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“Bear one another’s burden, and so you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:4)

 

When life brings trials and tribulations, most people feel the need to share that difficulty with someone whom they trust and who would keep their confidence.  Stephen Ministry provides that safe and confidential space, through their pastoral and spiritual care by ministering to those who need to share their burdens/ whether it is a divorce, grief, terminal illness, loss of job, hospitalization, loneliness and isolation during this pandemic, being a caregiver to a loved one or any other stresses and challenges, Stephen Ministers are there to help.

Stephen Ministry is a lay ministry based on the idea that all Christians are called to and gifted to minister to others.  They offer compassionate and caring listening by ministering to members of our parishes and our communities.  Stephen Ministers are each assigned a care receiver and they meet weekly for about an hour, as long as the care receiver needs it. With over 250 trained Stephen Ministers in 17 parishes throughout the Diocese, all pledge to remain steadfast in their mission to walk with others through listening, prayer and offering emotional and spiritual support, providing one-on-one confidential Christian care to members of our parishes and communities.

 

2022 At a Glance


TESTIMONIALS

“It is amazing how lending a listening ear can have such a big impact in someone’s life.  I was paired with someone that understood my situation as she herself went through similar circumstances in her life,. . . I am thankful for the times we have met , the experience, and the wiedom shared with me as it has made me feel less alone in the personal battles that life has thrown my way.”I really had little hope that anything or anyone could help me.  I was so broken, beyond repair.  My caregiver from Stephen Ministry saved my life and helped me to feel, with God by my side, I could survive this.  Because of her, I am beginning my road back to God.  She has been here to give me unconditional love and support and so much encouragement.”Testimony from a care receiver

“Being Stephen Ministers has opened our hearts and transformed our lives as well as those we care for.  My husband and I have been Caregivers for five years.  In giving of ourselves, we are blessed in ways we did not foresee.  Our marriage, family life and relationships have all been enriched.  Jesus uses us to share his love, peace and compassion.  We are following his footprints in the sand as he carries those in pain.” Testimony from a Caregiver


Stephen Ministry is a system through which selected members of a parish are trained and organized to help provide one on one confidential Christian care to members of our parishes and our communities. This will multiply the amount of caring ministry a parish can provide by giving the parish a whole team of skilled caregivers who are equipped to bring Christ’s healing love to people who are experiencing stresses in life.

Stephen Ministry is based on the idea that all Christians are called to minister to others. The responsibility for passing on God’s love is for all Christians, not just for a chosen few. God has given us all gifts for ministry and called us to put those gifts to use. Stephen Ministry is a way people with special gifts for caring ministry can use those gifts to bring Christ’s love to people in need.

We have many needs for care in our parishes and our communities: People experience divorce, grief, terminal illness, loss of job, relocation, empty nest, retirement, hospitalization, loneliness, and many other stresses and challenges. Often people with needs suffer silently or do not request or receive the level of care they really need. With only one or two priests for a large parish, you can quickly see why it would be impossible for our priests to meet every single need of every single person. Stephen Ministry expands the care the parish can offer by equipping and organizing members to provide Christian care. This gives us a larger pool of people with the gifts, skills and calling, to bring Christ’s love and care to those who need it.

Everybody benefits from Stephen Ministry. Those receiving care from Stephen Ministers benefit because they receive prayer and support throughout the crisis they face. Stephen Ministers benefit through the spiritual growth they experience from being involved in meaningful ministry. Priests benefit because caring ministry at our parishes is expanded, and fewer people will slip through the cracks. Most of all you benefit from the knowledge that special care is available to you should you need it. In addition, you now have a place where you can refer a friend, neighbor, coworker, relative, or anyone else you know who is going through a difficult time so that they can receive special care when they need it most. Stephen Ministry makes our parishes a much more caring place!

Stephen Ministers are members of a parish who have gone through 50 hours of training to provide confidential high quality Christian care to individuals experiencing a crisis or challenge such as divorce, grief, hospitalization, relocation, aging, spiritual crisis, or loneliness. Stephen Ministers are each assigned a care receiver and meet with that care receiver for about an hour a week. This caring relationship will last for as long as the care receiver needs it.  The Stephen Ministers receive continuing education and twice monthly peer group supervision so that they are equipped to provide the best care.

When someone requests a Stephen Minister,  the parish Stephen Ministry Coordinator/Leader will meet with that person, explain what Stephen Ministry is, and help determine whether Stephen Ministry is the kind of care that person needs. The leader then matches that person with one of the available Stephen Ministers. The Stephen Minister will then call that person to begin meeting with him or her for about an hour each week as long as there is a need. Everything a care receiver says to his or her Stephen Minister is kept confidential. The Stephen Minister doesn’t try to solve problems; rather, he or she listens, cares, prays, and helps the care receiver find his or her path to healing and wholeness.

If you would like more information on Stephen Ministry or how to begin the ministry at your parish, please contact:

Deacon Gerard Jablonowski
(856) 583-6196