Jan Jones, a longtime Cleveland TV personality and parishioner at St. Joan of Arc in Chagrin Falls, will host the Alleluia Ball on March 26. She will help spread the message of ‘Keeping Dreams Alive” for families of students enrolled at Catholic schools within the Diocese of Cleveland.
Sponsorships and individual tickets are on sale now for the 2022 Alleluia Ball. The event will take place at the Hilton Cleveland downtown 300 Lakeside Ave., Cleveland. The evening begins with Mass celebrated by Bishop Edward Malesic at 5 p.m. Dinner and special guest speaker, Kevin Stefanski, Cleveland Browns head coach, along with entertainment headliner Frankie Avalon will follow Mass. Loraine Dodero is event chair, with Umberto and Maryellen Fedeli and Mike and Mary Lynn Silvestro as vice chairs.
Since the 1980s, Jones’ broadcasting career took her from Cleveland to Boston, across the state of Ohio and even internationally before she returned home to Cleveland. Jones recognizes that her faith has kept her grounded during times when her career seemed demanding or chaotic.
While at News 5 Cleveland WEWS and Fox 8 News, Jones co-hosted “The Morning Exchange” with Fred Griffith, “PM Magazine” with Michael Stanley and “Fine Homes for Gracious Living” on Sunday mornings.
“Everywhere I went people greeted me with a smile and a warm welcome. They invited me into their living rooms every day. Being in programming, I was able to bring fun, poignant, beautiful, happy stories to them,” Jones said.
Although she’s not on air every day now, Jones continues to encourage others to “activate” their faith and lean into their parish community.
“People always ask me why I am so happy. My answer is that I have a grateful heart that’s truly filled with the Holy Spirit,” she said, describing how individuals have the opportunity to disappear with God when they attend Mass. “If they feel lonely or at a loss, there is always someone to help or someplace in our faith where they can find themselves renewed again.”
She is forever grateful to all those within her circle of faith who embraced her family years ago as her husband, Dr. Shelly Artz, went through a heart transplant and a six-month stay at the Cleveland Clinic. After his passing a few years ago, Jones credits her Catholic faith with keeping her whole.
Opening up about that difficult time, Jones said, “I would come back from Communion, kneel and put my hands over my face and quietly cry. Feeling my church family around me, hearing the words and music, I knew I was in a safe space with incredible support. It kept me going and slowly the joy of life started pulsing through me again and I know it is my faith that keeps me strong and open to this incredible life.”
Jones said she is excited to partner with the Catholic Community Foundation and the diocese for the 2022 Alleluia Ball. The theme of the gala, “Keeping Dreams Alive,” refers to the dreams of Catholic education for students of families in Northeast Ohio who benefit from tuition assistance. Funds generated by Alleluia Ball attendees support the Fund a Dream initiative, which was introduced during the 2019 ball. The Fund a Dream initiative provides a greater number of families with access to a Catholic education in the diocese’s 107 schools.
“To receive a great education and have a faith-based environment is an amazing gift to give children,” said Jones, who continues to teach PSR at St. Joan of Arc Parish. She began in the 4-year-old classroom but has been with eighth-graders for the past several years.
“I truly believe my calling is to bring the joy of our faith to these kids. I want them to grow up knowing that, no matter what, their good and loving God is right beside them always,” she said.
For more information about the Alleluia Ball, including sponsorship opportunities and tickets, click here.