Caring and Support

Healing Prayer Ministry

As we continue our Healing Prayer Ministry, we hear questions or comments such as, “I thought that was like the Anointing of the Sick.” 
 
In a way it is.  We know from Isaiah 61 and Luke 4 that God is:

• Always bringing glad tidings to the poor
• Always healing the brokenhearted
• Always proclaiming liberty to captives
• Always comforting those who mourn
• Always giving us the oil of gladness in place of mourning.

 
This is the nature of God.  It’s who our loving, tender merciful God’s self is.
 
We wish to move towards the reality of this Always-Presence.  Therefore, our church provides various ways to renew our awareness and bring ourselves once again into the reality of God’s always being, right here among us, within us.
 
Two of these ways are through Anointing of the Sick and through Healing Prayer Ministry.  The difference happens in practical ways:
 
Anointing of the Sick is offered here at SJTW twice a year, usually after the homily at Mass or whenever the need arises and a request is made at times between the offerings to the larger community.  During the mass seriously ill people come forward, with or without Stephen Ministers, friends, or family to be prayed over for healing and anointed with oil by a priest.
 
Healing Prayer Ministry at SJTW happens every weekend after the Satruday 5:00 p.m. mass (6:00-6:45) and after the Sunday 8:30 a.m. Mass (f9:30-10:15 A.M). in the corner of the church near the chapel.  Persons who desire healing for themselves or others (by proxy) come to parishioners on the Healing Prayer Team who ask the nature of the need, listening to the one asking for prayer and listening to the Spirit as they share their need and as they pray for them. 
 
Come, take advantage of these opportunities to be reminded of God’s infinite and always present love for you and for others.  These are simply ways of God’s Spirit moving among us.
 


Gadabouts: Ministry to Seniors

All parish seniors 55+ and over are invited to attend the gathering of the GadAbouts for potlucks, special events, Mass and day trips for the coming year (no membership fee). An announcement in the Sunday parish bulletin details each event.

Interested in learning more or being added to the mailing list? Call Gloria Jordan at: 763-557-6997 or contact Mike Lentz with questions at 763-400-7203 or mike@sjtw.net.

Counseling

Professional Counseling can be integral part of your faith journey.  The Pastoral Ministry Office has a listing of therapists that we will share with you. Different counselors operate out of different philosophies, as well as from a variety of specialties.  Know that we visit with and screen anyone before referring parishioners to them. We can also provide you with help with questions you may wish to ask potential counselors in your search. Contact the parish office for more information. 763-425-6505.

Job Transition & Networking Group

The SJTW Job Transition & Networking Group is offered every Tuesday from 7:00 - 8:30 a.m. The purpose of the group is to create a place where people who are unemployed or under-employed can meet to network, share ideas and learn about new techniques to assist them in the job hunting process. Likewise, we also welcome those who are employed (company owners or those actively seeking new employment), people re-entering the job market and college students. If you have any questions, please contact Bob Bruno at 203-578-5572 or email at  rjbruno55@gmail.com.

Living Faith Booklets/Care Notes

Materials related to Pastoral Ministry topics are available by or on the Pastoral Ministry section of the bulletin board on the way to St. Joseph Hall, as well as on the kiosk in the Gathering Space in St. Joseph Hall. 

New Parishioners Welcome Event

The Welcome Team hosts the New Parishioner Orientation Potluck fives times per year on the third Monday evening in September, November, January, March, and May.  Parishioners from a variety of ministries at St. Joe’s are invited to come and share with the New Parishioners.  If you are interested in joining the Welcome Team Ministries, please call Mike Lentz with questions at 763-400-7203 or  mike@sjtw.net.
 
Spiritual Direction
To find a spiritual director suited to your needs, it is recommended that you interview at least two prospective spiritual directors, using questions such as these:
1. What enrichment, spiritual formation, and theological education do you have in spiritual direction
2. What is your personal experience tending your own prayer, meditation and contemplative life
3. What is your experience as a spiritual director? How many years? In what environments? What are you most interested in spiritually?
4. How do you continue your education and supervision for your spiritual direction ministry?
A list of spiritual directors can be obtained from the parish office. 

Stephen Ministry

Stephen Ministers are parishioners who have been trained according to the Stephen Ministry system www.stephenministries.org. These ministers are encouraged to continue to update their skills as supportive listeners by attending regular enrichment sessions and monthly group supervision. Stephen Ministers are available to anyone who wishes caring support and prayer at anytime. All visits and supervision are held strictly confidential. Any new parishioner who has been a Stephen or BeFriender Minister in another parish and joins St. Joseph the Worker Faith Community is invited to become active again. Contact Beth Ann Hart at 763-496-1365.

Support Groups

• Alcoholics Anonymous (AA): Every Thursday at 5:45 PM. Call Rich at 763-245-0230
• Multiple Sclerosis (MS): Second Saturday of each month at 10:00 a.m. Call Diane at    763-425-8346
• Depression Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA): Held the first and third Thursday at 7 p.m. of every month at St. Joseph the Worker. Enter at the far end of the building (second set of glass doors). Contact Steve 763-425-6505 ext. 107