Sister Marcelline Goceljak

september 21, 1926 - december 12, 2005

Sister Marcelline (Mary) Goceljak, a member of the School Sisters of St. Francis, died on December 12, 2005, in Bethlehem, Pa. She was 79 and in her 60th year of religious life.

Mary was one of six children born to Stephen and Elizabeth (Machovsky) Goceljak in Jersey City, N.J. She was baptized and confirmed at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church there and attended the parish school until 1940, when she transferred to Mount Assisi Academy in Pittsburgh, Pa., for her high school education.

Mary entered postulancy in 1942 and the novitiate in 1944, when she received the name Sister Marcelline. She professed first vows in 1945 and final vows in 1951, ministering as a teacher, organist and piano teacher in Barnesboro, Pa., during those years.

Sister attended Mount Mercy College (now Carlow University) in Pittsburgh, earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Seton Hall University in New Jersey in 1965, and later pursued a master’s degree in administration. Over 11 years teaching the sciences at St. Francis Academy in Bethlehem, Pa., Sister Marcelline challenged her students to excel. They responded by showing successfully in the Lehigh Valley Science Fair each year.

In 1970, Sister was elected to her first of two terms as provincial superior of the Bethlehem Province. She also served as a delegate to the General Chapter and was appointed a member of our congregation’s General Administration in 1978. She was elected general superior in 1983, and moved to accept candidates from India, arranging for their religious training. Today, India is a thriving region in its own right. Her administration also blessed, encouraged and aided in establishing our mission in South Africa.

Sister Marcelline returned to Bethlehem, Pa., in 1989, and began an 11-year tenure of service at Notre Dame Catholic High School in Easton, Pa. Shortly thereafter, her health rapidly declined. Joseph Kramer, principal of Notre Dame, said he had delayed retiring Sister from the high school because her presence alone and willingness to talk to and encourage the teachers there was an asset to the school.

Like Mr. Kramer, our Sisters thank God for the good our congregation enjoys because of Sister Marcelline’s presence among us.

She is buried in St. Francis Cemetery at Monocacy Manor in Bethlehem, Pa.