The Health Center of the Good Shepherd Sisters in Yangon marked its 14th anniversary with a Thanksgiving Eucharistic Celebration on July 31, coinciding with the 230th birth anniversary of the congregation’s founder, Saint Mary Euphrasia.

The Mass was celebrated at 8:00 a.m. in the compound of the Good Shepherd Sisters’ convent. Bishop Noel Saw Naw Aye, Auxiliary Bishop of the Yangon Archdiocese, served as the principal celebrant, joined by seven priests from the archdiocese.

Born on July 31, 1796, Saint Mary Euphrasia devoted her life to serving the poor, vulnerable women and children, and people facing hardship through Christ’s love and compassion. Her well-known conviction, “A soul is much more valuable than the whole world,” continues to inspire the congregation’s mission of caring for those in need, especially through its healthcare ministry.

A Ministry of Compassion

Guided by this charism, the Yangon Health Center envisions a society where every person, regardless of social or financial circumstances, has equal access to quality healthcare and the opportunity to live a healthy and dignified life.

The center provides a wide range of services to patients and their families: arranging medical consultations, connecting patients with healthcare professionals, accompanying them to hospitals and clinics, assisting with hospital admissions, providing food, nutrition, and accommodation, coordinating with partner organizations for additional support, and offering psychological, emotional, and spiritual care.

According to Sr. Martina Cing Lam Lun, the health center has served more than 500 patients over the past seven years. She attributed the ministry’s continued success to God’s providence, the dedication of caregivers, and the generous support of donors, friends, and volunteers who have sustained the center’s mission.

Care for Cancer Patients

Sr. Assumpta Shwe, Myanmar Community Leader of the Good Shepherd Congregation, said many of the center’s patients are undergoing cancer treatment and come from various parts of Myanmar. At present, approximately 40 patients are staying at the center while receiving ongoing medical care.

She explained that providing accommodation close to hospitals allows patients to follow their treatment schedules more effectively. Many who return to their hometowns between treatments often come back physically weakened, making recovery more difficult. By staying at the health center, patients receive continuous care, proper nutrition, emotional support, and timely access to medical treatment.

A Healing Mission

For the Good Shepherd Sisters, the healthcare ministry is more than a medical service. It is a ministry of compassion that seeks to restore hope and uphold the dignity of every person, particularly those facing serious illness and financial hardship.

As the congregation celebrated the health center’s 14 years of service, the anniversary also reaffirmed its commitment to continuing the healing mission inspired by Saint Mary Euphrasia and rooted in the Gospel values of love, mercy, and human dignity.

By RVA Sgaw Karen Service