About the Guest:

Subdeacon Stefan is from Christ The Redeemer Maronite Catholic Parish, where he plays a vital role in spiritual guidance and support. He co-founded the business Lauren's Family with his wife Giselle, who has extensive experience as a support worker for the NDIS sector. Stefan is deeply inspired by his late sister, Lauren, who has had a profound impact on his life and vocation, fueling his passion for serving those with disabilities and fostering community support.

Key Takeaways:

• Transformative Inspiration: Stefan's journey through his sister's illness and eventual passing played a vital role in shaping his life values and his faith-driven vocation.
• Community and Support: The importance of community strength and support, particularly through challenging times, was strongly emphasized, illustrating how connections can provide solace and aid in grief.
• Non-Verbal Communication: Lauren's ability to connect with others without words underlined the power of non-verbal communication and emotional intelligence, contributing to the podcast's ongoing theme of connection beyond verbal language.
• Grief and Growth: The episode delves into the many facets of grief, highlighting that it manifests differently for everyone and discussing how Stefan’s family navigated the complex dimensions of mourning and acceptance.
• Spiritual Lessons: Insights were shared about how persons with disabilities, like Lauren, can serve as conduits of spiritual growth, inspiring others toward sainthood through witness and empathy.

Notable Quotes:

• "Love is beyond words and there is greater mysteries to life."
• "There is strength in love and power that comes through family."
• "Lauren was already a saint, and she's been given to us to make us into saints."
• "We have an experience that allows us to be stronger than you are."
• "Finding joy even in the little things—that's where Lauren was inspirational."

Resources:

• Lauren's Family: An initiative started by Subdeacon Stefan and his wife Giselle, dedicated to providing support services inspired by Lauren's legacy.

For more information on the Hills Sanctuary House visit our website https://hshl.org.au/
You and your mental health is important to us.
Please visit https://hshl.org.au/wp/help-resources/ for help and resources
Do subscribe to this podcast to get the latest episodes of Finding Sanctuary.

Follow us on
Facebook - Christ the Redeemer Maronite Catholic Parish of The Hills
Instagram - @hills_sanctuary_house
Blog - https://hshl.org.au/blog/