Stephen Ministry

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 pain in their lives such as grief, loneliness, divorce, hospitalization, disability, or job loss. Stephen Ministers are trained to listen, encourage, pray, and walk alongside their care receivers during difficult times.

Make a Referral: If you or someone you know could benefit from Stephen Ministry, please call the Parish Office at 913.492.7318.

Who is a Candidate for Stephen Ministry Care?

Typical Stephen Ministry Care Receivers

•  Are people experiencing difficulty in their lives, such as grief, loneliness, divorce, hospitalization, disability, or job loss? These difficulties are often temporary, and the candidate needs spiritual support to help them through.
• Are open to prayer and Christian beliefs. Christian caregiving is the central focus of Stephen Ministry.
• Are not experiencing untreated mental illness. If a candidate has a mental illness, it should be treated by a professional. However, any candidate, who is receiving professional counseling and medical treatment, can concurrently meet with a Stephen Minister with the doctor’s consent.

• The objective of a Stephen Caring Relationship is to help care receivers invite God’s healing power to deal with life’s challenges. Although Stephen Ministers may, at times, offer practical advice during a caring relationship, problem-solving is not their mission. Making way for God to solve those problems, by listening, encouraging, praying, and walking alongside one during difficult times, is their mission.
• One of the best ways to assess if a person is the right candidate for Stephen Ministry Care is to understand what Stephen Ministers are and what they are not.

Stephen Ministers ARE… spiritual caregivers, good listeners, prayer-givers.
Stephen Ministers ARE NOT… social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, mediators, arbitrators, lawyers, baby sitters, taxi service, source of income, etc. 

More About Stephen Ministry 

What Is Stephen Ministry?

• Stephen Ministries is a not-for-profit Christian education organization based in St. Louis, Missouri, founded in 1975, that produces training and resources known for their excellence, practicality, psychological integrity, and theological depth. These resources cover topics such as caring ministry, assertive relating, spiritual gifts discovery, grief support, spiritual growth, and more. 

Stephen Ministry of Holy Spirit Catholic Church

• Stephen Ministers are members of Holy Spirit (and other parishes that do not have their program) who have been through extensive training and provide confidentially, one-to-one, Christian care to people who are experiencing difficulty in their lives.
• Holy Spirit clergy are always on the front lines of care, especially during times of crisis. A Stephen Minister is trained to confidentially continue that care by listening, encouraging, praying, and walking alongside one during difficult times.

How to Become a Stephen Minister

• Is Stephen Ministry your calling? If you are patient, non-judgmental, a good listener, and like helping people, then Stephen Ministry coule be right for you. Or maybe you have a knack for bringing cheerfulness to others. These are all qualities that come in handy for Stephen Care Givers. Most importantly, if you feel God is calling you to this ministry, then contact our Stephen Ministry Leader to inquire about joining this beautiful ministry.
• Training: Stephen Minister Training is usually conducted once a year. It consists of a weekly meeting (1 day/week) for up to six months, followed by a formal graduation ceremony and blessing during Mass.
• Commitment: The minimum commitment is six months of training followed by 18 months of Stephen Minister service. Many Stephen Ministers continue well beyond the two-year point.