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.

Care Receivers Tell Their Stories

Over the years, well over one-and-a-half million people have benefited from the one-to-one, Christ-centered care of a Stephen Minister. This care is entirely confidential—no one knows the identity of a care receiver except for their Stephen Minister and the pastor or Stephen Leader who paired them together. The care receivers featured here willingly volunteered to share their stories.

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

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.

 

Care Receivers Tell Their Stories

Over the years, well over one-and-a-half million people have benefited from the one-to-one, Christ-centered care of a Stephen Minister. This care is entirely confidential—no one knows the identity of a care receiver except for their Stephen Minister and the pastor or Stephen Leader who paired them together. The care receivers featured here willingly volunteered to share their stories.

 

“It Was Such a Burden off My Shoulders”

 

 “My Stephen Minister Is Truly a Gift”

 

 “Getting Me Plugged into My Church”

 

“Refusing to Give Up on Me”

 

“I Can Tell Him Anything”

 

 “Connected with God in a Way I Never Felt Before”

 

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

Need a Stephen Minister?

 

Are you smiling on the outside but not on the inside?

If so, help is available. Our Stephen Ministers are ready to provide confidential, one-to-one Christian care. They will listen, care, encourage, and pray with and for you. Stephen Ministers have been specially trained to meet your emotional and spiritual needs; male Stephen Ministers are always matched with men, and female Stephen Ministers are matched with women. If you or someone you know is hurting, Our Stephen Ministers are there to care!

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 post-pandemic, we provide caregiving using Zoom, telephone and in-person opportunities.

 

Become a Stephen Minister

 

We are thankful and excited about your interest in Stephen Ministry. We hope that you prayerfully consider taking the training and serving as a Stephen Minister here at St. Monica’s Church. Even though this is a serious commitment of time and energy, our experience as Stephen Ministers is that the blessings received far outweigh the costs. The training will help you learn how to care for others going through a life crisis and help you focus your God-given gifts and passion for service. May God bless you!

 

Stephen Ministers complete 50 hours of training and commit to serving for 24 months, participating in continuing education twice a month and meeting with their care receiver one hour a week.

 

Thank you for your interest in Stephen Ministry - the Application is below.
We will open applications again in Fall 2023.

 

For the Stephen Ministry Job Description - Click Here to Download.

  

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

 

Stephen Ministry Application 2023

 

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First Name*

Last Name*

Address*

City and State*

Zip Code*

Email*

Home/Cell Phone with Area Code*

Work Phone with Area Code

Describe why you are interested in becoming a Stephen Minister.*

What spiritual gifts or strengths do you believe God has given you that would help you serve effectively as a Stephen Minister?*

Based on your current understanding of what it means to be a Stephen Minister, what do you think would be difficult or challenging aspects of this role for you?*

How would people who know you describe the way you relate to others?*

Time Commitment

We are asking for you to commit to serve for a period of no less than two years as a Stephen Minister (approx. January 2022-January 2024)

This includes:

• the initial 50 hours of training
• regular visits with your care receiver (weekly)
• twice-monthly small group peer supervision (held on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month)

Are you willing to commit to serve faithfully for a period of no less than 2 years?*

Yes

No

What changes would you need to make in your life (if any) in order to fulfill this commitment?*

Are you available at least one evening a week or on weekends to meet with a care receiver?*

Yes

No

Describe your spiritual life (e.g. church attendance, prayer life, relationship with God, etc.)*

Please list ministries in which you are currently involved at St. Monica.*

Please list ministries in which have been involved in the past either at St. Monica or other church/service organization.*

Please provide three references below. One reference must be a member of St. Monica Catholic Community.

Reference 1*

  

Address*

Relationship*

Phone w/Area Code*

Reference 2*

  

Address*

Relationship*

Phone w/Area Code*

Reference 3*

  

Address*

Relationship*

Phone w/Area Code*

A great many caregivers have been made stronger in their care giving ministry through the care they received themselves, including care from mental health professionals. The Stephen Leader team affirms the work of mental health professionals, who have helped many individuals to experience growth and healing.  Members of the Stephen Leader Team request the following information because they want to be as informed as possible about their Stephen Ministers.

Have you ever received treatment from a mental health professional?*

Yes

No

If you answered yes, someone from our Stephen Leader team may speak with you about this so that the team may better understand its significance in your life and ministry.

Have you ever been charged with a crime?*

Yes

No

If you answered yes, someone from our Stephen Leader team may speak with you about this so that the team may better understand its significance in your life and ministry.

Please explain in detail.*

Acknowledgment

The information I have provided in this application is true and complete to the best of my knowledge.  I agree to participate in Stephen Ministry training, in Small Group Peer Supervision, and to function within the boundaries of Stephen Ministry as adopted by St. Monica Catholic Church.  I give permission for the parish, if it deems necessary, to call my references, secure a police background check on me, and consult with the treating physician(s) or other mental health professionals regarding the nature of any treatment I have received for emotional or psychiatric problems.

Your answer below is your acknowledgment of the above statement.*

Yes

No

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