{"id":925,"date":"2026-01-20T14:00:17","date_gmt":"2026-01-20T19:00:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sainti.org\/church\/?post_type=ministry&#038;p=925"},"modified":"2026-06-19T11:23:25","modified_gmt":"2026-06-19T15:23:25","slug":"stephen-ministry","status":"publish","type":"ministry","link":"https:\/\/sainti.org\/church\/ministry\/stephen-ministry\/","title":{"rendered":"Stephen Ministry"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is Stephen Ministry?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Stephen Ministry is an organization through which members of St. Ignatius are trained and organized to help provide Christian caregiving to members of our congregation and community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Stephen Ministry is a confidential ministry. The identity of those receiving care and what takes place in each caring relationship remain private.<\/strong> <strong>The Confidential Hotline is 513.389.3247 or you can email us at&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:stephenministry@sainti.org\">stephenministry@sainti.org.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Watch these testimonials from individuals who received care from Stephen Ministers to learn about the impact of our ministry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\"  id=\"_ytid_34765\"  width=\"800\" height=\"450\"  data-origwidth=\"800\" data-origheight=\"450\"  data-relstop=\"1\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/5GnTAEgLyH4?enablejsapi=1&#038;rel=0&#038;disablekb=0&#038;autoplay=0&#038;cc_load_policy=0&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;loop=0&#038;fs=1&#038;playsinline=0&#038;controls=1&#038;color=red&#038;cc_lang_pref=&#038;autohide=2&#038;theme=dark&#038;\" class=\"__youtube_prefs__  epyt-is-override  no-lazyload\" title=\"YouTube player\"  allow=\"fullscreen; accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen data-no-lazy=\"1\" data-skipgform_ajax_framebjll=\"\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\"  id=\"_ytid_85997\"  width=\"800\" height=\"450\"  data-origwidth=\"800\" data-origheight=\"450\"  data-relstop=\"1\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Nqb0cIk_Zmo?enablejsapi=1&#038;rel=0&#038;disablekb=0&#038;autoplay=0&#038;cc_load_policy=0&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;loop=0&#038;fs=1&#038;playsinline=0&#038;controls=1&#038;color=red&#038;cc_lang_pref=&#038;autohide=2&#038;theme=dark&#038;\" class=\"__youtube_prefs__  epyt-is-override  no-lazyload\" title=\"YouTube player\"  allow=\"fullscreen; accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen data-no-lazy=\"1\" data-skipgform_ajax_framebjll=\"\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\"  id=\"_ytid_97389\"  width=\"800\" height=\"450\"  data-origwidth=\"800\" data-origheight=\"450\"  data-relstop=\"1\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/OnRVZtrz-AI?enablejsapi=1&#038;rel=0&#038;disablekb=0&#038;autoplay=0&#038;cc_load_policy=0&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;loop=0&#038;fs=1&#038;playsinline=0&#038;controls=1&#038;color=red&#038;cc_lang_pref=&#038;autohide=2&#038;theme=dark&#038;\" class=\"__youtube_prefs__  epyt-is-override  no-lazyload\" title=\"YouTube player\"  allow=\"fullscreen; accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen data-no-lazy=\"1\" data-skipgform_ajax_framebjll=\"\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A Stephen Minister is . . .<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\" \/>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A child of God who walks beside a person who is hurting<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A congregation member with gifts for care giving&nbsp;who was carefully selected to serve in this role<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A lay person who has received 50 hours of training in providing emotional and spiritual care<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A caring, Christian friend who listens, cares, prays, supports, and encourages<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Someone who will \u201cbe there\u201d for his or her care receiver, meets regularly for as long as there\u2019s a need<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Description taken from Stephen Ministry&#8217;s God\u2019s Love in Action Pamphlet.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When To Call A Stephen Minister<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We all experience challenges in life \u2013 times when we could benefit from the support of a caring Christian friend. Stephen minsters are ready to provide the emotional and spiritual care we need when faced with a crisis or difficulty such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Loss of a loved one<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hospitalization<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Divorce or separation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Loneliness or discouragement<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Spiritual crisis<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Unemployment or a job crisis<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A terminal illness<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Incarceration<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Birth, adoption, miscarriage, or infertility<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A chronic illness<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>relocation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>recovery after an accident&nbsp;or disaster<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>And many more<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-left is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-63375db1 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-100\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link the-button wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/sainti.org\/church\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/stephen-ministries-after_people.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Stephen Ministers: The After People<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Stephen Ministers at St. Ignatius<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A Stephen Minister is a member of St. Ignatius with gifts of caregiving who was carefully selected to serve in this role. They are trained to listen, care, pray, support, and encourage the special person who will be under their care. Our current Stephen Ministers are: Deacon Mike Erb, Molly Johantgen, Marianne Krismer, Dennis Wiwi, Vicki Freeman and Beth Timperman. Learn more about them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"480\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/sainti.org\/church\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/IMG_4406.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2192\" style=\"width:300px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sainti.org\/church\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/IMG_4406.jpeg 480w, https:\/\/sainti.org\/church\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/IMG_4406-225x300.jpeg 225w, https:\/\/sainti.org\/church\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/IMG_4406-30x40.jpeg 30w, https:\/\/sainti.org\/church\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/IMG_4406-300x400.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Molly Johantgen<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I am a retired Registered Nurse who worked in the intensive care units and taught new nurses<br>and physicians how to be good healthcare professionals. Currently at St. Ignatius, I am a<br>Stephen Minister, eucharistic minister, eucharistic minister for the homebound, lector,<br>sacristan for weekday 9:15 a.m. Masses and teach CPR to coaches and employees.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"240\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/sainti.org\/church\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/MK.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2193\" style=\"width:300px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sainti.org\/church\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/MK.jpg 240w, https:\/\/sainti.org\/church\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/MK-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/sainti.org\/church\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/MK-30x40.jpg 30w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 240px) 100vw, 240px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Marianne Krismer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Marianne is a longterm member of St. Ignatius Parish and is the mother of three grown children and wife of the late Jerry Krismer. In addition to serving as a Stephen Minister she has chaired the Worship Commission and is a client advocate for the Pregnancy Center West.. Marianne has a doctorate in Education and is retired from Cincinnati State College where she served as Dean of Health and Public Safety and continues to be active as a Health Care Education Consultant for the State of Ohio. She is honored to serve those in our parish community who are dealing with any situation in which they need support.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/sainti.org\/church\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/IMG_2514-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2195\" style=\"width:300px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sainti.org\/church\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/IMG_2514-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sainti.org\/church\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/IMG_2514-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/sainti.org\/church\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/IMG_2514-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/sainti.org\/church\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/IMG_2514-30x40.jpg 30w, https:\/\/sainti.org\/church\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/IMG_2514-300x400.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sainti.org\/church\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/IMG_2514.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Dr. Dennis Wiwi<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Retired Ob\/Gyn and Stephen Minister at St. Ignatius for 8 years.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The Stephen Ministry Confidential Hotline is 513.389.3247 or you can email us at&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:stephenministry@sainti.org\">stephenministry@sainti.org.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"What is Stephen Ministry? Stephen Ministry is an organization through which members of St. Ignatius are trained and organized to help provide Christian caregiving to members of our congregation and community. Stephen Ministry is a confidential ministry. The identity of those receiving care and what takes place in each caring...","protected":false},"author":73,"featured_media":1406,"parent":0,"menu_order":13,"template":"","ministry-group":[11],"class_list":["post-925","ministry","type-ministry","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","ministry-group-outreach-ministries"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sainti.org\/church\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ministry\/925","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sainti.org\/church\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ministry"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sainti.org\/church\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/ministry"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sainti.org\/church\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/73"}],"version-history":[{"count":17,"href":"https:\/\/sainti.org\/church\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ministry\/925\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2197,"href":"https:\/\/sainti.org\/church\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ministry\/925\/revisions\/2197"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sainti.org\/church\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1406"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sainti.org\/church\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=925"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"ministry-group","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sainti.org\/church\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ministry-group?post=925"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}