St. Thomas Hospital, Chetipuzha

Pastoral care in Hospitals: Patients who are hospitalized- especially those with severe  or terminal illness may feel completely alone and isolated. This is why most hospitals provide pastoral care to those in need. Hospitals aim to provide the best care for their patients, which includes meeting with their emotional and spiritual needs. It is really a healing process. They are available for any type of spiritual counseling, including praying with patients, answering ethical, moral and religious questions, providing rituals or sacraments such as baptisms or blessings or just talking. So our sisters are actively rendering their care in this ministry.

Counseling: Counseling is a process that focuses on enhancing the psychological well- being of the client, such that the client is then able to reach their full potential. Also which facilitates the personal growth, development and personal understanding, which in turn empowers the person to adopt more constructive life practices. It can be helpful in number of ways. It can enable one to develop clearer understanding of concerns and help acquire new skills to better manage personal and situational issues and also help persons think of creative solutions to  problems.

Caring the sick and the aged

Mother was reminding us through her last letter, the charity towards the aged that should be continues for those who are suffering for long time. In order to show the concern towards the aged, Mother started a home for the aged to give support and care to them. There is need to provide care and love of the Good Shepherd to those who have no one else to care for them. As a part of our apostolic activities in caring the aged in India, we have a home at Moonnumury and also Alappuzha.

The members of the Franciscan Handmaids of the Good Shepherd spread their wings to many other diverse areas of ministries and services including schools, hospitals and religious institutions throughout India. Our sisters provide assistance to Lisie Hospital Ernakulam, Lourdes Hospital Ernakulam, Rajagiri Hospital Chunagamvely, Little Flower Hospital Angamaly, MAGJ Hospital Mookkannur, St.James Hospital Chalakudy, Amala Hospital Thrissur, St.  Thomas Hospital Chethipuzha, Christanand Hospital Brahmapuri, Christ Hospital Chandrapur, and Madhura Hospital. We also have our active presence in in Divine Retreat Centre (Divine Voice), Divine Care Center for Mental Health Santhipuram, Retreat Center Potta, Renewal Centre Kaloor, Rogation School Aluva, Sacred Heart English Medium School Mookkannur etc. Today, our sisters serve in five states, with fourteen houses and two hundred members.