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Man who can't say 'No,' says 'Yes' to this award

Second in a three-part series on the 2003 Gaudium et Spes recipients

	LOVES RAFFLES: Allen Stade, one of this year's Gaudium et Spes recipients, enjoys selling raffle tickets and serving in any way that he can. (Rick Evans photo)
	Honoring them What: Green Bay Diocese's 15th annual Gaudium et Spes dinner. Why: To honor this year's recipients of an award given to persons who try to live their faith in the world in the spirit of the Vatican II document, The Church in the Modern World. Who: This year's honorees are Dennis Brennan of Oshkosh, Marge Mattice of Kewaunee, and Allen Stade of Green Bay. When: Social at 5:30 p.m.; dinner at 6:30 p.m. May 9. Where: Liberty Hall, Kimberly. Reservations: (920)437-7531 or toll-free 1-877-500-3580, ext. 8234.

Allen Stade is known at St. Joseph Parish in Green Bay as the guy who can't say no.

"If you have something to get done and you need someone, ask Al," said Stade. "That's what people at St. Joe's will tell you. I just can't say no. The way I see it, if it's there, it needs to be done."

Related articles ... From April 25, 2003 issue: • Grateful servant honored for respecting life • Stewards put faith to work From April 11, 2003 issue: • Three to receive diocesan awards

In recognition of his commitment to serving those in need, Stade is a 2003 recipient of the Gaudium et Spes Award, which honors those who are living the spirit of the Vatican II document The Church in the Modern World.

Among Stade's many ministries is Right to Life. He assists with Respect Life Sunday at the parish and serves as a volunteer for the Love Life program at St. Joseph, which supports needy mothers. Stade hands out diapers and makes deliveries to mothers who cannot pick up the items. He also makes donations to the program.

"I'm out and about a lot, so if I see a crib or a car seat at a rummage sale, I automatically buy it," he said. "Love Life is such a worthwhile program so I want to help any way that I can."

What many people may consider major obstacles in life are only minor stumbling blocks for Stade. He suffers from scoliosis, curvature of the spine, and in January, underwent back surgery to repair vertebrae broken in an automobile accident. Only days removed from a back brace, Stade was delivering meals to shut-ins.

"That (recovery from surgery) was no fun," he said. "I couldn't wait to start doing things again."

Stade's long history of involvement in community and parish includes serving on the board of the Fort Howard/Jefferson Family Resource Center in Green Bay, and being active in the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Serra Club, Holy Name Society and the Knights of Columbus. He is also a regular prayer member at the Ss. Peter & Paul Perpetual Adoration group in Green Bay.

"I usually go (perpetual adoration) from 10 to 11 on Friday nights," said Stade. "That was a time when they were having trouble finding people. It's a great time to just sit and pray. Prayer is an important part of my life. I've said four rosaries a day for as long as I can remember."

Stade, a retired electronic technician, describes himself as a social person who enjoys meeting people. His personality makes him a natural fund-raiser, a role he often fills for parish organizations.

"I have not known Al as a chairperson for an organization, rather I see him as the worker," wrote Fr. Doug LeCaptain in nominating Stade. "In support of the Knights of Columbus and the parish raffles, he has really gone out and sold tickets. He is just a consistent, hard working man."

"I do like to sell tickets," said Stade. "I go to the Packer games to sell raffle tickets for the Knights of Columbus. I sell them in the K-Mart parking lot. The people that run the parking know me, so they don't charge me to park. They direct me where to go. I go around from car to car. People that I always see come to talk with me. You get to know the people. They let me know if I sold them a winning ticket."

Stade added that selling tickets offers him the opportunity to share with people the importance of the organizations that benefit from the raffles.

A devoted family man, Stade, a widower, lives with his son, Chuck, and his wife, Sandy, and their children on Green Bay's west side. He plans to continue to volunteer his time as long as possible.

"I couldn't ask for anything more," said Stade. "What you get back from people who appreciate what you do is the reason you keep doing it."

"Because Al is a quiet, unassuming individual, one could easily overlook the many ways that he lives our Catholic social teaching," wrote Sr. Toni Marie Jendrasiak, SSND, pastoral associate at St. Joseph Parish. "Al is ready to assist all who are in need whenever he can. Al is never an onlooker, but always a participant."

-- Next: Dennis Brennan of Oshkosh, full-time volunteer