Families at the Center of the Evangelization

Innovator, educator, entrepreneur, and a Catholic creative, Janisse Valenzuela has been on a journey since her childhood that has led her to her current role as Coordinator of Family Life at St. Faustina. 

Janisse was born and raised in a Catholic family as the youngest of four daughters. Her mother laid a foundation of a deep love for Scripture, the rosary, and Mass within her early years of life. These things were part of the routine in her household, but, as often happens to the best of us, Janisse did not fully understand the value of the habits her mom instilled. 
 
It was not until later into her teen years that she would come to appreciate and understand the richness of her Catholic faith after attending a Quinceanera retreat at a Carmelite convent. Though at first she was not eager to attend this retreat, her mom signed her up and had her attend a weekend that would positively change her life. It was through this teen girl retreat that God allowed her to realize her God-given inner beauty and dignity. At the early age of 14 years, the Holy Spirit came into Janisse’s life during this retreat. She had a beautiful encounter with Christ through the Sacrament of Confession, fully receiving His love, mercy, and gift of grace. The wounds she had been carrying were completely healed and her life was forever changed. Janisse shared, “That weekend I gave God my heart and my mind. For the first time, I understood the meaning behind the cross. I understood the simple truth that Jesus died for my sins and that simple truth stole my heart.”
 
After that retreat, her life would never be the same. She could not get enough of God and was given the courage to turn away from unhealthy friendships and bad influences in her teen years. She found her identity in Christ and fell in love with Adoration, Scripture, and praise and worship music. Her friends even nicknamed her “the nun” because of how spiritual she became as a teen.

Janisse went on to get her Bachelor’s Degree in Communications Media with an emphasis in the New Evangelization from John Paul the Great Catholic University. It was there that she first read “Love and Responsibility” written by St. John Paul II and realized her deep love for love and human relationships. This eventually led her to pursue her Master’s Degree at the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family at the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC.



Though Janisse received an excellent education and grew in understanding of theology at these universities, she learned more from the Catholic families she was able to live with while attending school than she did in the classroom. She had the opportunity to witness firsthand the joys and difficulties of marriage and quickly learned that family life is a path to holiness. The valuable lessons she learned about selfless love, virtue, and the importance of community were vital in her formation.

After an internship with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Marriage and Family Life Office, Janisse found herself moving back to Texas and searching for a job that would allow her to use her creative teacher’s heart. She prayed, “God, take me where you want to take me,” and she soon found herself at St. Faustina’s. Janisse considers this a true gift and is thankful that God responded to her prayer by allowing her to be involved with so many of the things she is passionate about.

As the Coordinator of Family Life, Janisse is able to work with engaged couples through the Marriage Prep program. The Marriage Enrichment, Baptism Prep, and Parenting Enrichment programs are also a part of her ministry at the parish. For the past eight months, Janisse has been observing what is already taking place at St. Faustina, growing through diocesan workshops and training, and presenting ideas to Fr. Dat. She desires to let God lead these ministries through new and innovative strategies that will meet people where they are at. 
 
Janisse has several goals and plans for the future of St. Faustina’s Family Life Ministry to foster a healthy culture of marriage and family life in the parish. She’s in the beginning stages of developing a Marriage Prep program that will be full of adventure, an experience, that is more than just a to-do list for engaged couples. Her plans also include finding married couples to be mentors and leaders to those who are engaged. For those who are already married, Janisse is looking into programs that involve Date Nights with guest speakers and monthly meetings. She also hopes to start a similar program for new parents that will give them practical resources and provide the opportunity for community. 

Janisse recently got married to her best friend Fidel Valenzuela, a man of deep prayer and faith as well this past summer 2019. They are enjoying the graces of having received the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony and are excited to share their gift of marriage with others through this ministry and their daily witness. They are both passionate about the mission of the New Evangelization and believe that holy marriages and holy families are at the center of the Church's New Evangelization Mission.

Janisse has always felt she has been spiritually adopted by St. John Paul II, sharing his love for relationships, Carmelite spirituality, and living the faith well. It is his quote that motivates her to serve families and to help them grow in their knowledge of the Catholic faith, "As the family goes, so goes the nation and so goes the whole world in which we live.”

Let us ask for the intercession of St. John Paul II as we pray for Janisse and all those she serves through the ministry of Family Life at St. Faustina.