Parish Pulse
Stephen Ministry
“Christ Caring for People through People”
Stephen Ministers are trained to provide one-to-one, Christ-centered care to those who are hurting—offering both emotional and spiritual support.
Grief and loss enter our lives in many forms: the death of a loved one (including pets), loss of employment, financial hardship, illness affecting us or someone we love, loneliness, or spiritual dryness. Any of these can create a need for someone willing not only to listen, but to offer hope and support through a difficult time. A Stephen Minister is that someone.
“I frequently care for people during times of crisis, but with so many parishioners, it’s impossible for me to provide all the follow-up care people need.”
Father Michael Amadeo
Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Des Moines, Iowa
“There’s no way I could minister to so many without Stephen Ministers. They are my most valued lay partners in the one-to-one care of our parishioners. Stephen Ministry truly expresses what it means to care for one another in the Body of Christ.”
Father John Boeglin
Holy Family Catholic Church, Jasper, Indiana
Training Recap 7–8 · Stephen Minister Trainings
Ministers and care receivers maintain healthy boundaries in the caring relationship—recognizing feelings and appropriate responsibilities on each side. Because ministers enter a relationship during a time of crisis in the care receiver’s life, they work to help that person move toward greater wholeness following a time of brokenness.