I started composing this verse in the beginning of 2005 for my son Joe, the first part was similar but it had a different ending, I finished this version in late 2006.

My first impression of Fr. Stack as I encountered him about the church and church grounds, was that of an adorable animated character created by Walt Disney Production, and that somehow he took a wrong turn out of one of their films and wound up, lucky for us, in our parish. He seemed to be a “love character” one you just wanted to hug and squeeze, and might have, but for the fact that he would have none of that, and also for the respect we had for the holy cloth he wore so well as a priest, and embellished with his humble piety. He not only emanated love from his countenance but radiated this love all about him so that everybody felt this warmth within him. Yet he always had a sober serious temperament, always consistent and focused, but it was mixed with the most gentle, genuine, willingness to explain, reveal, teach, and preach his knowledge of the gospel and the way of our Lord Jesus Christ. And he did this in his own soft spoken way, and always made himself available to those who came to him for help.

Father Stack is a very self sufficient man, asking nothing of anyone in his day to day tasked, this character trait might have come from his life as a monk in his early years of service for our Lord and His Church.

When I would speak to Father Stack it was usually for clarity on dogma, or the history of the church. I was amazed, at the depth of his wisdom, knowledge, and piety; he seemed to remind me of the incorruptible East Angels of old, or an ancient religious monks or priests of ancient Ireland who in the first millennium did so much to help preserve our Christian religion during the dark ages after the fall of the Roman Empire and the sacking of Europe by the barbarians from the east, the North, and the South.

The years that Father Stack spent with us were beautiful years. His presents brought a special warmth and balance to this parish that gave us a sense of security and joy knowing that our gentle holy Priest was with us, a constant friendly presence in an ever changing cold world. And I believe that he became to all of us our grandfather no matter how young or old we were he was our priestly grandfather.

Because of his age we would worry when Father Stack flew to Ireland for vacation or became ill and bed ridden. We also worried for ourselves, what would we do if we lost our gentle grandfather. Well even in this decision he has provided the answer, leaving us in the nicest way possible. He is retiring to his home and family in Ireland, leaving us with happy memories and the hope that he will live happily ever after in Ireland and finally his true home in heaven with our Lord Jesus and His Holy Family.

Father Stack was born in the year of our Lord 1920, and lived most of his life in the turmoil of the twentieth century. He was born and grew up in an Ireland that was still subject under the imperial might and oppressive yoke of GREAT BRITIAN, learning what it meant not to be free, and how bloody it was to purchase freedom. Although most of the bloody fighting had subsided with an uneasy truce and treaty signed in the year before Father Stack was born, Southern Ireland wouldn’t be a free Republic until 1937 after many long years of bloody fighting against the most powerful empire in the world. They fought to keep their Catholic religion and still have equal rights in their own country where they were second class citizens to their Protestant occupiers. Remember it was still true, the saying, “The Sun Never Set on the British Empire”. Their Faith, courage, determination, and diligence, allowed them to win the DAY, Their Religion, Their Country, and their Freedom. Well Done Gallant Warriors and Defenders of Our Faith !!!

Father Stack lived at a time when the horse and carriage hadn’t totally given way to motorized vehicle. Electricity, telephones, and paved roads were a luxury especially in rural areas. He experienced the great global depression of the thirties, the subversive suppression of Catholic Mexico, Latin America and Spain, and then the Communist enslavement of Eastern Europe, Asia, and Cuba. He saw the end of Colonialism and the end of kingdoms, principalities, and serfdoms, giving way to the rise of commonwealths, republics, theocracies, dictatorships, and democracies. He saw the rise of Nazi fascism, and Communism that caused the death and genocide of over a hundred million people throughout Europe, Asia, and Indonesia, and the killing fields of Eastern Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. He saw the partitioning of Eastern Europe, central Asia, and the Middle East, changing the world dramatically from what it once was. During the twentieth century hundreds of millions of people were annihilated because of wars, genocide, and ethnic cleansing, more than all the previous centuries combined. Some of this annihilation was in the name of religion, a popular misconception, but for the most part it was done in the name of the proletariat state. In America there was, as Pope John Paul the II said, the melting down of a moral society. This was due to a rebellious undisciplined segment of society giving way to social sin and promiscuous behavior, Avarus, lasciviousness, sexual lust, concupiscence, and debauchery. These actions produced and made popular a life of immorality, drug abuse, abortion, many divorces, broken families, and in many cases Godlessness. This once great society now free falling from grace at a remarkable pace.

It was in this back drop of the twentieth century that Father Stack learned to coup with life and performed his religious duties in the perfection of the simple little things, in the day to day tasks that he accomplished, as a love sacrifice to Our Lord, in the way of Saint Teresa of Lisieux the Little flower, and Venerable Adel Quinn.
We believe that Father Stack has run his race well and completed all his missions and assignment for Our Lord. He has been tested and not found wanting. Now that he is returning home, after so many years to his Emerald Isle, it will shine a little brighter now because of the many good deeds he has done, and the many harvests he has helped to bring in, in the service of our Lord Jesus Christ.

So Dear Father Stack it is with bittersweet sadness in our hearts knowing that you are leaving, for you will be missed so very much. But it is also with great joy and happiness in our hearts that you are leaving us with sweet memories of the precious time you spent with us. You have touched us all and made a difference in the lives of many who came to know you. I said when I first saw father Stack he reminded me of an animated character out of a Walt Disney movie. But after being in his presence these past few years I realize that he was heaven sent. We have been in the company of a holy man who gave us a taste of heaven and made us want more.

From all of us at St. Mark’s we pray God Bless and keep you safe and healthy, and allow you to live out the rest of your days in PAX UM BONUM, peace and all good, until you are ready to meet the one who waits patiently for you to say welcome home my good and faithful servant; nay, welcome home my good and faithful friend.

Remember your family at Saint Mark’s, always keeps us in your prayers on earth and in heaven. We will be praying for you and remembering that wonderful season you spent with us. You were a wonderful experience.

You have given us a taste of heaven and made us want more.

Thank you Grandfather, - - - - - Can we hug you today???

Go With Our Love always with You,

Your Saint Mark’s Family,

Your Humble Student,

Peter J. Paragone,

WJRCPhilly