Sr. Lata Mattathilanickal

"Be like men waiting for their master to return from the wedding feast, ready to open the door as soon as he comes and knocks. Happy those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. It may be in the second watch he comes, or in the third, but happy those servants if he finds them ready.” (Luke 12:36-37) These words of Jesus in the Gospel mean so much in the case of Sr. Lata. The Lord came knocking, he found her ready, and so he took her to himself to be eternally with him. The call from the Lord came for Sr. Lata on 19th December 2016 at 12.45pm. He found her ready in adherence His will and she bid farewell to us leaving behind the unforgettable memories of her life. Sr. Lata was born on 12th Aug.1951 as the 3rd of the seven children born to Joseph and Thresiamma Mattathilanickal, in Narinada, in the Diocese of Thamarasseri, Kerala. She was Christened as Anna and received the name Maria Lata in religious life. She was lucky to be born in a traditional Christian family of God- fearing parents. She joined the Ursuline Congregation at Kannur on 1st March 1971 and after the initial formation, she made her first Profession on 20th May1974 and her final profession was on 3rd May1980. Today we give thanks to God for the life of Sister Lata as an Ursuline, for the witness that her living out of this vocation faithfully has shown. Through her goodness and service of the community, her attention and care for the students, she gave witness as a religious for 42 years. Her prayers have won graces for her community, Congregation, her family and friends, the Church, the wider community the world. Sr. Lata qualified herself as a graduate, took a diploma in Library science, and began her ministry in our different educational institutions with enthusiasm and commitment. She rendered her dedicated loving services in various capacities such as Principal, Vice Principal, Head Mistress, teacher, Librarian, community animator, and hostel in charge. She mostly spent her life of service and commitment in North India in Uttar Pradesh and Uttrakhand at St. Mary’s convent Bazpur, Mariampur convent Kanpur, St. Joseph Convent Kanpur, Sacred Heart Convent Obra, St. Mary’s convent Raghopur, Nirmala Convent Renukoot, St. Patrick’s Convent Jaunpur. She was transferred to Thrissur in 2013 as Superior and Hostel in charge. She was a dynamic teacher and loved by her students for her enthusiasm, generosity and joy. She was like the wise virgins of the Gospel. Sr. Lata was a person of prayer, deep commitment, and a friend to all who encountered her. Her love and concern for the weak students found expression in finding time to give them special coaching. Her friendly and welcoming nature made everyone at home with her. She was very hospitable and joyful in taking care of everyone who came to the house. Sr. Lata had a fatal fall while she was getting into an auto rickshaw on 20th August 2016, which caused her multiple deep head injuries. She underwent a surgery by a Neurologist at Jubilee Mission Medical College, Thrissur. There she was in the I.C.U. for 40 days. She was assisted in a best possible way with a special care. On 28th Sept. 2016, Sr. Lata was shifted to Nirmala Hospital, Calicut. However, she did not show much improvement and continued to be unconscious. Her health was deteriorating and on 19th December 2016 at 12.45 pm she breathed her last in peace and serenity. We are very grateful to many kind persons Bishops, priests and religious, family members of Sr. Lata, our sisters, doctors, nurses and friends, for their generous service and loving support. We place on record our gratitude to Rt. Rev. Varghese Chakkalakal, the Bishop of Calicut Diocese for making himself available for us to be the main celebrant of this Eucharistic Celebration. We are grateful to Rt. Rev. Andrews Thazhath, the Arch Bishop and Rt. Rev. Raphael Thattil, the auxiliary Bishop of Thrissur Arch- Diocese, Rev. Fathers of Calicut and Thrissur Diocese for their visit, prayers and timely support rendered to our dear Sr. Lata. As we enfold the dear soul of our sister Lata in our prayers and implore God to grant her the joys of eternal life, let us pray to her to intercede for all of us to her beloved Lord, to bless her family and our beloved Congregation, the Church and the world with his choicest graces and blessings. The mortal remains of Sr. Lata was laid to rest in the Cemetry of Marikunnu.