"A Much Loved Priest " Reverend Clement "Clem" Janisse

Clement Janisse was born June 4, 1924 to parents Rene Janisse and Claire Ouellette in Tecumseh, Ontario. He attended Catholic school in Windsor, although his family remained in Tecumseh until ‘Clem’, as he was known, turned eleven; they then moved into a farm in East Windsor that was part of Precious Blood Parish. Clem later attended St. Joseph’s High School, also in Windsor.

In the fall of 1943, during the height of World War II, he entered St. Peter’s Seminary, where he was tonsured within two weeks of his arrival. As he described it, he “had no idea what was going on.” Nevertheless, he persevered in his studies, and on May 19, 1951, he was ordained in St. Peter’s Cathedral by Bishop John C. Cody.

He returned to Windsor to serve as assistant pastor at St. Alphonsus Parish from 1951-1952, before going to Tilbury to serve as assistant pastor at St. Francis Xavier Parish, from 1952-1961.

While at St. Francis Xavier, he worked under Monsignor Albert McNabb. It was there that he started his work with the youth of the diocese, helping young people move on to further studies.  One way which he accomplished this was through establishing bursaries at Regina Mundi College.

He spent a year (1961-1962) at Sts. Simon and Jude Parish in Belle River as assistant pastor, before spending a brief stint in 1962 as assistant pastor at Holy Name of Mary Parish in Windsor. From there, he was sent to Sarnia to become pastor at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish from 1962 to 1965. He accomplished much while there, including relocating the parish and constructing a new church for it. He celebrated the first Mass in the new building on December 15, 1963. During this time, he also oversaw construction of a convent and a high school.

He was viewed as an ambitious young man who cared deeply about the spiritual needs of his parish, particularly during the time of Vatican II and the liturgical changes it brought, which he embraced wholeheartedly.

From 1965 to 1969, he returned to Windsor to serve as pastor at St. Gabriel’s Parish, before going to St. Theresa’s Parish from 1969-1981. His final appointment was in Tilbury East, at St. Peter’s Parish, from 1981-1992. He then retired due to poor health.

Although he accomplished much during his ministry, he is remembered more for his kindness, down-to-earth nature, genuine interest in his flock, and his excellent preaching, qualities that won over the hearts of his parishioners and helped ensure his legacy.