In response to the desire of Mar Antony Padiyara, the Archbishop of Changanassery, and of the Vicar of the Parish of Palode, a remote isolated forest area in Nedumangad in TVM district,we started a Convent at Palode on 28 July 1983, to work among the tribals and the Catholic immigrants from the Central Travancore areas. Srs.Canesia (Superior), Regi and Vineetha were the pioneers. A dispensary was opened to meet the medical needs of
the people. Later when another dispensary was opened nearby we closed down our dispensary and started a Nursery class.But when the nearby Primary School started a Nursery class we had to stop ours. We have a few acres of agricultural land there as a means of income for our living. Sisters are active in Parish activities. There is no residential Parish Priest in the Parish and hence no daily Holy Mass. Holy Eucharist is celebrated and on particular week days by the Parish Priest from Vithura.
Convent Location: Kerala
The Regional House at Podippara, Changanassery, established in 19… functioned as Provincial house till 1990. Then the Provincial house was shifted to the newly constructed building at Chethipuzha, Kurisumood., belonging to Chethipuzha Sacred Heart Parish. It was blessed by Mar Joseph Powathil, the Archbishop of Changanassery on 2 January 1990. This house also serves as a centre for initial formation. Provincial Renewal programs, retreats, batch gatherings and various big celebrations and functions of the Province take place here. Summer camps are conducted to inculcate good values into the young minds.
Apart from the floating community natural to a Provincial House, there is a smaller permanent Community at the Provincial house as in any other local Convent ,with a separate Animator other than the Provincial Superior and her team. This Community is entrusted with the Parish ministry activities like Catechesis, Pious Associations, Family Unit activities, family visits etc. Sisters take keen interest in family unit gatherings and de-addiction program in collaboration with the youth. In 2008, a new block ‘Santhwana’ was constructed as an extension of the Provincialate where sick and aged sisters of the Province are taken care of.
Mercy Home is the first Rehabilitation Institute for the physically challenged children in the diocese. It was blessed by Mar Antony Padiyara, the Archbishop of Changanacherry on 4 August 1974. Srs. Sienna (Superior), Teresita, Redempta, Daya, Lima Rose and Mrudula were the pioneers of the Community. Initially boys and girls were admitted and later boys were shifted to Mercy Home Kodinattukunnu. Polio cases are rare now, but cerebral palsy on the increase and they seek admission to Mercy Home. . The distressed and desperate children find security and happiness at Mercy home. To minimize the disability and maximize the functional ability they are provided with corrective aids and treated with different therapies. They are given quality education and are trained and equipped to be self-reliant.
Sd Thiruvananthapuram was the first SD Convent started in the Archdiocese of Changanassery. It was also in Thiruvananthapuram the capital city of Kerala that SD Sisters got access in a Medical College for the first time.
Sr. Jane Thattezhath and Sr. Sales Vadakkamchery who got transferred to TVm Medical College hospital from Ernakulam General Hospital had to stay at the Nurses’ Quarters of the hospital. But It was strongly felt that a Convent house is necessary for the prayer life and community life of the Sisters. So with the permission of Mar Mathew Kavukatt, the then Archbishop of Changanassery we took a house on rent opposite to the Med. College Men’s hostel, and the Sisters began to reside there on 15 April 1969. Later the Servant of God Mar Mathew Kavukat blessed the house as a Convent.. Still later we bought that house. We were fortunate to have a house of our own in the capital city which was blessed by the Servant of God. We belonged to the Parish of Lourde Church.We also opened a Nursery class attached to the Convent for the poor children of the area. Srs. Jane (Superior), Leoni, Bernard and Elsius were the pioneers. Besides the Sisters employed in the hospital, this house also accommodates our student Sisters who do various University Courses in the capital city. The presence and service of our Sisters in the Med. College hospital is a great blessing for the poor patients to approach the doctors and get proper treatment.
In 1997 we opened a Stay home attached to the Convent with 15 beds for lodging the poor patients and their bye standers who come from far off places for treatment at RCC and Sree Chithira hospital. Sisters also find time to involve in the Parish activities.