To nominate an Unsung Hero for their community service and for terms and conditions go to: www.unsungheroes.org.nz
Multiple health difficulties are forgotten when Shirley Loretz opens up the stops on the organ most mornings at her parish church while its multi-ethnic congregation sings the roof off.
Some - although least of all Mrs Loretz - might say the 66-year-old from Avondale has been dealt a cruel hand in the medical stakes.
Not only does she suffer congestive heart failure and liver problems caused by medication needed for hereditary heart disease, but she has also had serious problems keeping her balance since surviving a life-threatening bout of meningitis in 1998.
She also requires regular blood transfusions.
Despite those challenges, and with help from her family and friends, Mrs Loretz manages most mornings to get to her post behind the organ to play hymns to lift the spirits of parishioners gathered for the daily community Mass at St Mary's Catholic Church in Avondale.
Her elder son, Michael, a high school teacher, who nominated her for the New Zealand Herald's Unsung Heroes series, says it never crosses her mind to feel sorry for herself.
"She always worries about everyone else except for herself."
And Mrs Loretz, who received a triple heart bypass in her 40s, says being behind the organ is "my second home".
"It's a beautiful way to give glory to God," she said yesterday, before a hush fell for her rendition of the timeless Amazing Grace.
"God gives us these talents and we are supposed to use them."
Included in her repertoire are hymns co-written by her younger son, Robert, head of the music department at Massey High School.
The Unsung Community Heroes series is run annually in the Herald in partnership with P&O Cruises.
Readers are invited to nominate people who selflessly work to make a difference in their local communities.
Some will be selected to feature in the paper and five will be chosen to join a P&O winter cruise.
Michael Loretz said his mother had played the organ at the church most days for the past 25 years, missing her daily ritual only when in hospital or when feeling particularly ill.
But her difficulties keeping her balance mean she is no longer able to climb stairs to reach the church's elevated pipe organ, meaning she has to make the most of an electric-powered version at ground level which nevertheless gives out a rich tone.
St Mary's parish priest Father Ephrem Tigga said Mrs Loretz's obliging nature meant she never refused requests to play the organ at special occasions such as weddings and funerals as well as for daily services, meaning the church community sometimes had to be sensitive about what it asked of her.
"She is a very lovely person. She is a gem of a person - we are so lucky to have her," he said.
Five of Mrs Loretz's seven grandchildren play piano and she is teaching the eldest to take turns on the church organ.
"I am a great believer in bringing the younger ones forward so us oldies can retire," she said.
"A long time ago I sort of accepted whatever is in store for me," she said.
"I know God's got things planned for everybody and I just sort of feel that he has given me this gift to play music for his glory and that's what I do."
The Unsung Community Heroes series is run annually in the The Herald and on nzherald.co.nz in partnership with P&O Cruises. We invited nominations from readers to recognise people who selflessly work to make a difference in their local communities.
Some will be selected to feature in the paper and on nzherald.co.nz. Five will be chosen to join a P&O winter cruise.
