Making 'Hospital Ministry' Mission Possible
PANJIM, Goa (SAR NEWS) -- Paying heed to requests for spiritual help from patients, the Archdiocese of Goa began its "hospital ministry" at the Goa Medical Hospital (GMC), Bambolim, more than a decade ago.
"As the number of patients grew with years, we have expanded our services," says the Director of Diocesan Centre for Lay Apostolate, Father Alexio Menezes of Goa and Daman Diocese.
In the beginning, priests from the nearby parishes willingly offered their service to Catholic patients admitted to GMC by celebrating Mass for them on Fridays and Saturdays. After the Mass, the priest also used to distribute communion to patients in the 40 wards of the hospital.
"This arduous exercise was not practical and the mission failed to reach out to all the patients. At this juncture, the Diocesan Centre for Lay Apostolate took up the challenge," said Father Menezes.
"As time went by, we realised one priest could not possibly attend to the many patients in the hospital. So we invited the different religious communities in Panjim deanery to get involved in our work and keep our mission going. Today there are 16 communities from Panjim and Goa Velha area catering to the spiritual needs of all the patients at the GMC."
"They visit the patients, distribute communion, pray with the patients, irrespective of their religion, and direct them to appropriate people in case of financial assistance," Father Menezes. "We needed the help of religious sisters, because our priests could not manage this service and the patients would not accept laypeople."
He said each religious sister would visit three wards in a day, twice a week, apart from visits by priests, thus ensuring that every patient is taken care of. "When any patients needs blood or financial assistance we arrange for it," he said.
"Seven parish priests have also offered their services. During their weekly visits, they offer Eucharist, distribute communion, listen to the patients' problems and pray with them," added Father Alexio.
Sister Luisa Colaco, a regular visitor to the GMC, said: "Sometimes I don't feel like going to the hospital, but when I go and visit the patients I feel very happy."
Said another nun who preferred not to be named: "I find the patients -- Christians and non-Christians -- wait for our visits. They open their hearts to us because they trust us and have great faith in our prayers."
With the mission at GMC proving efficacious, Father Alexio now plans to extend the "spiritual service" at government hospitals. "We are planning to extend the same service to Hospicio at South Goa, and Hospital Azilo at Mapusa," he said.