By Tony DeGol
Proclaim!
Three diocesan priests are celebrating jubilee anniversaries this spring, including the Very Reverend James Crookston marking the 50th anniversary of ordination, Reverend Neil Dadey reaching the 40 year milestone, and Reverend John Slovikovski marking his 25th anniversary.
Father Crookston is the rector of Saint John Gualbert Cathedral in Johnstown.
Born on October 22, 1945, to the late Robert and Mildred (Marsh) Crookston, he graduated from Bishop McCort Catholic High School in Johnstown. Father Crookston received a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy from Saint Francis College and a masters of divinity degree from Saint Francis Seminary. He earned a master of education degree from Saint Francis College and a doctor of education degree in education administration with a minor in sociology from the Pennsylvania State University.
Father Crookston was ordained a priest on May 15, 1971. He served as parochial vicar at Saint John the Evangelist Parish in Altoona and Saint Francis Xavier Parish in Cresson. He is also a former Religion teacher and Religion department chair at Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School in Altoona and a former Religion teacher, business manager, and principal at Bishop McCort Catholic High School in Johnstown.
He served as pastor at Immaculate Conception Parish in Lock Haven from 1989-1997 and pastor of Saint Rose of Lima Parish in Altoona from 1997-2009. He was appointed Rector of Saint John Gualbert Cathedral in 2009.
Father Dadey is the pastor of Our Lady of Victory Parish in State College.
Born on September 17, 1955, to the late Charles and Ruth (Mraz) Dadey, he graduated from Johnstown High School. He received a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy from Saint Pius X Seminary in Erlanger, Kentucky, and a master of divinity degree from Saint Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland.
Ordained a priest on May 23, 1981, Father Dadey was parochial vicar at Our Lady of Victory Parish in State College, Holy Name Parish in Ebensburg, and Saint John Gualbert Cathedral in Johnstown.
He was parochial administrator and pastor of Assumption Parish in Conemaugh from 1992-1995, pastor of Saint Agnes Parish in Lock Haven from 1995-2002, and pastor Saint John the Evangelist Parish in Bellefonte from 2002-2013. He became pastor of OLV in 2013.
Father Slovikovski is the pastor of Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Johnstown.
Born on November 6, 1969, he is the son of John and Shirley (Mattis) Slovikovski. He graduated from Bishop McCort Catholic High School and from Millersville University where he received a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy. He also received a master of divinity degree and a master of arts degree in systematic theology from Saint Vincent Seminary in Labrobe.
Father Slovikovski was parochial vicar at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona and was in residence at Saint Patrick Parish in Johnstown and at the Cathedral over the years.
He was parochial administrator and pastor of Saint Catherine of Siena Parish in Duncansville from 2004-2009, and he was appointed pastor of Visitation in 2015.
