Sr. Leo Kalayil

“I have a place that waits for me A place I love, called Heaven Where angels sing and rejoice all day Here the Master holds my hand As I walk through Heaven’s land. This is the place I’ve dreamed of for so long So beautiful, so heavenly like the angel’s song.” Our Sr. Leo Kalayil was filled with happiness and rejoiced to walk with God in perfect peace and joy to achieve the above dream of her and passed away from this earthly life. Sr. Leo was born as the 6th of 9 children to late Mr. Mathew Varghese Kalayil and Mariam on 18th July 1938 in Kothamangalam Diocese. She was christened as Aleykutty K.M. With the great desire of serving God, she joined the Ursulines of Mary Immaculate at Kannur in 1963 on the Profession Day of her sister – Sr. Floriana. She pronounced her First Vows in 1966 and received the name Leopoldina and took Final Vows in 1973. Sr. Leo always lived a cheerful life. She was happy and made others to be the same. She rendered her services as a P.E.T teacher in Kokkanissery, Kannur, Bazpur, Robertsganj, Chekkery, Kanpur, Mariampur, Kathgodam and led retired life at Calicut. She was innocent and her complete trust in God is remarkable. She worked with total dedication to her call and loyalty to her Master. She faced many challenges in life and made a lot of sacrifices as she rendered her service in North India as pioneer. She suffered pain for the glory of God for which He granted her a peaceful and graceful death. Sr. Leo was sick and was treated for stroke with hemiplegia, dementia and arthritis. She was bedridden for four years and the sisters of the community were with her throughout her ailment. On 25th March, the Lord called her to heaven. The Parish Priest Fr. Jeolin and Fr. Paul from minor seminary offered prayers and the Fathers, Sisters from nearby Communities and Institutions, Doctors and Staff paid their respect. Msg. Thomas Panakkal, Vicar General of Calicut Diocese along with Fr. Jose Melottukochi, and the Jesuit Fathers celebrated the requiem Mass. After the Holy Mass her mortal remains was taken to Ursuline Provincialate, Kannur. All the sisters of our Provincial House and other Communities were present to receive the body of Sr. Leo and the sisters kept vigil and prayed for the dear departed. Rt. Rev. Dr. Alex Vadakkumthala, the Bishop of Kannur con-celebrated the funeral Mass along with seven Priests. Rev. Fr. George Painadath, delivered a meaningful oration, in which he said, “Sr. Leo was a person of total detachment from the worldly recognition of name and fame, total surrender to the Will of God and hardworking at any cost. Sister Leo reminds all of us that “Farewell not forever, be brave and patient on the bed of sorrow, it swiftly shall pass away”. Msgr. Antony Pious Edezhath did the final rite at cemetery along with other priests and her body was laid to rest. May she rest in peace!