Born : 28.02.1951
Entered Bethany : 10.06.1972
First Profession : 30.04.1975
Perpetual Profession : 10.05.1981
Slept in the Lord : 16.05.2021
Sr M Gretta D’ Souza BS (70) of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany, Mangalore, passed away on Sunday 16th May 2021. She is the member of St Joseph’s Convent, Basrur. Sr Gretta hails from Bondel, St Lawrence parish of Mangalore Diocese and is the daughter of late Albert D’ Souza and late Juanna D’ Souza. She has five brothers and two sisters.
Sr Gretta was a prayerful sister. Sheused to spend long hours before the Blessed Sacrament interceding for the numerous needs of the world. God had adorned her with numerous qualities such as simplicity of life, faithfulness to duty, gratefulness, cheerfulness, and a sense of humour. She was affectionate by nature, loved the company of sisters in the community and sisters sought after her. After her retirement she was involved totally in pastoral ministry, home management and manual labour. She was well- known for her love for nature and interest in nurturing flower and kitchen garden. Sr Gretta had a generous heart for the poor and reached out to them in their needs.
Sr Gretta has rendered commendable service as an efficient and effective teacher for 34 years in various institutions of Mangalore and Northern Province. She has rendered service in educational and pastoral apostolate at St Joseph’s Convent Bathinda, Lisieux Convent Puttur, St Antony’s Convent Padukone, Sacred Heart Convent Neerude, Loretto Convent Moodubelle, Good Shepherd Convent Ullal, Bethel Convent Permannur, Mary Queen Convent Karkal, Regina Caeli Convent Ranipura, Visitation Convent Kadaba and St Joseph’s Convent Basrur.
She enjoyed sufficient health to carry on her mission. She suffered from some ailment connected with nerves that causedher pain, numbness, swelling and muscle weakness. She was under constant medication for arthritis, thyroid andhypertension.During thelast week of April, she suffered from fever, headache and on 3rd May it was diagnosed that she was infected with COVID- 19. Immediately she was shifted to Fr Muller Hospital, Mangalore for further treatment. Gradually, her health deteriorated. Incessant prayers were offered by the sisters of the whole Congregation. In spite of all efforts by the doctors the Lord took her to His abode on16th May 2021 at 10.00pm.the feast of ascension. We painfully and humbly say “God’s will be done.”
I extend my sincere condolences to Sr Cicilia Mendonca, the Provincial Superior and her team as well as Sr Veena Crasta, the Superior and the sisters of St Joseph’s Convent Basrur for their loving care of Sr Gretta.
Thefuneral service will be held at St Raymond’s Convent Cemetery Vamanjoor on Monday 17th May 2021 at 11.00 am.
Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace!
(Sr Rose Celine, BS)
Superior General