会報４号を掲載しました。英文のほうが読みやすい方のために、Mrs.エグブレムさんの英文原稿を紹介します。
I updated the bulletin #4 of “Walking
Together” in our website.
For the person who is suitable to read in
English than in Japanese, I also placed the English manuscript of a letter form
Mrs.Egbulem.
The following is the letter.
(Mrs.Egbulem studied at OLG schools in
Lunsar, Sierra Leone, in her young days.
She was not only a schoolgirl of Sr. Leticia Negishi, but also lived
together Sr. Leticia as a co-worker at a convent then.
Mrs. Egbulem lives in the USA now, and she
continues with the support activity for Sierra Leone. This memorial piece was sent off for the Sr.
Leticia’s memorial service.)
REMEMBERING SR. LETECIA NEGISHI
By:
Mrs Egbulem (Bernadette F. Bangura)
Date:11/8/2013
DURING
THE POPE’S HOMILY ON All Saints’ day at a special Mass in memory of all the
Cardinals and Bishops that passed away during the year, he said: “The deceased
bishops and cardinals have already met God, and Catholics should always be
ready for that encounter. We do not know the date, but that encounter will take
place and let us pray for ourselves that the Lord prepares us for this
encounter.” Our dear Sister Letecia is now with God in heaven playing the
piano, praying and interceding for all of us here on earth. These were the
three characteristics of this missionary nun.
I knew
Sisiter Letecia since 1979 when my dad started teaching at the Secondary
School. I was also privileged to be her student: praying together at the Legion
of Mary meetings, singing in the choir, and more so spent a number of years
with her at the convent. She was an
exemplary missionary. She lived a life of simplicity and joy as taught by her
Foundress, Maria Ines Teresa Arias. During her missionary work here in Lunsar,
Sister Letecia worked tirelessly to ensure that the children of Lunsar have
clean drinking water, had good meal at school, and plenty of scholarships so no
child is left behind without an education. “If it is not for the souls, life is
not worth living”. Nuestra Madra.
I am so
privileged to have lived much of my life with this devout missionary. She
taught me that life is not all about money but doing the little things, and
giving back to others. Sister Letecia kept her light burning and shining
throughout her life. She always had her students in mind. Even as she was lying
at her hospital bed in Japan, she was always telling me when I called her:
“Bernadette, pray that I start walking soon. I want to go back to Lunsar. Tell
my girls to pray so I get well soon.” That’s the mind of a true missionary. Not
even illness or pain would stop her from carrying on missionary work.
The Bible
says, “How beautiful are the feet of those who carry the good news of
salvation, who proclaims the reign of God and its peace”. Our Parish has been
blessed throughout the years with saintly missionaries like Fr Stephani, Fr
Peter, Sr. Rose Mary, Fr. Anthony, etc.
All of these are now in the presence of God interceding for us all. May their prayers and fellowship with God be
our guiding light here on earth and in our parish of St. Peter Claver’s,
Lunsar.
As we
celebrate Sister Letecia’s life, may we remember to keep our light shining
bright in our various works of life and may we always learn to give back no matter
how little, for to those whom much is given, more is expected. May God bless the Clarissan Missionary
Sisters and other missionaries all over the world.
“How
beautiful upon the mountain are the feet of those who carry good news of
salvation, who proclaim the reign of God and its peace.” May God bless our
parish with abundant vocations. Amen