
“In creating a culture of care…may we never yield to the temptation to disregard others, especially those in greatest need, and to look the other way; instead, may we strive daily in concrete and practical ways, to form a community composed of brothers and sisters who accept and care for one another.”
+Pope Francis, World Day of Peace, 2021
VISION | MISSION
​
The Bridge Builders for a Thriving Mission Initiative is providing training for lay people in pastoral care—at no cost to ACCs in the St. Cloud Diocese. Companioning one another spiritually is one of the most important ministries of a faith community. The vision of this project is to equip teams of compassionate listeners who are steeped in Benedictine spirituality. Participants who complete the process will be well prepared to offer pastoral care in various settings, form prayerful caregiver communities within their ACCs, and lovingly practice being a non-judgmental listening presence to whomever they encounter in daily life. Bridge Builders is partnering with the Community of Hope International organization, which provides a robust curriculum in three languages: English, French and Spanish.
​
WHO
​
All are invited to learn about this training and formation for lay pastoral caregiving. An ACC can begin the process by choosing 2 to 3 people to form a leadership team to train parishioners. There will be a Train the Trainer program beginning in February 2024. Through ongoing spiritual formation and practical lessons on caregiving, members learn to integrate theological insights and spiritual practices into their experience of ministering to others.
EXAMPLE OF PASTORAL CARE MINISTRIES
-
Home visitation
-
Youth|Children’s Ministries
-
Prison Ministry
-
Retirement Centers
-
Persons with varying abilities
-
Parish walk-in and front desk ministry
-
Peer ministry
-
Marriage Ministry
-
Outreach to the Poor, Homeless and Marginalized
-
Women’s Ministry
-
Parish Nursing
-
Nursing Home
-
Mission Trips
-
Bereavement ;
-
Mental Health
-
Men’s Ministry
-
Eucharistic Ministers
INFORMATION SESSIONS
-
October 21, 2023, 10 am to noon - Our Lady of Victory, Fergus Falls - English Speaking
-
October 21, 2023,4 pm to 6 pm - Saint Leonard, Pelican Rapids - Spanish Speaking
-
October 24, 2023, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm - ZOOM- English Speaking and Spanish Speaking
-
October 28, 2023, 9:30 am to 11:30 am - Sacred Heart, Sauk Rapids - English Speaking and Spanish Speaking
-
November 9, 2023, 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm - Christ Our Light, Princeton - English Speaking and Spanish Speaking
-
November 16, 2023, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm - ZOOM - English Speaking and Spanish Speaking
For more information email:
Sam Rahberg, Associate Director, Bridge Builders for a Thriving Mission at srahberg001@csbsju.edu
Register for the Information Session at:
What does it take to Thrive?
I. Discern our Gifts

Called and Gifted:
A Workshop to discern your Spiritual gifts
If your ACC is interested in the Called & Gifted online spiritual gifts inventory please contact Sam Rahberg at srahberg001@csbsju.edu.
​
More information about how to use the platform, etc. will be part of the workshop. You may learn about the Called & Gifted program at the Catherine of Sienna Institute.
II. Form Community
III. Find Support
IV. Apply for a "Big Idea" Grant to Thrive in Your Discipleship
Big Ideas
for a Thriving Mission
The Bridge-Builders for a Thriving Mission Grant provides up to $2000 for approved big ideas that support thriving communities.
