Sr. Claudia Margret Kedangan

‘It is in dying that we are born to eternal life’ is true, as our beloved Sr. Claudia took her flight to heaven on 9th December 2017, around 4.00 pm. She passed over to eternity having completed successfully her mission on earth when we least expected. Sr. Claudia was born on 3rd March 1930 as the 3rd child to Antony and Rosa Kollannur, in the Archdiocese of Trichur, Kerala. God gifted them with ten children, five sons and five daughters. In the early age itself, she had a desire to follow the Lord very closely. Her devoted and pious parents instilled in her a deep love for Jesus and Mother Mary. Religious vocations apparently ran in the Kedangan family. As her immediate family members had already joined the UMI’s, she was also inspired to give her life totally to the Lord following the footsteps of Bl. Brigida. Her entrance to the Ursuline Congregation was on 8th June 1949. She made her first profession on 24th May 1952 and the perpetual profession on 24th May 1955 and was a full-fledged member of the Congregation for the past 65 years. As a young religious, she was zealous and enthusiastic and her life was marked by hard work, discipline and integrity. Her association with our Italian pioneers tells us volumes of dedication, commitment, toil and hard labour which she endured lovingly for the growth and expansion of the mission in India at its initial stage. Her interaction with Fr. Caironi S.J and other Italian Jesuit missionaries have left an indelible mark of firmness, courage and incessant energy. Her pioneering involvements while working in Northern, Southern and Central part of India reveal her love for the mission of Jesus. She withstood all the hurdles and numerous challenges with firm trust, determination and confidence in the Lord. She left a legacy of sacrifice, availability, zeal for the mission and constant prayer. She also spent time doing crochet, cooking, reading and cherished time with her friends and family. For her, community life and its every activity was a treasured experience and she readily participated in it at all times. Her life in the community brought blessings and immeasurable joy. In the Gospel, Jesus says, “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.” This word of Jesus inspired Sr. Claudia to give herself fully for the integrated development of children, especially the poor and the needy. Her dedicated, dynamic, and efficient service as a teacher, superior and hostel warden in our institutions in the different Provinces is noteworthy and commendable. After the retirement she generously and bravely served as a warden in some of our boardings. A kind hearted and compassionate sister - was a mother for the orphans and the abandoned. One of the pupils’ parent commenting ‘she was a mother to all my children, strict yet loving and drew out the best from them for their future’. For the past 20 years, she had been part of our community at Davis Road. She lived an edifying life in her religious observances and practices. Her sense of responsibility, hospitality, affection and care were remarkable qualities that one wouldn’t easily miss. She was a chronic patient of diabetic mellitus and Parkinson diseases. On 8th December 2017, early morning at around 2.00 am, she was found restless and complained about severe abdominal pain. Immediately she was rushed to St. Philomina’s Hospital, Bangalore. After the emergency care in the causality department she was shifted to the ICU for investigation and further treatment. She was showing signs of improvement till noon the next day. She received the anointing of the sick and Holy Communion joyfully in the morning. She was conscious and was talking until 3.00 p.m. Then suddenly her vital signs started deteriorating and all the measures taken to revive her were in vain. At 4.00 p.m. she heard the gentle whisper of her beloved, as her life silently slipped away …‘Arise, my beloved, my beautiful one, come’!!! With this invitation Sr. Claudia followed her eternal Spouse to a new dwelling place on 9th December 2017. Her mortal remains were brought to Ursuline convent at 8.00 p.m. Our sisters from nearby communities kept vigil with our dearest Sr. Claudia. At about 3.30 p.m. the funeral Mass began. Fr. Paul Pazhanganattu, CSsR, the Parish Priest of Holy Ghost Church celebrated the Eucharist and some of the neighboring priests concelebrated. He highlighted the lively presence of Sr. Claudia, her hospitality and kindness. After the mass, Fr. Paul CSsR, led the last rites and her mortal remains were laid to rest in the Kalpally Cemetery, Bangalore, at 5. 30 p.m. I extend my sincere thanks to Rev. Fr. Paul Pazhanganattu, CSsR for officiating the Mass and funeral service. My sincere thanks to all the priests who comforted and provided spiritual guidance to her while she was confined to the house. “Suffering and pain are measured in hours but the reward cannot be measured because it is eternal”. Bl. Brigida. Beloved Sr. Claudia, making these words of our Foundress a reality you have begun your journey to heaven. We will miss you much….when you are in that kingdom where there’s no pain and sorrow but only joy and peace remember us and pray for us.