First Posted: 3/13/2013

Rev. Joseph Sibilano O.S.J., Rev. Jackson Pinherio O.S.J. and the Holy Name Society of St. Joseph Marello Parish announce the speaker and toastmaster for the church’s annual smoker.

The speaker will be Father Brian J.W. Clarke and the toastmaster is Attorney Joseph F. Saporito, Jr.

Fr. Clarke was born in Pittston and is a son of Elaine (Lucas) Clarke and the late Patrick Clarke. He is the eldest of six children.

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He attained a Bachelors Degree in Biology from Penn State University and a Masters Degree in Health Care Administration from Wilkes University.

Fr. Clarke entered the seminary in 1996 and studied at St. Pius X Seminary, Dalton, and later at the North American College, Rome, Italy. He was ordained to the priesthood in June 2002 by the Most Reverend James C. Timlin, D.D., then Bishop of Scranton.Fr. Clarke was assigned as assistant pastor of Immaculate Conception Church, Scranton, and then as pastor of the Blossburg Area Catholic Community. He was later assigned to the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome, Italy where he obtained his license in Canon Law.

He held various Diocesan offices, including Secretary to the Bishop, Vice- Chancellor, Director of Canonical Affairs and Vicar General. He is presently Chief Canonical Counsel of the Diocese and Pastor of Holy Rosary Parish, Hazleton.

Saporito is a member of St. Joseph Marello Parish, Pittston. He is a member of its Holy Name Society, the Parish Financial Council and a church lector. He graduated from Scranton Preparatory School, received a B.A. from Villanova University and his Jurist Doctorate from the Dickinson School of Law in 1985.

He was admitted to practice law before all courts in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania and the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

His professional organization affiliations are the American Bar Association, Pennsylvania Bar Association, Wilkes-Barre Law and Library Association (Luzerne County Bar Association, president), American Association for Justice, Pennsylvania Association for Justice, member of the Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce, president of the Wilkes-Barre Law and Library Association (Luzerne County Bar Association), Knights of Columbus, Council 372, Pittston; board member, Earthly Angels Autism Board; former trustee and chairman of the board, Scranton Preparatory School; former board member, Pittston Memorial Library Association; former member and president of the St. Mary’s Assumption School Advisory Board and a former member, Diocese of Scranton Region 7 School Advisory Board.

He is a principal in the law firm of Saporito, Saporito & Falcone, a firm founded by his father in 1946.

Atty. Saporito is solicitor of the Pittston Area School District, solicitor of the Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce and an assistant public defender of Luzerne County.

He is married to the former Giovanna Falcone R.N. They have two children, Sarah Mercedes and Joseph F. III. They reside in Jenkins Township.