Stephen Ministers are trained caregivers who provide confidential prayerful assistance to those experiencing life’s challenges and difficulties. They provide confidential, one-to-one, Christian care to people who are experiencing difficulty in their lives such as grief, loneliness, divorce, hospitalization, disability, or job loss. Stephen Ministers are trained to walk with you, help you carry your burdens, and bring God's loving care. Contact Tom Bryon at 816.863.3027, Jim Gisler at 913.940.2519, or Susie Coultis at 913.484.1190.
Stephen Ministers provide Christ-centered care
By Teri Sabatino
Are you lonely, sad, or discouraged? Consider letting a Stephen Minister help. Stephen Ministers are laypeople trained to provide one-to-one Christ-centered care to parishioners experiencing a difficult time in life such as grief, divorce, job loss, chronic or terminal illness, spiritual crisis, relocation, and other life struggles. Stephen Ministers expand the reach of their priests’ pastoral care and come from all walks of life. They have a compassionate heart for those who are hurting and desire to help.
However, Stephen Ministers are not social workers, psychologists, or mediators. Their role is to listen and care - not counsel or advise. Through prayer and listening, a Stephen Minister is the caregiver and God is the cure giver.
A Stephen Minister begins a caring relationship when he or she is matched with a person experiencing a life crisis. The Stephen Minister then meets with that person on a weekly basis to listen, care, encourage, and offer emotional and spiritual support. The caring relationship lasts as long as the person is in need of care.
Stephen Ministers undergo hours of training so that they can offer solid spiritual and emotional care while building trust. A Stephen Minister also must be able to detect when a care receiver should get professional help, making a referral to an appropriate mental health professional or other community resource if necessary.
The name Stephen comes from St. Stephen, who was the first layperson commissioned by the Apostles to provide food and charitable aid to those in need (Acts 6). Since 1975, more than 600,000 people from more than 13,000 congregations and other organizations have trained as Stephen Ministers. In our Archdiocese, we have Stephen Ministers available to help you in your time of need.
Some important guidelines for this caring relations protect both the care receiver and the Stephen Minister:
Consider letting a Stephen Minister help. There is no charge and Stephen Ministers are available to meet with you or talk to you by phone. Contact Tom Bryon at 816.863.3027, Jim Gisler at 913.940.2519, or Susie Coultis at 913.484.1190 for information about how to be matched up with a Stephen Minister.
We plan to have Stephen Ministers available after all weekend Masses at Curé of Ars. If you would like to pray for yourself, your spouse, family member, friend, or co-worker who is experiencing a rough spot in life, please stop by after Mass to experience God’s true love for you through prayer and or a special blessing. During a time of need, or even a personal crisis, it can be so comforting to have someone to pray with you and for you. We will be located in the Chapel area in the North part of the church.