Reverend Monsignor Richard J. Stack

Reverend Monsignor Richard J. Stack

The Reverend Monsignor Richard J. Stack, 90, died Sunday, August 22, 2021, at St. Vincent Hospital, Erie. He was born November 10, 1930 in Bradford, Pennsylvania, the son of the late James M. and Helen (Freaney) Stack.

After attending St. Bernard elementary and high schools in Bradford, Msgr. Stack entered St. Mark Seminary and attended Gannon College (now University), both in Erie. He continued his studies and formation for the priesthood at Christ the King Seminary, Allegany, New York, and while there he obtained his BA from St. Bonaventure University, in 1952. He was ordained a priest on May 10, 1956, in St. Peter Cathedral by Bishop Edward P. McManaman.

He began his priestly ministry working in secondary education as a member of the faculty at Cathedral Preparatory School in Erie. He was appointed Parochial Vicar of St. Bernard Parish, Bradford, in 1957 and remained there just a year before being assigned to studies at Catholic University of America.

In 1959, Msgr. Stack began a long period of service in the Chancery of the Diocese of Erie, serving as Vice Chancellor until 1971 and as Chancellor from 1971 to 1984. While Vice Chancellor, he obtained his License in Canon Law from the Catholic University of America and, in 1970, he was named a Prelate of Honor with the title of Monsignor.

Msgr. Stack was appointed pastor of St. Mark the Evangelist Parish, Erie, in 1976 and continued in that role, in addition to his position as Chancellor, until 1984.

In 1985, Msgr. Stack was assigned to St. Luke Parish, Erie, and was pastor there until 1997. In 1997, he was appointed pastor of St. Paul Parish, Erie, where he remained until his retirement in 2006.

In addition to his parochial duties, Msgr. Stack served the diocese as Adjutant Judicial Vicar, as a member of the Bishop’s Pastors Review Board and as a member of the Diocesan Board of Consultors. He was also a member of the Boards of St. Mary’s Home, Gannon University, Mercy Terrace, and St. Paul Neighborhood Free Clinic.

Upon his retirement, Msgr. Stack resided in Blessed Sacrament Parish rectory until he moved to St. Marys Home East (now Nightingale Nursing and Rehab Center) in 2017.

Msgr. Stack is survived by many cousins.

Visitation will take place at Blessed Sacrament Church, 1626 West 26th Street, Erie, on Thursday, August 26, from 9:00am to 10:30am followed by the Funeral Mass at 11:00am with Bishop Lawrence T. Persico presiding. The Funeral Mass will be live streamed on Blessed Sacrament Church’s website, www.bsparisherie.org Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Good Shepherd Fund for Retired Priests, c/o St. Mark Catholic Center, PO Box 10397, Erie, PA 16514-0397. The John R. Orlando Funeral Home, Inc., will be handling arrangements