SISTER MARY ETHELREDA D’ ROZARIO

Mary Ethelreda D’ Rozario was born in Nayansree, Hashnabad Parish, Dhaka, Bangladesh, in 1934, one of seven children of Domingo D’ Rozario and Maria Gomes. Her Baptism name was Philomena D’ Rozario. She came from a good family. The family had a strong faith and practice on the lives of the children. Late Father Dominic CSC was her cousin and late Bishop Michael Atul D’ Rozario CSC, Bishop of Khulna, Bangladesh was her uncle. Ethelreda went to school at St. Euphrasie’s Hashnabad, which is run by RNDM Sisters. At school she showed to be bright, clever, dutiful and devout. Her father worked in the Kolkata, thus, almost every six months they needed to go to Kolkata, which was difficult for her to cope up with school at St. Euphrasie’s Hashnabad. At that situation, she decided not to go to Kolkata very often but to remain in Hashnabad with her aunt so that she could stay on at St. Euphrasie’s school and continue her studies. She was very successful at school. She received her primary education from the RNDM Sisters and admired very much RNDM way of life. Ethelreda felt Sisters could show her who God was and how to please God, how to live well and how to love well.

At school Ethelreda began to feel the call to religious life. When she was still very young she was able to say that she will become a nun with the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions, RNDM in future. Her vocation was sown by the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions, her own parents and close extended family members, who were great models of faith journey. After Secondary School Certificate assessment, she made a trip to St. Scholastica’s convent Chittagong to join RNDM Novitiate. After finishing her postulant and Novitiate programs, she made her First Profession on 5^th January, in 1960 and Perpetual Vows at St. Scholastica’s Chittagong, Bangladesh, on 5^th January, in 1966. Ethelreda successfully completed her academic studies, I. A. in 1967 from Government College, Chittagong.

Almost immediately after her profession in 1960, Ethelreda began to carry out her long house animator responsibilities with self-confidently. She was appointed superior of St. Scholastica’s convent, Chittagong, Marialoy community, Dhaka, St. Thecla’s convent, Golla, Jyotidham community, Bagerhat and St. Teresa’s convent, Rangamati, Hill track, Chittagong. Ethelreda, as a superior of the house carried out her apostolic activities more generously, lovingly and firmly to make a good community life. Being a trained teacher she taught also all subjects, especially religion in school. She took catechism classes, marriage preparation classes, Formation of Adult Christian Leaders, visiting families and carried Holy Communion to the sick and elderly parishioners in Assam Bosti, Rangamati, Hill Tracks, Chittagong.

She worked hard at St. Peter’s Orphanage, Chittagong and gave individual attention to each child and assisted them to get healthy lifestyle with great generously and loving care. She had God’s gift as vocation recruiter for religious life. Many of our Sisters were inspired by her life example to become an RNDM sister.  Her strong dedication to her religious life gave new hope for us to carry our mission with enthusiasm. Ethelreda thought that it is necessary to accompany young girls, walk with them, and listen to them so that they may respond to the call of the Lord. She taught and preached the Word of God to the Catechist, Parishioners and tribal boarding girls and boys. She was a compassionate person with an active response to lessen someone else’s suffering, especially orphan, widow and poor ones.

Mary Ethelreda participated in the Sabbatical year held in Holy Land and England for six months in 1997. She was aware of how positive these experiences had been for her, not the least because they helped her grow in courage, hope and greater interior freedom. She was so much grateful to her authorities for giving her this opportunity. She was a very simple, humble, friendly, loving and attentive to the poor, generous and devoted person in her religious life.

Ethelreda came to Proggaloy community, Dhaka, 1207, on 25^th August, 2013. Here at Proggaloy she was happy to stay with the other elderly Sisters in peace and joy. She greatly appreciated our Nurse Sisters, Dora Khongla, Trishna Mree and all the helpers who took great care of her at Proggaloy with compassion. She was also grateful to Proggaloy Doctor Boloram, of the Care Medical Hospital, Dhaka 1207, who took great care of her regularly with kindness and respect.

Ethelreda was waiting for the Lord. She has placed her life in his hands and was offering everything for the many needs of the Sisters and of the RNDM Mission. On 20^th February Srs. Reba V. D’ Costa, Provincial, Sonya and Amala accompanied Fr. Jhonny Fenny to the hospital to give Sister the Sacrament of the Sick. On 21^stand 22^nd Srs. Dora, Purobi Pascalina and Jyotsna visited her with blood bags as asked by the doctors. On 23^rd February, 2019, she suddenly bid farewell to this earthly dwelling at 2:55 am at the Care Medical Hospital, Iqbal Road, Mohammadpur, Dhaka, 1207. In the morning Fr. Johnny Fenny, OMI offered mass in our chapel and at 3:30 p.m. the Funeral Mass was celebrated by Most. Rev. Bishop Theotonius Gomes, CSC, auxiliary bishop Emeritus of Dhaka, Fr. David Gomes, our parish priest, St. Christina Church and four other priests, Rev. Fr. Gianvito Nitti, SX, Fr. Francesco PIME, Fr. Jyoti F. Costa and Fr. Someer D’ Rozario, CSC who was Sister Ethelreda’s grand-nephew and gave meaningful homily for the funeral Mass.  Many religious, relatives, and friends came to attend the Funeral Mass. Her Body was laid to rest in Marialoy, Mohammadpur Sisters cemetery.

We believe that Ethelreda is now in the presence of the Angels singing and praising to heavenly Father in heaven.  We will miss Ethelreda very much she was a very kind and compassionate person who always had something nice to say about everyone.  Ethelreda made us feel like she cared about us. Her love and light will be with us as we go on.  Her smile, warm welcome and her faithfulness as an animator of the house will greatly be missed.  She’s up there with her brother, who died on 22^nd February, 2019 and beloved parents.  + May she rest in Peace.