Jan Figenshu has lived in Madison and been a St Vincent Martyr Parishioner for over 40 years, originally growing up in the Philadelphia suburbs. Before joining the staff of St. Vincent Martyr in 2001, Jan participated in many ministries at our parish: Parish Council, Parish Finance Committee, SVMS Home and School President, Liturgical Minister, Catechist for Grade School and Parish Teens, Parish Vocations liaison, and volunteer in Youth Ministry for 15 years. Jan earned a Masters in Divinity from Seton Hall University in 2001 and a Masters of Arts in Theology in 2005. She was awarded the Pope John Paul II Medal for Academic excellence in both 2001 and 2005 and the SHU Many are One Award in 2008. Jan has also received several community awards for her work with children in theater and children with special needs. Jan was instrumental in beginning the SVM apostolate to the Hispanic Community and the Special Needs Ministry, God's Rainbow. Jan's areas of responsibility at St Vincent include Adult Faith Formation, Liturgy, RCIA, and Bereavement. Jan has a passion for sharing the Scriptures with other Catholics and for bringing pilgrims to walk the land that was Jesus’ Homeland. She has led 9 pilgrimages to the Holy Land and has visited manytimes. Jan has written 15 bible courses since 2009 for her classes at St. Vincent Martyr.
Besides her ministry at St Vincent Martyr, Jan has been married for many years to Bill and also is the parent of three children: Daniel, Ann Marie and Gloriann and the ecstatic grandmother of 5: Augustus, Hennis, Abraham and Abigail and Penelope.