Stephen Ministry: Christ Caring for People Through People

Did you know that we have a wonderful ministry right here at St. Margaret of York and St. Columban that supports people experiencing life difficulties?

Stephen Ministers provide high-quality, one-to-one, Christ-centered care to people in our parishes who may be coping with illness, grief, divorce, miscarriage, job loss, the stress of caregiving, an empty nest, relocation, loneliness, or some other challenge.

Stephen Ministers are lay people who have been carefully trained to be a caring, Christian presence for people who are hurting. The ministry is confidential, free, and rooted in kindness. Within our Family of Parishes, we currently have nine ministers and two leaders, Linda Corbett and Becky Reder.

Linda Corbett, a Stephen Ministry Leader, wants to reassure anyone who may be considering reaching out. “This work is completely confidential. No one will know what you say. No one will know you made an inquiry. No one will even know that you have a Stephen Minister. You’re completely safe with us.”

Becky Reder became a Stephen Minister in 2025, completing 50 hours of training. She said, “The training was of such a high quality that not only did I learn how to be an effective minister, but I was able to see how much comfort and peace we are able to give to people by just being present and offering non-judgmental listening.”

This August, Becky completed an additional 25 hours of training to become a Stephen Ministry Leader. She now joins Linda Corbett as a second leader, and together they help oversee the program at St. Margaret of York and St. Columban.

People typically self-refer to request a Stephen Minister. There is a confidential phone number that can be called, or a confidential form can be filled out on smoy.org. A Stephen Minister will then reach out, and together they will decide on a convenient place to meet.

A Stephen Minister may visit the person at home, at a nursing or retirement facility, or at another mutually agreed-upon location. Meetings are one hour long and always begin with prayer.

Becky said, “We approach each person with unconditional positive regard, and it’s amazing how healing it can be just to be present with another person’s pain and struggle. It has been a gift for me as much as for the person I am meeting with.”

Linda Corbett answered the call to serve seventeen years ago when Fr. Larry Tensi at St. Columban was looking for additional Stephen Ministry Leaders. It wasn’t long before she began to see the incredible impact the ministry could have. “I truly believe Stephen Ministry is a way of life,” she said. “A way of honing skills in listening and having empathy for other people. The care receivers feel heard and listened to.”

Linda recalls a couple who lost a child through miscarriage. When the Stephen Ministers became involved, the couple was struggling deeply with their loss. But over time, as they each received individual care from a Stephen Minister, they began to heal. Eventually, the couple went on to have three children, a strong marriage, and an amazing family.

As Stephen Ministry Leaders, Linda and Becky administer the program and mentor and support the ministers. While most people self-refer, parishioners who know about the ministry may also mention it to someone they see who is struggling or experiencing a crisis.

Once contact is made, a minister is assigned, and the minister and care receiver make plans to meet. Weekly one-hour meetings take place at the discretion of the minister and care receiver and continue for as long as needed. Some relationships may last three months, while others continue much longer. Ultimately, the participants decide what works best for them.

At a time when our priests are stretched thin, Stephen Ministry fills a much-needed gap in our community. It offers people the opportunity to be heard, supported, and accompanied through some of life’s most difficult moments.

If this sounds like something you would like to be involved in, please reach out to Linda Corbett at linda.corbett5@gmail.com for more information. Training is offered once a year and it consists of 18 meetings.

-Alisa Fisher