Stephen Ministry

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Stephen Ministers are members of St. Monica Catholic Community who have been through extensive training to provide confidential, one-to-one, Christian care to people experiencing a wide range of life’s challenges. This may include loss of a loved one, hospitalization, separation or divorce, loneliness, spiritual crises, unemployment, illness, incarceration, aging, relocation, recovery after an accident, birth, adoption, miscarriage, and/or infertility, etc. This is offered at no cost to the receiver.

Stephen Ministers meet weekly with their care receiver for an hour to listen, encourage, pray, and provide emotional and spiritual support. Click below to hear from Care Receivers who have benefited from this listening ministry.

For more information on the history of Stephen Ministries, go to www.stephenministries.org.

Need a Stephen Minister?

Stressed? Discouraged? Lonely? Sad? Don't Suffer Alone. Help Is Available.

Sometimes we fall into a trap where we think it’s a sign of weakness to ask for help. So, when we’re stressed, discouraged, lonely, or sad, we try to keep our struggles hidden and are reluctant to ask for help. However, that’s not God’s plan. Galatians 6:2 says, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” God wants us to care for others—and allow others to care for us in our time of need.

If you’re sad or struggling inside, don’t suffer alone. Ask for help. We have a team of Stephen Ministers ready to provide confidential one-to-one care, encouragement, and support to help you through a tough time.

Call (310) 566-1575

Leave a message and a Stephen Ministry leader will contact you.

As we continue to navigate the challenges of COVID-19, we provide caregiving using Zoom and the telephone.

Serve as a Stephen Minister

Ever Thought about Becoming a Stephen Minister?

Are you compassionate? Do you see yourself as a care giver? Do you wonder how God is asking you to serve him? Consider Stephen Ministry.

St. Monica Catholic Community will begin training another class of Stephen Ministers in January of 2021. If you have gifts for caring, encouragement, and listening, please begin to prayerfully consider whether you might want to be part of this exciting ministry. If you think you might be interested, please call and leave a message for one of our Stephen Ministers at (310) 566-1575.

The following Stephen Ministers share their stories of personal and spiritual growth:

“I’ve learned how to listen to people and empathize with them. I’ve learned that I don’t have to fix anybody – I can be present with them and trust God to do the rest. It’s made me a better teacher, brother, friend and person.”

- Charles, Teacher

“Becoming a Stephen Minister was the best training I’ve ever experienced. It did a great job of building my confidence and equipping me to better care for others. The biggest lesson I learned was the importance of listening. All the distractions we have today can get in the way of really having meaningful conversations, but Stephen ministry training has helped me to stop, listen, ask follow-up questions, and be emotionally available. Above all, I learned that God is the one who brings healing. I’m there to walk with my care receiver, listen, and be on a journey with her.”

- Abby, Stay-At-Home Mom

“I was at a point in life where I was wondering, ‘Lord, where can you use me?’ Then, one day at church I saw a Stephen Ministry table in the lobby. It was perfect timing, like God was pointing me in that direction. My Stephen Ministry training taught me real caring skills I could use and apply in everyday life. I’d never encountered training that was so practical, spiritual, and transformative. I could feel the Holy Spirit changing me, helping me learn and grow.”

- Gigi, Executive Director