New prayerful listening ministry launched

A new ministry in the Diocese of East Anglia has been launched to provide prayerful listening for those who need to talk.

Pairs of trained parishioners will listen and pray with those who need it in parish rooms or online on Zoom.

Author of the training manual, Rose Stokes, said: “The ministry has been developed to meet the increased need among parishioners to talk through their personal concerns, especially since the pandemic.”

Rose was asked by Bishop Alan Hope and the Marriage and Family Life Commission to train listeners using the programme she devised and piloted in another Catholic diocese  as they recognised three core characteristics of it:  professional integrity, pastoral sensitivity, and a Catholic theological and doctrinal underpinning.

“All listeners have undergone training in prayer, listening, safeguarding and GDPR. They will continue to be offered professional supervision as the ministry launches,” said Rose.

You can leave a message at: 01603 957653. All calls are confidential and calls will be returned within 48 hours. This number is not a helpline but a booking system.

Parishioners will be offered an initial consultation and then five or six further meetings to work through their personal concerns in a safe, trusting environment. 

Click here to read more about Rose Stokes’ role in the diocese.

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