Stephen Ministry Contact Person: Linda Eberenz 354-1197 or Debby Moriarity 338-4492 Christ cares for people through people. We too, can proclaim the good news of God’s love and acceptance, bind up those who are brokenhearted, and comfort those who mourn. (Isaiah 61:1-3) We can demonstrate God’s love and care to hurting people in a powerful yet quiet way that makes God’s love practical and real for people who are going through difficult times. This is quality Christian caring that changes lives. You may have wanted to believe the myth that church members naturally care for one another and that those in need automatically receive the care they need. However, the reality is that congregations need a team of fully equipped lay caregivers and a plan. Stephen Ministry is that plan.

We can support our clergy by literally multiplying their efforts to care for parishioners. Stephen Ministers do this by reaching out compassionately to all People of God who are in need of this type of caring relationship.

We do not provide healing. We trust God to heal!

Stephen Ministers are trained caregivers and our role is to listen, encourage, care, maintain confidentiality, share God’s love and mercy, and pray for our care receivers as they work through a crisis or tough time. Stephen Ministers are not counselors or advisors and are trained to recognize when a care receiver’s needs exceed what we can provide. When that happens, we help to secure the level of care that is needed.

One or more Stephen Leaders attend a one-week intensive training, and then return to the parish to provide up to 50 hours of initial training for a group of Stephen Ministers in our own parish. This training and continued supervision provide biblically based, psychologically sound methods of caring and serving.

To learn more about Stephen Ministry at St. Joseph parish please contact Barbara Bremus. The Stephen Ministry headquarters’ website is www.stephenministries.org, or you can call them at 314-428-2600.