SISTER MARY RAYMOND GOMES
Childhood: Sister Mary Raymond Gomes was born in Golla Parish, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 1928. Her Baptism name being Henrietta. Sister Raymond was the first child of Raphael and Margaret Gomes. Sister Mary Raymond’s family was big enough of four Sisters and five brothers. As a responsible eldest sister or big sister in her family she took great care of her brothers and sisters at home shared her awesomeness with them. She helped her brothers and sisters to grow up and she was always being there for them as a role model forever.
School life: She was educated in St. Thecla’s primary school, Golla, Dhaka and then she went to Kolkata, India to continue her studies. Beside her studies she was attracted to religious life at the age of fifteen. She received inspiration for her vocation to religious life from Sister Mary Elzear Gomes, RNDM in her school days. At this time Sister Mary Elzear helped her to discern her vocation. She had the desire to work for God and felt attraction for the foreign Missions from the age of fifteen. Sr. Mary Raymond was profoundly grateful to Sister Mary Elzear for her continuous encouragement, advice, guidance and support. She was willing to do any kind of work may be given to her in the convent. Above all she learned to hear God’s voice through listening in her daily prayers and meditations. She studied different religious education for two years in convent, Kolkata, India and then she was sent to the Novitiate in St. Scholastica’s, Chittagong. After finishing her Novitiate she made her First Profession in 26 July, 1952 and Perpetual Vows at St. Scholastica’s Chittagong, Bangladesh, on 26 July, 1958.
Apostolic Life: In the different stages of Sister’s life, she gave services in different ways with great generosity and simplicity. She was responsible for St. Peter’s Orphanage and at the same time she was teaching the orphan girls on different subjects: sewing, cooking, gardening, sanitation and personal cleanliness. She served and helped to spread the Good News not only in St. Scholastica, Rangamati Hill Tracts, Chittagong, Golla, Hashnabad, and Luxmibazar but also wherever she was missioned: Shillong, Haflong, Cherrapunji, North East India and then different areas of Myanmar. Her simple life style allowed her to see the reality of situation and lead to less stress, better health and greater peace in her life and mission. She was a very good cook and good at sewing too. She taught orphans to cook and stitch. She worked as a sacristian for many years in Chittagong, Cathedral Church. She would prepare everything for the celebration of the daily Mass. She would set up the church, assisting the altar servers, cleaning the blessed items after Mass. Sister Raymond was ultimately responsible for flowers arrangements in the cathedral Church, Chittagong.
Training Specialization: Sister Mary Raymond had senior formal nursing training for six years in Chondroghona Hospital, Chittagong, from 1972 – 1977. She worked in the Father Budro’s clinic from 1977- 1982. Beside her nursing responsibilities she spent many years helping and caring those who were very poor, sick, neglected an abandoned. Every day she would bring Holy Communion to the sick and elderly persons with a great concern and kindness. She also gave marriage counseling to the couples to resolve conflicts and improve their relationships.
The Characteristics, Personality: She was a very simple, humble, friendly, faith- filled compassionate nature, loving and attentive to the sick, generous and devoted person in her religious life. She has faced lots of struggles with her poor eye sight, yet she was always positive towards life and vocation. She was always respectful to others. She was an optimistic person. She always tried to perform all her duties effectively. Her activities and positive spirit inspired many of us a lot. Beyond this, she was a hard working and prayerful person. Although she was busy at times still she tried to be faithful each day for silent prayer with God and spent her time in reflecting on Word of God in the Chapel, and she adhered to that schedule faithfully. She spent lots of time in serving the poor ones, the elderly and sick people. People were fascinated by her simplicity, loving service and generosity. Still so many people remember her with great affection, respect and appreciation in Chittagong.
At the end of her life she lost her both eye sight but she was a more quiet and calm person. She never complained to anyone instead she was grateful to our Sisters Dora Khongla, Trishna Mree, Agnes Munmun and helpers who looked after her every day. Sister Mary Raymond prayed the rosary every day with the Sisters at Proggaloy and been seen praying her rosary throughout the day, as well as she had a deep devotion to Divine Mercy. Sister used to pray to the image of the Divine Mercy in silence. She told everyone that God is real and answers her prayers.
On 1st November 2018, Mary Raymond suddenly felt a loss of strength and bid farewell to this earthly dwelling at 6:30 PM. The Sisters had Mass in Marialoy Chapel at 7:30 PM and Holy Eucharist was offered by Rev. Fr. Pinto Costa, OMI, for her happy repose. Sr. Raymond Gomes was ninety years and four months at the time of her death. On the following day the Funeral Mass was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Proshanto T. Rebeiro, our Parish Priest and three other Priests, Rev. Fr. Gianvito Nitti, sx, Fr. Terence Rodrigues and Fr. Johnny Finley, OMI, . Many religious, relatives and friends came to attend the Funeral Mass. Her body was laid to rest in the Muhammad sisters’ cemetery. Sister Mary Raymond is now surely singing with heavenly choir in praise to the compassionate God of all. In your hands, O Lord, we humbly entrust our Sister Mary Raymond. In this life you embraced her with your tender love, deliver her now from every evil and grant her eternal rest. + May she rest in peace.