Sr. Olivia Chempakassery

When my heart is faint, lead me to the rock that is higher than I”- Ps. 61/2 Death is not the extinguishing of a light, but the putting out of the lamp because the dawn has come. A new day dawned for Sr. Olivia and she peacefully began her new life in the Risen Lord on 4th December 2017. While we still wait in hope for the coming of the Lord, she has completed her waiting….the season of advent has ceased in her earthly life and is in glory with the Father. We thank the Almighty for the gift of our dear Sr. Olivia to our Congregation. She was born on 5th January 1946 as the 5th child to Thomas and Annamma in the diocese of Changanassery, Kerala. She was blessed with three brothers and five sisters. At home she was fondly called Chinnuaunty and her nieces and nephews found in her solace, strength and courage. She was a person of conviction, determination and creative power. Her sudden and unexpected departure saddened all of us but it is consoling to know that she was gradually preparing to meet her beloved Spouse. Sr. Olivia came to Ursuline Convent, Davis Road on 6th October 2017, to join us for the annual retreat. Later she went home for holidays, had a relaxed time with all her beloved family members and returned to Bangalore. The fatal incident took place on 1st December 2017, as she suffered an acute stroke with right side paralysis and loss of speech instantly. She was immediately rushed to the Hospital and the CT scan showed a clot at the right side of the brain and she was taken to the Catha lab and the clot removed successfully but the bleeding persisted. In spite of all the expert medical assistance her health was deteriorating and she remained unconscious all through. The angel of death lovingly beckoned her on 4th December at 3.45 p.m. to eternal bliss where there is no pain and suffering but unending joy. Sr. Olivia joined the Ursuline Congregation on 14th March 1966 and made her First Profession on the 31st December 1969. She pronounced her perpetual vows on 18th May 1975 and had been a member of the Ursuline family for the past 49 years. She graduated in B.Com and did diploma in Business Management, Journalism and computer course. Her persistence and perseverance helped her to acquire skills in writing and accounts. In the early years of her life, she rendered committed and dedicated services as an effective teacher and in clerical capacity in many of our institutions: Ursuline convent-Kannur, Ursuline convent-Bangalore, St. Mary’s convent-Bazpur, Mariampur convent and St. Patrick’s convent-Kanpur. She was also part of Shalom-Bandra, St. Xavier’s convent-Loutolim, St. Joseph’s convent-Nasik, and Holy Family convent-Kurla. She rendered her valuable service at St. John’s Medical College, Bangalore in the computer department from 1987-1990. Her poor health condition did not prevent her from giving herself to the community. She was gifted with a special skill of adventure, an outstanding quality that enabled her to give a new touch to anything she undertook. This was coupled with her love for the poor and the differently abled. She was keenly interested in their well-being. She indeed had a taste for journalism and has written many short stories, poems, articles, skits for periodicals and received few awards and recognition for the same. Sr. Olivia was honoured with the ‘Malayala Manorama Award’ for her short stories in Malayalam, ‘P’Daniel& Elizabeth Memorial Award’ for her literary contribution and Humanitarian services. She has also contributed her mite in compiling the 3rd volume of the Annals of our Mission in India along with other sisters. Whatever she did, she did with the best of her ability and undaunted will power. Sr. Olivia’s had undergone two major surgeries i.e. the open heart and valve replacement, following which she was in continuous medication. ‘In Gods will is my peace’ with this phrase she had written a will in 2012, to the then Provincial superior, for donating whatever organs that could be useful. She was indeed an altruist- her desire to donate all the organs of her body was a proof to it. Though she is no more, she continues to live in a human person because of the donation of her organs. Her mortal remains were brought to the Ursuline Provincialte around 4.00 a.m. on 5th December 2017. Her compassion and kindness for the poor and less privileged was known and highly spoken of by Rt. Rev. Bernard Moras, the Archbishop of Bangalore. He was not free to offer the funeral Mass but paid his last respects by praying for the departed soul and commended on her dedicated work and said, ‘She worked with me for 3 years and every time she had something to offer for the poor’. The funeral ceremony started at 3.00 p.m. Rev. Fr. Assisi Saldanha Cssr along with many priests from the neighborhood con-celebrated the Mass. She had selected the hymn “Deivame nin gheham ethra mohanam” to be sung for her final journey and was it written in the diary. After the Holy Eucharist, the procession moved to the Kalpally Cemetery, Bangalore. Fr. Paul CSsR, the Parish Priest of Holy Ghost Church led the last rites and her mortal remains were laid to rest at 5.00 p.m. I remain grateful to Rt. Rev. Dr. Bernard Moras for his blessing and his presence. I am ever so grateful to Fr. Assisi Saldanha, for officiating at the Holy Eucharist and sharing his endearing thoughts. I thank all priests who concelebrated the funeral Mass and funeral service and all those who paid visits and offered their prayers and condolences. “To live in the hearts of those you leave behind, is not to die”. Dear Sr. Olivia, you will always live in our memory until we meet in heaven. Adieu to you dear sister till we reach our home, where you have preceded us. May you enjoy everlasting rest in the loving arms of your heavenly Spouse whom you served with deep love, unwavering faith and fidelity.