Meet Parishioner Janice Savoye: STEWARDSHIP STARTS AT HOME

For Janice Savoye, a dedicated parishioner of St. James Parish, stewardship means more than just dropping money in the offertory plate. It means giving her heart to all of those around her, especially those in her own home and family.

“I have discovered that stewardship isn’t just a monetary thing, but it involves so much more,” Janice says. “It is in all the little things that we do each day.”

Janice and her husband, Kevin, have been married for 47 years, and they have five children and 14 grandchildren. They enjoy giving their time and talent to taking care of their family members.

“We have one of our daughters and her four children living with us, and sharing the same home brings both benefits and challenges,” Janice says. “It is a matter of seeing and hearing our calling — understanding where we are needed each day.”

Janice deeply appreciates the opportunity to help take care of her parents, Leon, 93, and MaryAnn, 90, who still live on the family farm.

“Since COVID hit in 2020, we started to help them out with running errands, etc.,” Janice says. “My mom is still the main caregiver for my dad, but she appreciates help with pills, setting up doctor’s appointments, and other household chores. They really enjoy me just being there to visit and to take them for short rides around the lake. I am also fortunate to have siblings and their spouses that are available to be there for them as well. I see Jesus in my parents as well as in my siblings.”

By doing so, Janice feels she is making a return to God for His generosity and that of her parents.

“Because my parents have always been active in their faith life and parish life, and have carried out that faith by being there and helping out my family at different times over the years, it only seems right to give back to them now in their time of need,” she says. “Being around them has given me the opportunity to hear stories from their past that I didn’t know about. It is also teaching me patience as I see how we move much slower as we get older, as well as humility as I help them take care of themselves.” In addition to caring for family members, Janice has also enjoyed giving her time to our parish in various ways over the years. On most Sundays, she serves as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and visits a homebound couple named Robert and Arvella Kellen.

“I bring them Communion, and we watch Mass on television,” Janice says. “This gives me a chance to hear a second homily, which is always interesting. Some days we pray the Rosary together, while other days we enjoy just sitting on the deck and looking at God’s gifts of creation in nature all around us. I really enjoy being able to take time to visit them and hear how they and their family members are doing.”

Ultimately, it is Janice’s union with Christ, the Blessed Mother, and the saints that give her the strength to be a faithful steward of God’s love to all of those in her life. In the past, Janice taught catechism classes and served as a lector.

“I start out my day early in the morning by reading Scriptures, saying prayers, and going for a walk,” Janice says. “It is my time to reflect and listen to what God may be calling me to do. I also love praying the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, reading the book, Do Something Beautiful for God by St. Mother Teresa, and reflecting on the wisdom of Archbishop Fulton Sheen. Each day I try hard to be thankful because even though life can seem crazy and hard, there are still so many things to be thankful for!”

Janice Savoye and family