[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 134 (Tuesday, August 14, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1151]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING MONSIGNOR ANTHONY JANELLI

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 14, 2018

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the career and 
achievements of Monsignor Anthony Janelli, a longtime clergyman of the 
Catholic church, and a lifelong resident of the Central Valley. With 
over 50 years of service to the Church, Fr. Janelli has selflessly 
dedicated his time to the welfare of people in his clergies.
  Fr. Janelli was born in Visalia, California on May 22, 1936 to 
Ermalinda and Joe Janelli. The oldest of four children, Father 
Janelli's devotion to duty and faith quickly became apparent. After 
attending George McCann Catholic School and Santa Clara University that 
sense of duty led Fr. Janelli to enlist in the United States Army. 
During the Cold War, he served as a Fire Control Officer in a Nike 
Missile anti-aircraft battery with the rank of 1st Lieutenant. Upon 
leaving the Army, Fr. Janelli found himself devoted to another duty: 
his Catholic faith.
  In 1960, Fr. Janelli entered St. John's Seminary of the Archdiocese 
of Los Angeles to become a priest and spread the word of God. Four 
years later, he was ordained a priest for the diocese of Monterey-
Fresno at St. John's Cathedral. Since then, Fr. Janelli's devotion to 
his faith and to the people of the communities he so nobly served, has 
never wavered. He became an Associate to St. Therese Parish in Fresno, 
followed by assignments to churches in Los Banos and Reedley. In 1971, 
he was appointed Pastor of St. Elizabeth Parish in McFarland, and in 
1973 he joined the Pastoral Team in Merced where he remained until 
1980. In 1980, Fr. Janelli sought to further his devotion to the 
Catholic faith, and to that end, he took a Sabbatical to study 
Spirituality at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh.
  However, Fr. Janelli's heart has always been with the people of his 
local community. After completing his studies in Spirituality, Fr. 
Janelli returned to the San Joaquin Valley, where he served as Vicar of 
Clergy, Rector of the Cathedral and as Pastor of churches in 
Livingston, Porterville, Dinuba, and Planada. While serving as Vicar of 
Clergy, Fr. Janelli was honored for his life's work by Pope John Paul 
II, who designated Fr. Janelli a Monsignor for his exceptional devotion 
to his community.
  Fr. Janelli officially retired in June of 2008, but his duty to the 
Church has never faltered. He has assisted numerous parishes in the 
Dioceses of Fresno and Sacramento and served for some time as Pastor of 
Yosemite. He currently is the Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Planada 
and LeGrand.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 
career and achievements of Fr. Anthony Janelli. His tireless commitment 
to duty, and his devotion to the Catholic church has enriched the lives 
of countless people. There is no doubt that Fr. Janelli has left a 
lasting impact on our Valley for which we are deeply grateful.

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