+Very Rev. Monsignor John T. Sekellick

In Memoriam

Born September 18, 1943
Reposed in the Lord, January 20, 2017

The Reverend Monsignor John T. Sekellick J.C.L, a priest of the Eparchy of Passaic, NJ, Judicial Vicar and pastor of Holy Ghost Church in Jessup, PA and Administrator of Saint John the Baptist Church in Forest City, PA, fell asleep in the Lord about 5:15 a.m. (EST) on Friday, January 20, 2017 in Scranton, PA, after a brief illness at the age of 73.

He was born on September 18, 1943 in Philadelphia to John D. Sekellick and Veronica Verbosh Sekellick. He was baptized and christened at St. Nicholas in Minersville, PA on October 10, 1943. He served as an altar boy at his hometown parish SS Peter and Paul Byzantine Catholic Church Minersville, PA. Monsignor attended Cass Township Schools, Nativity B.V.M High School, Pottsville, PA.

He graduated in 1965 from Duquesne University and Byzantine Catholic Seminary of SS Cyril and Methodius Seminary in Pittsburgh, PA where he was awarded his B.A Degree. He lived at the Russicum in Rome, Italy, and received his theological training at the Gregorian University, Rome, Italy. He was granted a Bachelor of Sacred Theology Degree from the Gregorian in 1969. He received an Advanced Graduate Degree in Licentiate of Cannon Law (J.C.L) at the Catholic University in Washington D.C. in 1978.

He was ordained to the priesthood on July 13, 1969 at the Cathedral of St. Michael in Passaic, NJ by Bishop Michael J. Dudick. His first pastoral assignment was as assistant pastor of St. John the Baptist in Hazleton, PA July 30, 1969. Other pastoral assignments included Holy Spirit Church, Mahwah, NJ (1973-1976); Studied at Catholic University in Washington D.C. (1976-1978) and was awarded his Licentiate Degree in Canon Law in 1978; Pastor of Saints Peter and Paul Church in Elizabeth, NJ (1978- 1987); Saint Mary Church in Wilkes-Barre, PA and Administrator to St. Michael in Glen Lyon, PA (1987- 1999). His Solemn Investiture as Chaplain to his Holiness Pope John Paul II (which carries the title of Reverend Monsignor) took place on Sunday Nov 6, 1988 at St. Michael’s Cathedral in Passaic, NJ by Bishop Michael Dudick. Pastor of Holy Ghost Church in Jessup, PA and Administrator of St. John the Baptist Forest City, PA (1999-2017).

He was active in youth ministry serving as Youth Director in the Hazleton Deanery; Vicariate Director for Youth Activities in New Jersey/Passaic District; Dean of the Northeast Pennsylvania Deanery; Judge on the Matrimonial Tribunal of the Eparchy of Passaic; Judicial Vicar for the Eparchy of Passaic; Diocesan Director of Family Life.

Monsignor wrote a column titled “Seasonal Reflections” published regularly in the eparchial newspaper Eastern Catholic Life. He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus, the Canon Law Society of America (“CLA”), the Eastern Regional Conference Canonists and served as the Chaplin to the Pennsylvania State Sheriffs’ Association in Jessup, PA.

Monsignor Sekellick is predeceased by his Father John D. Sekellick. He is survived by his Mother Veronica Verbosh Sekellick, sister Irene and her husband John D. Gombola of Chantilly, Virginia, sister Therese and her husband Bret Bennett and their two children RJ and Valerie of Dallas, Texas and numerous aunts, an uncle and an abundance of cousins.

First Night of the Priestly Funeral were conducted and Divine Liturgy were conducted in Holy Ghost Byzantine Catholic Church, Jessup.

A viewing will take place yesterday in SS. Peter & Paul Byzantine Catholic Church, Minersville PA. Divine Liturgy is scheduled for Wednesday (Today), January 25, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. in SS. Peter & Paul Byzantine Catholic Church. Immediately following, interment will take place at SS. Peter & Paul Parish Cemetery, Llewellyn.

Blessed repose and eternal memory!
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