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Thursday, August 06, 1998 Page:
MONSIGNOR JOSEPH SUPER
August 4, 1998
Monsignor Joseph J. Super, pastor emeritus of St. John the Baptist Church,
Pittston, died on Tuesday at Penn State Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical
Center, Plains Township, following a brief illness.
Born Aug. 27, 1919, in Zakarovec, Slovakia, he was the son of the late
Joseph and Susan Falatko Super.
He immigrated with his family to the United States in 1924.
His early education was in the Taylor public schools and St. Thomas High
School. He attended St. Thomas College, now the University of Scranton, and
earned a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy from the University of Western
Ontario. He completed his theological studies at St. Peter’s Seminary, London,
Ontario, Canada.
He was ordained to the priesthood by the Most Rev. William J. Hafey, D.D.,
late Bishop of Scranton, on June 3, 1944.
Following ordination, his first assignment was as assistant pastor at St.
Matthew’s, East Stroudsburg, in June 1944. He served in a similar capacity at
St. Cecilia’s, Wyoming; St. John the Evangelist, Scranton; Holy Ghost,
Olyphant; and St. John the Baptist, Pittston.
His first pastorate was in September 1965 at St. John the Baptist,
Pittston, where he remained until his appointment as pastor emeritus on July
8, 1996.
He was elevated to Prelate of Honor by Pope John Paul II on Nov. 2, 1978.
He held many positions in the Diocese of Scranton. He served as associate
editor of The Catholic Light; past president of the Junior Clergy Examining
Board; a member of the Board of Diocesan Consultors; the Diocesan School
Board; past president of the Board of Pastors of Seton Catholic High School,
Pittston; a member of the Priests Retirement Advisory Board and Diocesan
Synodal Board.
He was preceded in death by infant brothers, Joseph and John.
Surviving are sisters, Anna Borkowski and Susan Vitullo, both of Glassport;
and several nieces and nephews.
A Pontifical, Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Friday
in St. John the Baptist Church, Pittston, celebrated by the Most Rev. James C.
Timlin, D.D., Bishop of Scranton.
A Mass of Transferal will be at 7 p.m. today at St. John the Baptist
Church, Pittston, with the Very Rev. James Paisley, V.F., presiding.
Friends may call from 2 p.m. today until the t