Stephen Ministry

"Christ Caring for People Through People"

Stephen Ministry is an extension of Pastoral Care, providing a one-on-one, Christian caregiving ministry by trained lay persons from our parish. Stephen Ministers are individuals who are carefully selected because of their special gifts for caring ministry and their ability to listen in a non-judgmental way. They are not counselors or spiritual directors but persons who have a heart for caring and compassion. Stephen Ministers walk alongside persons who are going through a transition or turning point in their lives, and through this caring relationship bring God’s healing love and hope.

A Stephen Minister and Care Receiver relationship is very special. Those who typically request a Stephen Minister are those who are hurting and in need of someone to accompany them through their time of need. Stephen Ministers are there to provide spiritual and emotional support and to listen. This caring relationship continues as long as there is a need.

All Stephen Ministers must be safe environment cleared, complete 50 hours of training in caring skills, and are required to participate in ongoing, bi-monthly, confidential supervision. Stephen Ministers meet with their Care Receivers once a week for about an hour and relationships are matched by gender.

Upcoming Events

OCTOBER 17/18 & OCTOBER 24/25
Stephen Ministry Information tables before and after all Sunday Masses.

Mission, Values & Vision
Care Provided
Become a Stephen Minister
Stephen Leaders

Our Mission

The St. Francis of Assisi Stephen Ministry builds and equips a caring lay ministry to share the love of Jesus Christ by providing confidential one on one distinctly Christian care to those in our community who are hurting.

Our Core Values

Spiritual - We are full of faith in our lives and in our Stephen Ministry
Trustworthy - We ensure a confidential and trusting relationship with our care receivers and fellow ministers
Humility - We are humble servants of the Lord doing His work though His grace and guidance
Dependability - We are there for our care receivers and for each other
Accountability - We are accountable to our pastor, our Church and our ministry
Durability - We are committed to sustain our Stephen Ministry now and in the future
Compassionate - We care deeply for others

Our Vision

To be a dynamic, growing, successful lay apostolate ministry that is recognized and respected within the St. Francis of Assisi parish and able to continuously attract potential new ministers to the Stephen Ministry, and to provide Christ-centered care for an increasing number of Stephen Ministry referrals each year.

The following are some examples of the type of care that Stephen Ministers can provide:

Declining health, disability, cancer, chronic or terminal illness
Hospitalization
Illness/Death of a loved one
Divorce or separation from a spouse
Severe financial setback
Difficulties associated with aging
Transition to assisted living or nursing homes
Family or domestic problems
Isolation, loneliness, Depression
Job crisis / loss
Loss of a home
Spiritual crisis
Childbirth or adoption
Moving into or out of the community
Retirement or children leaving home
Military deployment
Intense stress or an overwhelming burden
Other life struggles / transitions

If you would like to walk with others who are in a time of trial and become a Stephen Minister, you must complete an application that is followed by an interview and discernment to select new candidates for this ministry. The candidates must obtain their Safe Environment clearance before undergoing 50 hours of classroom training, prior to becoming Stephen Ministers. Training is provided on topics such as active listening, confidentiality, depression, suicide, divorce and other related topics.

Stephen Ministers:

Are There To Support You And Care For You During Your Troubled Times
Listen To Your Concerns With A Compassionate Heart
Share Christ's Love With You And Pray With You
Share Parish and Community Resource Information As Appropriate
Maintain Confidentiality Of All Aspects Of The Caring Relationship With You
Remain in the caring relationship as long as there is a need
Obtain Save Environment clearance prior to training (see stfoafrisco.org/safe-environment)
Complete 50 hours of training, followed by ongoing supervision and continuing education.

Do you feel the Spirit might be calling you to discern if becoming a Stephen Minister may be a good use of your gifts? If so, in order to help you with your discernment, we encourage you to download and complete the Spiritual Gifts Inventory below. Based on experience, Stephen Ministries has determined that the following five spiritual gifts emerge as most valuable for successful Stephen Ministers: Faith, Mercy, Teacher, Encouragement, and Knowledge. While a successful Stephen Minister may not have all these gifts, completing the Spiritual Gifts Inventory will aid you in your discernment process.

Click Here to Download the Spiritual Gifts Inventory

Stephen Leaders organize, teach, and supervise Stephen Ministers. They are required to attend a week-long Stephen Ministry Leader's Training Course and obtain a certificate of completion from Stephen Ministries, prior to serving as Stephen Leaders.
Their responsibilities include:

Building awareness of our growing Stephen Ministry
Solicit the commitment of our parish to Stephen Ministry at every opportunity
Recruit, select, and train thoroughly as Stephen Ministers those members of this parish whose gift it is to share one-to-one caring ministry
Use the resources of our community as appropriate to enrich the training and ongoing supervision of Stephen Ministry in this parish
Work with the clergy of this parish to identify members who could benefit from this confidential caring ministry
Assign the trained caregiver who most appropriately fits a person’s need
Supervise these confidential caring relationships and offer regular opportunities for continuing growth in the skills and practice of caring ministry

The following attended the July 2019 Stephen Leader's Course and were commissioned by our pastor on August 22, 2019:

Kathy Bedard
Cathy González
Margaret Scott
Deacon Tony Silvestro