Braving a record-breaking nor’easter and traveling from as far as New York, Pennsylvania and Maryland, some 250 attendees gathered at Paul VI High School in Haddonfield last month to participate in a celebration marking the half-century anniversary of Stephen Ministry programming across the country.
Stephen Ministers are part of a lay caring ministry with a presence in more than 14,000 faith communities. The ministry is active in the United States, Canada and more than 30 countries across the globe. The volunteer ministers are trained to support those who are in periods of challenges like grief, loss or transition. Ministers do not offer advice or mental health treatment, but rather, they offer presence and accompaniment in a confidential setting.
“In a world where fear, anxiety and isolation dominate our society and culture right now, it’s beautiful that this ministry can fill that gap and be a Christ-like presence for those in need,” said Nicole Keefer, RN, BSN, executive director of VITALity Catholic Healthcare Services Diocese of Camden. “They aren’t a priest or clergyman, but they are trained to be an embodiment of compassion, empathy and a listening ear.”
Stephen Ministries, a nonprofit based in St. Louis, Mo., is marking its 50th anniversary this year. As such, VITALity played host to one of more than a dozen celebrations taking place across the country. Since the initiative includes nearly 200 Christian denominations, the local celebration included members of other faith communities in addition to Catholics.
“This was also a beautiful aspect of the event because it spoke to the synodality aspect of building a larger community presence, not just a Catholic presence,” said Keefer, who also emphasized the importance of this type of ministry. “We as a Catholic community need to do what we can to embrace and accompany those in need, and this ministry is a testament of the power of presence and witness.”
The gathering featured remarks from the ministry’s founder, the Rev. Kenneth Haugk, Ph.D., who is a clinical psychologist, and highlighted the five decades of its impact across the country. Attendees heard from speakers about empathy and grief, and also learned about some of the latest publications and resources available for members.
“We enjoyed hearing about all of the new ideas and publications available to help us grow in ministering to our care receivers,” said Cynthia DiPiero, a Stephen Minister at her home parish of Saint Charles Borromeo, Sicklerville. “It was very informative and an amazing opportunity to hear stories and suggestions from other Stephen Ministers.”
DiPiero first became involved as a Stephen Minister in 2019 after feeling the urge to help others after retiring from teaching. “In training, we learned many listening skills. We learned to have empathy, be compassionate and stay nonjudgmental.”
Another attendee was Jack Callaghan, who leads the Stephen Ministry at Saint Teresa of Calcutta Parish, Collingswood, and first became involved in 2017 after attending a training in Pittsburgh. He described the ministry as one of “encounter and accompaniment,” and hopes more faithful will learn of the resource for times of need.
“A person may need a Stephen Minister for any number of reasons, such as grief, loneliness, significant life changes [and] family issues. The Stephen Minister is a co-parishioner who has been highly trained in being an attentive, nonjudgmental support to the person going through the difficult time,” he explained. “They ‘walk’ with the person during this time until the difficult period is resolved.”
Benjamin Fratto volunteered during the recent celebration through his participation in the Diocese of Camden’s diaconate program. While he is not presently a Stephen Minister, his experience in parish ministry in his home parish of St. Peter, Merchantville, has illustrated the power of presence in the lives of others.
“In my parish ministry, I visit the sick, bringing communion. There are lifelong parishioners living in our parish boundaries who live alone and are no longer able to get to church,” said Fratto, who is a diaconate aspirant. “Having a person come to visit, ready to listen and show the love of Christ, brings them such joy to know they are not forgotten.”
He enjoyed hearing from the various speakers and learning about the impact of Stephen Ministers across the country.
“During the conference talks, I came to learn about how Stephen Ministry can help those in need of healing,” Fratto said. “I was interested to learn how empathy is a powerful tool to accompany people who are suffering from loss, illness [and] depression.”
Healthy ways to navigate grief, loss
Factors that affect grieving
• Unable to express painful feelings
• Worried what others will think about their feelings
• Spirituality or faith
• Responses from others using platitudes
• Feeling guilty or ashamed to grieve
Healthy ways to express feelings
• Share feelings with a supportive, patient listener who will validate your feelings
• Allow yourself to be nurtured by loved ones and friends
• Express fear and anxiety to supportive listener
• Write about your feelings
Healthy ways to process grief
• Reach out for support
• Acknowledge the pain and emotions grief brings
• Plan ahead for special dates- find new ways to positively acknowledge your loved one
• Practice self-care
• Reconnect or connect with others
Grief support available:
• VITALity Catholic Healthcare Services offers:
– Care Coordination to connect you with resources, providers and programs
– Stephen Ministry for emotional and spiritual support
– Calls of Joy for weekly meaningful phone calls
• Local parish ministries (VITALity can help connect):
– Bereavement Ministry
– Grief support groups
• Professional grief counselors
Source: VITALity Catholic Healthcare Services Diocese of Camden, vitality.camdendiocese.org.
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