Compassion Ministry

THE FEAST OF ST. ANN - A CELEBRATION OF LOVE

The celebration of St. Ann’s feast at Maria Nivas honored St. Ann’s legacy of selfless service, especially to mothers and women in labor. Provincial Superior Sr. Showrilu Kondaveeti emphasized the joy of heartfelt sharing and invited support staff from five Vijayawada Communities. The day began with a Eucharistic Celebration led by Fr. Jaya Raju, who praised the staff’s dedication. Sr. Mary Kumari introduced the Mass, reflecting on St. Ann’s life and devotion. A symbolic offering had staff place hearts and roses beside St. Ann’s statue, reinforcing unity. Fr. Jaya Raju’s homily focused on St. Ann’s faith and her daughter’s mission. After the Mass, the Sisters honored the support staff with a special meal and thoughtful gifts as tokens of appreciation. 

BOARDERS’ DAY CELEBRATION

In our Province, various Communities celebrated Boarders’ Day on November 21st, while others chose alternative dates for valid reasons. Activities included a Mass, prayer service, games, cultural programs, and a delightful meal served for all the participants.

WORLD DAY OF THE POOR

The World Day of the Poor was observed on November 13th across our Province, where we provided assistance to those in need through donations both in cash and in-kind. Many Communities prepared and served meals and snacks for the less fortunate.

WORLD DAY OF ELDERS

“The World Day of Elders” was celebrated with warmth in both the Community and Schools, where students invited their grandparents for a prayer service and cultural programs. Elders were honored through songs, dances, and games, concluding with snacks that left them joyful and thankful.

In line with the 2023–24 Province action plan, Intercultural Activities were organized for boarders. Competitions in solo singing, group singing, and group dance saw enthusiastic participation from hostel boys and girls. These events fostered respect for elders and encouraged cultural expression among students.

 

INTERCULTURAL ACTIVITIES FOR BOARDERS

According to the Province’s 2023–24 action plan, the boarding community hosted a vibrant intercultural event featuring solo singing, group singing, and group dance performances. Boys and girls from our boarding homes and hostel participated enthusiastically, and their lively performances created a warm and inclusive atmosphere. Thanks to their joyful engagement and cultural expressions, the event became a truly memorable celebration of unity and diversity.

ACTIVITIES OF LASA

Region wise gatherings – Talks on Family life emphasizing the importance of unity, mutual respect and shared responsibility.

Recollection, Adoration and Prayer Meetings at LASA Families

Participation in Singing Competition conducted at Province level on "Our Father"

YOUTH LASA

This inauguration of Youth LASA - named after a Founder Carlo, as Carlo Club, was done on 25th July 2024 by Sr. Marietta D’mello, Sr. Rajitha, Sr Donata, Sr. Magdalene, Sr. Bijaya Laxmi from Sacred Heart Community. Forty students from Std VII to X formed the LASA Cabinet and Group Leaders, collectively called LASA Leaders. The inauguration began with a prayer service, followed by a medal and sash ceremony for the LASA Cabinet and LASA leaders. Other Youth LASA members received badges as a symbol of their participation.

MEDICARE

From September 23 to October 1, 2024, the Sisters, in collaboration with Don Bosco Fathers and Asha Hospital, organized a medical camp in ten flood-affected villages near Vijayawada. The camp provided vital medical care, nursing services, and counselling to residents who had lost homes and were facing poverty, malnutrition, and illness. Many villagers, engaged in marginal livelihoods like rag-picking and bead-making, also struggled with emotional and educational challenges. Despite adversity, their resilience and dignity inspired the team. Health education and compassionate outreach offered hope and healing. The initiative deeply impacted both recipients and volunteers, fostering a sense of shared humanity. Special thanks were extended to Fr. Ratna and Fr. Melkior SDB for their support and presence.

OUTREACH PROGRAMMES

CHARITY TOWARDS FLOOD VICTIMS

Everything Happens for A reason, Live it, Love it, And learn from it.

On September 1st, 2024, severe flooding from the Budameru River transformed Vijayawada into a virtual lake, submerging homes, schools, and essential infrastructure. St. Ann’s School turned into a shelter, with staff prioritizing relief efforts despite personal losses. Eight tractor-trailer loads of debris were cleared, and basic needs like food and water were provided. Sisters from St. Ann’s Provincialate and Maria Nivas extended support through food, clothes, and essentials. The Eastern Province distributed 1,500 relief packs to children and marginalized families. Amid devastation, hope and solidarity prevailed, and the school eventually reopened to welcome back students.

ST. ANN’S PROVINCIALATE AND MARIA NIVAS

In early September 2024, Vijayawada was devastated by record rainfall and flooding, submerging 40% of the city and severely impacting lives and infrastructure. The poor lost everything, while even the wealthy were left stranded without essentials. In response, Sr. Showrilu, the Provincial Superior, mobilized relief efforts, inspiring the Sisters to distribute essential help bags to those in need. From October 28–30, a province-wide exposure initiative brought Sisters to the worst-affected areas: Y.S.R. Colony, Ambapuram, and Ninavaram. Despite immense loss, residents expressed deep faith and gratitude. The Sisters comforted them through prayer, scripture, and emotional support. Their small acts of love brought hope and healing amid suffering.

Report of Compassionate Ministry 2018-19

v  Boarding  and  Hostels  -  The  Eastern  India  has  five  hostels  and  seven boarding  houses  in  three  different  States  Andhra,Pradesh, Chhattisgarh  and  Odisha.  We  have  about  1500 such  children  and  young  girls  residing  with  us. 

v  All  the  boarding / hostels  were  renovated  with  required  facilities for  the  well being  of  the  students.

v  Shed  for washing  the  plates  was  constructed  for   St  Ann’s  boarding  at  Duldula.

v  Poor  boarders  were  given  free  food  and  accommodation in  the  boarding.

v  Special  attention  and  care  was  given  to  all   our  catholic  girls in  all  the aspects , like  fee  concession, and   spiritual needs  like daily  mass,  sacrament  of  reconciliation  and  moral  instructions

v  Boarders  day  was  celebrated  in all  the  hostels  and  boarding with  prayer service, entertainment, games and  followed  meals.

Domestic  Workers 

v  We  love  and  care  for  our  domestic  workers who  help  us in  our  daily  course  of  work.

v  Domestic  workers  were  given medical  assistance  whenever  they  are  sick.

v  Free  education   was  given  for  their  children  and  their  studies  are looked after  by  us.

v  Regular workers  had  been  enrolled  for  PF and  ESI.

v  Workers   day  was  celebrated  for  all  the  workers  with  special  prayers, entertainment/ games  and  a  festive  meals.

Prison  Ministry

v  Sisters  visit the  local jail  once  a  month. Sisters  read the Word of God  and explain to them .They  teach prays and sacred  hymns .

v  Sisters  of   St.  Ann’s  convent  Eluru and St. Ann’s Provincialate Gollapudi along  with  the  catholic  staff visit the prisons.  Prayer  service s are   conducted every  month. Toilet  articles  and  snacks  are distributed  to  them.

v  The Atkinson high school, gollapudi Sisters and Teachers along with the students celebrate with them  on  important occasions ,such as August 15th, Children's Day and Christmas. We do give awareness through  the counseling for the Juvenile children .

Orphanage

v  We  have  only  one  orphanage  house. That  is  in  Vijayawada St.  Anthon’s Convent. Last  year  about  60  children  were  taken care  by  the  sisters.

v  An  orphan girl  name  Dhanasree  was  helped to  settled  in  life.

v  A  beautiful shed  to  dry  their clothes,  toilet  and  bathing  rooms  are  constructed for  the  orphan  children  to  have  comfortable  life  like  other  children.

Other activities of the Compassionate  Ministry of our Province

v  St. Ann’s convent Eluru provide  a meal  on  every  Sunday to  the  destitute, elderly of   the parish, substations,  where the  young  sisters  carry  on  their  ministry .  So  every  Sunday, food  packets along  with  the  fruits  were  taken to  their  houses.

v  Sacred  Heart  Convent  Vijayawada  have Karunya  Tailoring  Institute to  help  and  support  the  women  who  are  poor,  single widows  and  weaker  section  of  the  society,  free  of  cost  to  enable  them  to earn their livelihood.

v  The duration of  this programme  is  six  months  for  every batch  of 20 women.

v  They are  given  a  sewing  machine  at  the  end  of  their training classes.

v  The polio victims and  aids  patients  are  helped in  cash  and  kind.

v  The communities set apart  some money every month to help the  poor  families  and  the  blind  persons.

v  About 15 old people are helped financially. Blankets were distributed for 250 poor families . Free medical checkup was done and also medicine were given free.

v  All the  communities  of  our  province  are  engaged  in  the village  apostolate taking  care  of  the  pastoral  needs  of  the  people. 

World Day of the Poor
v  The world day of the poor was celebrated in all the communities. The poor people were invited for the celebration. Many communities had beautiful prayer service. Food, medicine, blankets and bed sheets were distributed to them.