One of five children born to Jack Pirt (from Regina, Saskatchewan) and Eleanor Sweeney (from Yarmouth, Nova Scotia). Fr. John was born in March of 1958. For various reasons he was born in Long Beach, New York (on Long Island just outside New York City). When he was just an infant, the family moved first briefly to London and then to Sarnia. 

Fr. John was employed in production at Polysar (manufacturing synthetic rubber) for 4.5 years prior to entering St. Peter’s Seminary in 1981. In 1984 he received his BA in Philosophy and Economics, and in 1987 his M. Div. Fr. John’s pastoral year was spent at Holy Name of Jesus Parish in Essex with Father Mike Parent.
 
Since his Ordination to the priesthood in 1988, he has been assigned to various parishes across the Diocese. His first appointment as a priest was here in South Windsor at Christ the King Parish and as Chaplain of Holy Names High School. 

He returned to South Windsor last September, upon the retirement of Fr. Jim Roche. He is looking forward to ministering in the South Windsor Catholic Family of Parishes.