IPOH - FMDM Community in Fatimah Hospital

In the late 1970s the German Brothers of Mercy built a 120 bed general hospital in Ipoh. In 1983 the FMDM sisters closed Our Lady's Hospital and moved to Fatimah Hospital to administer it for the German Brothers. In 1986 the FMDM sisters discontinued being responsible for the administration of Fatimah Hospital.

PENANG

1976 saw the opening of Mount Miriam Hospital in Penang. The sisters’ caring ministry for cancer patients had its roots in a saga reaching back to 1963. At that time, Bishop Chan of Penang who was already himself suffering the last stages of cancer, was cared for by the French Sisters of the Foreign Missions or ‘Grey Sisters’. His wish and hope was that, one day, a Hospital for the care of cancer patients would be established in Penang. However the 'Grey Sisters' were unable to pursue this project. In 1969, the FMDM sisters were asked whether they could possibly take over the project. And so it was that 1973 saw the clearance of a splendid site adjacent to the present College General for a Cancer Hospital. On 21st February 1976 Bishop Gregory Yong, then Bishop of Penang, declared Mount Miriam Hospital officially open.

Today the sisters continue to run Mount Miriam Hospital with a team of very dedicated Oncologist Consultants, doctors, nurses and paramedical staff. The sisters are engaged in the hospital in various areas of ministry – Board membership, nursing, pastoral care, mission awareness, patient education and other related services, which help to bring a holistic care to cancer patients. Apart from nursing and pastoral care of the sick, the FMDM sisters are also engaged in spiritual direction, counseling, parish involvement, pastoral care of migrant workers and voluntary services at St. Nicholas Home for the blind and Cheshire Home.

JOHOR - St. Mary's FMDM Community in Plentong

In response to the invitation of Bishop James Chan, a community of four FMDM sisters took up residence in a shop-house flat at Plentong. They engaged in pastoral, medical and social works among the poorer families as well as being involved in catechetical and other church programmes.

KUALA LUMPUR

Outreach to the poor and the marginalized is the core mission of the FMDM sisters. Since 1990, in practical response to the Congregational call for FMDM sisters to keep the poor at heart in their discernment on Mission and Ministry, following their General Chapter in 1989, research was made with attention focused on poor communities in Port Klang, including squatter areas beyond the railway tracks.

It was Archbishop Soter’s affirmation on the Sisters’ efforts and determination that made it possible for the setting up of the first ‘Learning Centre’ – which was just a classroom belonging to the Parish of St. Anne. Volunteers lent their hands after an appeal by Archbishop Soter during his pastoral visit to the parish.

In 1995, ‘Edu-Care Ministry’ was conceived. It is a concept of an ongoing programme of empowerment by way of education and care – hence the name. Guidance was given by Brother John D’Cruz, FSC on ‘alternative methods of learning’. Affiliation with the National Office of Human Development has contributed immensely in keeping Educare connected with the life of the Church. Educare Centre’s ultimate aim is to empower children from struggling families with good values in life and it upholds the essence of ‘learning with a difference’! In recent years, the services of a volunteer doctor has given Educare outreach another opportunity to improve holistic education of children as medical and health care are rendered to them.

Location of the FMDM communities in Malaysia:

West Malaysia

1. Clareville
   54 Jalan Gajah, 11200 Tanjong Bungah, Penang, West Malaysia

2. Galilee
   19 Lorong Bintang 2, Fettes Park, Penang, West Malaysia

3. St Joseph's Community
    154 Jalan Bungur, 42000

    Port Kang, Selangor, West Malaysia

4.  Our Lady's Convent

     5 Laluan Raja Dihilir

     30350 Ipoh, Perak, West Malaysia