Sr. Amala Lobo

“I heard a voice from heaven saying, blessed are the dead who die in the Lord. ‘Blessed indeed,’ says the Spirit, ‘that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!” (Rev.14/13) Our dear and loving Sr. Amala Lobo, slipped away gently and with angelic serenity to the bosom of her loving Father as she breathed her last on 5th August in the Holy Family Hospital, Bandra. God looked down upon the earth and found the tired face of Sr. Amala, He put His arms round her and lifted her to His heavenly home for eternal rest. After the season of suffering, God in all His grace restored, confirmed, strengthened and established her in His Kingdom. Sr. Amala began her earthly journey on 10th January 1952, in the Diocese of Mangalore as the 4th of five children born to Angeline and John Lobo. She was fondly called ‘Lilly’ at home by her brothers and sisters. She joined the Ursuline family in 1973 at Kannur, Kerala. She made her first profession in 1976 and final profession in 1981. For a long period of 36 years she generously and lovingly rendered her service in our School at Bondel, Mangalore. Sr. Amala possessed a genuine joyful spirit, loved and cared for everyone. She inspired those who lived with her, by her life of prayer, deep trust in the Lord, sacrificing spirit, simplicity and gentle dealings. She was gifted with a taste for art, needle work, cooking and gardening. Her active involvement in the pastoral and catechetical activities and as an organist in the Parish choir endeared to many. She found time to visit the Parishioners and the neighborhood families and maintained a good rapport with the people of the locality. She was concerned about the welfare of the marginalized and the poor, especially women and children and she provided them with food and nutrition. Sr. Amala was a person with gratitude and often commented thus: ‘my Congregation has done so much for me’. She communicated a sense of sufficiency, gratefulness and had a positive attitude that edified and inspired all who visited her. In the words of one of her pupils ‘she was loving and approachable, persistent and courageous to communicate God’s love to the young minds and did simple things with great love’. The short life of Sr. Amala was filled with many ailments like, Rheumatoid arthritis, vitiligo and interstitial lung disease and she accepted the pain and suffering generously and endured cheerfully. Over a period of time she withstood thirteen surgeries. She suffered a subdural hematoma in March and she underwent surgery. She was also detected to have chronic liver disease. In July, she was admitted with jaundice and liver failure. On 3rd August, the anointing of the sick was administered Rev Fr. Antony Alphonso. On 5th August, in the consoling presence of her brother Dominic Lobo and his family and our sisters, she calmly took her flight to heaven. Her mortal remains were placed at Shalom- Bandra. The Fathers, Sisters from nearby Communities and Staff paid their last respect. Until 6th August, 3.30 p.m. sisters continuously prayed for the repose of her soul. Rev. Fr. Gerard Fernandes, along with eight concelebrants offered the Holy Mass in St. Andrew’s Parish- Bandra. The Church was packed with Sisters, many of her relatives, students who came to pay their last respect to Sr. Amala. After the Holy Mass and prayers, the funeral procession moved to the Cemetery. The last rites were conducted by Rev.Fr. Jose Paul, and her body was laid to rest awaiting the eternal bliss of Paradise. May her intercession from heaven above shower graces upon us now and always.