Paul. Pneumonia had struck again and his lungs were unable to get enough oxygen. When Brother Michael died, he was surrounded by those he loved and those who loved him.

He is survived by his parents Richard and Wynona Gaworski of Eagan; brothers Gary and Joe of St. Paul and Randy of Shoreview; sister Laurie of Apple Valley; and the eight brothers of the Franciscan Brothers of Peace.

At the National Right to Life Convention, held over the 4th of July in St. Louis, Missouri, the NRLC board of directors voted to hold the 2005 NRL Convention in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota. Brother Paul and Brother Anthony were already thinking ahead, planning to perhaps bring Brother Michael to the convention hotel for a while and allow attendees to meet him.

It will be our loss that Brother Michael will not be there. He will be missed by his family, the brothers, and by all of the countless lives he touched. May he rest in peace.