Sr M Noreen BS

                                       Sr M Noreen BS of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour

Born                                          : 30.08.1935

Entered Bethany                     : 04.10.1959

Temporary Profession            : 05.05.1961

Perpetual Profession              : 05.05.1967

Slept in the Lord                     : 05.11.2024

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7).

This could be a beautiful way to reflect on Sr Noreen’s life. Sr Noreen ran her race with faith, courage, and purpose, leaving behind a legacy of hope and inspiration. Her race was one of service, love, and dedication to the people she cared for deeply.

Sr M Noreen BS, nee Anna Sequeira, aged 89, is a member of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany, Mangalore Province. She having completed her earthly pilgrimage peacefully flew to her Creator on 05 November 2024 at 08.15 am at Maryvale Convent, Kinnigoli. She was born to the Late Gaspar Sequeira and the Late Isabella Sequeira. She hails from Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Parish, Kinnigoli in the Diocese of Mangalore. She is the fifth among five siblings, two brothers and two sisters. Her elder sister Sr Nazareen BS and Sr Noel BS, her niece are in Bethany Congregation.

Sr Noreen’s early education was at Little Flower Higher Primary/High School, Kinnigoli and her TCH at Rosa Mystica Teachers’ Training Institute, Kinnikambla. Having perceived a call to serve Jesus, Sr Noreen joined Bethany Congregation on 04 October 1959, at the age of 24, making her Temporary Profession on 05 May 1961 and Perpetual Profession on 05 May 1967.

Sr Noreen has rendered her remarkable services at Rosa Mystica Convent Kinnikmbla, St Xavier’s Convent Ajekar, Mother of Mercy Convent Kirem, Nazareth Convent Bajpe, Santa Cruz Convent Kulshekar, Bethany Mother House, Mangalore, Bethany Convent, Panvel, St Mary’s Convent Dahanu, Maria Kripa Convent Mahim, Bethany Convent, Sao Jose De Areal and Maryvale Convent Kinnigoli. She served the Lord in Bethany as Superior, Headmistress, Social Worker, Regional Superior and General Councilor drawing many souls closer to God. After her retirement Sr Noreen chose to be a missionary and worked in Panvel, Maharashtra among the Kathkari tribals and fisher folk. She walked miles and miles with a smile in spreading the Good News of God’s love and compassion for the poor in the mission stations.

Sr Noreen was known for her deep spirituality, punctuality for community exercises and meticulously following the traditions and customs of Bethany. Her deep respect for authority was widely appreciated and admired. Her love and respect for Father Founder was very much seen every time she narrated her experiences with Fr Founder. Sr Noreen was known for her cheerfulness, simplicity and love for the Congregation. She helped many to follow the Lord through priesthood and religious life. She was kind and gentle in her dealings, happy and satisfied in everything. She lived an exemplary life that inspired both the young and the elderly in the community. For the past 15 years at Maryvale Convent, Sr Noreen spent her time before the Blessed Sacrament praying rosaries continuously. She found joy in gazing at the Lord in the Tabernacle with profound love and gratitude.

 Sr Noreen was confined to bed for almost four months before her home going.  She endured her suffering with patience and resignation. She was fortunate to be under the care of the shepherding superior Sr Premalatha BS and loving members of the community. They offered their generous, tender and loving services and spiritual accompaniment, especially during her ailments. The Provincial Superior Sr Lilly Pereira visited her often with her Councillors and showed care and concern.

On 05^th November 2024 Sr Noreen received the Lord in her heart, during the Eucharistic Celebration in the morning. A little later she showed sudden signs of breathlessness. Rev Fr Joachim Fernandes, the Parish Priest administered to her the Anointing of the Sick. In the presence of Sr Premlatha, the Superior, Dr Sr Jeevitha and sisters of the community she flew to her eternal abode. The message was given to Sr Lilly Pereira the Provincial Superior and Sr Rose Celine the Superior General. In the absence of Sr Lilly Pereira who was away in Nagpur, Sr Mariola the Assistant Provincial Superior along with Sr Flavia Wilma the Councillor visited and offered prayers for the soul.

The mortal remains of Sr Noreen were laid in the community Chapel where sisters, candidates, her relatives, sisters from various communities, Novices, Sr Nazareen   BS her elder sister from Bethany Mother House and her Niece Sr Noel BS from Rosa Mystica Community, other nieces, nephews and relatives, BLA members and neighbours were present to bid her a tearful goodbye. The Community Sisters kept praying the whole night. Sr Rose Celine the Superior General offered prayers for her in the morning and thanked her person for her missionary spirit to work in the Lords Kingdom.

Funeral rites took place on Wednesday 06 November 2024 at 09.30 am at Immaculate Conception Church, Kinnigoli. Rev Fr Daniel Veigas OP Episcopal Vicar for religious of Mangalore Diocese officiated the Eucharistic celebration along with six priests. Fr Jochim Fernandes the Parish Priest of Immaculate Conception Church, Kinnigoli preached the homily.