Sr M Angelica BS

                                          Sr M Angelica BS of the Holy Family

Born                                       : 25.04.1942

Entered Bethany                   : 16.05.1960

Temporary Profession          : 05.05.1963

Perpetual Profession             : 05.05.1969

Slept in the Lord                   : 29.08.2024

“If we live we live for the Lord and if we die we die for the Lord. So whether we live or die we belong to the Lord” (Romans14:8).

True to these words Sr Angelica BS lived for the Lord during her lifetime and died for the Lord when the Master called her, for she belongs to the Lord.

 Sr Angelica BS, nee Lilly Roche, aged 82, is a member of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany, Mangalore, peacefully flew to her eternal abode at the early hours on 29^th August 2024 at 04.45 am at St Raymond’s Convent Vamanjoor. She was born to the late Gregory Roche and the late Dominica Pashan. She hails from the parish of Our Lady of Mercy, Fajir in the Diocese of Mangalore. She is the fourth in a family of seven siblings with two brothers and four sisters. Her niece Sr Zeena Caroline Menezes BS serving at Bethany Convent, Hebbal, and her nephew Fr Santhosh Menezes OCD serving at Goa.

Sr Angelica did her Primary Education at St Mary’s Primary School Fajir and High School studies at Sacred Heart High School, Kulshekar, and completed her TTC at Rosa Mystica Teachers Training Institute, Kinnikambla. Having perceived a call to serve Jesus, Sr Angelica joined the Congregation of the Sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany on 16^th May 1960, made her Temporary Profession on 5^th May 1963 and Perpetual Profession on 5^th May 1969.

Sr Angelica exemplified a spirit-filled personality, drawing strength from her firm faith in the Eucharistic Lord. She was cheerful, calm, and serene. Being jovial, she enjoyed the company of the young and elderly. She actively participated in pastoral activities within the parish, showing her dedication to her religious duties. She demonstrated unwavering commitment and loyalty to the Congregation, coupled with respect for authority and the clergy. She had a great sense of belonging to the community wherever she was placed. She had served as the Local Procurator in most of the communities along with her teaching ministry. She was blessed with green fingers and made use of the land productively. She silently endured her sufferings especially during the past four years. Even during moments of intense pain she always maintained a serene and cheerful countenance and a heart full of gratitude.

Sr Angelica dedicated her life to the field of education as a committed teacher and served at Permannur, Kirem, Bendur, Kulshekar, Nirkan, Basrur, Bajpe, Ranipura, Neerude, and Moodubelle. After her retirement, she engaged herself joyfully in social and pastoral ministries at Kulshekar, Kadaba, Mulki, Padukone, Balkunje, Kowdur, and Rosa Mystica. She spent her last six years of life, in prayer ministry at St Raymond’s Convent, Vamanjoor.  As a true educator, she has touched and molded many lives. Her life, marked by simplicity and steadfast devotion, enriched countless lives, especially her students. Sr Angelica was blessed with a warm heart which sought ways to build healthy relationships with people.

We thank God for the steadfast love of God, Sr Angelica experienced for the past 61 years of her religious life. She glorified God through her life of love and service in the Congregation and the Church.

Her life of prayer, endurance in suffering, spirit of sacrifice, hard work, simplicity, humility, love for the poor, kind and gentle ways have been an inspiration for all of us. Her total surrender to God’s will and plan was revealed in her serene and cheerful countenance which was an expression of God’s faithful love for her.

Sr Angelica enjoyed good health until she got a sudden stroke on 13^th July 2024. Immediately she was administered the anointing of sick by Fr Ivan Ashwin the assistant Parish Priest of St Joseph the  Worker Church Vamanjoor and she was shifted to Fr Muller’s Hospital Kankanady for further medication. On 5^th August her condition grew worse and she was shifted to Concetta Hospital Kinnigoli. She found it difficult to take food and was put on nasal feeding. Since her health was deteriorating day by day she was brought back to the community on 18^th of August 2024. She suffered much at this time. The constant care and support of the sisters of the community was a great solace to her. She was found serene and endured her sickness with love and patience.  However on August 29^th, 2024 early morning at 4.45 am the Lord was pleased to crown her with His crown of glory and she breathed her last and flew to the bosom of her spouse as a good and faithful steward in the presence of Sr Vithalis Lobo the Superior of the community and the sisters of the community Sr Jyothi Wilma and Sr Selma. Immediately Sr Lilly Pereira the Provincial Superior who was in Bethany Mother House came to pay her respect to Sr Angelica. The news of her earthly departure left her family members, sisters of the Province and Congregation, and people of the locality in deep sorrow.

The Mortal remains of our dear Sr Angelica were laid to rest in St Raymond’s Convent Chapel at 6.30am. Rev Fr Kenneth Crasta Asst Director of St Joseph Engineering College, Vamanjoor offered Mass at 6.45am in the convent chapel together with the sisters of the community and Provincialate community.