SR PATRICIA TAURO

‘Blessed is the one who endures trails, because having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him’ (James 1:12). Blessed is Sr Patricia who held her head high, hands that were at work all the time, and even reached to the needy once, feet that moved to accomplish the task, and were ready to go back to the creator to receive the crown of life.

Sr Patricia Tauro was born in Sacred Heart Church, Madanthyar on December 12^th 1938 to Mr Stanislaus Tauro and Mrs Seraphina Pinto. She was the seventh child among 8 children. She was baptized as Florine Tauro. Her primary schooling was done in Sacred Heart Hr Pry School, Madanthyar, High School at St Ursula Higher Primary School, Bolar, 4^th form to 6^th form at St Joseph’s Girl High School, Kundapur. She was inspired by her own elder sister Sr Flavia Tauro to join the Congregation and joined the Ursuline Franciscan Congregation in June 1958.

Cheerful, beautiful and intelligent Sr Patricia after completing PUC at St Agnes College  made her Temporary Profession on 8^th May 1960 at Holy Rosary Convent, Jeppu. Later having completed B.Sc at St Agnes and B.Ed at St Ann’s College of Education made her Perpetual Profession on 3^rd May 1964. Thereafter having love for the mission she moved to St Joseph High School Koppa for 3 years, Lourdes High School for 5 years again at Koppa Superior and Headmistress for 7 years, thereafter at Tumarikop as Superior and Headmistress for 16 years and thus won the hearts of the staff, students and the people  and popularly known as the “Angel of Tumarikop’. After retirement she served in the children’s Home as a warden at Panir, Superior at Kallianpur and as the member of the community at Shanthi Nilaya, Kelarai, Kulshekar and Kallianpur.

An excelled Maths teacher in the words of Sr Patricia, “Maths may not teach you to add or substract correctly but it simply teaches that every problem has a solution”. It’s true  that she has faced challenges and was victorious in all the situations of life. She has enhanced the life of many students and helped them to reach the vision and goal of their life. Even today the students remember her and they were present for the funeral.

Sr Patricia was a person of courage, hardworking, cheerful, loving and generous. She was a good leader and possessed good administrative skills, an efficient teacher by profession not only in the school but even in the church too. Teaching catechism, guiding sodalities, visiting the families and pastoral apostolate was very dear to her. She sacrificed her energetic life in catering to the needs of the poor students, needy families, slow learners and the youth. She was in the fore front in inculcating Christian values, evangelization and faith formation.

To possess these beautiful qualities she connected herself to the Lord specially rising at 4.30 am and she would be in the presence of the Lord from 5.00 am which was her normal start of the day.  She was regular for the Eucharistic celebrations, community and personal prayer, spent time before the Blessed Sacrament and she had great devotion to the Blessed Virgin and the Divine Mercy. She loved to read the Word of God and thus drew strength for her spiritual life. Her deep faith gave her courage and endurance in moment of sufferings.

She was not only intelligent but also God has blessed her with talents possible. She was a fine artist in making door mates out of waste material, like St Francis of Assisi she loved the nature and by cleaning the surrounding, growing vegetables, gardening, preparing brooms spent time in the nature.  She had a special talent in preparing delicious dishes, thus she remained active, enthusiastic and spent her life fruitfully.

In the year 2020 with corona she became weak, and on September 16^th, 2023 she had a fall at Kallianpur and had to undergo surgery at Fr Muller Hospital, Kankanady. Thereafter she was shifted to Nympha Sadan, Bolar for the better care. It was unacceptable to her to confine on the bed for 3 months. Her health was deteriorating from  the month of January 2024. The Sisters of Nympha Sadan assisted her in all her personal needs and accompanied her through their prayers at the bed side.

On March 11^th early hours at 3.30 am Sr Patricia breathed her last in the presence of the community Sisters. Her funeral took place on 12^th March 2024 at 3.30 p.m. at Somarpann Novitiate Chapel, Derlakatte. Rev. Fr Antony Shera her nephew officiated at the Eucharist, Rev. Fr Joachim Fernandes, director of SCC, preached the homily.  Rev. Fr Joy Andrade the Assistant Parish Priest of Milagris Cathedral, Kallianpur conducted the funeral rites. Rev. Fr Lanson Lobo OFM Cap Brahmavar, Fr Pradeep Mangalli OFM Cap her student from Tumarikop, Fr Rocky D’Cunha OFM Cap, Fr Jeevan D’Mello OFM Cap, Fr Francis Fernarndes OFM Cap,  Fr Joseph Mascarenhas, Fr Jaison Martis S.J. and Fr Edwin Monis concelebrated the Eucharist.  Rev. Sr Rita Vas Asst Superior General and Councilors General, Sr Clara Menezes Provincial Superior and her Councilors, representatives of all the Provinces, delegation, the Sisters of Mangalore Province, her family members and relatives, her students from Tumarikop, Koppa, Belthangady, Kelarai, Bejai and Panir, UFLA members from various places were present in large number to pay their homage to Sr Patricia Tauro. She was laid to rest in the cemetery of Mangalore Province at Somarpann Novitiate, Deralakatte.

Eternal Rest Grant unto her O Lord, and perpetual light shine upon her.  May her soul rest in peace.