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June 24, 2011Farewell to Father Joshua
The parish of St. Alphonsus Liguori gives special thanks to Father Joshua for his time as associate pastor and celebrates his priesthood as he continues on to his next assignment in the Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana.
Father Joshua Janko will be truly missed by parishioners at St. Alphonsus Liguori when he takes up residence at Our Lady of Grace in Noblesville, Ind. on July 1. Bishop Timothy Doherty informed Father Joshua of the new assignment at the end of May, giving the much-loved associate pastor a month to prepare for his new appointment. He will be Director for Catholic Mission at Saint Theodore Guerin High School (Guerin Catholic), teaching a class of freshmen while coaching cross-country in the fall and, most likely, track in the spring.
Fr. Joshua celebrates Mass
at World Youth Day.
Born in Lexington, Ky., Father Joshua spent his early years moving a lot, due to his mother’s work in the fashion industry. After residing in seven homes in six different states, primarily on the east coast, the family finally unpacked their boxes one last time, settling down in Carmel, Ind. It was 1982, and young Joshua Janko was seven years old.
Joshua attended Carmel Clay Schools where he enjoyed reading and sports. He was excited to be a member of the cross-country team during the 1993/1994 school year, when the Carmel Greyhounds captured the state championship. From there, he went on to Anderson University and earned a degree in Elementary Education. Unable to find a job as an educator, the young graduate took a position for one year as an Admissions Counselor at his alma mater. At the end of that year, still unaware that God had other plans for him, Joshua again began searching for a teaching position.
It was not long before he was offered a job in a fourth grade classroom at Saint Maria Goretti in Westfield, Ind., “which was kind of my dream job,” Father Joshua recalled. “I wanted to teach at a Catholic school and coach cross country and track.”
It was in 1999, when Father Joshua completed Cursillo, that he felt the Holy Spirit stir, and now, right before signing a teaching contract, he once again experienced a little tug at his heart. So, the soon-to-be teacher confided in a close friend who was feeling a similar tug, and together, they decided to make a retreat to a seminary for a few days.
“… it was a silent retreat,” Father Joshua said, with a wry, little laugh, “so we didn’t talk to each other the whole time.”
By the end of the trip, the two friends discovered that the Holy Spirit was calling them in different directions, and upon his return home, the faithful servant promptly informed the principal at St. Maria Goretti that he would have to decline the gracious offer of employment.
Father Joshua entered seminary at Pontifical College Josephinum, a liberal arts college in Columbus, Ohio. The summer after his first year, he was assigned to his home parish, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, allowing him to live at home and support his mother who had been diagnosed with advanced cancer. Sadly, Laurie Janko died in March 2001, and after experiencing an emotional upheaval, Father Joshua chose not to return to Columbus. In November of that year, he attended the National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis. That was when the Holy Spirit called out to him again, directing him back to seminary, and back to Josephinum. He completed his studies and received Holy Orders, becoming a transitional deacon in 2005. Father Joshua Janko was ordained a priest the following year.
Fr. Joshua with Bishop Higi
and Fr. Underwood
In 2008, Father Joshua began his assignment as associate pastor for St. Alphonsus Liguori. Some of the changes and additions Father Joshua brought to the parish include the post-communion prayer, established in an effort to give the congregation time to contemplate what they receive in the Eucharist. He also began the Daughters of the Immaculata and the Embrace Life Committee. Father Joshua was instrumental in the Holy Family Statue project and while on a trip to Portugal in 2008, acquired relics from two of the children of Fatima which are now encased in a reliquary that hangs inside the church. Father Joshua also led the initiative for setting up a new parish website.
For those who may not know, Father Joshua is known as the tech guy around St. Alphonsus Liguori, and for good reason - he’s a social networking guru. He has a blog, a Facebook page, a YouTube channel and a Twitter account, all of which can be accessed through his very own website and mobile phone!
Fr. Joshua with St. Alphonsus' Haiti Parish Ministry
and Fr. Nova in Croix Fer, Haiti
Fr. Joshua with parishioners for the dedication of
the Our Lady statue in the sports field.
When he has free time, Father Joshua enjoys hanging out with friends and family, including his Yorkie Poo, Kateri, named for the Native American saint, Kateri Tekakwitha. He also likes to read and watch movies, and still finds pleasure in running. To date, he has run 14 half marathons and completed the New York City marathon last November. Some three to four years ago, Father Joshua began running in the Race for Vocations in Indianapolis, which promotes the advance of young people into vocations.
Though he will miss many aspects of St. Alphonsus Liguori and life as an associate pastor, Father Joshua looks forward to a new type of ministry in a Catholic High School with new experiences and challenges. “My only previous experience in a Catholic school was my seminary years,” Father Joshua said. He is genuinely excited to experience the opportunities that students, families and faculty members have, being able to share their faith and have that as part of the curriculum.
“We can make a very big impact. To teach is pretty awesome,” he said, modestly.
While serving at St. Alphonsus Liguori, Father Joshua made an enormous impact on parishioners. He encouraged everyone to take advantage of the sacraments, such as reconciliation and the anointing of the sick and promoted Eucharistic and Marian devotion. It is only fitting then that Father Joshua’s last Mass at the parish will take place on the
Feast of Corpus Christi (June 26) and include a Eucharistic procession.
As he prepares for his new assignment, Father Joshua asks that you pray for him and know that he will be praying for you.
“We won’t be apart in the Eucharist. We are the Body of Christ,” he explained while asking that we check out Danielle Rose’s songs, See You in the Eucharist and The Saint That is Just Me.
Remember that dream job Father Joshua mentioned? Looks like he’s finally found it!
Fr. Joshua participating in the Race for Vocations.
Visit Father Joshua's website
Learn about the Race for Vocations
Danielle Rose's songs on YouTube.com:
- Watch "See You in the Eucharist"
- Watch "The Saint That is Just Me"