By Carlos Avila
An event that typically takes place every three to five years, commissioning new Stephen Ministers occurred on May 25 at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Riverside.
Father Ted Drennan, VF, Pastor, celebrated the Mass and joyfully commissioned nine new Stephen Ministers: Jason Abarca, Judy Anderson, Miguel “Doc” Barajas, Julie Einck, Leslie Estrada-Carrillo, Jerry Morris, Tim Morris, Dominic Sandoval, and Eleazar Trejo.
Stephen Ministry offers high-quality, one-to-one, Christ-centered care to people in the congregation and the community experiencing life difficulties. In this year to invite new members it was a blessing as many were inspired to inquire about the ministry, with nine parishioners ultimately responding to God’s call. They completed the four-month training process to help others.
The new Stephens ministers are a remarkable and diverse group. They are involved in full-time demanding professions, a variety of charitable works, and maintain strong family relationships. They showed dedication to complete the process and shuffled their personal and work schedules. Their devotion to this journey included more than 18 training sessions over weeknights and some weekends. Training involved the practice of interpersonal communication skills, studying topics of crisis, ways to share spirituality, and familiarization with the Bible.
The commissioning of new members does not occur regularly due to the four-month formation process that results in more than 50 hours of formative training. Through class discussions and role-playing, fellowship is increased, confidence is built, and they deepen their humility in understanding how to offer presence, encouragement, comfort, and be an attentive listener to those who are going through a difficult time. All of them desire to use their love of God and faith to provide prayer and this pastoral care to others.
The nine new members will join the current 15 members as compassionate servants of Christ. New minister members renew and strengthen the group, helping to maintain a wide balance of ministers to better serve the diverse community within and outside St. Thomas the Apostle’s church doors.
St. Thomas The Apostle is a pilgrimage site in this Jubilee Year. The community continues to flourish as they partake in opportunities to enrich their faith and community.
The Stephen Ministry at St. Thomas the Apostle has been in service since 1999 and owes its consistent viability to the support of past, as well as present leaders Fr. Drennan, Father Celestine Afugwabi, and the parish community. Anyone who has questions or is interested in having a compassionate companion who is trained to listen attentively, to pray, and be a presence of God’s love to their situation should call the St. Thomas parish office at (951) 689-1131.
Carlos Avila is the Stephen Ministry Leader at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Riverside.