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	Conception Abbey Tower Topics Fr. Gilbert Enters Eternity No Gazette Summer, 2008 Father Gilbert Stack, O.S.B., 94, Roman Catholic priest and monk of Conception Abbey, died Sunday, 30 September 2007. Father Gilbert (Garrett Michael) Stack, the son of William and Elizabeth (Gaughan) Stack, was born in Kansas City, Missouri, on 28 August 1913. He was baptized at Assumption Church and attended St. Francis Xavier Elementary School, Rockhurst High School, and Conception College, Conception, Missouri. He entered the novitiate of Conception Abbey in 1933 and professed vows on 3 September 1934. He also attended St. Benedict's College, Atchison, Kansas, and the state teachers' college in Maryville. He was ordained to the priesthood on 6 January 1939. During his seventy-three years as a monk and priest, Father Gilbert's work assignments included: prefect, professor, and eventually dean of the Conception College seminary; secretary to the abbot; abbey procurator; director of the fledgling press (now The Printery House); chaplain to Clyde Convent; and numerous pastoral assignments as well. From 1957 until 1994, Father Gilbert developed the Shrine of the Nativity and Bethlehem Cave, near Rapid City, SD, as a place of pilgrimage and devotion dedicated to the Lord's Incarnation and located in a setting of spectacular natural beauty. The Shrine was a popular place of retreat, hosting both groups and individuals over the years. In connection with this work, Father Gilbert sponsored Pilgrimages to the Holy Land, as well as to various other holy places throughout the world. Since 1994, Father Gilbert has enjoyed semi-retirement. Earlier this year, Father Gilbert's declining health necessitated his move to the abbey infirmary. A fracture to his leg and other problems led to his admission to the hospital and a full-care nursing residence, where he died peacefully on Sunday morning. Father Gilbert is survived by his monastic community and by his nephews and nieces: Mr. William G. Stack of Annandale, VA; Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. (Colleen) Stack of Kansas City, MO; Mr. and Mrs. John (Virginia) Zumalt of Shawnee, KS; Mrs. Mary C. Masucci of Overland Park, KS; and Mrs. David (Lori) Scott of Houston, TX. Vespers of the Departed were sung at 7:15 p.m. on Tuesday, October 2; the funeral Mass was celebrated at 11 o'clock on Wednesday morning, 3 October 2007. [Fr. Gilbert's obituary should have been printed in the Winter '07 Issue of Tower Topics but was unintentionally omitted as a result of the circumstances surrounding the Ice Storm.]
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