Summer 2007, Volume 50, Number 2

Sister Janice Hancock Brings Nano Nagle's Spirit to Social Services
Meeting Daily Challenges to Serve the Needs of Many
by Jane Buse

“To keep a director on task is always a challenge as needs and demands seem to change with the wind,” states Jim Yeast, division director of Social Services of the Archdiocese of Dubuque.

Welcoming the challenge is Sister Mary Janice Hancock, administrative assistant to Jim at the Dubuque Archdiocesan Pastoral Center (the former motherhouse of the Sisters of the Presentation). In addition to her administrative responsibilities to the Social Services office and to the Diaconate program, Sister stays quite active.

“Sister Janice is a master juggler. She is indeed a task-oriented and competent worker who likes to keep busy, which is never a problem in this work. She is very adept at completing tasks on time and making sure that other responsibilities are performed simultaneously. To me, this is a multi-tasking nightmare, but to Sister Janice it is a challenge,” comments Jim.

Creating mailings and labels, preparing folders, typing forms, proof-reading, faxing and duplicating materials, organizing and filing papers are just a few of Sister’s administrative jobs for the Catholic Charities office, a department in the Social Services division. While working for the Diaconate program, Sister prepares deposit slips and mailings, faxes, files, types letters and forms, fills out attendances for deacon programs and creates worship aids, in both English and Spanish, for morning prayer for the deacons.

“Sister assists in preparing administrative data and reports required to keep the Archbishop and the board of directors of three corporations informed of service activity, social issue evaluations, client and parish social and health care needs, new program development and service accountability,” adds Jim. “Sister also responds to calls and e-mails from people who do not know where to turn for information or guidance about the Catholic social teachings, end of life health care and ethical concerns, where donations should be sent for world disaster relief or how to make an appointment with a Catholic Charities counselor. These skills are wonderful gifts to the people of the Archdiocese and they are performed with joy and always a smile. Sister Janice’s motivation is service and her work is designed to meet the needs of people in the Archdiocese and around the world,” states Jim.

When asked what energizes Sister about her role with the Archdiocese, she responds, “These ministries help me be more aware of God’s presence in a faith-filled setting. Each day I find a new task waiting for me.” Sister adds, “Being a teacher at heart for over 30 years and a religious sister for over 50 years, I continue to spread the teachings of the Church. I find myself continuously being rooted in Catholic social teachings and working for justice.”

Bringing her personal gifts to her ministry, Sister Janice feels she can make a difference for others. “I offer my out-going personality, my positive disposition, my creativity and organizational skills to people and to the job. I believe that my willingness to learn and to be of service, my commitment and dedication to the work at hand, and my willingness to go the extra mile to complete a project are important in the mission of the Church.” Sister expands, “I feel that my work for the Archdiocese has called me to follow in Nano’s footsteps. I feel drawn particularly to Catholic Charities whose mission is to provide service to those in need. This is consistent with Nano’s dream, ‘If I could be of service in saving souls in any part of the world, I would willingly do all in my power.’”

In her leisure, Sister Janice enjoys card making, camping, visiting and being with family and friends, watching sports and playing golf. “Something I cherish doing,” she adds, “is finding and recycling materials of all kinds for use by others.”

From Rural Life and Hispanic Ministry, to Jail and Prison Ministry and the Office of Health Care Consultant, and many more service areas of Catholic Charities and the Diaconate program in the Archdiocese of Dubuque, Sister Janice is a “Janice of many trades” performing tasks necessary to the service of many and thriving on the challenges of each new day.

Pictured to the right is Sister Janice with Jim Yeast.