Frank and Cheryl Janasiewicz Fondly Reflect on Their Years as Parishioners at OLL

Frank and Cheryl Janasiewicz spent about 37 years — half of their lives — at Our Lady of Lourdes. Although they’ve now moved to Southport, they have fond memories and strong friendships from their time in the Our Lady of Lourdes community. It’s an important place for their whole family — their three children received almost all of their sacraments here.

Frank has a chemical engineering degree and a master’s in business administration. With his finance knowledge, he served many years on the Finance Council at Our Lady of Lourdes, which he found very rewarding.

“I think of all the priests I served under over the years,” Frank says. “It was very rewarding.”

Frank appreciated the opportunity to use his skills to benefit the parish. He served on the council through various building projects, expansions, and additions at Our Lady of Lourdes.

“I wanted to always make sure to have the best interest of the parish and school in mind,” he says.

In addition, Frank was involved in the That Man is You! Ministry and both he and Cheryl served as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. Frank brought Communion to the nursing home, and Cheryl brought Communion to the hospital.

“That was a ministry I really enjoyed,” Cheryl says. “It meant a lot to bring people the Eucharist.”

Frank and Cheryl also took an adoration hour from the time the chapel opened, and Cheryl was involved in the Altar Guild. Through the years, she served on the Parish Council three separate times. She also sponsored two people entering the church through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.

Now that the couple has moved to Southport, they plan to find ways to get involved at their new parish, Sacred Heart. They moved to be closer to family and are also building a new house. Frank has gotten involved in the Men’s Group, while Cheryl joined the Ladies Guild, the Social Justice Committee, and a Bible study.

“Once we get more settled, I can’t wait to get involved and use my talent and experience on the Finance Council,” Frank says. “I also want to get back into the ministries of visiting the elderly.”

Frank and Cheryl were both born and raised Catholic, and their years spent as parishioners at Our Lady of Lourdes greatly impacted them.

“It’s beautiful to be able to share your joys and challenges with others,” Cheryl says. “It’s been a real blessing — witnessing the faith of people in the parish has, in turn, strengthened our faith. Being active has also strengthened our marriage.”

Last year, Frank was involved in a head-on crash that has made him look at life differently. Since he made it through the accident, he knows the Lord has a purpose for him.

“I learned you can be here one second and gone the next,” Frank says.

He wants to be intentional about staying involved in their new parish.

“When you get involved, you start to realize how you can help other people,” Frank says. “You get to know people, and that gets you more interested and more involved.”

In their free time, Frank and Cheryl stay pretty busy. Cheryl likes to read, walk, garden, and spend time with friends and family. Frank enjoys being outside, going for a walk, and fishing. The couple has seven grandchildren.

Although they’ve now moved to Southport, Frank and Cheryl Janasiewicz have fond memories and strong friendships from their time in the Our Lady of Lourdes community.