From the Fall 2007 Edition of Clippings Magazine

by Maggie Burke

An interview with Alex Korenewski, parish Plant Manager.

MB: Let’s start with you title and duties here at OLQM.

 Alex: In my position as Plant Manager, I oversee three buildings: the Church, the Rectory and the Parish Outreach. Duties include supervising and personally being involved in the general maintenance of the Church and community room as well as ordering supplies. In addition, I deal with outside contractors, particularly those involved in the Capital Improvement Projects. We recently completed the two retaining walls around the Church. At this time we are in the process of refinishing the pews and replacing the lights with more energy efficient fixtures and bulbs. I’m on-call for emergencies such as snow removal or flooding. Other responsibilities are training new personnel and setting up and taking down arrangements for all parish activities. [As we spoke in Alex’s office just off the Community Room, the rectory cook came and asked him to take a look at a malfunctioning appliance. Soon after, a CCD secretary requested that he move heavy cartons of new textbooks.]

 MB: How did you arrive at OLQM?

Alex: I first came to the parish fifteen years ago in July, 1992. The story behind it is this: While working for contractor who used to live in Greenlawn, we renovated the rectory living room. At that time I met Msgr. Ryan, Ken O’Brien (then Plant Manager) and – big surprise – Elizabeth, the rectory cook who was from my hometown in Russia! Soon after that, Ken needed a helper and I was offered a part-time maintenance position. In 1996 Ken retired and I was promoted to my present position as full-time staff member.

 MB: Where was your hometown?

Alex: I was born and grew up in a mid-sized city, Kursk, in central Russia, about 300 miles south of Moscow. When Larisa and I married in 1982, I moved to her hometown, Riga, capital of Latvia. We emigrated to the US in 1991 and celebrated the birth of our daughter, Angelica, in 1995.

 MB: Tell us about your skills.

Alex: I learned home improvement skills in Latvia where I worked for a highly skilled top talented contractor who owned a small house renovation company. My first job here in America was in Brooklyn with a construction company. I could have remained there but I started to work for a contractor from Greenlawn. That was it – this is where I wanted to raise a family! We lived in Huntington for thirteen years until January, 2006, when we purchased a house in a new wooded development in Medford. Affordability was important – it met our needs and our means.

MB: Like all working people, you must have some problems. What are yours?

Alex: There are no big problems, as things go smoothly most of the time. I try to schedule the important work first. As you can see, [laughing] there are always little interruptions. The everyday projects get done as needed and plans for the future are moving along as well.

MB: How do you spend your free time?

Alex: Like most people, I enjoy being with family and friends. We enjoy the interesting sights here on Long Island and in New York City. It’s pretty much normal family activities like putting in the new yard – with a house there is always more to do!

MB: You’ve told us a little about your past – how about your future, your plans and hopes?

Alex: My plan is to raise our daughter to be a good, contributing member of society. I want to continue to contribute my skills to the parish. I hope for peace on earth and an end to global conflicts. I wish the cost of living on Long Island would go down to make it more affordable for young people to live here. I’d like to see the price of gas come down, especially with my commute.

 MB: What do you think of current TV?

Alex: I’d like to see TV, and entertainment in general, be more family oriented with less violence for the children and young minds. The news programs are great: they provide a good variety.

MB: What is your general impression of our congregation?

Alex: My impression is of one big family, one goal, one job. It’s all about people – the human factor. We have been blessed to have had Msgr. Colligan and our present Pastor, Msgr. Ryan. I know my fellow staff members most; they are professional, doing great work. They respect and care for one another. I am always impressed to see the volunteers giving so much of their time to the parish needs. Coming from a socialist society, I have never before seen people, tied together by religion and open hearts, being so caring for one another.

MB: In your opinion, what would you do, and what should we do, in the event of a fire or other emergency?

Alex: A very definite plan is in place. I am president of the five-member Risk Management Committee. There is a plan of evacuation for each of the buildings. Twice a year the congregation is reminded of the evacuation plan for the Church. The CCD classes are also given evacuation plan and members of the Centerport Fire Department speak to the kids. The facilities are regularly inspected and approved by the fire marshal. With other staff members and parishioners I’ve been trained to use the defibrillator beside the Church vestibule. We probably need a refresher course.

 MB: Tell us about the number and variety of groups you have to prepare for in the Community Room or other area of the Parish grounds.

Alex: All staff members use a weekly calendar to keep track of all the meetings. Some are daily, some are weekly. I usually set up, provide supplies, and take down for several meetings a week. Some of our groups are: Boy Scouts, Over 50 Club, community and civic associations, the Nicaragua Committee, the Baptismal Preparation Committee, Adult Ed. Programs, Fellowship Sunday, Religious Ed. Programs and Family Liturgies.

MB: Any questions you’d like to ask or anything you’d like to say?

Alex: I feel very happy that my life has brought me here. I joined the parish fifteen years ago and I hope to be here as long as I can. I am blessed with the people around me and the people I work with. I am trying to do my best to make this a good place where everything works in proper order.