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Euology Sr.Rosaline Noronha
Romans 14:8 “For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.”
“Here my word O Lord; Listen to my sigh .Hear my cry for help, My King and my God.” (Ps.5:1-3) Could this have been the prayer cry of Sr. Rosaline Noronha, as she went through the treatment for nearly 15 days in St Martha’s hospital, before Jesus called her home to be with Him on 6th February 2025 at 8.20 P.m?
“Lives are like rivers: eventually they go where they must. Not where we want them.” (Richard Russo) All of us prayed with deep faith and hope that Sr. Rosaline Noronha be back with us, but God willed that she be with her beloved in her eternal home , so we surrender and say “ Your will be done”.
We, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Tarbes, all the members of Sr Rosaline Noronha’s family , friends and well wishers gather here today with heavy hearts, yet also with hearts full of gratitude, to celebrate the life and legacy of Sr. Rosaline Noronha. For the past 68 remarkable years of her life in the SJT family, Sr. Rosaline graced our lives, leaving an indelible mark on our community. She served us in so many ways and in countless other roles that she undertook with unwavering commitment and responsibility.
Sr. Rosaline Noronha's journey of life began in Chickmangalur, where she was born to Late Mr.Paul Noronha and Mrs. Carmine Noronha. She was blessed with a large and loving family of 11 siblings where she stands 7th. Her deep desire to serve God and others led her to enter the Sisters of St Joseph of Tarbes on June 15, 1957. She made her first profession on January 9, 1960, and made her final profession on January 9, 1966.
After completing her studies, Sr. Rosaline was posted in Virajpet in 1962, where she began her dedicated service as a teacher and in charge of the boarding . This marked the beginning of a long and fruitful career serving the Church, society, and our Province in various capacities. Over the years, she served in the communities of Chickballapur, Chickmangalur, Whitefield, Chitradurga, Kammanahalli, Shanthi Nilaya, JNC and Tarbes Nivas . Her roles were diverse and reflected her many talents and her willingness to serve wherever needed. She served as a teacher, headmistress, boarding mistress, in-charge of the CCF ( Christian Children's Fund), Animator / Bursar, manger of the schools and college and in charge of the kitchen.
From 1998 onwards, Sr. Rosaline served as the Education Secretary of the Province. Her vast knowledge, meticulous attention to details, and unwavering dedication made her unique in this role. In 2012, she was transferred to Tarbes Nivas, where she continued to serve as the Education Secretary and also took up the responsibility of managing the kitchen. She selflessly dedicated herself to these roles until January 23, 2025, the day she was admitted to St Martha's Hospital. She was very caring, loving and sensitive to the needs of the community. We will never forget the thoughtfulness and generosity of Sr. Zrosaline. Whenever the sisters had to visit other communities, she always had packets prepared for their travels and something to give to the communities they visited. Her commitment to service, even until her final days, is a testament to her remarkable spirit, total availability and unwavering faith.
Sr. Rosaline was a woman of action. She was accountable, responsible, and completed every task entrusted to her with commitment and dedication. Whether she was shaping young minds in the classroom, meticulously managing educational records and accounts or ensuring that nourishing meals were prepared and served, she approached every role with the same dedication and quiet strength. She understood the importance of every contribution, no matter how seemingly small, and she performed each one with grace and efficiency.
Her commitment was truly inspiring. Sr. Rosaline worked tirelessly, giving of herself until the very last moment even with the support of oxugen.
She spent her leisure hours, in knitting, preparing woollen articles for sale to support our Mission in Congo This speaks volumes about her character, her devotion, and her deep love for the Ccongregation and the community she served. It's a testament to her strength of spirit that she remained active and engaged for so long. The clarity of her mind, her vision for the future and integration in life, the conviction in values which she stood for in the field of education and learning are her donations to the younger generation. Her love for the poor and the orphan children was remarkable.
She had a special place in her heart for the weaker children and took extra care to help them to study well. She has inspired many students through her exemplary and witnessing life as a consecrated person. Fr Joshua who was sister Rosaline’s student and is present here at this Eucharistic celebration will vouch for it.
Her organizational skills, analytical powers and capacity for thinking, reasoning and decision-making were admirable. Though belonging to an older generation, Sr. Rosaline was not set in her ideas; she was enthusiastic and always open to new ideas, new technology and innovations.
Sr Rosaline developed a strong network of connections with the Officials of the department of education at various levels, fostering effective communication and collaboration. With her expertise on education and legal matters, she was ever ready to help our Sisters and clarify their doubts and help them in their difficulties. She was up to date with regard to the recent developments in the in the society and in the education department, new rules and regulations, and promptly communicated the same to the Sisters. She had a special talent for connecting with former students, friends, and relatives, which made her very special to them. We often saw her old students and loved ones visiting her and spending time with her .
Sr Rosaline was a person of prayer and gave importance to both personal and community prayer. She never missed the community prayer even when tired and overworked. She loved her SJT vocation with every fibre of her being; and lived her religious life Joyfully till the end.What a wonderful gift God gave us in Sr Rosaline! May she now enjoy the reward well-deserved: the fullness of her consecration in heaven, one with her Divine spouse in eternal bliss.
During her final days in the intensive care unit, Sr. Rosaline remained the person we all knew—warm, grateful, humorous, and ever appreciative of those who cared for her. Despite her suffering and pain, she had a word of blessing and gratitude for all who cared for and visited her. When she could no longer express herself in words, she joined her hands in thanksgiving. She was a wonderful soul who lived close to God and others.
While we mourn her passing away from us, we also celebrate the profound impact she had on our lives. As a teacher, she ignited a spark of knowledge and curiosity in countless students. As the Education Secretary, she ensured the smooth functioning of our educational programs, maintaining excellent records, effectively and efficiently, handling the accounts of the institutions accurately . As incharge of the Kitchen she nourished not only our bodies but also our sense of community. And in all her roles, she exemplified the values of service, dedication, and unwavering commitment. She embodied both Martha and Mary
Sr. Rosaline's legacy will live on our hearts and in the hearts of of all who knew her. We will remember her for her tireless service, her quiet strength, and her unwavering faith and dedication. We will remember her for the positive impact she had on our lives, and the difference she made in our community. She will be greatly missed.
“God looked around his garden and found an empty place
He then looked down upon the Earth and saw your tired face
He knew you were suffering, he knew you were in pain
He closed your weary eyelids and whispered “Peace be Thine”
Dear Sister Rosaline Rest in the Lord’s embrace.
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