Sr. Maria Christina Neelamkavil

“Father, into your hands I commend my spirit” was the echo of our beloved Sr. Christina as she breathed her last on 30th October at 7.15a.m. in Holy Family Hospital, Bandra, as our sisters commended her soul to the heavenly Father. Slowly and serenly, she entered heaven to join the chorus of angels to praise her beloved for all eternity. I thank the Almighty God for the Precious gift of our dear Sr. Christina to our Congregation and especially to our Province. Sr. Christina was born on 14th August 1933, as the second child to Varghese and Annamma Neelamkavil, in Kottekad, Kerala in the Archdiocese of Trichur. She was baptized as Clara and was blessed with four brothers and four sisters. Clara responded to the call of Jesus and joined our Congregation on 2nd June 1951. On 24th November 1955, made her First Profession and was transferred to Punchakkad in Payyannur for two years. She was very zealous and was known for her hard work and commitment. On 3rd January 1959, she pronounced her final ‘yes’ to the Lord. As a young religious, Sr. Christina was missioned to North India, where the Ursuline presence was at the initial stage. She worked tirelessly as a teacher for nine years, in the state of UP, at Robertsganj, Chakkeri and Obra. Her dedicated and enthusiastic approach inspired many students, who loved and respected her much. She also had a sense of humor, which made her teaching profession more interesting and enriching. As an effective and efficient teacher, she enjoyed her ministry and continued it, for several years in our various schools at Kannur, Pariyaram, Wellington and Trivandrum. She served as a superior in Ursuline Convent, Pariyaram. As an Ursuline, Sr. Christina loved the Congregation and was a zealous missionary. This was evident in her sharing of the experiences and imparting the knowledge of the mission and its growth to the younger generation. After her retirement, she was involved in family apostolate in our communities at Bangalore, Aluva, Loutolim and Nashik. She was sociable and had special consideration for the poor and the needy. Thus she served the Congregation for 63 long years with unwavering commitment. She was creative especially in staging colorful programs during school functions. She led the choir and sang melodiously. Cooking was one of her hobby and her preparations had a delicious taste. Towards the end of her life, she used to spend long hours in prayer and had a special devotion and reverence to the Holy Eucharist. Her spontaneous prayers included everyone and different intentions of the world. She gave priority for the sacrament of reconciliation. She loved scripture, and prayed faithfully and earnestly for the conversion of sinners and shared her deep God experience with others. Being part of the community, she found joy in everything - community prayers, meals, meetings and above all, she loved being together during the time of recreation. She would enact the past events and make everyone feel happy and enjoyable. She was sensitive to the needs of the community and meticulously performed every action. She had been a source of inspiration for others to dedicate their lives for Jesus. For more than a decade, she was at St. Joseph’s community- Nashik. Its only few months that she was moved to Morello Home-Nashik for better care and treatment. About two weeks ago, when I met her, she said “its time for me”. Then she paused a moment and with a smile said, “God is everything; I am nothing.” Sr. Christina was a heart patient for the past 10 years and was on pacemaker and medication. For the past one year she had frequent hospitalisation. She was discharged from Holy Family Hospital, Bandra, about a month ago and was taking rest at Nashik. She was brought to Holy Family Hospital on 29th October, at around 12 noon with abdominal discomfort. Immedietly she was admitted to ICCU as her vital parameters were detected to be unstable. After the initial investigations she was diagnosed to have massive gastro-intestinal bleeding. Inspite of all the efforts by our expert team of doctors, she was gradually deteriorating. At the destined time, the Heavenly Father welcomed her to Heaven, in the presence of many of our sisters on 30th October at 7.15 am. Fathers and sisters from nearby communities, staff of our Hospital and her dear family memebrs paid their last respect and continuously prayed for the soul of Sr. Christina from 9.00 a.m. onwards on 30th October. On 31st at 10.00 am, the funeral procession started to St. Andrew’s Church-Bandra. Fr. Anthony, along with concelebrants offered the Holy Mass at 10.30 am. After the Holy Mass and prayers, her body was laid to rest with the hope of meeting her in heaven one day. May Sr. Christina bring down blessings from heaven to all of us, her dear Ursuline family and the Neelamkavil family. Sr. Christina, we miss you.