Health reasons took them from the Chicago area to Texas: Deacon Richard Michael Stojak and his wife Kathleen Jo Ann [Kasmirs] Stojak.  Both have Polish ethnic backgrounds, and were born and raised in the Chicago area (Harvey, IL for Dick; NW side Chicago for Kathy).

 Dick and Kathy met in a summer school class on Juvenile Delinquency at Loyola University in Chicago.  Their first date was to the Stateville Penitentiary as a class trip – they found that crime does pay!  Both were working on college degrees at the time, and Kathy was also teaching school.  Dick has a BA in Sociology and a Master of Pastoral Studies, both from Loyola in Chicago.  Kathy also received her BS in Sociology from Loyola and Pastoral Ministry training through the Deacon Formation Program in the Archdiocese of Chicago and parish ministry.

 Dick & Kathy were married on August 22, 1964. They are blessed with five children and 5 grandchildren.  All of the grandchildren live in Lockport, IL.

 Deacon Dick spent thirty-three years with the Social Security Administration in various technical and management positions.  In addition to ministering at St. Frances Cabrini, he is Director of the Family Life Office, for the Diocese of Fort Worth.  Kathy taught in the primary grades for six years in the Chicago area; was Director of the Catholic Charities Senior Drop-In Center in Harvey, IL for eight years.

Dick was ordained a deacon on May 4, 1985 by Cardinal Bernadin. They moved to Texas in 1993 for health reasons (Dick’s Rheumatoid Arthritis), and the Texas heat has helped greatly. 

Currently they minister as a deacon couple.  At the diocesan level, this is in marriage preparation; marriage enrichment; ministry to and with the Divorced, Separated and Widowed; the singles; as a resource to parishes on family ministry and coordinate the Respect Life and NFP programs. Kathy is a Field Advocate who walks with folks thru the annulment process.

 Prior to coming to St. Frances Cabrini, Dick and Kathy ministered at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Keller where they were involved in Baptism Preparation, marriage preparation and enrichment, annulments, general pastoral ministry, and head of the Family Life commission.  Prior to that, in South Holland, IL, Kathy was president and member of the school board for nine years; presider and member of St. Jude fest (parish fundraiser) for nine years; coordinator of the parish infant baptism preparation program; field advocate for the marriage tribunal; and chairperson of the parish family life commission.

  “The diaconate has been and is one of those special gifts that God has given to Kathy and I.  We have been privileged to share in the lives of so many families.  It is awesome.  The diaconate has given us the opportunity to meet and share with so many different members of the Body of Christ in all parts of the country.  This is not to say that all has been rosy and joyful nor will it be.  We’ve also experienced the pain of divorce from parish and ministry for periods of time. “

 For hobbies, Dick likes to putter around, travel, read, and listen to music.  Kathy loves to cross stitch and work in the flower gardens.  (Dick adds: “she does a great job of keeping me off my clergy pedestal and on the right track, but she never nags.”)

The Stojak Family

May 25, 2003