 |
Religious Name : |
Sister Mary Carmita of the Sacred Heart |
| Maiden Name : | Celine Cynthia Serrao | |
| Religious No : | 1400 | |
| Native Place : | Surathkal | |
| Parish : | Sacred Heart Church, Surathkal | |
| Diocese : | Mangalore Diocese | |
| State : | Karnataka | |
| Date of Birth : | 27.11.1942 | |
| Date of First Profession : | 03.05.1966 | |
| Date of Perpetual Profession : | 24.05.1971 | |
| RIP | 07-05-2023 |
OBITUARY
Sister Mary Carmita A.C. of the Sacred Heart
Inst. No.1400
‘You never said I am leaving
You never said goodbye
You were gone before we knew it
And only God knows why’
Our dear Sr. Carmita , welcomed the light of eternity on 7th May, 2023, at about 6.50 p.m. In the silence of her heart she heard the gentle voice of her beloved Lord and Master and she yielded her spirit gently to enjoy the eternal bliss. Without a forewarning did Jesus arrive and secretly chose the best and took her to himself leaving all of us in shock and deep sorrow.
Having completed her long journey of life of 81 years, she was ready at any time to bid farewell to this world and to all of us.
Sr. Carmita , was born in a devout Catholic family in Surathkal, Mangalore on 27th November 1942 to Mr. Lawrence Serrao and Mrs. Elizabeth Furtado as the third child among the six siblings. She was baptized at Sacred Heart Church, Surathkal and was given the name Celine Cynthia. She grew up in a loving and God fearing home and received her early education in her home town.
God was calling Sr. Carmita, to be his own in the religious life and answering his soft tender voice she joined the Apostolic Carmel Congregation on 24th May 1963 and made her First Commitment on 3rd May 1966. As a young and energetic Sister, always prayerful, calm and smiling had a great talent for cooking and was interested in agriculture and so she worked in Presentation Convent, Maryhill, where the Postulants and Novices enjoyed good and tasty food and the produce of the compound. Then she rendered her loving services to Lourdes Convent, Bengaluru, Carmel Convent, Port Blair, St. Cecily’s Convent, Udupi, St. Agnes Convent, Mangaluru, Vijaymari Convent, Maryhill where she tirelessly worked in St. Joseph’s Valley. Again she worked in Presentaion Convent, Maryhill as cook, in-charge of mess and compound. Once again she went to Lourdes convent, Bangalore and for a long period of 27 years she fulfilled her mission as cook, in-charge of mess and house keeping with a smile on her face, even though her leg gave her problem in walking. Yet she never complained. Even though she was not feeling well she lovingly served in St. Agnes Convent, Mangalore for three years after which she came here to Stella Maris community and remained for two years working till the last day.
Sr. Carmita was a calm person and would satisfy the needs of the Sisters and listen to them like a mother. Making others happy was her sole desire. She would meet her Lord in the place of work with the domestic helpers and had the patience to teach the work to them every time when the new ones came to work. She never raised her voice at any time. Because of her leg pain, she walked the way of the Cross from her room to the Chapel, to the kitchen and the refectory. She was interested to go wherever the community went and enjoyed the company of the Sisters.
As usual she went to Surathkal for her home visit on 4th May, 2023 and was to attend the Silver Jubilee of religious profession of her niece Sr. Linette D’Souza, A.C. in Mukha, On 7th May, she felt sick with chest pain and she did not attend the function but rested till late evening in her ancestral house . When a nurse came and tested her pulse, it was low; they took her to the nearby hospital, but before she reached the hospital, she offered her soul into the hands of her Lord and Master. What a peaceful and sudden death! As directed by the Provincial Superior Sr. Linette her niece with her family members brought her remains to Fr. Muller’s hospital, Kankanady, Mangaluru. The Provincial Superior informed about it to Sr. Maria Smitha, the Superior of our Convent. What a shock and sadness to all the Sisters of our Convent. She who had to return to the community on 8th May. She left us on the previous day itself. All the arrangements were made by our Provincial Superior, Sr.M.Shamita and Sr. Maria Sudeepa, the Provincial Councillor and the funeral was decided to be on 9th May at 3.30 p.m.
Four Carmelite (OCD) priests from Ryshivana, Ranipura offered Mass with our Parish Priest Fr. Victor D’Mello from Panir Church. The parish priests conducted the funeral services. Our Provincial Superior Sr. Shamita, the Provincial team many of our Sisters from Karnataka, Southern Province and Sisters from other Congregations, our A.C.As and parishioners came for the funeral services. We make a special mention that our Generalate team Sisters and community Sisters from Bangalore came for the funeral. It was very thoughtful of our Provincial Superior that she sent some Sisters from our other communities to help us in keeping ready for the funeral Mass since some of our community Sisters had the duty at the polling booths for Karnataka Assembly Election. Everything was organized well and we bid farewell to our dear Sr. Carmita.
The life of our dear Sr. Carmita, with the air of hiddenness, holiness, cheerfulness and hard work, invites us to live our life too, with passion and compassion, humour and grace.
Adieu dear Sr. Carmita, till me meet again on the eternal shores. As you enjoy the blissful presence of the beloved Spouse, intercede for us from heaven. Pray to the Lord to send us good vocations to our Congregation.
A tribute of love from all the Sisters of Stella Maris Convent, Kotekar, Mangalore.
Bio-Data
Name in Religion : Sr. Mary Carmita A.C. of the Sacred Heart
Maiden Name : Celine Cynthia Serrao
Institute No. : 1400
Date of Birth : 27. 11. 1942
Date of entry to Postulancy : 24. 05. 1963
Date of First Profession : 03. 05. 1966
Date of Final Profession : 24. 05. 1971
Date of Decease : 07. 05. 2023
Date of Burial : 09. 05. 2023
Place of Burial : Stella Maris Convent Cemetery at Kotekar.
--------------------------------------------------------------
