and later principal of don bosco girls · 2018-04-05 · and later principal of don bosco girls...
TRANSCRIPT
NEWS BULLETIN OF THE SALESIAN SISTERS, OUR LADY OF HOPE PROVINCE – AFE APRIL NO. 5 2018
This special issue of Tujenge Pamoja is dedicated to Sr. Pat
Lacharite who worked in AFE Province for 26 years from 1992
to 2018 side by side with her Sisters, the educating
communities, collaborators and young people. After battling
cancer for nearly two years she passed away peacefully on
Holy Thursday, March 29th in Nairobi Hospital and was laid to
rest in Embu on 7th April 2018. The contributions in this issue
come mainly from the Sisters and past pupils. They are words of
loving remembrance, gratitude, affection, witness, and humour,
focusing on life’s realities shared with Sr. Pat on the pilgrimage
to our heavenly home.
Sr. Pat was the first FMA to be buried in AFE Province. Other
missionaries worked in East Africa, but returned to their
countries for health reasons, and were buried in their homeland.
When it was evident that Sr. Pat would not last, the decision had
to be made where to bury her as there was no FMA cemetery
yet. The choice fell on Embu and so promptly the necessary
permissions were obtained and the site prepared.
Sr. Pat had lived in Embu as a teacher
and later Principal of Don Bosco Girls
so she has been laid to rest in a
familiar place dear to her.
It is difficult to imagine that Sr.
Pat is gone! When we pass by her
room in Hurlingham where she lingered
in her suffering, it’s as if she’s still there
and we want to drop in and see how
she’s fairing. In her sessions with
chemotherapy she courageously
accepted the side effects including loss
of her curly hair! Yet this did not stop
her from teaching in the Secondary in
Makuyu or going to Muranga Teachers’
College.
She came into our lives and we took for
granted she’d always be there. Now
she is gone but her legacy lives on in
the hearts and minds of so many
people she touched. This was evident
by the show of affection and gratitude
at her vigil in Nairobi, the viewing and
Mass in Makuyu and finally the funeral
and burial in Embu. Let us take comfort
in the words of Scripture that sums up
life’s journey: God shall wipe all tears
from their eyes; and there shall be
no more death, nor crying, neither
there be any more pain: for the
former things are passed away.
Revelation 21: 4 Sr. Virginia Bickford
2
SR. TERESA FERNANDES-MUTUINI
I want to remember Sr. Pat as one who struggled to
cling to a daring dream that became reality. She
forged head with determination and faith-filled
optimism even through the deserts of criticism,
rejection and abandonment. Her inner shadows and
her visible restlessness – of which she was deeply
aware –did not narrow her horizons or make her
dwell too much on self-pity and discouragement. With
the strength of good will and an enterprising spirit she
bonded with all those who had no chances for
advancement, giving herself unreservedly and
proclaiming the good news of Jesus in a style that
was uniquely hers. Thank you, Sr. Pat for being a
very special beacon of hope.
SR. JANE WAMBUI - SUDAN
May God rest her soul in peace. It is time to rest and
be with the Lord. Sr. Pat was a real human being, a
zealous
missionary and
great lover of
vocations and
human
promotion. May
God reward her.
Buried in our
homeland
(Kenya), may her
blood bear fruit
for the growth in
vocations and strong deep charismatic roots to
qualify our FMA presence as evangelizers and
educators.
SR. SOFIA GURA - KENYA
I lived with Sr. Pat in the community of Laura Vicuna
Makuyu for three years. she was my Liturgy teacher
as an aspirant and postulant and at that time I was
going with her for Sunday service to Makuyu Girls’
Secondary School. I had another chance to work with
her for the youth animation camp in North Horr
Parish to introduce our Charism as preparation for
our new presence in that parish. My memories of Sr.
Pat will always focus on these three aspects:
1. Sr. Pat had a big heart that could accommodate
and embrace everyone. Young in formation we
felt loved by her in a special way. She was very
attentive to the needs of others and gave her
best to us.This was extended from the
community to the young people in the mission
and to everyone who came across her. Her
charity and generosity couldn’t be measured.
2. Sr. Pat portrayed herself as a true FMA who was
an example of living the da mihi animas cetera
tollewherever the young people were gathered.
Even if the language was a barrier, she would
give herself fully to them with a beautiful smile
that could conquer their hearts.
3. As our Liturgy teacher she taught us by her life
experiences. I don’t remember seeing Sr. Pat
coming late for any liturgical celebration. Her
wrist watch and alarm clock were set 10
minutes ahead! She used to say that everything
belongs to the Lord who provides all and so He
deserves the best.
3
SR. ASSUNTA COLUSSI - LV MAKUYU
I remember Sr. Pat as
being very punctual in
everything and
committed to her
apostolic work. She loved
the young and the poor.
Later on she suffered
when there were no
vocations coming to our
Province. She loved
everything around her
especially the sisters. I
think Pat suffered at the death of her sister, but she
suffered in silence. After the first surgery, she told me
at times with tears in her eyes,“Now I am out of
everything and unable to do anything.”When she was
in Makuyu, she tried to do a few things like going to
Muranga Teachers’ College, to the secondary and
primary schools and teach the aspirants. She used to
come in my office and cry.I think she felt that she was
going to die soon. Notwithstanding her sickness she
was always present in the community. When she met
priests, sisters, and lay people she would tell them,
“Sr. Assunta was my assistant when I was an
aspirant in the USA,” and I would feel very proud
about that!
SR. CATHERINE LEE - MAKUYU
Sr. Pat had great enthusiasm for the common good and a sense of belonging to God and everyone.
SR. LETIZIA NGARI – N. HORR Sr. Pat was generous and ready to do things for others even when she was sick. May God reward her with eternal light.
SR. EUSEBIA MUNENE - HURLINGHAM
Sr. Pat taught me catechism from the time I was a
new aspirant. She made me aware of many things
about the catechism of the Catholic Church
Some Tidbits of Catechesis she taught me:
The on-going formation conversion process
involves the heart as well as the mind which
means that Evangelization and catechesis must
go hand in hand.
Catechesis is an
essential ministry in
the church. Its
primary goal is to
help people grow in
faith. Growing in faith
is a long process.
Scripture manifest
both the creative
power of God and the
creative gifts of the
inspired writers.
To be an effective catechist who can paint a
picture of the wonders of God for the people
today, one must be imbued with knowledge of the
Bible. The Bible is a wondrous sign of God’s
continual presence in human life.
The twin process of Prayer and Ritual are
significant pillars in catechesis. We are
challenged to provide many and varied
experiences of ritual prayer/ prayer to our people/
youth/ children. Lead them to a sacrament life.
Sacraments are touchstones to meaning and
life; sacraments are imbued with mystery, some
of which can be seen, touched, smelled, tasted
and heard.
SR. ADELINE BENIMANA – GISENYI, RWANDA
Sr. Pat wasa modal for all. When we were
together in Makuyu community as aspirants, we
loved her and she loved us. Besides teaching us
liturgy, she used to joke even at table. She was
hard working.
4
SR. CATHERINE URBANSKA - EMBU
I saw Sr. Pat once or twice when I came
occasionally from Dar to Kenya for a Retreat or for
other reason but I really did not know her. Then in
2001 Sr. Pat was transferred to Embu to be the
principal of the Secondary School. When we got the
news Sr. Mary Riva exclaimed, " Oh my goodness,
we will have to plant some more trees here in the
compound.” I was surprised and asked why. Sr. Mary
explained, "Because Sr. Pat will want to hang all the
girls and our trees are not enough for that.”It was a
joke, but truly "hanging the girls" was one of Sr. Pat's
expressions.
She had a powerful voice and sometimes I even felt
embarrassed when we could hear from the house
when she shouted at the girls in the school or called
them "stupid". The girls, however, got used to her
and took her expressions in good spirit.
Sr. Pat had a sweet tooth. When she
became a member of our community in Embu she
told me (I was the economer) that as long as there is
something sweet for tea breaks, she would be O.K.
Well...if sometimes there wasn't, there was no
problem either.
I had the joy to go with Sr. Teresa
Fernandes (the Provincial), Sr. Pat and some others
to explore the possibility of opening a community in
the Diocese of Marsabit and I witnessed the zeal with
which Sr. Pat responded to the challenges of the
mission in North Horr. I then went with her to settle
the furniture when they arrived from Meru and to
prepare the house. We stayed there a full week. I
was positively impressed by Sr. Pat's great zeal for
the first evangelization of the Gabra people. Nothing
would discourage her, nothing was too difficult to put
herself totally to the service of that mission.
Sr. Pat sometimes used strong language
(she hated this or hated that stupid ....) and could
sometimes be annoying when she repeated the same
things over again, especially when she was upset.
However she had a great spirit of faith and she was
able to find the positive side to problems and
challenges.
On the 16th February this year I went to
Karare together with two friends from Italy, Luisa and
Assunta. In the evening of Saturday, the 17th I was
already in bed when I heard Sr. Pat crying, "Please
somebody help me." I went to her room, gave her the
bucket she wanted as she was feeling nauseated and
then I stayed there until she was calm. That evening
Sr. Pat had problems with breathing and a lot of pain
in her stomach. She was restless and afraid, and
that's why she wanted somebody to be with her. As
we were talking she said, "I have a premonition that I
will die at Easter.” Of course, I objected, trying to
calm her, but she said, "I have seen my sister.” I
asked if she dreamt of her sister, but she said, "No, I
did not dream of her. I was fully awake, and she
passed through this room. I will spend Easter with
her.”I did not take it seriously then, but now I know
that she was right.
SR. ANNA WAIRIMU – DAGORETTI
5
SR. GISELE NDEKEZI – AFE PROVINCIAL
“Ask and it
will be
given to
you; seek,
and you
will find;
knock, and
the door
will be
opened to
you.” Mt
7,7. Yes,
this is the
experience
of our Dear
Sr. Pat,
especially
during her
last days on
earth. She
was ready to meet the Lord because she kept on
telling us: “I want to go home”; the home she meant
was Heaven. She kept on asking the Lord to take her
home, to take her to celebrate Easter in heaven, and
the Lord granted her that gift; infact she left us on
Holy Thursday. She asked and the Lord gave to her.
Sr. Pat suffered for the last 2 years and some months
of cancer, she was treated with love and care, she
underwent 2 surgeries and 12 chemotherapies with
courage and determination. We admired her
resignation to the will of God. May God grant her
peaceful repose! I had the privilege, together with my
dear sisters, to accompany Sr. Pat during her last
days. She was grateful to God for everything, she
was grateful to the Institute, she was grateful to the
Province for the life lived to the full. She told us: “ I
don’t regret anything, I gave all the best I could,
now I only want go home”. When the pain was
becoming too much, she would pray saying: “Dear
Lord please take me home, I have given you
everything, now I don’t have strength anymore to do
something, please Dear Lord take me”.
Sr. Pat was a cheerful Sister, very generous, a self-
giving and courageous woman, she loved very much
the missions wherever she was sent and she has
worked with dedication and love. She knew how to
care for others, she was a woman of relationships
and would make sure her responsibility is done till the
end. The people who have worked with her
appreciated very much her ways and the competence
she showed in what she did. Sr. Pat loved catechesis
and she was an apostolic sister. I thank the Lord for
the life of Sr. Pat spent generously, she offered all
her sufferings for the Institute and for the Province,
we believe that she has reached home and she will
intercede for us.
6
L to R: Sr. Anastasia, Sr. Pat and Sr. Gisele in N. Horr
SR. ANASTASIA WARINGA KIBE
A life generously given and shared with love!
It was a blessing in my life to meet Sr. Pat in Ruchu
Parish - Maragua (Murang’a Diocese) towards the
end of the year 2004 when I was in search of my
religious vocation. Through her, I did not only find my
way to the door of the convent, the good Lord
brought me to such a wonderful Religious Institute of
the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA).
During my initial formation in religious life, Sr. Pat
was the Assistant, Catechist and Liturgy teacher of
Aspirants and Postulants in Makuyu-
Laura Vicuna Community. Her
lessons were both theory and
practical with her life example which
made it possible to learn and to gain
a lot from her. I found in her a strong
Christian and consecrated woman
who was fully and generously
dedicated with great enthusiasm and
love in the mission. She was burning
with a strong missionary zeal for the
salvation of souls and especially
those of the young people. She
never counted the sacrifices she had
to make in order to see that
whatever was necessary for the
formation and needs of the young
people was done to the best
possible. Her great dedication in
daily life, both in the Community and
in the mission at large was a true
witness of one who gave all her life
with great love for the Risen Christ
with a strong message of hope. Who
ever lived with her can declare this with me that Sr.
Pat had a boundless love for the Church. Despite her
strong character, she always worked in collaboration
with the Communities of the FMA and SDB, and with
the young people and the Christians in the Parish
where necessary during various occasions in the
parish. In regard to faith, there is nothing I can
rememberof her taking it for granted. Her eco is still
resounding in Makuyu and beyond as she also
worked in the Education Office of Murang’a Diocese
for five years.
In the early years of my Religious life, I was again
privileged to live with Sr. Pat and have her as my
Animator in North Horr Community - Marsabit
Diocese for about four years. What a blessing it was
for us to live and share life together as Daughters of
Mary Help of Christians! No one ever knew that our
first encounter could one day lead us find ourselves
together as Daughters of Mary Help of Christians.
I must say that living and working together with Sr.
Pat in North Horr helped me a lot in my vocational
growth towards mission, prayer life and community
life. The three dimensions were inseparable in her as
she did all she could with God’s help, to see that we
the community members had whatever we needed in
orderto live and carry on with the mission despite the
geographical site of the community. It’s a community
located approximately
700km from Nairobi
City, along the
boundaries of Chalbi
desert with a dry hot
climate, lack of
electricity and internet
which by then were not
stable, lack of local
language, and so on.
Her great enthusiasm in
the mission wasn’t
hindered by this;
instead, it was felt by
the entire community of
North Horr Parish. It
rebounded in the small
Christian communities
and in some outstations,
in the Schools both
Primary and Secondary
where she was
teaching; in some other
neighbouring Parishes
like Dukana and Karacha which by then were part of
the North Horr Parish.
I would like to share my first striking experience when
I first arrival in North Horr accompanied by Sr. Pat.
As soon as our community car entered the town of
North Horr, the small children were running towards
us with great joy calling out loudly and waving their
hands saying; “Sr. Pat, Yoia! Sr. Pat, Yoia!” which
means in the local language Sr. Pat, hello! She too
waved back and greeted them. The young people
were not out of the picture. They were happy to greet
and to welcome her back in the mission after being
absent for some days. The simplicity and joy of the
people of North Horr with Sr. Pat impressed me and
7
helped me to see the joy of evangelisation in just a
blinking of the eye.
All what I had witnessed in Sr. Pat while in Makuyu,
the joy and enthusiasm in the mission was extended
and it was overflowing again in this mission. We owe
her the task of keeping the missionary spirit burning
in this mission for which she tirelessly gave her life.
Unfortunately, it was towards the end of her second
term as the Community Animator (six years), when
she was diagnosed with cancer. While she was in
bed with great pain, she was still saying with great
passion; “I want to go back to North Horr as soon as
possible” She often repeated this and as soon as she
recovered a little bit from the first seven
chemotherapy, she was fortunate to go back to the
mission in Marsabit as she had greatly desired.
May she intercede for us from above that we too may
generously and joyfully give ourselves fully in the
missions, becoming signs and bearers of God’s love
to all and especially towards the young people.
SR. ANISIA NGAI – NORTH HORR
Sr. Pat was a
person who was
kind to the poor
and she could
prepare things for
them. She was
never late for
Mass or Rosary
and adoration.
She had love for
the Eucharistic celebration so much such that even
she could try to bring the one standing outside, inside
the church. She liked the work for the apostolate to
be done well with enthusiasm. She loved kids such
that she was punctual for Oratory helping the kids in
many ways.
SR. ROSETTA GUARNIER - SIAKAGO
Sr. Pat was focused on her educational and catechetical mission and never missed her high tone voice to make herself understood.
SR. GISELE MASHAURI - HURLINGHAM
A WOMAN OF THE SEASON!
A woman of the dew. The one I love
Love is greater than death. The one I will never forget
The one my memory will be ever fresh about,
Whose life was for others, With a great love for Jesus,
Ever punctual for mass, Great planner and organizer
A woman of union, Who loved her Sisters
With a motherly heart, very caring Generous like Jesus
So sacrificing a woman of the people,
Great lady of the mission; Great catechist, and very liturgical.
Committed and dedicated, Very determined and clear in what she wanted.
Mother of all and lover of the Church The one I shared life with,
Yet very open The woman of the season,
Extraordinarily punctual Open minded, saw on the horizon, not in the box,
Lover of nature, stars and sunset, including the cat especial Goldie.
Ever ready to serve; with a heart like the one of a child;
Because she is a Woman, sister and mother - for that I will never forget her.
Always appreciative for the efforts of her sisters, Leaving me a memory, finish your project
Thinking about others even at the last breath. Yes, Sr. Pat, I will never forget you.
Sr. Pat Educator, Mwalimu, Teacher. In her heart the youth were ever present,
I love you. Peace to your soul. I live to remember you
with gratitude from Masha. .
P = Passionate
A = Active
T = Time Manager.
8
SR. DELFINA CERON – KIGALI, RWANDA
I had the joy to spend some year with Sr. Pat in the
Community of Makuyu, when she was working in the
Diocese of Muranga following the Catholic schools.
Beside that she was also teaching Liturgy and
Catechism to the Aspirants and Postulants. She was
an excellent teacher, quite strict, but the young
people in formation learned a lot from her. She was
sharing with them the responsibility to prepare the
liturgy, and encouraging them to prepare with the
young people and the children of the parish, beautiful
and sacred presentations for Christmas, Holy Week
and Easter. Also I remember with nostalgia those
moments.
She Pat was always ready to help when somebody
was in trouble.She never counted the sacrifices for
helping young people in various circumstances
For a few years in Makuyu we had a small Secretarial
College for young people. Sr. Pat wanted to help as
many young people as possible because some were
from very poor families. We tried to get help from
many sources because we felt bad not to accept
them just because they lacked money.
Sr. Pat sometimes was using some strong words
when she was upset, but after sometime,we Sisters
and the young people in formation, were repeating
those words with her during recreation! We laughed
together so that all bad feelings vanished.
I really enjoyed living, working and sharing life with
her.
A Short Story
When Sr. Pat was headmistress in Embu, she said to
Sr. Mary Riva, Superior of the community, “I want to
hang that girl”because she was upset with a student.
Sr. Mary replied smiling calmly, “Very good, Sr. Pat, I
will help you. Let’s go to choose the tree to hang her.”
Slowly they walked away together and everything
finished in laughter!
A reflection by Sr. Pat
During the past week we have journeyed the path of
Transformation.We have allowed ourselves to be
transformed by Jesus We have experienced his
transforming power, his healing, his compassion, and
his light.Today as we have come to the end of our
retreat we invoke the Holy Spirit to keep in us that fire
burning of his Word, his love and compassion so that
we can return to our missions ready to handle all the
events with a transformed heart of mercy and love.
Let us ask the Holy Spirit to guide us as we resolve to
commit ourselves to be agents of transformation and
encounter.
SR. CECILIA CARDINAL – MUTUINI DAGORETTI
Pat had an extraordinary sixth sense, the GIFT of
FORESIGHT in
her community as
an animator to
her sisters and
to people whom
she mingled with
daily. She was a
dreamer and
realist, never
procrastinating to
complete her
plans. She was a
woman of sincere
relationships and
of good heart. I
admired her
EUCHARISTIC
veneration and
her preparation of the Liturgy by giving high
importance to festive celebrations. As an animator
she had that sense of FAMILY, a mother among her
sisters in the community, a welcoming heart.
9
SR. PATRICIA OYUGA - EMBU
I have had many experiences with my name sake. I
have shared life with her and she has left a strong
impact in me of what it means to live my commitment
faithfully and joyfully despite the setbacks that may
sometimes seem to rob the beauty of our
consecration. I wish to particularly share my first
encounter with SR PAT. It
was in August 2010 when
I was still a VIDES
member when with 4
other volunteers from
Kenya, 1 from the USA, 5
from the U.K, Sr. Regina
and Sr. Connie(U.K.) set
out for North Horr to
animate a 2 week oratory
camp. Throughout the
journey, Sr. Pat kept
mentioning to us the features that we came across
but she was more particular with the desert. From
time to time she could point out to us a road that was
headed to some village but we were all left in
amazement because all we could see was sand. She
had a very good mastery of the place that you would
think that she had lived there for ages unending. At
the various stops she seemed to know everyone and
she easily engaged them in a conversation. She was
well conversant with the culture of the Gabbras and
she kept explaining so much to us. At some point I
felt ashamed of myself because I thought that being a
Kenyan I should be aware of the life of these people.
Arriving after a two days’ journey, we had to put the
house in order because the masons had just finished
their work. So we embarked on clearing what was left
around and cleaning the house to make it more
habitable. The energy that I saw in Sr. Pat kept me
wondering and admiring her. What followed was a
lively oratory for the children and young people who
were perplexed at this very experience. Some things
that caught my attention and remained written in my
mind about Sr. Pat was her high organization, her
consciousness of time, her sincere and genuine care
for each one of us and she always said to us, How
are things? How are you? Drink a lot of water, take
often some juice… it’s hot.... Go and have a rest in
the afternoon.”Waaa!!! I felt loved and cared for. Her
selfless giving, her love for the young and her care
for prayer convinced me more and more of my
Salesian Vocation.
Dear Sr. Pat, may the energy and the love that you
put in pioneering North Horr community as a way of
going out to the periphery never go to a waste. Long
live NORTH Horr!!!With your gaze from heaven,
intercede for each FMA in this Province and in a
special way for North Horr community and its mission
whose foundation you laid. Thank you for your
COURAGE!See you some day, some time in heaven.
SR. SUSAN FERNANDES – HURLINGHAM
In the chapel Sr. Pat would like the back seats, being
there quietly, punctually, actually before time, with
one eye catching all that was taking place! She
wanted the liturgy to be celebrated well and
according to the norms. I can't remember her making
spontaneous prayers regularly, but she was well
informed of the events and dates in the Province, so
in a way I can say she was not buried in her own little
world or community but was aware of what was
going on around in the Province.At timesshe would
lament if some information would not reach on time,
as she felt part of the whole Province and Institute.
She was present for the community practices of piety
and for the meals and other moments, rarely making
exceptions, even when she was not well, and taking
chemo treatments. As soon as she could, she was up
and around making herself useful in doing many
small works. She loved company, and did not miss to
show up for community moments and common
chores.
What greatest impression I have of Sr. Pat is how
she was serene in her last days. She no longer
thought of the North, where her heart was before, but
let go and let God! She was not anxious for a cure
anymore having knowledge of the gravity of her
sickness. But the miracle she wanted was to go to
Heaven. She did not want to go for any treatment or
much less to be admitted to the hospital any more
those last days. But because of the great difficulty in
breathing she expressed her wish to be taken to the
hospital. What I can say is that in the last two days,
10
through all the medical treatment that was given, she
had to endure a crucifixion, in the Holy Week. She
was so much like the suffering Jesus! But I did not
hear a lament, or an angry word or impatience or
moaning. She was not fearful, but brave in the face of
death. True, she wanted at least a sister to be
present when she died, and Sr. Gisele Ndekezi, the
Provincial was the only sister around when she
passed on. I am sure Sr. Pat had great faith!
SR. LAURENZIA NDWIGA – MMV MAKUYU
I recall an incident that occurred in Embu. Sr. Pat
loved one cream colouredcat called Carlos so much.
This cat used to follow her everywhere in the
compound. One day she went to put on the TV for
the girls to watch news after supper. The cat followed
her and remained at the door.When the bell rang and
the girls had to go for the Good night thought, they
rushed out and created a kind of stampede at the
door. The poor cat was
trampled on and was
breathing the last when
Sr.Pat realized and came
out shouting at the girls.
I quote her words, "Girls, you
are murderers! Who has
killed Carlos! Oooh, poor
Carlos! Why on earth kill
Carlos! Carlos did nothing wrong to you! If I get the
one who did it, I gonna shoot and hang her!" This
caused a loud laughter instead of remorse! She
carried away the cat that was already dead and shed
tears! She loved kittens and they knew it! She gave
them names such as Midnight, Socks and Goldie.
May Sister Pat rest in peace. Amen.
SR. VIRGINIA BICKFORD – MUTUINI DAGORETTI
Although Sr. Pat and I both came from the same
Province in the USA, I hardly knew her. We only
became acquainted here
in Kenya when we lived
together in Embu in
1994 - 1996! She would
speak often of places
where she worked and
loved in the USA, and so
too she gradually
adapted to her new
missionary life,
requesting at the end to
be buried on African soil.
She used an array of expressions with the girls that
were typically American but not used here in Kenya.
The girls were called “Honey” which used to
embarrass and amuse them at the same time. If they
were in trouble she’d warn them, “That’s your
funeral!”
Sr. Pat called herself a Preemie because she was
born two months prematurely. That can explain
something about her personality of always being
extremely punctual and organized; even in the womb
she had to exit early to get things done! Farewell,
Dear Sr. Pat. Save us a place in the Salesian section
of heaven. We’ll be there sooner or later, but we’re
coming too!! Your life and death have inspired us!
SR. CHANTAL MUKASE - VISITING COUNCILLOR
Dear Sisters of AFE,
I am with you on
this day in which
our dear Sr. Pat is
being accompanied
to her last home.
She is our hero.
May she intercede for many good
vocations for our
Province AFE.
Feel me close to
you in this
sorrowful moment
when Sr. Pat has left us physically; however, in faith
we have the strong conviction that she is even closer
to us now than before.
SR.PHYLLIS NIEVES – VISITING COUNCILLOR
Dear Sr. Gisele and Sisters of AFE:
I am in communion with you as you lay to rest Sr.
Pat. She has finished her earthly life and celebrates
11
this Easter time with Jesus the Pascal Lamb. She
told me that she wanted to work among her beloved
African people until her last breath. The Lord heard
her prayer and now He has taken her home. I pray
with you in thanksgiving for her life and I trust that
God holds her within His gentle arms of Peace.
Please express my condolences to all the Sisters.
SR. MARY CHERIAN – SIAKAGO
Sr. Pat lived a full fruitful life in
the Institute as an FMA
missionary.. May she enjoy the
bliss of heaven. May she pray
for us especially for the Sisters
in Kenya.
SR. PURITY WAWIRA – DAGORETTI
Sr. Pat, you have fought the
good fight. You have finished
the race. Enjoy the heavenly
reward. We will miss you.
REMEMBERING SR. PAT
Here are some of Sr. Pat’s amusing expressions remembered by past pupils of Don Bosco Girls Secondary School Embu when they were students: “Girls, if you continue dragging yourself, you will
be late for your funeral!”
Girls I said move Now; N-O-W!
She’d tell us to stop fooling around. (??)
In the dormitory she told us, “Ladies; visiting hours are over, I want everyone in their own beds N-O-W Now!”
“If you sit there warming the chairs, you will have a baby grade." (A baby grade meant a zero.)
During English lessons she’d tell us, “Girls, today we have a vocabulary Bee.. (We had no idea what a Bee was!)
I remember Sr. Pat waking us up in the morning in Don Bosco Girls and how we wished she would have forgotten to set her alarm! When waking us up, she used to come into the dormitory without her vail and all we saw was her curly hair!
“The Eucharist and Mary Help of
Christians, the zeal for catechesis
and the love for young people,
especially the poor have always
been my source of strength.”
“I don’t regret anything. I
gave all the best I could;
now I can only go home.
Dear Lord, please take me
home, I have given you
everything, now I don’t
have strength any more to
do something. “