Father John Sivalon, one of five children of Theodore and Catherine Mitchell Sivalon, was born on November 11, 1947 in Butte, Montana. He graduated from Christian Brothers' High School in 1965 in Butte, Montana, after which he entered Maryknoll in September of that year. He began his studies at Maryknoll College, Glen Ellyn and earned a B.A. Degree in 1969 and a M.Div. and M.A. in Theology in 1975 from the Maryknoll Seminary, Maryknoll, New York. Father Sivalon was ordained at Maryknoll, New York on May 17, 1975.

Following ordination Father Sivalon was assigned to the Africa Region where he worked in the Musoma Diocese. During his pastoral work in the Africa Region he was also appointed Justice and Peace Coordinator. Father Sivalon earned a Degree in Political Science from the University of Dar es Salaam in 1980 and earned his Doctorate in Theology from the University of St. Michael's College in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in 1990.

After finishing his studies, Father Sivalon returned to the Africa Region and his work in the Archdiocese of Dares Salaam. He was appointed Regional Superior of the Tanzania Region in 1995 and again in 1998 when the newly formed Africa Region was established. Father Sivalon continued as a member of the faculty of the Department of Sociology at the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania until September 2001.

In October of 2001, John began a new assignment as Rector of Maryknoll's seminary program and Director of Maryknoll's Formation Program. He is based in Chicago, Illinois, but is expected back in Africa after completing his term as Rector.

John's Reflections            John's Ministry

Visit the Maryknollers Currently in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania