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Sr Marie John BS
Born : 04.03.1944
Entered Bethany : 23.05.1963
First Profession : 05.05.1966
Perpetual Profession : 26.04.1972
Slept in the Lord : 30.08.2020
Sr Marie John BS (77) of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany,Mangalore, passed away on Sunday 30th August 2020. She is the member of St Raymond’s Convent, Vamanjoor and is the sister of the late Sr Marjouri BS, Sr Melwyn BS, Sr Flavian BS, and the late Fr Herbert Pinto OFM Cap. Sr Marie John hails from ‘Our Lady of Pompei Church’, Gurpur of Mangalore Diocese and is the daughter of the late Mr Trinidad Pinto and the late Mrs Bridget Saldanha. She has three brothers and four sisters. She comes from a God fearing family which offered many vocations to priestly and religious life, very specially to Bethany.
Like Mary of Bethany, Sr Marie John was a person of few words. After her retirement she spent most of her time in prayer and in pastoral ministry. She was good at teaching catechism and preparing the first communicants. As a Teacher, she served for 35 years in various educational institutions under Mangalore Province. She rendered her services in the field of social work and hostel ministry. She joyfully served the senior citizens at Arnold Nivas, Kirem run by SVD Fathers.
For the past two years she suffered silently with Parkinson’s and Alzheimer's disease. Her movements slowly deteriorated and confined her to bed. We admire her silent fortitude, remarkable patience, unceasing prayers through which she was in constant communion with suffering Christ. Her sister, Sr Melwyn often visited her and strengthened her by her presence and prayers. She was bedridden for six months and often admitted at Concetta Hospital, Kinnigoli. On 30th August, at 6.00pm her condition became very critical. Sr Cicilia Mendonca, the Provincial Superior and the sisters of St Raymond’s Convent along with Sr Gracy Monica, the Superior gave her prayerful support. At 9.30pm Sr Flavian BS her sister from Northern Province glanced at her through video call, after which she was found very serene. Sisters continued their prayers around her and at 10.20pm she commended her soul to God the creator.
As we greatly appreciate Sr Marie John we do feel the loss and pray to God almighty to reward her with eternal bliss.
Funeral Mass will be on Monday, August 31 at 3.00 pm at St Raymond’s Convent Chapel, Vamanjoor.
I extend my sincere condolences to Sr Cicilia Mendonca, the Provincial Superior, members of Mangalore Province, and Sr Grace Monica, the Superior and members of St Raymond’s Convent, Vamanjoor.
Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul rest in peace!
-Sr M Rose Celine, BS
Superior General