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 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

Note: Current focus is on awareness building & recruitment of potential Stephen Ministers. Please see the "Become a Stephen Minister" tab below & the "What is a Stephen Minister?" link on the right for more information.

October 19/20 after all English Masses: Informational table in the Bride's Room off of the Narthex of the Church for those who feel they may be called to become a Stephen Minister.
November 2/3 after all English Masses: Informational table in the Bride's Room off of the Narthex of the Church for those who feel they may be called to become a Stephen Minister.
Wednesday, November 13: Informational Session for potential Stephen Ministers. Time: 7-8:30 PM; Location: Meeting Rooms C&D.
Monday, November 18: Informational Session for potential Stephen Ministers. Time: 1-2:30 PM; Location: San Damiano Room.

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

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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.

• Declining health, disability, cancer, chronic or terminal illness
  
• Hospitalization
  
• Illness of a loved one
  
• 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 undergo 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
• Complete 50 hours of training, followed by ongoing supervision and continuing education.​

Learn more about what Stephen Ministers are and do.

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
Anna Tshekeche

Ministry Leaders

Kathy Bedard & ​Cathy González

Contact

email: 
​​stfrancisstephenministry@gmail.com
​​Confidential Hotline:
​972-712-2645 x420

Links

Stephen Ministries™ Links:
What is Stephen Ministry?
​What Is a Stephen Minister?

Testimonies

I Can Tell Him Anything.

Refusing to Give Up on Me.

Connected with God in a Way I Never Felt Before.

My Stephen Minister Is Truly a Gift.