Sr.Judette Dias, FMCK - 4 Jan. 1938 to 1 May 2015By GorettiAli “Welldone,
good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; Iwill put
you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” Matthew
25:21 I first met Sr. Judette Dias in 2006, almost nine years to the dayI last
saw her, the day before Our Lord called her home. Shewas someone I should
have known my entire life; considering the fact that weshare one set of
great-grand-parents. But due to circumstances that affect a community at large,
the majorfactor being migration, it was not so. A chance remark by Fr.
Canise Mascarenhassent me on a quest to find a cousin and a nun at that! When
I called up Sr. Judette, she was as eager to meet as Iwas. We quickly filled
each other up onthe lost years and since then kept in touch. As it was during
the years she was in charge of Lemmens Home, opp.Christ the King Church caring
for the physically handicapped children, Ivisited often and she would join me
and my family at times for Christmas. When she was transferred to St.
John’sConvent, Drigh Colony and later to Rosary Convent, Malir our contact
wasthrough telephone calls and email. Imissed seeing her and waited for when
she would be posted back to an area Icould reach easily. She returned to Christ
the King Convent middle of last yearand was very happy to be back. From the
moment I met Sr. Judette, I wasstruck by her calm and peaceful demeanour. She
was such a gentle soft spoken person. She seemed so happy and content in
herworld. Even though her world was amid painand suffering. I often met the
childrenshe cared for. The blind girl whom shetold me was so capable, that at
times Sr. could leave her in charge. The little girl with brittle bones who
wantedto run and jump like any other child whom Sr. often had to take to the
hospitalas she had yet once again fractured bones. How do you tell a child that
shewill never be like other children? Shewill always be different and must
live the rest of her life keeping this inmind. Then there were the children
whohad no home to go to during the holidays and had to stay back when all the
restleft. Sr. Judette cared for so many likethese in her quiet calm manner. I
neverever saw her frustrated or angry. Sheaccepted that this is God’s way.
Charlotte Dias (Sr. Judette) was born on 4 Jan. 1938 inMultan. She came from a
railwayfamily. Her father John was an engine driverwho worked for the North
Western Railways, now Pakistan Railways. Her grandfather Reginald was a guard
in therailways. The Dias family, originallyfrom Goa settled in Saharanpur,
U.P. India. She remembered visiting once as a child and said her grandfather
wasstrict and stern while her father was the opposite. Charlotte and her
siblings were born in citiesthat became part of Pakistan. John Dias’family was
the only one that lived here. His siblings remained inSaharanpur. Considering
her affluent background, Charlottehad the best life could offer. Thefamily
lived in the railway houses which were well catered. She and her
sisterChristabel studied in the Convent of Jesus and Mary, Murree. When John
retired from the railways in the1960’s the family took up residence in Hussain
D’Silva Town, St. Jude’s Parish,Karachi. She loved dressing up, music and
dancing. She was a fun person. How does someone who so loved life, give up
all life’s pleasuresto the service of others? When I asked,she said she chose
the FMCK (Franciscan Missionaries of Christ the King) Orderfor its simplicity.
She had enjoyedlife. She had seen it all, enjoyed itall. She was ready for
the simple life. Shenever once regretted her decision. Whenshe told her
parents of her intention to enter the Convent, they wereastonished and said she
would not last very long. Her mum wondered how she would manage withouther
matching dress and shoes, her dad told her to take the radio with her, asshe
was the one who loved it the most. She lasted for over 48 years!! Charlotte
entered the Convent in 1964, took her first vows on the8 Dec. 1966 and made her
final vows in 1971. She took the name Sr. Mary Judette. At around the same
time, her family migratedto Canada. During these years she servedin various
capacities in Convents throughout Sindh and the Punjab. As Sr. Judette stayed
back in Pakistan sheworried that she would not be able to look after her
parents when the needarose. But things worked out such thatshe was able to
visit her family regularly. During the last months of her mother’s life she was
able to stay on inCanada and take care of her. Somethingshe was always
grateful to God for. Hermain functions were as Novice Mistress. The current
Provincial of the FMCK, Sr. Catherine Wilson says whatevershe is today is
because of Sr. Judette. She guided, taught and helped manyyoung novices through
the years in her quiet humble way. During the last times I met her, she
waslooking for a Cost Accounting and Book Keeping teacher for two of her
youngnovices. As she said they are our futureand need to be able to handle
everything. During the last few weeks of her hospital stay, I was deeply
touched bythe care and concern bestowed on her by her sister nuns. The six
residing nuns at the Convent lookafter the school, whatever parish activities
need to be taken care of and yettook turns in staying with her at the hospital
24 hours. Theywould call to update me on her progress regularly or to pass on
messages to herfamily. I can only reason that they werereciprocating what they
had received from her. Sr. Judette returned home to the Lord on the Feast of
St. Josephthe worker, 1st May. Just 20 monthsshort of her Golden Jubilee. As
Sr. MusarratNoronha, also an FMCK and close friend said, she will celebrate it
with theKing of Kings and His heavenly Choir. Sr.Zita D’Cunha, In charge of
Lemmens Home misses her quiet companionship andsteady dependability. Her grave
is right in front of Mgr. Salesius Lemmens. “ForI was hungry and you gave me
something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave mesomething to drink, I was a
stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothesand you clothed me, I was sick
and you looked after me, I was in prison and youcame to visit me.” Matthew
25:35-36
__._,_.___ Attachment(s) from Goretti Ali | View attachments on the web 1
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