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Marie Stephen Kebort, SSJ
SisterBiography
Home Parish: St. Brigid, Meadville, PA
Sister Marie Stephen Kebort, SSJ, has devoted her life to education and faith formation, serving generations of students and parishioners with dedication, compassion, and a joyful spirit. Born on July 18, 1938, in Meadville, Pennsylvania, she entered the Sisters of St. Joseph from St. Brigid Parish in her hometown on August 29, 1956. She professed her first vows on August 15, 1959, and her final vows on August 15, 1964.
Sister Marie Stephen graduated from Meadville High School in 1956 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education from Villa Maria College in Erie in 1967. She later received a Master of Arts degree in religious education from LaSalle University in Philadelphia in 1977. Her education prepared her for a wide-ranging ministry that combined classroom teaching, school leadership, and religious education.
For nearly 40 years, Sister Marie Stephen taught in schools throughout the Diocese of Erie. Her assignments included St. Andrew, Villa Maria Elementary, St. John, Blessed Sacrament, and St. Paul schools in Erie; Holy Rosary School in Johnsonburg, where she also taught piano; St. Leo School in Ridgway, where she taught organ; and St. Francis School in Clearfield. From 1977 to 1984, she served as principal of St. Andrew School in Erie. She also spent ten years in Ohio, teaching at Holy Trinity School in Byesville and providing high school religious education at Ss. Peter and Paul Parish in Lore City. Among the experiences she treasures most is her time at St. Paul School in Erie, where she says she learned far more than she taught and encountered some of the most memorable students and experiences of her ministry.
Sister Marie Stephen served for many years as Director of Religious Education at St. Patrick Parish in Erie. Her responsibilities have included sacramental preparation and the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), as well as faith formation through Eastside Catholic Faith Formation. In this ministry, she continues to accompany individuals and families as they deepen their understanding of the Catholic faith and prepare to celebrate important moments in their spiritual lives.
Sister Marie Stephen’s vocation was nurtured by the faith of her parents and the example of the Sisters of St. Joseph she encountered at St. Brigid School and Spencer Hospital. One particularly influential figure was Sister Dominica, whom Sister Marie Stephen came to know while working at the hospital during high school. She remembers Sister Dominica’s sleeves rolled up as she worked, her constant smile, and the joy with which she lived her vocation. Through her, Sister Marie Stephen saw the charism of the Sisters of St. Joseph in action: steadfast love, deep commitment, and a willingness to be present to others. She was also inspired by Sister Mary Daniel Bohren, whose consistent pursuit of excellence in every area of religious life left a lasting impression on her.
Throughout the years, Sister Marie Stephen has continued to answer her call through God’s grace and a ministry she describes as both challenging and fun. Her spirituality is nourished by the Daily Examen of St. Ignatius, which helps her reflect on the joys and challenges of each day, celebrate moments of grace, and consider where she can continue to grow. She encourages others to give their spiritual lives the attention they deserve, explaining, “You cannot give to others and neglect your own spiritual life—you need to be a reservoir—and not a channel—or you will have nothing to share with others.”
She also draws inspiration from the teachings of Adrian van Kaam, particularly the three-fold path toward a deeper relationship with the Trinity and greater awareness of everyday life: “Living Simply, Loving Respectfully and Listening Attentively.” Another saying that guides her is attributed to St. Teresa of Avila: “May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you use those gifts you have received and pass on the love that has been given to you.”
As Sister Marie Stephen looks to the future, she remains open to wherever the Spirit leads her. Her decades of teaching and religious education reflect a lifelong commitment to sharing faith, nurturing others, and discovering God’s presence in everyday experiences. Through her joyful dedication and generous service, she continues to put her gifts at the service of God and neighbor.
