Neighbourhood volunteers help identify needs, offer moral support and provide referrals to local social services of the Parish, before a crisis develops. The following are the various ministries under Care and Concern.

Bethany Group

This ministry tends to the needs of the recently bereaved and those who have lost a loved one and would like to talk. This is also for anyone interested in becoming involved with ministering at funeral liturgies as lectors, sacristans, hospitality ministers and servers.

Food Pantry

In order to ease the daily basic needs of the homeless in our community, the Parish provides a bag of provisions to those who ask.Contributions to the Food Pantry would be greatly appreciated, they may be dropped off at the Parish Office during office hours.

Keep in mind that the recipients of the pantry are homeless, so they have no means to cook food. Canned or packaged foods that do not need to be cooked are ideal

Soup Kitchen

The outreach program to the local community began in 1998. We support the efforts of the Geneva-based charity ‘Carrefour-rue’ by bringing parishioner volunteers to help 5 or 6 times a year at a ‘Soup Kitchen’
that provides warm lunch to needy persons. New volunteers are always welcome. For more information, please contact the parish office or email: soupkitchen(at)johnxxiii.ch

Stephen Ministry

Stephen Ministry is a listening ministry made up of trained lay care-givers.  Their role is to listen and care – not to give advice or counsel.  They provide free, quality, one-to-one Christian care including: crisis care, follow-up care, chronic care, preventative care and supportive care.  Stephen Ministers listen, understand, accept, and pray for you as you go through a struggle or life challenge.  In the Geneva region these life challenges include separation/divorce, depression, loss, loneliness and those with serious illness. 

This year’s training will take place online using Zoom. Participants who register will receive Zoom information at a later stage.  Starting Thursday, 29th September 2022 and running until March 2023. Training commences at 7.00pm sharp until 9.00pm. A contribution of CHF 150 is requested per person (which covers materials, freight, taxes, online license, etc.). If needed the contribution can be spread to avoid any hardship.  

If you require further information please visit the Stephen Ministry website or for assistance, email us on stephen.leaders@stephenministry.ch.