SR LILIA RASQUINHA

Goodness and mercy of God followed all the days in the life of Sr Lilia Rasquinha where she made her divine call meaningful and beautiful for God and others and bid farewell  to  dwell in the house forever on 10th October 2023 at 6.00 pm. 
Sr Lilia Rasquinha was born on 5th April 1947 at Bejai to Mr Ambrose Rasquinha and Alice D’Souza. She was the only child to the family. On May 5th 1965 she joined the Ursuline Franciscan Congregation did her Temporary Profession on June 1968 and Perpetual Profession on 11th May 1973. 
In her young age she spent her early days at Fatima Convent, Hubli and as a office staff, she served at Belthangady, Hubli, Koppa, Kelarai, Bejai, Shanthi Nagar and Keshwapur.  After the retirement she served in various capacities at Mudipu Shrine, Nympha Sadan as health care of the Senior Citizen Home, Hostel warden at Fr Muller Hostel, Derlakatte, Sirsi as a Social worker, Warden St Aloysius Ladies Hostel, Pastoral Apostolate at Powai   Mumbai and Kallianpur as UFLA animator. 
Sr Lilia was a person filled with fun and laughter, anybody would enjoy her company, very active and energetic, talented, peaceful, devotional, full of life in the community. Youth enjoyed her company because she was like a youth along with youth, while dealing with women she was like a mother and friend. Every parishioner enjoyed her company wherever she was. She entertained the guests with her cheerful countenance and hospitality was the hallmark of her consecrated life. She was well disciplined, systematic and orderly person,   always maintained the house and surrounding clean and tidy.  
Her participation in the Eucharistic celebration was full of zeal and enthusiasm and praised God twice through her melodious voice and made the liturgy more meaningful. At Kallianpur as an UFLA animator she encouraged and accompanied the women inspite of her weak health. Thus she lived her life very fruitful in the service of the Lord.
‘A successful life is a result of perfection, hard work, learning from failures, loyalty and persistence’ in the words of Colin Powell accordingly she ran the race of life. ‘Time and tide waits for none’ this saying is very much apt in her life where she would spend each moment in doing something good for the sisters and the people and her priority for prayer was  very inspiring and she was an model for us to imitate her life.  As she said time did not wait for her nor for us. Just before three days she was admitted at Goretti hospital, Kallianpur for the low sodium, even there she mixed with all and was delighted to know that her health conditions were improving. She was very happy when she was discharged from the hospital in the morning and came to the convent with much joy and full of life. Same day in the evening on 10th October God’s plan was different for her. God called her to his abode of peace at 6 p.m due to cardiac arrest. Those of us who treasured her journey of life thank God for her beautiful person and surrender her to God. We as Ursuline Franciscan Congregation specially the Mangalore Province remain ever grateful for her selfless service and her unassuming personality.