What began as a vacation destination soon became home for Ellen and Rich Janevicius. After first visiting the Kailua-Kona area for their 10th wedding anniversary, the couple returned here year after year, drawn not only to the beauty but to the sense of peace. When they eventually made the move permanent, it didn’t take long for St. Michael’s Parish to feel like home as well.
Welcomed warmly and personally, Ellen and Rich wasted no time getting involved — jumping in with both feet and embracing parish life through service, fellowship, and faith. Serving the parish has been a way for them to get to know people and feel at home since they moved about five years ago. Their favorite ministry is Coffee and Donuts, and they are up early to get it all going. Rich and Ellen love receiving so many kind comments from parish visitors, and it’s a blessing to meet new people.
“We’ve had a lot of people come up and say they’ve never been to a parish like this that offers this kind of fellowship after Mass, and they’re always very appreciative,” Ellen says.
Ellen and Rich use Coffee and Donuts as an opportunity to connect visitors with parishioners from the same area or state, making it a fun and easy way for people to feel at home.
The couple remains active with many other ministries. A significant area of their involvement is the Charity Walk. They especially enjoy the camaraderie and the food along the route.
In addition, Rich is on the board of Full Life, which serves adults with disabilities and runs the Special Olympics. They both volunteer with the Visitor Aloha Society of Hawai’i, which helps visitors who are in distress. They also help with the St. Michael’s charity golf outing.
“The ministries here are open and inviting,” Rich says. “It feels like a true parish community.”
Ellen is also in the Hula Ministry and was involved in Hula back in their hometown, near Chicago. The Hula Ministry meets throughout the year and offers sacred hula as prayer at Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, Pentecost, and some funerals or special holy days..
Furthermore, Rich is on the Finance Council. He was invited to serve, and he considers it a privilege.
When Ellen and Rich were living near Chicago, their parish there felt very large and not homey. They felt like a number and slowly drifted away.
“It was easy to feel unnoticed,” Rich says.
“Here, we felt welcomed immediately,” Ellen adds. “Fr. Lio remembered our names, and people welcomed us as if we’d been here our whole lives.”
In her free time, Ellen plays pickleball. Rich enjoys tinkering, especially with electronics. He’s the go-to person for electronics and camera systems in their neighborhood.
