Obituaries

Sr M Avina BS of Holy Family

Born : 23.06.1920
Joined Bethany : 28.05.1936
First Profession : 28.05.1940
Perpetual Profession : 02.05.1946
Entered Eternity : 19.01.2020

“If we live, we live for the Lord and if we die, we die for the Lord. Whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord”( Rom.14:8).

Sr M Avina BS breathed her last on Sunday 19th Januay, 2020 at 2.15 pm at the age of 99 years and 7 months and at the 80th year of her religious life. She had the peacefulness of belonging to the Lord in her death, as much as it was in her life. She responded to the voice of her beloved and eagerly flew into the welcoming arms of Mary the Queen Mother of Bethany, joining our Founder and Sisters in heaven.

Sr Avina nee Bridget D’ Souza was born at Niddodi, in the Diocese of Mangalore, on June 23rd, 1920 in a God fearing family. She was the 2nd of the 8 children of late Mr Marcel D’Souza and Mrs Ignatius Serrao. Out of the 8 children, God chose two beautiful gifts for Bethany with her sister – Sr Veena who is in Goa. She and Sr Conceptia her niece at present serve in Western Province.
Sr Avina completed her H E T T C in Government training Institute at Balmatta, Mangalore. She has served in the communities at Mazabella Convent, Bantwal, Bethany Mother House, Bendur, Nazareth Convent, Bajpe, Santa Cruz Convent, Kulshekar, Ave Maria Convent, Sirsi, Genazana Convent, Taccode, Sacred Heart, Balekundri , Madeleine Convent, Londa, Holy Family Convent, Nirkan, Visitation Convent, Kadaba, St Antony’s Convent, Padukone, St Mary’s Convent, Quepem, Assumption Convent, Karwar, Christ King Convent, Guledgud, Vidyarani Convent, Chittapur, St Joseph’s Convent, Sagar and Bethany Convent, Salcette, Goa. From 1999 till date she was a member of Gratia Plena Convent, Santibastwad.

During the 80 years of her Consecrated life in Bethany, she has touched many lives and brought them to the circle of God’s love through her loving services to the poor and needy, spreading the Kingdom of God. While being a committed teacher, Superior and Headmistress and as an active member in the Pastoral ministry, she has rendered her valuable services to humanity and proved to be a great and zealous missionary. She encouraged many boys to join the priesthood and many priests are working in Belgaum Diocese. Her respect for the authority and capacity to influence others deeply, by her genuine and authentic way of Life and love for the poor and marginalized is noteworthy.

The last 21years of Sr Avina at Santibastwad were remarkable. Due to age related factors her movements were restricted but her religious spirit was alive as one could find her always before the Blessed Sacrament interceding the Lord to bless members of the Congregation and the apostolates. As a devotee of Mary she sang hymns to our Mother Mary in her ripe age and lived the spirit of Fiat. She remained ever cheerful and kept herself busy occupying herself fruitfully throughout the day. She inspired the community members and all those she came in contact with her through her encouraging words.

During these last months, Sr Shanti Priya General Councillor along with Sr Christine Procurator General visited her. Sr Assumpta Provincial Superior and her team, her family members, visited her and gave her spiritual and moral support. This morning Sr Avina was administered the last sacrament. The Lord called Sr Avina today (19.01.2020) at 2.15 pm in the presence of Sr Thresiamma the Superior, sisters of the community, Sr Irine Crasta the former Superior, and Sr Sheela peacefully departed to the bosom of the Risen savior.

Her funeral will be held tomorrow 20th January 2020 at 4.00pm at St Sebastian Church, Santibastwad, Belgaum.

I express my sincere condolences to the members of Gratia Plena community and in a special manner to Sr Assumpta the Provincial Superior, her team and members of the Western Province.

Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord,
Let perpetual light shine on her
May her soul rest in peace!

Sr M Rose Celine BS
Superior General