Four men will make solemn profession of monastic vows, or vows for life, on Monday, July 11, at Saint Vincent Archabbey. Brother Pio Adamonis, O.S.B.; Brother Albert Gahr, O.S.B.; Brother John Paul Heiser, O.S.B. and Father Jean-Luc Zadroga, O.S.B.
Brother John Paul Heiser, O.S.B.
Brother John Paul (Ryan) Heiser is the son of Randy and Sherry Heiser of Bethel Park. He has three brothers, all of Bethel Park, Jeffery, Steven and Brennan. He is a 2004 graduate of Bethel Park High School and earned a bachelor of arts degrees in international politics and psychology from Penn State University in 2008. While at Penn State he served in various leadership roles, including as president of the Newman Catholic Student Association. He was also a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Eta Sigma.
He entered the novitiate of Saint Vincent Archabbey in 2008 and professed simple vows on July 10, 2009. He began studies at Saint Vincent Seminary in 2009. He has served as sacristan (2009-present), assistant master of ceremonies (2009-present), assistant to the director of vocations (2009-present) and assistant archivist (2009). He has been leader of the Firefall Seminary Prayer Group (2010-2012), was vice president of the Seminary Student Association (2011-2012) and was the Seminary Student Association Liturgical Coordinator (2010-2011).
“The Blessed Virgin led me to the monastery,” he said. “Her Immaculate Heart has sustained me in affliction, and I trust she will form me into a true son of the Church and of Saint Benedict through my solemn profession.”
Brother Albert Gahr, O.S.B.
Brother Albert (Scott) Gahr is the son of Raymond and Diana Gahr of Kersey. He is the brother of Wendy Gahr Noll, Grafton, WV; Stacy Gahr McKee, St. Marys; Andrew Gahr, St. Marys and Shelly Gahr Straub of Richmond. He is a 1991 graduate of Elk County Christian High School, St. Marys. He earned a bachelor of science degree in biology in 1995 from Saint Vincent College and a doctorate in genetics and developmental biology from West Virginia University in 2002.
He entered the novitiate of Saint Vincent Archabbey in 2008, made simple profession of monastic vows on July 10, 2009 and began studies at Saint Vincent Seminary in the fall of 2009. He was appointed socius of novices and a teaching assistant in the Biology Department of Saint Vincent College in 2009. In 2010 he was appointed an assistant food service liaison.
“After four years in the monastery, I have begun to see how much God has been working all my life to get me here.,” he said.
“From a professional and/or academic standpoint, the growth in the monastic community was certainly not the most difficult endeavor that I have undertaken, but the personal growth that I have experienced in the past four years cannot be measured by such a worldly standard. I can see now all the things, family, friends and colleagues, mean so much more when you see all they actually do in your life and make you the person that you have become. Many people have asked me if I miss all the things that I have given up when I entered the monastery. This life will be very difficult for anyone who is focused on what they do not have rather than always keeping mind all that God has given me in this community. I think of those who are no longer with the community, those that have passed to communion with God, how loved they are by the community, and I realize that through our prayer, we are still one great community joined by the common mission to follow our Holy Father Saint Benedict and seek God above all.”
Father Jean-Luc Zadroga, O.S.B.
Father Jean-Luc (Clinton Paul) Zadroga is the son of Pamela (Faulk) Bassett of Elizabeth Township and the late Paul A. Zadroga. He has a brother, Zachary of Irwin, and two sisters, Sarah Zadroga Cole of Irwin and Alexis Zadroga Yaroscak of Belle Vernon.
He is a 1992 graduate of Elizabeth Forward High School. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy in 1997 from Duquesne University, and a master of divinity degree and a master of arts degree in theology from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2001. He was ordained a deacon in 2000 and a priest in May 2001 in the Diocese of Pittsburgh by Bishop Donald Wuerl.
From 2001-2002 he served as parochial vicar of Saint Margaret of Scotland, Green Tree. He served as secretary and master of ceremonies to Bishop Wuerl from 2002-2003, then as parochial vicar of Saint Sebastian Parish, Ross Township from 2003-2005. In December of 2005 he was named parochial vicar of Saint James Parish, Sewickley, where he served until July 2008, when he entered the novitiate at Saint Vincent. Additionally, he served as chaplain for North Catholic High School from 2004-2008. He entered the novitiate of Saint Vincent Archabbey in 2008. In 2009 he was named associate master of ceremonies and assistant director of sacristies, director and manager of the Basilica Gift Shop, assistant director of Campus Ministry and assistant in the Saint Vincent College Student Affairs Office. He served as a Benedictine resident in Rooney Hall from 2010 to 2011.
Brother Pio Adamonis, O.S.B.
Brother Pio (Peter Paul) Adamonis, III, is the son of Peter P. and Catherine Adamonis of Upland. He has two sisters, Debbie of Boothwyn and Lisa Kei of San Diego, and one brother, Michael of Upland. He is a 1986 graduate of Saint James High School. He earned a bachelor of science degree in marketing from Penn State University in 1990.
He entered the novitiate of Saint Vincent Archabbey in 2008, made simple profession of vows on July 10, 2009 and began studies at Saint Vincent Seminary in the fall of 2009. He served as assistant in the infirmary chapel (2008-2009), assistant archivist (2009-2010), and an assistant in audio and video production for the Fred Rogers Center (2009-2010). He is as an assistant for audio and video production in the Archabbey Public Relations Office (2009-present). In 2010 he was named assistant golf coach for Saint Vincent College and sacristan and assistant master of ceremonies for the Archabbey.
