 |
Religious Name : |
Sister Mary Prema of the Sacred Heart |
| Maiden Name : | Lizzie Mathilda D'Mello | |
| Religious No : | 1438 | |
| Native Place : | Kinnigoli | |
| Parish : | Church of Immaculate Conception Kinnigoli | |
| Diocese : | Mangalore Diocese | |
| State : | Karnataka | |
| Date of Birth : | 28.08.1943 | |
| Date of First Profession : | 26.04.1967 | |
| Date of Perpetual Profession : | 20.05.1972 | |
| Date of Decease | 27.04.2021 |
OBITUARY
Sister Mary Prema of the Sacred Heart
Inst No 1438
“My joy lies in being close to God. I have taken shelter in the Lord, continually to proclaim what he has done.” (Ps73:28)
The death of a consecrated person/Religious is a celebration of her new birth with her Bridegroom for all eternity.
Our dear Sister Prema winged her flight to heaven very peacefully on Tuesday April 27, 2021at 11.00 a.m., to sing God’s praises continually with the entire Heavenly band.
Sister Prema nee, Leezie Metilda D’Mello the first born of late Mr. Sebastian D’Mello and late Mrs. Severine Pinto, saw the light of day on August 28, 1943, was baptized on September 4, 1943 and confirmed on October 5, 1954 at the Immaculate Conception Church, Kinnigoli. She began her journey of faith and love guided by her God fearing parents and maternal grandparents. Sister Prema was dear “Leena Bai” to her two brothers and four sisters. Having lost her parents at her young age Sister Prema was brought up and educated by her maternal grandparents. She completed her S.S.L.C. at Little Flower Girls’ High School, Kinnigoli and TCH at St. Ann’s Training Institute, Mangaluru. Though the eldest of the seven children, Sister Prema, when she heard God calling her to the religious life, she willingly said ‘yes’ to His call and generously offered herself to serve Him in the Apostolic Carmel. She joined the Postulancy at Maryhill on May 25, 1964, made her First Profession on April 26, 1967 and Final Profession on May 20, 1972 at the Presentation Convent, Maryhill. She rendered her services in different convents of Karnataka Province, St. Mary’s Convent, Marjil, St. Joseph’s Convent , Kundapur, St. Maria Goretti Convent, Kemmannu, Carmel Convent, Gangolli, Stella Maris Convent, Kotekar, as a Minister, Sacristan, Infirmarian, Librarian, and Request Minister. Sister Prema was faithful to her prayer life and community life. She was concerned about the Church and the Congregation and prayed for their needs. She being the eldest was very much concerned about her younger siblings and prayed for their well-being. Her brothers and sisters kept contact with her through phone calls. When she celebrated her Golden Jubilee in 2017 she was overjoyed to have all her siblings for the celebration.
Sister Prema was gentle in nature, happy, cheerful, and always appreciative. She had a sense of humour when she narrated simple jokes, sometimes the same jokes repeated many a time /over and over again, at recreation. When she was given the name ‘Prema’ her maternal grandmother asked her what kind of name she got ‘PERUMA’. She would narrate this many times with much delight. At times when we called her ‘Peruma’ she never took offence at it. She would also take great pride in telling us that her father was “Doctor D’Mello”. She would easily be fooled when someone said that they were from BASRIKATTE (A place in Ghats in Chikmagaluru District), where she had spent her early childhood with her grandparents. She never harboured any grudge or anger against anyone if, in case there was any contradiction and always forgave readily.
Sister Prema had a very special talent of getting acquainted with people. She would meet anyone who came to the parlour, speak to them and make them feel at home. It was her daily practice to go to the sacristy during the Recessional Hymn to meet the priests who came to celebrate Mass and enquire after their well being and ask them to stay for breakfast. As a teacher she was very kind to the students and her colleagues. Her great joy was to be with the little ones. Her students do remember her goodness and appreciate her. In spite of Covid -19 a student of Kemmannu School, now resides at Bejai was present for the funeral. Sister Prema used to prepare small cribs at Christmas for each sister of the community. She had an artistic writing too.
From 1995 Sister Prema did not enjoy good health. God whom He loves most tests them in the crucible of suffering. She suffered from Asthma, Vertigo, Arthritis, and underwent knee and cataract operations and had many other small ailments.
Sister Prema came to our community in 2012. Her main assignments here were the apostolate of prayer, receptionist and in charge of guests. During the past 9 years of her stay here, Sister Prema was hospitalized many times. From 2019 October to 2021 February she was rather seriously ill, and was admitted in the I.C.U. almost reaching the gate of heaven many times, but somehow she used to get well and return home. This time the end came all of a sudden and most unexpectedly. On 27th she was unable to get up from her bed in the morning. The breakfast was given in her room which she took with great difficulty. Slowly she showed some symptoms of breathlessness. At 10.00 a. m she was given a cup of tea.
Immediately after her refreshment the sisters found her breathing hard, the Superior Sister Rosilde and some sisters gathered round her and as they prayed she winged her flight to heaven very gently and peacefully. Sister Maria Shamita our dear Provincial Superior who was informed of her condition came at once. Her presence and guidance was a great source of strength and support to us. The priest and the doctor were also called for immediately. The parish priest Rev. Fr Stany Pereira came and administered the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. Dr. Alfred Lobo from Father Muller’s hospital, Kankanady also came and certified her death.
The mortal remains of Sister Prema were taken in a procession to the chapel from her room with the singing of hymns and was laid to rest in the chapel. Sisters stayed with her in the presence of the Lord praying for her. Several sisters visited her remains and some were present with her on her final journey. The funeral Mass was held on the same day at 5.00pm with Fr. Paul Melwin D’Souza OFM ,Cap the Episcopal Vicar General for Religious as the main celebrant, who also preached the homily. Rev Fr. Stany Pereira the Parish Priest of Urwa, Fr. Aquin Noronha OP of Ashoknagar and Fr. Fredrick Rodrigues OFM, Cap con-celebrated along with him. Our sincere thanks to all of them for celebrating the Eucharist and praying for the repose of the soul of our dear Sister Prema. Our grateful thanks to Sister Maria Shamita our dear Provincial Superior who was with us helping us in many ways and her team, Sister Maria Nirmalini and her team for their prayerful support
Dear Sister Prema we love and cherish the loving memories of your prayerful, simple and dedicated life of love spent in our community. We will miss you at every community exercise and recreation.
Adieu dear Sister, adieu, till we meet you in that heavenly abode. Now that you enjoy the eternal bliss do intercede for your family members and sisters of the Apostolic Carmel.
A tribute of love and gratitude from the sisters of Annunciation Convent, Ladyhill Mangaluru.
Name in Religion : Sister Mary Prema of the Sacred Heart
Maiden Name : Leezie Metilda D 'Mello
Institute No : 1438
Date of Birth : 28.08.1943
Date of Entrance to Postulancy : 25.05.1964
Date of First Profession : 26.04.1967
Date of Final Profession : 20.05.1972
Date of Decease : 27.04.2021
Date of Burial : 27.04.2021
Place of Burial : Annunciation Convent Cemetery, Mangaluru.
