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Sr.
Janice has been serving St. Josaphat's parish in Loup City, Nebraska, as
Pastoral Minister since September of 2002. Her ministry includes visiting
homebound parishioners; conducting Word and Communion services; helping
in the preparations of parish liturgical services; serving as an RCIA team
member; helping grieving families prepare wake services and funeral liturgies,
sometimes conducting wake services; serving on numerous parish committees
and the Sherman County Ecumenical Ministerial Association; and helping with
the church liturgical environment. Some of her other responsibilities include
giving presentations to religious education classes, conducting retreat
days, and training various liturgical ministers. Sr. Janice also ministers
at the local nursing home, where at least once a month she has a devotional
worship service. She is also a part-time member of the leadership team of
the Notre Dame Sisters of Omaha, Nebraska.
St. Josaphat Parish is located in Loup City, the Polish capital of Nebraska. It is a small parish in the Grand Island diocese, three and a half hours from Omaha. Loup City's official population is listed as 996 people. Many are elderly, having lived and worked much of their lives in local businesses or on the Sand Hills ranches that surround the town. The large public school system attests to the future hope that they place in the lives and education of their children.
During parish feastday liturgies on November 12th, she has helped parishioners become better informed about the life of their patron. St. Josaphat was born in Lithuania in about 1584 and was martyred in 1623. His life was spent re-energizing faith in the laity and the clergy. As a priest and archbishop, he persevered in his efforts to reconcile the deep division between the Eastern (Byzantine Catholic) and Western (Roman Catholic) Churches. He was martyred for attempting to unify the Catholic Church with its different canonical rites in his European diocese.
As Sr. Janice reflects on her ministry at St. Josaphat's parish, she says that the friendly, accepting and appreciative people of Loup City and the surrounding area are truly a blessing in her life.
