On Friday, April 16th, 2024, Sister Johnna Ciezobka, Felician Center Outreach Coordinator, celebrated her 50th year of religious life as a Felician Sister in Kingstree, SC.
Sister Johnna became a Felician Sister on October 4, 1974 and has served the people of God as an educator of history and religious studies in the Pittsburgh, PA diocese up to 1992. On August 11, 1992, Sister Johnna and Sister Susanne began their outreach ministry to the people of Williamsburg County, SC. She has served as a compassionate leader in this ministry especially the Food Pantry for 32 years. More than half of her religious has been spent in the Diocese of Charleston, SC.
On this day, the Felician Center board met for its regular board meeting followed by a celebratory meal catered by D Waters. Libby Voiselle, Mary Lisa McGill, and Jean Nexsen co-chaired the event. Mary Jean Holts prepared table floral pieces. A presentation of yellow roses and a gift were made by Dr. Todd Beadle, FSI Senior Ministry Advisor and Mary Lisa McGill. Kelly Atkinson, FCI board member presented her creation of a framed watercolor picture of Sister Johnna sitting at the beach surrounded by images of her many likes eg. fishing pole, Steelers “terrible” towel, gardening tools. Libby Voiselle and Roberta Duck made a presentation on behalf of the staff and then very special remarks were made by Jean Nexsen, Trudy Rice and Sister Susanne. Rev. Ian Geimer, pastor First Baptist Church, completed the celebration with a personal blessing for Sister Johnna.
The Felician Center board, staff, volunteers, former board chairs, committee members and out of town guests from Georgia, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Pennsylvania shared the festivities. Another celebration is being hosted by St. Ann Catholic Church on Sunday, June 2, 2024. And the formal celebration with members of the Felician community, her family and other friends will be celebrated on Sunday, June 30, 2024, with a Mass of Thanksgiving, renewal of vows and festive meal in Coraopolis, PA.