Sr. Fran Listens, Counsels
Reaching Out to Cancer Patients

Fran Koller, OP, ministers at a facility in Trinidad owned and operated by the Living Water Community, a lay religious group. The facility, a 15-bed terminal cancer hospice center, is run solely on offerings and donations. “The residents are of humble means, often admitted from unsafe and unhealthy environments,” said Fran. “My pastoral presence is to the dying: listening to stories, counseling the fearful, assisting in healing of memories, praying, comforting families, and singing old familiar songs. Another important aspect of this ministry is giving support to the caregivers who are amazingly gentle, compassionate women who witness to love of neighbor.” Pictured are (from left) Neville, who loves to sing Elvis songs; Sr. Fran; and Christine, the laundress at the center.