Aluva, Kerala: The Kerala Church has taken a new step towards strengthening its pastoral care with the launch of its first ‘Listening Corner’ at St Dominic Church, Aluva, offering people a welcoming space to speak, be heard and find support during difficult times.
Launched by the Catholic Mental Health Ministry (CMHM), Kerala Region, the initiative aims to make the Church a place where people can openly share their worries, emotional struggles and personal difficulties without fear of judgement.
A listening space for people who need support
The Listening Corner is intended to provide more than a place to seek advice. It aims to offer people the reassurance of having someone listen to them with patience, compassion and understanding.
The initiative was inaugurated by Aluva DYSP Baiju Paulose in the presence of parish priest Fr Joy Chakkiyath, priests, CMHM members, parishioners and well-wishers.
Trained active listeners will provide emotional support and psychological first aid to people who approach the space. Those requiring professional assistance will be guided towards qualified mental health professionals and appropriate services.
Kerala Church seeks to walk with people
Through the initiative, the Kerala Church aims to strengthen its role as a community that accompanies people through both joyful and difficult moments of life.
The Listening Corner will also seek to encourage people who may hesitate to speak about their struggles to take the first step towards seeking support.
Located at St Dominic Church, Aluva, Kerala, the Listening Corner will function every Thursday from 10 am to 4 pm and will be open to everyone, irrespective of age or background.
Listening spaces planned across Kerala
The CMHM Kerala Region plans to establish similar Listening Corners in more dioceses and parishes across Kerala. It also intends to train interested parishioners, including retired persons, to serve as active listeners.
The broader aim is to nurture parish communities where people feel safe to speak, confident to seek help and assured that they will not have to face difficult moments alone.
With its first Listening Corner, the Kerala Church is seeking to turn a simple act of listening into a meaningful form of pastoral care — creating space for people to be heard, accompanied and guided towards hope.