BeFrienders at St. Mark's Catholic Church

Weekdays:	9:00 a.m.
Saturday:	5:30 p.m.
Sunday:	8:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
Spanish:	Last Sat. at 7:30 p.m.

Confessions:	Sat. from 4:30 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.

Adoration:	Every Sun. from: 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Chapel.

Rosary:	Click for schedule

BeFrienders

In DepthWhy a BeFriender?Questions?TestimonialsContact

BeFriender Ministry is a lay pastoral care ministry of listening presence. BeFrienders expand the capacity of the church to provide pastoral care.

The role of the BeFriender is to be a companion on the journey through their listening, presence, and compassion. BeFriender ministers bring with them the caring presence of God and the community. BeFrienders participate in ongoing, monthly ministry reflection with supervision of BeFriender staff. Ministry reflection provides accountability and growth which assists BeFrienders in their ability to listen and be non judgmental, to put aside their own prejudices or desire to give advice. Brief portions of some visits are used during ministry reflection; fictitious names are used and unnecessary identifying details are eliminated. Confidentiality is maintained.

We are a people called by God to be the Church of Jesus Christ in our place and time. Our mission — as persons, as families, as parishes and as a diocese — is to respond to God’s Call with personal commitment and communal action.

Who needs a BeFriender?

Anyone experiencing grief, loss, transition or other concerns.

Cancer or chronic illness	Having children
Divorce	Post-partum blues
Trauma	Alzheimer’s
Abuse	Major life decisions
Death of a loved one	Relationship issues
Relocation	Financial worries
Job loss	Addiction
Imprisonment	"Empty nest"
Parenting challenges	Stress of being a caregiver
Depression	Buying a home
Mental illness	Losing a home
Career change	Being a victim of violence
Getting married	Natural disaster

Some questions you may have about BeFrienders Ministry are:

If my family member has a BeFriender visiting, does that mean I am not meeting their needs?

Not at all. A BeFriender cannot take the place of family or friends in someone’s life. For many though, a BeFriender is a supportive visitor beyond the family.

How often will a BeFriender visit?

The frequency of visits will be determined by the people who are visited and the BeFriender. A visit usually takes place every week or two and lasts about an hour. You and the person will determine when and how often a visit takes place.

What if I cannot think of anything to say?

The Be-Friender does not come to you to gain information. Rather, he or she will listen and respond, trying to support you at this time in your life — without giving advice or making judgments.

BeFriender Ministry is not so much a "doing", but rather "being" — a ministry of presence, of quiet listening.

BeFriender coordinators enable BeFrienders to re-spond to the emotional and spiritual needs of persons in our parish. Following are some of the training topics:

Grief and loss
Spirituality
Aging
Listening
Confidentially
Communication
Ministry during illness

If you would like to learn more about the BeFrienders Ministry; request a BeFriender to visit you or even become a BeFriender youself; please contact us below!

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BeFrienders

Who needs a BeFriender?

Some questions you may have about BeFrienders Ministry are:

Friendship

Companions

Listening