Spotlight on Bill and Cathie Wasylenko
 
Q: What do you like about St. Jude parish?
It is a parish that is focused on the important facets of our Catholic faith.  The parish families are a great blend of people, with a common unpretentiousness and a focus on family life that meshes with parish life.  Lifelong friendships have developed for each of us from our interactions at St. Jude.
 
Q: In what way do you participate in parish life?
Bill – Eucharistic Minister for 15 years; ran the CYO baseball program for 4 years in the mid-2000’s; Advancement Committee member within the Board of Limited Jurisdiction.  Cathie – substitute school nurse while our children attended St. Jude.
 
Q: What attracted you to those parish activities/ministries?
Father Sean Bransfield “arm-twisted” me to become a Eucharistic Minister and I couldn’t say “no” to him.  Baseball is my passion.  Regarding the Advancement Committee activity, I felt that I could use some of my experiences in reconnecting my high school class at La Salle, as well as reconnecting the football alumni at La Salle, to the Alumni outreach started at St. Jude.
 
Q: Tell me about your family – how long have you been married?
Cathie and I have been married for over 30 years.  We have three children:  Stephen – 27, just married on November 29 to Lindsay McLaughlin at St. Peter and Paul Church in West Chester; Daniel – 26, and Christine – 23.  All three children graduated from Catholic high schools (La Salle, Gwynedd) and colleges (University of Scranton).
 
Q: What role does faith play in your marriage?
It is the foundation of our marriage.  Nothing good would have happened the way it did for us without that foundation of faith in God and our Catholic religion.
 
Q: How do you nurture your faith, as individuals and as a couple?
Instilling the importance of always attending Mass on Sundays and holy days, prayers before meals, family discussions when required to apply the teachings of our faith to our children, especially when they are confronted with challenges to our faith from the outside world.  Practice of private daily prayer.
 
Q: If you had to give one piece of advice to a newly married couple, what would it be?
Maintain your faith and turn to it during times of trouble.  Our Catholic faith does indeed have all the answers; you just have to meditate on the issues you have, and find examples within our Catholic faith and heritage to help to guide you through the difficult times.
 
Q: Do you have any suggestions on how to pass on your faith to your children?
First of all, be the type of parents who are listened to by setting an example, so there’s no question of what’s right or wrong. Practice your Catholic faith in front of them.  Make sure that you and the children always go to Mass on Sundays and holy days – only illness is a reasonable excuse.  If you’re traveling, find the Mass times at local parishes; that experience as a family in an unfamiliar setting is both blessed and memorable.  Show them how much you respect your own parents, and that example will be remembered by your children.  Set a high standard of morals for yourself; don’t do anything that would cause you embarrassment if your children find out.  In short, follow the Commandments.
Q: What do you do as a couple to have fun? Do you have a hobby?
Family and extended family activities are prioritized and provide us with the most fun.  Long weekends at some interesting towns in driving distance.  A week “down the shore” each summer in Sea Isle.  Gardening and maintaining our home.  For Cathie, tracking down yard sales and estate sales, baking, and taking courses to keep up with her nursing profession.  For Bill, football historian at La Salle College High School, reconnecting with his high school and grade school classes, following the local sports teams.
 
Q: What would people be surprised to know about you?
That we are “immigrants” from MMR.  Our children started school at St. Jude when MMR still did not have a school, and we not only liked the school but the parish as well, and we were very fortunate to become members of the parish when our request was approved.  That was over 20 years ago.
 
Q: Do either of you have any favorite movies, books, or television programs?
We watch several shows together, typically “on demand” and not live.  Blue Bloods, New Amsterdam, The Rookie, The Crown are current ones.  Also enjoyed Downton Abbey, Father Brown, Midsomer Murders, and other British crime dramas.  When Cathie’s working, Bill enjoys reruns from a simpler time in life, like The Honeymooners, Sergeant Bilko, Donna Reed, Leave It to Beaver, and McHale’s Navy.  But don’t tell her that because she thinks Bill is cleaning!