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I want to tell you that John was a great person and
his memory will live on. He touched many catechist in so many way. There
was always a smile on his face and a song in his heart. He will be missed.
His love and concern will Sister Gale Pankowski, a
fellow catechist and teacher of Religion John Stack
was an extraordinary man. He had a gift and was willing to share it with
everyone he taught, whether student or catechist. He was an inspiration
to us all and his legacy will continue. I know in my own teaching
experiences John's influence will continue to be a part of my life in
all my classes that I have taught and will continue to teach upon
meeting him several years ago in a class that he gave for the diocese of
Venice. There will be a part of John's philosophy and influence and his spirit will
continue to live in everyone that he has touched by his goodness and
kindness. He was a trailblazer and will be missed not only by the
students and catechists he shared his knowledge and experienced with but all those that he has
touched with his incredible unique brilliance as an educator, a
catechist and a Master Teacher. I call him Master teacher because there
has never been anyone like him before and there will not be anyone like
him in the future to come. Even though I meet him ONLY once.... once was
all one needs to never forget John Stack. And I will miss him
tremendously and the loss will be felt not only by myself, especially
his family, other teachers, and students but the whole catechetical
community as well and to all those whom he touched their lives as only
John could have done. 21-Sept-02
at 7:47 PM For the
family of John Stack - Dear Pat, 18-Sept-02
at 5:48 PM I attended several workshops at which John was the
presenter. He was a superb messenger for the Lord. He electrified a room
when he shared his faith. He truly was a beautiful human being. I have a
strong feeling that Love and God's blessing, 17-Sept-02
at 10:02 PM I met John through catechist/dre presentations in
the Archdiocese of NY. What joie de vivre he had! I feel very privileged
to have heard him and to have learned more about being a better
coordinator, catechist and faith sharer. My sincerest condolences go out
to John's family, his wife and children. Please know that he will linger
long in my heart. I will keep his family in prayer. John Stack was the
sower who planted on good soil and his seeds have bloomed and grown all
over this country a thousand fold! Kathy
McCarthy I will never forget the energy, enthusiasm &
love that John taught with, in the sessions that I attended. He was the
living example of God working through people to infuse the spirit &
life in the word. He taught from the heart & soul. I had never met and
doubt that I ever will again, meet another man who so loved God, life and
his family, as John did through every act he performed. He was and
continues to be an inspiration of how one person can make a difference.
May I be able to share the wonderful gifts for teaching God's word that he
shared with so many other & me personally. God bless his family and
comfort them . Richard
Marvulli 15-Sept-02
at 7:53 PM Jack's love
and enthusiasm for the Lord was contagious. He loved his wife and children
and this was obvious in his presentations. One could easily imagine the
excitement in his home when he would return from one of his workshop
presentations. He was one of the most personable people I have met.
Without being too wordy one could say that Jack went to heaven in the same
manner that he came to do a presentation. With every imaginable prop --
numerous handouts -- displays galore and a fast pace movement to give all
that he could -- and then wish he had more. I was so
shocked to read of the death of John Stack. Like many others in the
Catechetical Ministry I was touched by his enthusiasm for the spread of
the Gospel through his creative techniques. What a great human being he
was. 28 Aug-02 at
2:28 PM To the Stack Family, With my sympathies, Karen Davis I cannot believe this has
happened, I saw him on March 16th of this year at Cheryl
Parrillo John had a tremendous insight into the practical
approach to faith formation. He was a delightful presenter who is often in
my thoughts and his direction and encouragement helped to form my approach
to religious education. I only met him once at a Sadlier seminar in Spring
Lake NJ but I continually quote him and share the handouts that he
provided. What a tremendous loss for all of us! Kathy
Skrupskis Thank you for allowing John to share the gift of his
faith with so many people. You are truly blessed. Find comfort in knowing
that John rests peacefully in Jesus' arms. My prayers are with you. John's
name will be placed in my class's special intentions Prayer Box in our
prayer corner. 5th grade at
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School, Kenner, LA) 06-Sep-02 at
05:42 PM I was stunned to read about John's death! What a
wonderful man! I first me John when I attended Catechetical Arline Sobek 05-Sep-02 at
09:25 PM Dear Pat, Emily and
Christopher, I attended a workshop
during the Catechetical Conference in September 2001. Thank you, The first seminar I attended as a new DRE was a
Sadlier workshop in New Orleans in 1997. I was so inspired by John's ideas
and enthusiasm. I am a natural at coming up with ideas and new creations,
but John showed me how to put these talents to work for the Glory of God.
I owe John an abundance of thanks and praise. I will continue to think of
him and pray for your family every time I use one of his ideas or one of
those, often occurring times when I have thought, "Wow! John would
love this idea!" Bernice
Engel, DRE St. Joseph
Parish, Gulfport, MS 02-Sept-02
at 2:05 PM I first met John when he served as our local Sadlier
representative. He soon became a friend as well. John had a gift for
making and keeping friendships. Whenever or wherever we talked, John
always treated me like a friend. The last time I talked with him was when
on the phone when he graciously responded to my request for some personal
professional advice. I want his wife, Pat, and his children to know that I
admire John and that I was blessed by his friendship. 30-Aug-02 at
03:22 PM Dear Pat and family, 29-Aug-02 at
5:46 PM I had the pleasure of being with John several times
over the last 10 years or so.... John was certainly, " A Man for
Others" He shared so much of himself and his love for God with
everyone. He was so proud of his family and his storytelling about being
the oldest father with a child in kindergarten was so delightful. The
games he led in Washington at the convention were such a great kick off to
a wonderful convention. I introduced John at a workshop in Trenton NJ and
how proud I was to have been able to do that. His workshop was on methods
and how not to be boring in the classroom...it was great! John you will be
missed by so many and I thank God for putting you on the path of my life.
To your wife and children I can only say that you must have years of so
many good memories. You were John's life, let all of those memories
sustain you...and knew that you have a big angel watching over you from
above. Sincerely, Dee Wright I met John at a workshop on July 29, 2002 at
Transfiguration Catholic Church in Marietta GA. John was the epitome of Discipleship. He uses his
gifts to inspire the gifts of others and give us all confidence to go
forth and spread the Good News- and that it didn't have to be boring! We
always looked forward to his creative show cases at the East Coast
Conference, and even got to participate in some of them! We mourn with you
and for you, and hope that through the grace of God you will continue to
feel his presence in your lives! Love, The Ford Family Upon reading of John's untimely death, I was stunned. I first met John
at the Sadlier Conference in Spring Lake, NJ. With Condolence, Peace...........Thank you for your support of your husband father and
friend......truly God has blessed you all with the presence of each other
in this lifetime.....amen CorazonMiax6@aol.com 22-Aug-02 at 11:31 PM Dear Family and Friends-- We will miss him much. I taught with John at Central Catholic High School in Wheeling in the
1970's and attended his wedding. John was a good and caring friend. We had
many great laughs together. I would like to extend my sympathy to Pat and
the children. Jim McGlumphy 22-Aug-02 at 07:10 AM Dear John, Brian W. Murphy 22-Aug-02 at 12:26 AM
John always had a wonderful smile and a great energy that he passed on
to all of us in the many workshops we were privileged to be present in.
Our prayers and sympathy go to his family who I'm sure know so many more
stories of this man who will be greatly missed. John's Homecoming It is with great sadness, yet continued admiration for a man who
joyfully loved the Lord in word and deed, that I send these words of
sympathy to both the Stack and Sadlier families. I have read the messages
and obituaries of John Stack and the eloquent words are reflective of my
own experiences of John. I have only known him for a
Rosie Papion Brown John was a great, creative,
energetic man, who greatly added to the credibility and acceptance of
catechesis. He will leave a great hole in the national process of handing
on the Catholic faith. We miss him and pray for his family at this time. 21-Aug-02 at 10:07 AM Memory Barbara Prata 20-Aug-02 at 4:47 PM Although we at Sadlier are blessed with so
many truly wonderful people who work with heart, head and hand serving the
needs of Catholic schools and parishes across the country, we have lost
one of our VERY BEST with the loss of John Stack. Sadlier just won't be
the same without you, John. Sales meetings, national meetings, diocesan
conferences will just never be as much fun as they were when you were
there. You were the epitome of life itself. Your energy, creativity,
humor, spirit, generosity and care were contagious and no one could ever
feel the same after an encounter with you! You touched hearts, held hands,
breathed enthusiasm, gave life, changed spirits, charged creativity,
lightened loads and regularly "brought the house down" with your
crazy stories. You, my friend and colleague, gave me hope, encouragement,
support and affirmation. Because I was blessed to have known you and have
been able to work closely with you over my last 13 years with Sadlier, I
believe that I have been graced with a truly unique gift in you, John. I
thank you for so wonderfully sharing yourself and your family with me. I
will, forever, be grateful for all you did, for all you gave, for all you
were and will continue to be in my life! I thank God for allowing us to
share some space in time together! I will miss you so much, but believe
that you are still with us and will continue to work with, in and through
each of us! Much love and gratitude to you, John. I am so shocked and saddened to hear of the death of John Stack, a man
so full of life and deep faith that being in his presence was witness to
the presence of God. I recently had the opportunity to hear John speak at
a workshop for Directors and Coordinators of Religious Education in the
Archdiocese of New York. He was so well loved, that he was invited back
this December to speak to the catechists of the upper counties. John was a
presenter at the 2002 NPCD annual convocation where he taught by his humor
and experience of life. It was obvious that his family meant a great deal
to him. He spoke of his children often in his presentations - always with
a gleam in his eye. It has been said that 'The great ones do not remind us of anyone'.
There was no one like John Stack. He was one of a kind. He was a great
one. Jim Gauthier 20-Aug-02 at 11:57 AM Memorial Tribute to John M. Stack On behalf of the National Association of Parish Catechetical Directors
(NPCD) I want to express my heartfelt condolences to John's wife and
children. Every year John would be at our convocation (part of NCEA) for
the publishers showcase and, last year, he did a workshop for us. John was
always full of life and his genuine love for his family was always part of
the conversation. You must have been good for him, since he reflected such
goodness. I will miss him. Be sure of our prayers for his family and
friends who will miss him so much more. Steve Palmer
Our prayers for John's family will be the thoughts of the prophet who
calls us to have understanding
hearts, a message John Stack shared with all of us. As we remember John's life of
ministry to our Church, may we be grateful to God for knowing this worthy
disciple. May he rest in peace, for we are all a little better off for having
known him. Thank you and may God bless
you! Monsignor John W. Jordan Office of Institutional
Ministry and Advancement National Catholic Educational
Association 1077 30th Street NW Washington, DC 20007 202-337-6232 fax 202-333-6706 19-Aug-02 at 2:32 PM
effect the future.
7-Nov-02 at 9:58 AM
In deepest Sorrow,
God bless you John, May you rest in God's peace,
In the two hearts of Jesus and Mary,
Angela Geremia
Last fall I attended a catechetical conference in the Bronx, NY - let's
just say I was less than enthused, as it was early on a Saturday morning
& I had to drag myself to the Bronx from Manhattan via subway. When I
arrived, I decided to forgo the Sacramental seminar I had originally
selected in favor of a presentation on middle-grade catechesis, given by a
Mr. John Stack. Was I glad I changed my mind! He was one of the most
dynamic, vivacious people I have ever met, a natural speaker and group
leader. In fact, he was so energetic that when he asked the audience if
there were any questions, one man raised his hand and said, "Yeah -
when are you going to switch to decaf?" The whole audience roared,
including John, as we all realized what a gifted and talented person he
was, and how blessed we were to be given the opportunity to learn from him
that day. Even from a brief 30-minute presentation, we immediately
recognized the depth of this man's faith and spirit.
With deepest condolences on your loss,
Regan Doherty
DRE, Holy Name of Jesus Church, NYC
19-Sept-02 at 5:26 PM
Please accept my deepest sympathy to you and your children.
I am the DRE at St. Joseph's the Worker in New Castle. Pa. I was shocked
and saddened to hear about John's death. God has truly called home his
good and faithful servant.
When I think about John over the many years he has helped us I think of
the love and joy he had for his God and his family. He always mentioned
his wife and children in every workshop he ever did. And always said how
blessed he was to have you in his life.
We will never forgot all the good John has done for us. Please know you
and your children will be in our thoughts and prayers constantly.
May our Lord hold you in the palm of his hand during this time,
Sheryl Skowronski
DRE, St. Joseph the Worker,
New Castle, PA
he is sharing his wonderful stories with some group in his heavenly home.
The Church and religious education has lost one of its giants. He will be
greatly missed. To his wife Pat and his children I extend my deepest
sympathy and love. While I know they will miss him deeply they can be so
proud of the magnificent contribution he made to our Church.
Mary Cleary
17-Sep-02 at 03:11 PM
What a celebration there must have been at the gates of heaven with his
arrival. As Jack loved and cared for all of you on earth, he will care for
you in eternity in an even special way.
God bless you Pat, Emily and Christopher
With much love and many prayers,
Sister Adrienne Bradley, SSJ
Teaneck, New Jersey
11Sept-02 at 3:30 PM
I'm sure he is creating quite a joyful uprising as he enters the heavenly
courts and receives a great big thank you from Jesus and company.
Respectfully in Christ,
S. Lucille Aliperti, CSJ
Director of Religious Education
Our Lady of Angels Parish
Brooklyn, New York
I saw John Stack at a religious education conference in March. He was so
inspiring and he was "on fire" with the Holy Spirit. He was so
proud of his family and loved showing his slides. He love talking about
how wonderful you all were and how understanding you were for sharing him
with other people. He has gone home to God now and I am truly convinced he
is still lighting fires even in heaven. One of the many things that
touched me during his presentation was his dedication to handing out cards
with the names of the individuals who were killed in the WTC on Sept.
11th. I have this card at my desk and think of the individual and say a
prayer. I will now add John's name on that card and continue to pray for
him too. I believe that John Stack will always be taking care of his
family but just in a different way.
10-Sep-02 at 10:50 AM
Bryant College, Smithfield, Rhode Island, at the religious education
workshop
day, and his class was by far the best that I have ever been in. John's
enthusiasm, style and overall great love for his work is what I will
remember
him for. His technique on teaching our children about Jesus are fabulous
and
I have already used one of his ideas in my first class yesterday. I am so
sorry for your loss, but I am also sorry that we will no longer be able to
learn his teaching skills that he was so willing to pass on to his fellow
religious education teachers.
Sincerely,
Holy Apostles Church
First Grade Religious Education Teacher
Cranston, Rhode Island
10-Sep-02 at 10:18 AM
May the many memories of this wonderful man's life live on in the people
whose lives he touched.
08-Sep-02 at 09:22 PM
Louise Kincannon
Workshops at Kent State in Youngstown, Ohio. This was put on by Youngstown
Diocese. Even though I am in the Cleveland Diocese I attended these and
took a Workshop by John. I fell in love with him. He introduced me and
others to creative ways of teaching about Saints, the Gospels, etc. in the
classroom. I tried to attend every workshop he presented in Youngstown. I
remember how exciting he made the workshops and I was always filled with
the spirit when I left his workshops. When he married Patricia, he started
to bring her to the workshop. She came even when she was pregnant! I
enjoyed both of them very much and missed him when he stopped presenting
the workshops.
Every October, when I teach the "Pumpkin Parable" I remember
John because that was his--whenever I teach about the saints--I remember
John and his smiling face and enthusiasm! I have become a better Catechist
because of John. I use so many of his ideas---having the students take
something home to connect the lesson to home--so many ideas from him.
Every time I dress up like St. Francis--I remember John doing this--so
many ideas and memories.
I wrote a letter to Mr. Dinger in October 1997 telling him how great John
was and how his energy and love for the Lord just burst out of him.
My heart is truly saddened by his death and I want to express my deepest
sympathy to Pat, Emily and Christopher.
You will be in my prayers.
I will dedicate my classes this year to John's memory. As I gather my
students around the prayer table in prayer--we will lift you. Pat, Emily
and Christopher in prayer--prayers for strength for you and that God will
continue to hold you in his arms.
May John's soul rest in peace and may God bless you.
With Love and sympathy.
John inspired us and our Catechists. We went to more than one of his
presentations because he was so much fun to listen to. After one of his
presentations, we felt we could go out and change the world. We used many
of
his handouts for our own workshops as he encouraged us all to do. He
always
spoke of you, his family and showed us slides of life at the Stack house.
Please know that you are in our prayers during this very difficult time.
Our condolences,
Elaine Heschl and Anne Boyce
St. Francis de Sales Church
Patchogue, NY
03-Sept-02 at 12:19 AM
John was amazing with his ideas and information. Listening to him
encouraged
me to try many new things in my Religious Education class last year. I
still
remember his talk, and how much I gained from attending it. I will truly
miss him at future conventions. Even though it was only one workshop, it
was
one that I will never forget!
Jennifer Adamski
02-Sept-02 at 7:49 PM
You are in my prayers. Thank you for sharing him with us.
Thomas Sauline
Last November, I had the pleasure of meeting John at a meeting of the
Coordinators and Directors of Dutchess and Ulster counties. I will never
forget his energy, enthusiasm and absolute love of faith to be shared with
all of us. It was impossible not to immediately love him.
He was a great educator and his ideas were endless. He will never be
forgotten by those who met him. I know he traveled many miles so all of us
could be enlightened by his knowledge and because of this spent many hours
away from you and your children. Pat, thank you -- for without your
support I, and many, many people, would never have had the opportunity of
meeting him.
Paulette Carlucci
Coordinator
St. John the Evangelist Church
Pawling, NY
29-Aug-02 at 12:38 PM
I was, as most people probably were, mesmerized and addicted to Johns
spirit, his love of God, his family (I must have seen 100 slides of family
pictures!), his church and his desire to make this world a better place
through children. I believe John was successful, which is why he is a
hero.
May God bless you, his family, as you carry his spirit with you!
Mike Paula
Kennesaw, Georgia
26 - Aug - 02 at 04:20 PM
26-Aug-02 at 01:39 PM
His enthusiasm, love for his family and dedication to his "call"
as a catechist were impressive. May the faith that he loved, lived, and
taught be a source of comfort to family, colleagues, and friends.
Diana Dudoit Raiche
26-Aug-02 at 08:47 AM
It was my privilege to know John as a professional colleague through our
mutual involvement with Sadlier. John's creativity and love of his faith
went hand in hand with an energy and enthusiasm that knew no bounds. I
will deeply miss him as will many others. Like any person who has lived as
well and deeply as John, he leaves a legacy and a challenge for us to
carry on the work he has begun.
I express my prayers and sympathy to all who mourn for John.
Warm regards--Marilyn
Marilyn Peters Krawczyk
Coordinator of Leadership Development and Formation
Office for Catechesis
1025 W. Fry Street
Chicago IL 60622
312-243-3700
Fax: 312-243-3801
Email: mkrawczyk@catechesis-chicago.org.
22-Aug-02 at 4:28 PM
Stefni Dusterwald
22-Aug-02 at 10:26 AM
What a privilege to know you. You will always give me strength through
your teachings and your laugh. You lived everyday as if it was Christmas.
An honor to know you. I'll save a seat at the Ocean Bar at the Breakers
and Mangos.
Pat, Emily and Chris thank you for sharing your "GIFT" with us.
I'll try to tell his story often. I am a better person for meeting John
Stack. Always 1 step in front of everyone, meet you in heaven.
Lois DeFelice
St. Cyprian River Grove, Illinois
Midwest Regional Rep NPCD
21-Aug-02 at 3:33 PM
short period of time, as compared to most, but I came to admire him
immediately. My last memory is watching he and Carol swing out at the NCCL
2002 Conference. Man, was he a great dancer! As a new mom and wife, my
heart goes out to the loved ones he leaves behind. Know that the church of
New Orleans is praying for each of you at this time.
21-Aug-02 at 10:09 AM
Bro. Edward Kiefer, S.M.
As a relatively new DRE (I just completed my second year), I was eager for
any and all assistance. At the diocesan convocation for catechists in
March of this year, two of my catechists attended a workshop given by John
Stack. They came back from the workshop flying! John revitalized these
seasoned catechists in a way I'd never seen. So I made sure that I
attended his workshop in Atlantic City in April. I know what they were
elated about! I felt revitalized! John's enthusiasm for religious
education was like the best kind of "super-vitamin" that helped
me return to my parish with a new zeal for the work I truly love. I felt a
respect from John that I have not experienced anywhere else in my
ministry. Though my exposure to the "wisdom of John Stack" was
brief, I know that he was about "his father's business". What a
gift he has been to religious education!
Saundra Kennedy
Sadlier Representative
New Orleans, LA
20-Aug-02 at 02:09 PM
John will be greatly missed in the field of catechetics across the
country. Prayers and sympathy are offered to his family and to William H.
Sadlier Co., his extended family.
Patricia M. Manuli
President, NPCD
Director of Religious Education,
St. Mary's Parish, Wappingers Falls, NY
20-Aug-02 at 01:57 PM
With keen insight to the needs of catechists in all walks of Catholic
education, a man like John Stack will certainly be missed. However, John
was much more than a teacher or speaker. He was an inspiration to all
people seeking a deeper relationship with Christ and a better
understanding of their journey toward their own spirituality. He instilled
in each person their responsibility to share their knowledge with others
and the duty to teach our children with the very best tools we have at our
disposal.
John’s enthusiasm and dedication to excellence in education will surely
be missed. We, at the Catholic Schools Office in the Diocese of Joliet,
Illinois feel his loss greatly. As a scheduled speaker and educator at our
annual Called & Gifted Conference, his expertise as a teacher and
catechist had a platform where many of like minds gathered. There are
those, new this year, who will never experience his wit and experience.
There are, however, many more of you who were fortunate to know the
passion with which John shared his experiences.
Our prayer of remembrance for John includes a petition that all who have
known John’s passion for a Catholic Education share something they
learned with someone they know. That is, after all, what John would have
done.
Catholic Schools Office
Diocese of Joliet
20-Aug-02 at 11:20 AM
20-Aug-02 at 08:14 AM
Dear Pat, Emily & Christopher, Director of Christian Formation, Diocese of Steubenville, OH.
16-Aug-02 at 12:30 PM Please accept my condolences at the loss of
John Stack from the Sadlier family. I know that this is a most difficult
time for all of you. Not since the tragedy of 9/11 have I myself felt so
empty and sad. My prayers and thoughts are with everyone at Sadlier. The prayer table feature in the guide is part
of John's legacy. It was his original idea and he brought his experience
and creativity to developing the concept into a workable element in the
guide. Because of John you have an optional story in each of the chapter
organizers and the suggestion to use the family page as an activity in the
beginning of the school week. John also offered many suggestions and
worksheet ideas in his review of the pupil edition which became part of
the notes and black line masters of the guide. Obviously, John Stack will be remembered for
much, much more than these contributions. I'm sure he had an impact on
your program far beyond what I mentioned here. But I do hope that someone
at Sadlier will keep alive the memory of what he did for your new religion
program. This honors him.
John and I have been friends for over almost 20 years. I first met John at the East Coast Conference at a multi-publisher dinner in the early eighties, and I thought I was at a comedy show. It was one of the funnies dinners I had ever attended. John was one of those genuinely funny people who shared his love for life and humor with all whom he met.
Your husband and father was one of the most giving, caring person I have had the privilege to know. I will miss his presence in my life. Be assured of my prayers.
Judy Devine
18-Aug-02 at 07:26 PM
John's fondness for sports was well known and he always promoted his beloved Pittsburgh teams, but this memory involved a sport he, himself, admitted was both a challenge to play and to watch.... Golf. During one of the Sadlier sales meetings, a golf tournament became the focal point. John was selected, along with myself and two other colleagues, to be a team in the tournament. After some apprehension, John was up to the challenge and helped the team to tournament accolades by sinking a crucial putt. I'll never forget the look of astonishment and pure joy on John's face. In fact, I've yet to see it on any golfer since! God bless you, John. I will miss your laugh.
Tom Hughes
18-Aug-02 at 06:57 PM
I had the pleasure of attending a breakout session at the Hoffinger conference in New Orleans. What a tremendous person, such an inspiration. I feel privileged to have crossed his path and I thank God for the impression John has left in my heart. May I also be able to imitate his enthusiasm as I go about doing the work of the Lord. My prayers are with you Pat and his children.
Janice Nadler
18-Aug-02 at 06:17 PM
I have taken many religious courses and have attended many conventions with numerous breakout talks and speakers. Some I remember, some I can't even remember their names. John was one of those speakers that have made a tremendous impact on my life. His love of life, his spirituality, his enthusiasm for his religion, his deep affection for his family and his great love of his God was so apparent. He just made one want to catch his spirit. This summer as I was preparing for my religion classes of the fall I realized that I was missing his gospel lessons for the first half of the year. I called a number and left a message
for John to call me. Now you understand, he did not know me from Adam. He returned my call and in the course of the conversation told me he was on vacation with his family and would send the information to me after he got home. What a dedicated person to even call me on his vacation. Of course he never got to send the information I asked for, but I feel so honored to have spoken to him just a short while ago. I will pray to him to ask his guidance as I embark on a new direction in my life. I will be teaching religion to pre-k through 4th graders every day. May I be able to have just a little of his enthusiasm as I try to do God's work. Pat, I do not know you but my prayers are with you and your children. May *GOD give you strength.
Peace ,
Janice Nadler
Diocese of New Orleans
18- Aug-02 at 7:04 PM
What a shock. We were fortunate to have Mr. Stack with us on the evening of Sept 11th last year. What a wonderful job he did in lieu of the terrible events of 911. His presentation was wonderful, however, underneath all of it was his concern for his wife and children and how he felt he was needed at home. My prayers go out to the family.
Kate Smith
17-Aug-02 at 10:02 AM
Dear John,
I met you just two weeks ago, August 3rd, when you visited my parish, Transfiguration, as a key-note speaker for our catechists. Although I did not speak with you personally, you touched my heart and my soul deeply. You set me on fire for teaching our Little Ones and I promise to carry your torch in all that I do. My prayers and love are with you and your precious family. The Lord blessed my life with your gifts just before He brought you home and I am eternally grateful. With love, gratitude and sadness,
Your sister in Christ,
Paula Axford
16-Aug-02 at 07:45 PM
I offer my condolences to Pat and the children. I have known John for many years and always enjoyed greeting him when we met at conventions and national meetings. My fondest and earliest memory of John (and you, Pat) was when he told the story of Noah's Ark from the Ark that he had built, which was so big that it took up the length of the room. John' s legacy in religious education and as a representative for Sadlier will be remembered for many, many years.
Peace to all who loved John and to all he loved.
Sister Mary Ann Corr S.C.,
I joined Sadlier in January and was blessed to re-connect with John. I knew him in Pittsburgh when I worked as a DRE, but not well. I think of the Christ's
words: "I am with you always" and that certainly was shown in John's life. I was touched by his warmth, enthusiasm and sincerity. He had the gift of blessing others and making each person he met feel special. He certainly did that for me and I know for countless others. We were to work together this Sept. His inspiration will be a real help to me always.
Kathy Krane
16-Aug-02 at 11:45 AM
Words of sympathy - May the LORD defend you...send you help...and strengthen you...Psalm 20:1-2
Mrs. Stack,
May it comfort you to know that others share your sorrow, and are praying that God's loving presence will strenthen you and your children during this very difficult time.
With Deepest Sympathy
Dale R. Hoyt & Staff
Catholic Schools Office Superintendent
Archdiocese of San Antonio
16-Aug-02 at 11:24 AM
To be a part of one of John's zany skits in the office or at a sales meeting was a privilege and a peek into a mind and heart that thrived on serious humor. He taught us all to laugh at ourselves, which is, ironically, an act of real faith. John, thank you for that gift outright.
Always your understudy,
Jim Morgan
16-Aug-02 at 08:28 AM
I knew John for almost twenty years. During that time he always treated me
with the greatest respect and kindness. This includes the time we spent
together developing the prototype for your We Believe school guide. As I
am the only one that would know this, I want to make sure his contribution
to that element of your new religion program is not lost.
Again, my deepest condolences at the loss of a fine man and real friend.
John Burns
15-Aug-02 at 1:36 PM
John liked to call me "FX" since I am named after St. Francis Xavier. Not too long ago when John and Joanne Paradise were helping me out in the Trenton Diocese, John was speaking to the Bishop of Trenton, Bishop John Smith, who was very impressed with John and Joanne's workshop on family catechesis. The Bishop wanted to recommend John's work to others and wanted to remember John's name. John said to Bishop Smith, "Remember a Hay Stack and you will never forget my name.
The next time I met Bishop Smith, he asked how John "Hay" was doing!
I will never forget John Stack, a true friend, fellow Christian and catechist, a wonderful man whose memory I will treasure forever.
Francis X. Bernard
15-Aug-02 at 05:46 PM
To John's family and friends:
We at Silver Burdett Ginn join in prayerful remembrance of a life well-lived, of a man well-loved. We are greatly saddened at the loss you all are experiencing. Yet we rejoice that this man made a difference in so
many lives. Please know of our admiration for this our colleague and be assured of our prayers in thanksgiving to God for John, our brother, and in petition to God that your hearts be healed by the love and memory of John Stack.
Sincerely,
Ray Latour and the Silver Burdett Ginn Religion family
15-Aug-02 at 4:41 PM
To the Family,
I have known John for the past 10 years. He was my competitor but I saw in him a huge heart, a wonderful sense of humor, and a gift of giving to all that he worked with in the catechetical world.
John could light up a room and he will be deeply missed by all of us.
My condolences to the family.
Mary A. McCullough
Harcourt Religion Publishers
15-Aug-02 at 4:39 PM
To Pat, Emily and Christopher,
I Wonder...
music and lyrics by Timothy Mullner
1. There are times when I wonder
what your life is like.
Do you ever get tired
of feeling the Light,
of the Love all around you,
of the Peace that surrounds you?
I wonder what your life is like.
Refrain: To remember is to love you.
To remember brings healing to pain.
To remember is to hold you,
Close to my heart again!
2. Do you miss all the moments
that we shared together?
The joy and the laughter,
the pain and the tears?
And though you are near
in mem'ries so dear,
I wonder what your life is like.
Refrain: To remember…
15-Aug-02 at 12:08 PM
The last conversation I had with John was on Thursday, August 8th. I had been helping him with adding some new slides to his next PowerPoint presentation. His first words to me were "Caroline, I got it! They downloaded just like they should. I'm finally getting the hang of this." Lee was just walking by my office door at that time. I called to her and we rejoiced together with John on his new accomplishment -- learning and using Power Point comfortably. Like so many other new things, John was so willing to learn and to add this new skill to his repertoire of creative stories and ideas that he used in his workshop presentations.
More importantly, John was a wonderful friend and co-partner in ministry. As I was working with others for the "John Stack Tribute" pages on our Sadlier websites, I became even more aware of the real gift he was to so many persons across the country. His laugh, enthusiasm, creativity, and love for all of us will be missed over these next weeks, months, and years.
I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to share part of this earthly journey with John Stack.
Blessings to Pat and his two wonderful children, Christopher and Emily. May John continue to be the blessed presence in your lives. May his memory live deeply in you and give you the needed hope to continue without him.
Caroline Cerveny, SSJ
William H. Sadlier
15-Aug-02 at 10:23 AM
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