Indian church sets up mental health ministry to support priests and nuns

(GSR graphic/Olivia Bardo)

"Unfortunately, the church's healing ministry was centered on physical health until recently. We had conveniently forgotten the mental wellness of our own workers," said Medical Mission Sr. Joan Chunkapura.

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Empowering youth with autism, a journey of inclusion and understanding

"Doing this work brings me a sense of purpose and fulfillment, and I am motivated by making a positive impact on the lives of individuals with autism and their families," writes Nigerian Sr. Christie Udebor.

A group of young participants in the final stage of the Bel Espoir voyage poses with Sr. Abir Hanna, coordinator of the network of monasteries that accompanied the youth. (Courtesy of Jesús Marro Sanz)
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For 30 years, leaders have promised climate action. The Earth has waited in vain.

With COP30 underway in Brazil, faith leaders say the time for polite appeals is over. From Turkana's dry fields to the Amazon's burning forests, the church is turning to action and demanding world leaders keep their promises.

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Sr. Christy Babu Cherpanath of the Missionary Sisters of Mary Immaculate with young people during the shooting of the Youth Cafe program produced and aired by Shalom Television in Kerala, southwestern India. (Courtesy of Shalom TV)

Q&A with Sr. Christy Babu Cherpanath, former software engineer who evangelizes youth through new media

Cherpanath is known for her programs on Shalom Television, especially Youth Cafe, a weekly program for youth, and Vocare, a program that shares the inspiring vocation stories of nuns and priests.

UN report: Every 10 minutes, a woman is killed somewhere in the world

The figures underscore the significance of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, observed Nov. 25. The day also launched the 16-day UNITE campaign, which ends Dec. 10, International Human Rights Day.

(GSR graphic/Olivia Bardo)

Indian church sets up mental health ministry to support priests and nuns

"Unfortunately, the church's healing ministry was centered on physical health until recently. We had conveniently forgotten the mental wellness of our own workers," said Medical Mission Sr. Joan Chunkapura.

An Advent wreath is depicted in a stained-glass window at Christ the King Church in Commack, New York. (CNS/Gregory A. Shemitz)

Sisters share Advent hope found within their ministries and experiences

The new panelists begin the ninth year of The Life by answering this prompt: "Drawing from your experiences and the world around you, share a reflection or meditation on the theme of Advent."

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Meet the new sisters panel for the 9th year of The Life

Sisters share Advent hope found within their ministries and experiences

Q&A with Sr. Deirdre Griffin, director of Sisters of St. Joseph's federation

Feature Series

Sister Advocacy at UN

Global Sisters Report is covering Catholic sisters' advocacy at the United Nations.
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LCWR 2025

The Leadership Conference of Women Religious' annual assembly will take place Aug. 12-15 in Atlanta. 
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Out of the Shadows: Confronting Violence Against Women

"Out of the Shadows: Confronting Violence Against Women" is a yearlong Global Sisters Report series on the ways Catholic sisters are responding to this global phenomenon.
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Religious Life

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(GSR graphic/Olivia Bardo)

Indian church sets up mental health ministry to support priests and nuns

"Unfortunately, the church's healing ministry was centered on physical health until recently. We had conveniently forgotten the mental wellness of our own workers," said Medical Mission Sr. Joan Chunkapura.

The ninth panel for Global Sisters Report's feature The Life (GSR graphic)

Meet the new sisters panel for the 9th year of The Life

Global Sisters Report's ninth year of The Life features a panel of 20 sisters who will take turns responding to a prompt or a question about spirituality, religious life and challenges of our world today.

The necrology board at Mount St. Scholastica in Atchison, Kansas, lists the names and dates of sisters who have gone before, a daily reminder for the community to carry them in prayer. (GSR photo/Helga Leija)

At my Benedictine monastery, ritual inspires gratitude for sisters who came before me

This Thanksgiving, I'm especially thankful for my whole community — the women on the necrology board whose dedication and prayer continue to shape us, and the women who walk beside me now.

More than 20,000 faithful gather for the Nov. 8, 2025, beatification Mass of Mother Eliswa Vakayil, founder of the Congregation of Teresian Carmelites, at the Basilica of Our Lady of Ransom at Vallarpadam in the city of Kochi, India, which is in the Archdiocese of Verapoly. (OSV News/Anto Akkara)

Pope hails 'courageous commitment' of India's Blessed Eliswa, pioneering Indigenous nun

Mother Eliswa Vakayil, Kerala's first Indigenous nun and the founder of the Congregation of Teresian Carmelites, was beatified on Nov. 8 at the Basilica of Our Lady of Ransom at Vallarpadam, in Kochi, India.

Community News

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Together Online Information Session

January 28, 2026 at 2 pm Central
Together is an inter-congregational community of vowed religious who are studying at Catholic The

Learn more about the InterCongregational Collaborative Novitiate

December 5, 2025 1 pm Central
The InterCongregational Collaborative Novitiat

INDIA: New chapel in Pathangre Village brings new hope thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions

Nov. 24, 2025
Chapel to serve as gathering place for church and prayer.
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Ministry

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Sr. Jamie Phelps

Monday Starter: Sr. Jamie Phelps, advocate for social and racial justice, dies at 84

Plus, pilgrimage to El Salvador to remember martyred sisters, laywoman; and Salesian nun wins top education award in India

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Columns

Empowering youth with autism, a journey of inclusion and understanding

"Doing this work brings me a sense of purpose and fulfillment, and I am motivated by making a positive impact on the lives of individuals with autism and their families," writes Nigerian Sr. Christie Udebor.

View of Medellin, Colombia (Pixabay/Julian Zapata)
Columns

Institución Técnica San José Obrero champions life in Medellín, Colombia

Many leave grateful not just for quality education, but also for the listening, support and life-changing help they receive.

Comboni Sr. Cecilia Sierra, right, with two residents of the West Bank village of Abu-hindi. The Bedouin women did not wish to be identified in photos, worried about the potential harm that could pose to their communities. (GSR photo/Chris Herlinger)

In a divided Holy Land, Comboni Missionary Sisters act as a bridge

The Comboni sisters in the West Bank try to create the kind of connection symbolized by Jesus' life, with a persistent belief that, as Sr. Mariolina Cattaneo said, "if you build a wall, we find a solution."

GSR in the Classroom

Youth in a classroom raising their hands to answer questions

The project shines light on the mission and ministry of Catholic women religious around the world.

Each lesson connects articles about sisters or columns written by sisters to the good news found in scripture and church teaching. Action ideas and compelling prayer bring new learning alive. Teacher guides provide vital context and engaging activities to launch group discussions.