Sr M Ima BS

                                     Sr M Ima BS of the Holy Eucharist

Born                                       : 16.07.1942

Entered Bethany                   : 29.07.1964

Temporary Profession          : 15.05.1966

Perpetual Profession            : 26.04.1972

Slept in the Lord                   : 26.01.2023

“Praise be to God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” (1 Peter 1:3)

Sr Ima who lived with hope in the Resurrection of Christ lived a committed Christian and Religious life commended her soul to the Creator on January 26, 2023 at 10.45am at Shanthi Rani Convent, Siddakatte.

Sr M Ima nee Assumption DSouza was born on July 16^th on the feast of Mount Carmel in 1942.. She hails from Mulki belonging to Immaculate Conception Parish of Mangalore Diocese. She is the daughter of the late Mr Monthu DSouza and the late Mrs Cecilia DSouza. She has six brothers and two sisters. Her one sister is a religious in St Ann’s Providence Convent. She had her early education in her native place and had her Teacher Training Education from St Ann’s College, Mangalore. She joined Bethany in 1964 and committed herself totally to the Lord in 1972 through perpetual profession.

Sr Ima was a very prayerful person and had great devotion to the Holy Eucharist. She spent long hours before the Eucharistic Lord and drew enough strength to serve Him in the little children even to the last day. She had a cheerful countenance and a motherly heart. In the community as well as in the KG school she was like an elder sister, a mentor and a guide giving moral support and accompaniment. She is very loveable and is loved by all.  She loved the nature and made use of the land by cultivating vegetables, planting herbal medicine plants. She was an enduring person she never complained about her illness. Rather she would do all the household works. Very prompt in giving herself to the community works. And always she would say that “Lord never allow me to be a burden for others. Through her jovial nature she would make others happy. She had also love towards the domestic animals and took care of them. She was a disciplined and orderly person who planned her works meticulously and spent her time fruitfully. She was actively involved in the pastoral activities in the parish. Even in her old age she was the members of St Vincent de Paul Society and animated the members to reach out to the poor and needy. She had special concern towards the poor students as well as those who were backward in studies. She maintained good relationship with her family members and was a motivating force to keep them united.

As an efficient and committed teacher she has rendered her services at Bangalore, Kinnigoli, Neerude, Puttur, Kirem, Karkal, Basrur, Padukone, Kowdur, Shubadha, Badyar, Kadaba, Ajekar and Siddakatte. She is acclaimed by the students as well as parents as one of the ‘Best Teachers’ because of her unique and creative teaching skills. She has ignited the lives of thousands of students through her life example, compassion and commitment. She has won the hearts of many children and people through her capturing smile and affectionate words. She was committed and loyal to the Congregation and had great respect to the authority. She had special love for our Revered Founder, Servant of God RFC Mascarenhas.

She was suffering from heart disease and was under medication for the past few years. Due to fever, she was feeling very weak and tired. On 26^th January 2023, as usual she attended to all her personal works. After the breakfast she complained of chest pain and breathlessness and immediately a doctor along with the nurse from Fr L M Pinto Health Centre, Badyar rushed to attend on her. As Sr Sharon Preethi, the local Superior and the sisters were around her at 10.45 am she breathed her last and commended her soul to Christ. She died due to cardiac arrest. Her unexpected death was a sudden shock to the Sisters of her community, Province, her family members, to the Parish Priest and the parishioners. Hearing the death news the parents of Nursery children came to the community along with their children and prayed for the departed soul. The parish priest, members of parish pastoral parishad and Ursuline sisters from the neighboring Convent paid a visit to the Sisters in their sorrow. The eve of 26^th January is unforgettable as the people irrespective of religion flocking to pay their last respect to Sr Ima.