Sister Mary John marks golden anniversary

Staff report

warren

Sister Mary John Semon, a Byzantine Benedictine Sister of Queen of Heaven Monastery, celebrated her golden anniversary of religious profession Aug. 21.

The Divine Liturgy of Thanksgiving was celebrated at Sts. Peter and Paul Church by the Very Rev. Eugene P. Yackanich, administrator of the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh.

Concelebrating with him were Abbot Leo Schlosser of Holy Trinity Monastery in Butler, Pa.; the Rev. Andrew J. Deskevich, pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul; the Rev. Robert J. Karl, pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Erie, Pa., and administrator of Sts. Cyril and Methodius Church in Girard, Pa.; and the Rev. Ronald Larko, pastor of St. John the Baptist Church in Uniontown, Pa.

Assisting was Deacon Raymond J. Zadzilko.

Sister Mary John was born in Glen Campbell, Pa., as Helen Semon, the oldest of the 11 children of Peter and Susan Semon, now deceased.

She grew up in Pennsylvania and, as an adult, moved to New York City, where she worked for many years.

In 1959, she entered the newly formed religious community of Christ the Teacher in Pittsburgh and was given the name Sister Mary John.

She taught at St. Gregory School, Lakewood, Ohio; St. Elias School in Carteret, N.J.; and Holy Ghost School in McKees Rocks, Pa.

After the religious community of Christ the Teacher closed, Sister Mary John joined the Byzantine Benedictine Sisters in Warren.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Youngstown State University and taught the primary grades at Sts. Peter and Paul School.

During summer months, she volunteered in Appalachia as a Bible teacher.

After the Benedictine Early Learning Center opened on the monastery property, Sister taught pre-schoolers for several years.

When the center closed, she volunteered for seven years with preschoolers at the Children’s Rehabilitation Center in Howland.

Sister Mary John is a life-long member of the Greek Catholic Union, and an active member of the St. John Chrysostom Society, the Carpatho-Rusyn Society and Howland Scope.

Family members attending were Irene and Frank Verbiak, Robert and Kathy Verbiak, Edward Semon, David Semon, Albert, Agnes and Marsha Semon, Margaret Rudin, Frank Rudin Jr., Susan Rudin, Justin Rudin, Karen and Brian Regal, Dorothy and Michael Callaghan and Tonda Gaddy.

Also celebrating with Sister Mary John were members of St. Benedict’s Auxiliary, the Oblates of St. Benedict, the Carpatho-Rusyn Society, the St. John Chrysostom Society and parishioners and friends.

After the Divine Liturgy, a dinner took place at the Parish Center.