By Kelley Kepler
Catholic Herald
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Alice Stack of Superior received the Pax Christi award at the annual DCCW convention June 7 in Park Falls. (Photo by Kelley Kepler) |
PARK FALLS -- Each year at the annual SDCCW convention, Bishop Raphael M. Fliss presents the Pax Christi award to one woman in the diocese who participates in the work of the church and exhibits Christ-like activities in her day-to day-life.
Each of the five deaneries in the diocese recommends candidates for the award, and a total of nineteen women were nominated this year. The candidates were then narrowed down to five finalists: Barb Lukasavitz, East Deanery; Adeline Kovales, North Central Deanery; Alice Stack, Northwest Deanery; Eleanore Glodowski, South Central Deanery; and Candy Hayes, Southwest Deanery.
From the finalists, Fliss selected Stack as the 2003 Pax Christi recipient. Upon receiving the award, she said, "I'm humbled, I'm very humbled. I feel like I don't deserve this, but I accept this on behalf of all of you."
Stack, a member of Cathedral of Christ the King, Superior, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing and was employed at hospitals for several years before she married and raised ten children.
As a nurse, mother and volunteer, Stack is a care giver in many respects. With her emphasis on education, spirituality, leadership and service, she embodies all aspects of the Council of Catholic Women's Mission Statement.
Stack has hosted several foreign exchange students and a foreign teacher. She has volunteered as a school nurse and has served as chairperson for the school baccalaureate Masses, the mother-daughter breakfasts, shamrock luncheons, Mardi Gras celebrations and many other school activities.
She served many years on the board of Habitat for Humanity as chairperson and treasurer. She was instrumental in building and remodeling four homes for needy families as well as raising funds, recruiting and helping needy people file for loans.
A leader in her parish, Stack has served as a member the parish council, vice president of the Altar Society for 22 years, president and legislative chair of the Northwest Deanery, and chair of the nominating committee. She also leads prayer services when the priest is unavailable, hosts Bible study meetings, takes communion to nursing home residents, serves as a eucharistic minister, reader and greeter, and takes care of sanctuary tasks.
Stack is guardian ad litem for a number of mentally disabled individuals. She was a care giver to her parents and mother-in-law during their declining years, and shenursed her husband through his terminal bout with cancer.
Bishop George A. Hammes instituted the Pax Christi Award in 1960 to replace the Mother of the Year Award, which excluded many deserving women in the diocese who had no children.
© Superior Catholic Herald, 2003