Sr. Romualda Thyparambil

“I am the resurrection and the life. The ones who believe in me will live, even though they die.” (Jn. 11:25) With great devotion and gratitude, we bid a loving farewell to our beloved Sr. Romualda Thyparambil who completed her earthly pilgrimage and set out for her heavenly voyage on Saturday, the 20th October 2018 at 8.15 pm at Nirmala Convent, Kathgodam. Her journey was that of faith, of love, of dedication and contribution. We thank the Creator God for the gift of Sr. Romualda to her family, to our Congregation, our Province, to all God’s people, and personally to each one of us. Sr. Romualda was born on 31st January 1941 to Mr. Mani Mathew and Mrs. Tressa Mani at Idamattom, Kerala. She was the 9th of the 11 children in her family. She was christened as Cicily and received the name Sr. Romualda when she made her first profession as a religious. Sr. Romualda joined the Congregation of the Ursulines of Mary Immaculate in Kannur after completing her Diploma Course in Physical Education in the year 1964. After the initial formation she made her first Profession in Kannur on 7th February 1967 and the final commitment in Kanpur on 25th May 1972. Sr. Romualda completed her M.P.Ed. from Madurai University and was a highly competent and skilled Physical Education Directress who rendered her committed services in various institutions that included Ursuline Convent school - Kannur, Mariampur Sr. Sec. School - Kanpur, St. Patrick’s – Kanpur, St. Mary’s Sr. Sec. School – Bazpur, St. Ann’s School – Chandigarh, St. Patrick’s School – Jaunpur, and Nirmala Convent – Kathgodam. Diligence, determination, hard work and discipline were the hallmarks of Sr. Romualda’s life as a teacher, as a religious and as an animator. She was quite apt and updated in her knowledge of various matters, especially the legal and administrative processes. As a person, she was an unassuming, generous, lively, and energetic soul who carried cheer and vibrancy wherever she went. She lived always a happy and healthy life, in spite of suffering from diabetes, and celebrated the Golden Jubilee of her Religious profession on 2nd April 2016 at Nirmala Convent, Kathgodam. She has been one of those brave souls who have nurtured the roots of our Congregation through their hard work and untiring efforts. Since past five years, Sr. Romualda’s health had begun to deteriorate and she was transferred to Nirmala Convent, Kathgodam from St. Mary’s Convent, Bazpur in the year 2013. She had been almost bedridden for the past three and a half years and was on regular medication. Gradually she became very weak. On 5th October her condition became very critical and anointing of the sick was administered to her. She breathed her last on 20th October 2018 at 8.15 pm while all the sisters gathered around praying for her. The funeral service was held at Immaculate Conception Church, Bazpur on 22nd October 2018 at 10 a.m. Most Rev. Dr. Ignatius D’Souza, Bishop of Bareilly, was the main celebrant for the Eucharistic Celebration along with Most Rev. Dr. Anthony Fernandes, Bishop Emeritus, Bareilly, and the other Concelebrants. After the Holy Mass, the funeral procession moved to our newly constructed cemetery for the sisters in St. Mary’s hospital campus, Bazpur where the mortal remains of Sr. Romualda were laid to rest. I express my sincere thanks to Most. Rev. Dr. Ignatius D’Souza, Bishop of Bareilly, for going extra miles in making himself available and offering the requiem Mass for our Sr. Romualda and blessing the ceremony with the inspiring homily, words of condolence, prayers and prayerful solidarity with us! We would also like to express our heartfelt gratitude to dear Bishop Most Rev. Dr. Anthony Fernandes, for extending his special prayerful support and spiritual assistance to our Sr. Romualda while she was in pain and sickness and also as she left for her heavenly abode. May she experience heavenly bliss and peace and continue being a source of grace for all her near and dear ones, to our Congregation, and all people of God!