Born :30.08.1935
Entered Bethany : 04.10.1959
Temporary Profession : 05.05.1961
Perpetual Profession : 05.05.1967
Slept in the Lord : 05.11.2024
Sr M Noreen BS, nee Anna Sequeira, aged 89, is a member of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany, Mangalore Province, having completed her earthly pilgrimage peacefully flew to her Creator on 05 November 2024 at 08.15 am at Maryvale Convent, Kinnigoli. She was born to late Gaspar Sequeira and Isabella Sequeira. She hails from Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Parish, Kinnigoli in the Diocese of Mangalore. She is the fifth among five siblings, two brothers and two sisters. Her elder sister Sr Nazareen BS and Sr Noel, her niece are in Bethany.
Sr Noreen’s early education was at Little Flower Higher Primary/High School, Kinnigoli and completed her TCH at Rosa Mystica Teachers’ Training Institute, Kinnikambla. Having perceived a call to serve Jesus, Sr Noreen joined Bethany Congregation on 04 October 1959, at the age of 24, making her Temporary Profession on 05 May 1961 and Perpetual Profession on 05 May 1967.
Sr Noreen has rendered her remarkable services at Rosa Mystica Convent Kinnikmbla, St Xavier’s Convent Ajekar, Mother of Mercy Convent Kirem, Nazareth Convent Bajpe, Santa Cruz Convent Kulshekar, Bethany Mother House Mangalore, Bethany Convent Panvel, St Mary’s Convent Dahanu, Maria Kripa Convent Mahim, Bethany Convent, Sao Jose De Areal and Maryvale Convent Kinnigoli. She served the Lord in Bethany as Superior, Headmistress, Social Worker, Regional Superior and General Councillor drawing many souls closer to God.
Sr Noreen was known for her deep spirituality, punctuality for community exercises and meticulously following the traditions and customs of Bethany. Her deep respect for authority was widely appreciated and admired. Her love and respect for Father Founder was very much seen every time she narrated her experiences with the Fr Founder. She has contributed her share for the Cause of his beatification. Sr Noreen was known for her cheerfulness, simplicity and love for the Congregation. She walked miles and miles with a smile in spreading the Good News of God’s love and compassion for the poor in mission stations. She helped many to follow the Lord through priesthood and religious life. She was kind and gentle in her dealings, happy and satisfied in everything. She lived an exemplary life that inspired both the young and the elderly in the community. For the past 15 years at Maryvale Convent, she spent her time before the Blessed Sacrament praying rosaries continuously. She found joy in gazing at the Lord in the Tabernacle with profound love and gratitude.
On November 05, 2024 she received the Lord in her heart, during the Eucharistic Celebration in the morning. A little later she showed sudden signs of breathlessness. Rev Fr Joachim Fernandes, the Parish Priest administered to her the anointing of the sick. In the presence of Sr Premlatha, the Superior, Dr Sr Jeevitha and sisters of the community she flew to her eternal abode.
Funeral rites will be held on Wednesday, 06 November 2024 at 9.30 am at Immaculate Conception Church. Kinnigoli.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to Sr Lilly Pereira the Provincial Superior, the sisters of Mangalore Province, Sr Premlatha, the Superior and the sisters of Maryvale Convent, Kinnigoli for their tender care, especially during her illness. We commend the soul of Sr Noreen to God and pray: Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace!
(Sr M Rose Celine BS)
Superior General