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By Erika Anderson, Staff Writer
ATLANTA—Jerry Pace says that his life and his faith have come
full circle.
The long-time parishioner of Sacred Heart Church, Atlanta,
recently received the Ignatian Award 2000 from his alma mater, Spring Hill
College in Mobile, Ala. The Jesuit college presents this highest alumni honor
annually in recognition of outstanding community service and humanitarianism in
keeping with the ideals set forth by St. Ignatius of Loyola.
Pace, a 1965 graduate of Spring Hill, later received a master of
arts degree in history from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, in 1968.
Now retired, Pace worked as a history teacher for four years at Spring Hill and
for 25 years with the Georgia Department of Education where he served as both
an instructional television project manager and textbook adoption coordinator.
He is continuing his education by working on his master’s degree in
theology through Spring Hill’s Atlanta extension program.
Active for over 25 years at Sacred Heart, Pace serves as a
eucharistic minister, lector and team teacher for the Order of Christian
Initiation program.
Closest to his heart, however, is Pace’s involvement in
Sacred Heart’s Outreach Ministry through Catholic Social Services refugee
resettlement program, as an advocate for Kosovar families who have been
resettled in the area. Each week, he spends hours identifying reading materials
appropriate for the school-aged children, meeting with teachers and coaches to
ensure the children are performing in class, driving students to sporting
events and practices and arranging employment for teenage children and their
parents.
“Once you get to know (the families) you see the variety of
needs they have and just how difficult it is for them to come to a new
country,” Pace said. “Some tasks that may take five minutes for us
may take two days for them because of the language barriers.”
But Pace is encouraged by his work with the Kosovars.
“Watching them grow and develop, and to know that they came
here and didn’t even speak the language, is just awesome,” he said.
Pace said that, in one instance, a young boy and girl that he
tutors now speak in English the majority of the time when they are at home.
Pace received the Ignatian Award from Father Gregory F. Lucey, SJ,
president of Spring Hill, at a special Mass and reception held July 11 at
Sacred Heart Church. The selection was made from recommendations by alumni,
faculty and staff and people in the parish and Atlanta community. Father Lucey
said Pace is a role model for others and the college is honored to have him as
an alumni.
“When I left Spring Hill College, I can’t say that I was
particularly socially active, but since that time, my social awareness has
developed,” Pace said. “Now taking the theology classes and receiving
the award, it’s like my life has come full circle. It’s really
satisfying.”
Pace said that it was in beginning the theology program that he
realized that he needed to be doing more.
“The bottom line of living the Christian life is helping
other people,” he said. “It’s so simple. For the first time in
my life I feel like I’m really living my faith.” |
