Priest reunites with man he baptized as a premature infant 49 years ago

When James Nielsen was born at St. Anthony Hospital in Crown Point 49 years ago, he was two months premature. Concerned for his survival, his parents requested a baptism by the hospital priest, Rev. Tony Janik. “Mom always talked about Father Tony,” Nielsen recounted, mentioning how Janik himself had been a preemie.

Rev. Tony Janik began volunteering at the hospital in 1975 when another priest was unexpectedly absent. Fifty years later, he serves as the director of spiritual care services at Franciscan Health Crown Point. “God has a strange way of moving us to where we should be,” Janik reflected.

Nielsen, the once-tiny preemie, grew up to lead a thriving life. He attended Our Lady of Grace School and eventually became a sergeant in the homicide division with the Gary Police Department. Nielsen’s sister, now Sister M. Petra Nielsen, is vice president of mission integration for Franciscan Health’s Northern Indiana division. She facilitated a recent reunion between her brother and Father Tony.

“That’s what it’s about, prayer and support, whatever the struggle,” Janik said regarding James Nielsen's baptismal moment.

Over the years, Janik has found fulfillment working with the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration. “It’s always been very clear that the sisters have always been very supportive of the Spiritual Care Team,” he said. Janik looks forward to the developments at Franciscan Health Crown Point, like the new Dean and Barbara White Cancer Center, opening in 2027.

Reflecting on his five decades at the hospital, Janik said his greatest satisfaction has come from “walking people to the foyer” and supporting families through the end-of-life process. “It’s a God-given privilege to walk people to the foyer as they move from this experience to eternal life,” Janik said.