Father Robert E. Hughes, left, and Father Sanjai Davis pose for a photo with Stephen Ministers at Holy Family Parish, Sewell. Stephen Ministers provide confidential, one-to-one Christian care to members of their community who have suffered a loss or are going through a difficult time.
Now entering its second year at Holy Family Parish in Sewell, the Stephen Ministry program provides confidential, one-to-one Christian care to members of the community who have suffered a loss or are going through a difficult time.
The second group of recruits at Holy Family, 16 in all, completed 60 hours of training and were commissioned on the first weekend in June.
The ministry takes its name from St. Stephen, one of the first seven deacons called to serve the early formed Christian community. Founded in 1975 in St. Louis, Mo., by Dr. Kenneth Haugk, a Lutheran pastor and clinical psychologist, Stephen Ministries is an international and interdenominational ministry.
The Stephen Minister responds to the calling to “Bear one another’s burdens…” by walking with their care receiver through life’s struggles, praying for them and providing encouragement, support, acceptance and love.
Twenty-six individuals completed their training last year and were assigned as caregivers to persons who needed support.
Parishioners Anne Pirillo and Frank McAleer attended leadership training in Orlando, Fla. With Father Sanjai Davis, parochial vicar, Anne and Frank perform a number of leadership tasks, incuding matching prospective care receivers with Stephen Ministers.
Father Robert E. Hughes, pastor, describes Stephen Ministry and Stephen Ministers as a blessing to the parish, saying “It is a great grace to have 42 persons participate in more than 60 hours of lay ministry development, personal growth and spiritual formation. Like a stone thrown into a calm lake, the ripple effect of these 42 ‘stones’ has spread throughout the parish and revealed the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit in our midst. It is my hope that more Stephen Ministers will come forward to be trained so that the gifts of healing and support may be brought to even more Stephen Care Receivers. I can’t thank Father Sanjai Devis enough for his leadership in this ministry and the continuing formation of its ministers.”
Stephen Ministers receive training on listening skills, assertiveness, confidentiality and ministering to those facing life’s challenges. Training sessions consist of pre-class readings, lectures, videos, discussions, role-plays and prayer. The emphasis of each session is on listening with an open heart, maintaining the confidentiality of the caring relationship, and trusting in God.
New Stephen Minister Beth O’Shea explains: “We are taught that as a caregiver we are not meant to fix anyone’s problems, just to listen and support, because God is the ‘Curegiver.’ I put my trust and faith in our wonderful God to make me the best caregiver I can be and to allow him, the Curegiver, to use me as a tool on this amazing journey.”
New Stephen Minister Steve Annucci adds, “The art of listening is one of our most powerful tools.”
Stephen Ministers also receive assertiveness training so that they will be comfortable dealing with difficult situations. New Stephen Minister Kathy Wagner defines assertiveness as a “useful tool, not only in Stephen Ministry, but in daily life.”
“Assertiveness in its true form is a positive and constructive way of relating to other people with the understanding that each person deserves respect of his or her own needs, wants and rights,” she said.
For the Stephen Ministers who have completed their first year of service, the program has been life-changing. Teresa Gatta, a mother of three with a full-time job, said, “I am so glad I said ‘yes’ to God’s call. While I am helping my care receiver, she is enriching my life greatly. I feel closer to God than I ever thought I could. I am truly blessed.”
Debbie McGuigan describes her experience as a Stephen Minister as a “wonderful journey” and a God given opportunity. “With each step, my care receiver works through feelings of grief or loss, but enjoys beautiful memories as well, and I am right beside her all the way,” reflects Debbie.
An integral part of Stephen Ministry is peer supervision. The newly commissioned Stephen Ministers, along with the current Stephen Ministers, have been assigned to small groups which meet twice a month for support.
Mary Burns explains, “We are careful not to identify our care receivers in any way that would compromise their anonymity. We pray for each other and our care receivers; focus on areas that are challenging for us in meeting the needs of our care receivers; and we affirm one another.”
For more information on Stephen Ministry contact Father Sanjai Devis at Holy Family Parish, 856-228-1616.
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