Good Shepherd Province, Irinjalakkuda
( Bishop of Irinjalakuda )
GOOD SHEPHERD PROVINCE
“The Lord is my Shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.” (Ps 23:1)
The history of the South Province of Congregation of the Sisters of St. Martha is the tracing of continuous flow of grace from most merciful heart of Jesus, the Good Shepherd who gently leads His children to the evergreen pastures of blessings to make them ‘a blessing for many’. The Congregation of St. Martha has its origin in 1948 by the Founder, Rev. Fr. John Kizhakoodan at Ponnukkara, Thrissur,Kerala, India. It was the decision of December 2012 General Synaxis to establish two provinces for the easy administration and progress of the congregation. We remember with gratitude, then Superior General Rev. Mother Geo Maria and her council who took efforts in executing this decision. The inception of the Provinces was in Sept 2013. The North Province has been named under the patronage of Lourde Natha and the South Province under the patronage of Good Shepherd.
A long cherished dream was realized as the new dawn of the Good Shepherd Province was formally inaugurated and blessed by His Excellency Mar. PaulyKannookadan on 23rd Septemer2013. The Eparchy of Irinjalakuda is both historically and geographically important since it contains AzhikodeKodungallore, where St.Thomas the Apostle first travelled in our Country. Our Province also had the Paternal blessing of late saintly Bishop Mar James Pazhayattil of Irinjalakuda
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Present Team
From the left: 1. Rev. Sr. Rosna Tom CSM (Provincial Secretary); 2. Rev Sr. Jasmine Philip CSM (Provincial Councillor); 3.Rev Sr. Anit Mary CSM (Asst. Provincial Superior); 4.Rev. Sr. Jane Mary CSM (Provincial Superior); 5.Rev Sr. Lissia CSM (Provincial Councillor); 6.Rev. Sr. Dona Jacob CSM (Provincial Councillor); 7. Rev Sr. Tessy Jacob CSM (Provincial Treasurer)
The visionary zeal, spirit of prayer and cooperation of our first Provincial Superior Rev. Sr. Deepthy Tom CSM and her team has been significant in striving hard to continue, nurture and build on the inspired vision and charism of our Founder, Very Rev.Fr.JohnKizhakoodan. The second Provincial Synaxis re-elected Rev. Sr. Deepthy Tom CSM as Provincial Superior in February 2016. Now the third provincial team is in charge of the province headed by Provincial Superior Rev. Sr. Jane Mary CSM and her councillors Rev. Sr. Anit Mary CSM, Rev. Sr. Lissia CSM, Rev. Sr. Dona Jacob CSM and Rev. Sr. Jasmine Philip CSM lead and guide the Good Shepherd province into ever new pastures. The new Provincial team continues to motivate and facilitate the various apostolate and activities of the Province.
Through months and years, the budding Province has been flourishing through addition of new vocations and renewal of its members into a greater commitment and dedication to live out the Charism of imparting compassionate love of Christ to all especially the poor and downtrodden section of the society. At present the Province has 152 professed Sisters, 2 novices, 6 Postulants and 4 Aspirants, 26 convents and 4 service centers. Under the shadow and constant guidance and companionship of Our Good Shepherd, members are living the unique charism zealously through contemplative prayer and different apostolate like Pastoral activities, caring for the sick, abandoned, poor and differently-abled, education, family apostolate, social works, small scale occupations like tailoring centers and candle making, printing press, healing ministry in hospital, mobile palliative care, agriculture etc. The simple lifestyle of the sisters which is the heritage of our congregation adds to charism of becoming living symbols of Christ`s compassionate love.
In response to the needs and signs of the time, substantial contributions have been added to the Church in Kerala through our graceful presence and activities in 6 dioceses of Syro Malabar Church like Thrissur, Irinjalakuda, Eranakulam, Kothamangalam, Idukki&Thalassery. The call and mission of the consecrated embraces the whole world. The footsteps of Jesus the Good Shepherd and the service mindedness of St. Martha took us across the oceans to impart His mercy through our humble services in the field of education, hospital ministry and pastoral care in Italy, USA and Germany.
“Bethania”, adoration chapel and prayer house at Ponnukara, Thrissur is the spiritual power house of our congregation. This little beautiful prayer house is the renovated first house of the congregation where in our beloved Founder Rev. Fr. John Kizhakoodan gave shape to the congregation together with our first 12 Sisters. Sisters spend one week time in a year in this prayer house where they get empowered with renewed zeal and spiritual power, new insights and convictions to keep afresh their covenantal life and do the services in God`s merciful love.
The Province has three formation houses, two in Ponnukara, Thrissur and one in Moonnumuri, Irinjalakuda. The Assumption convent, Mother House of the congregation is situated at Ponnukara and it belongs to our Province. A part of physical remains of our Founder, Fr. John Kizhakoodan rests in the Assumption chapel and also we have the tomb of V. Rev. Msgr. Antony Maliekal (Jr), our former Director in that convent chapel. St. Vincent Diabetic hospital which takes care of Diabetic patients and a mobile Palliative care unit is also run by the Good Shepherd Province
As we receive God`s mercy every day in our own lives we are bound to be a sign and instrument of mercy for others. Jesus, the Good Shepherd has been guiding and walking along with us step by step, day by day. The constant intercession of Our Mother Mary and St. Martha, our heavenly Patroness and the blessings of our Founder Very Rev. Fr. John Kizhakoodan and first Sisters, among whom two are still living in mother house, continues to nurture our Province.
HOUSES UNDER GOOD SHEPHERD PROVINCE
The Good Shepherd Provincial House of the Sisters of St. Martha is situated in the parish of St. Thomas cathedral Church in the Diocese of Irinjalakuda which established on 2013. In the province, there are 26 convents, 160 sisters and Sr. Deepthy Tom was the first Provincial Superior.
The official inauguration was held on 23rd September, 2013 by His Excellency Mar PaulyKannukkaadan, the bishop of Irinjalakuda. The Provincial Superior and the provincial administrative team members work together for the physical, mental and spiritual growth of every sisters and giving guidance to the functions and activities of the convents.
St. Martha who proclaimed her strong statement of faith in Jesus, ‘Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world” (John 11:27) is our heavenly patroness. The sisters spread the light of faith to others by receiving the compassionate love of Christ in the heart. The congregation is started with 12 members at Ponnukkara. The sisters, taking the words of our Founder “Daughters, do not reject anyone”, continue to fulfill their responsibilities with greater joy. Embracing the motto of “Love Serves”, the sisters go out to serve the poor and afflicted in the aged homes and balabhavan outside and inside of Kerala, India.
Address: Good Shepherd Provincial House
East Combara, Irinjalakuda Pin - 680 121
Thrissur Dist., Kerala
E-Mail ID: csmshepherd@gmail.com
Phone : +91 480 2829635
www.csmgoodshepherdijk.com
