Life is mystery and death is mysterious. However certain we are of death, it still catches us unaware.
On 24th October 2018 the staff, non-teaching staff and the students of Auxilium Benaulim gathered together to understand the death of our dear teacher Ruhi Bandekar and to pray for her eternal repose. Our Headmistress Sr. Elizabeth Coelho led us into a meaningful prayer moment praying for our dear teacher.
The human race is very much involved each day in the acts of ‘hellos’ and ‘goodbyes’. Right from the time, we come into the world we bid goodbye to our mother’s safe womb and say hello to the very different world.
During the prayer moment teaching and non teaching staff added a spoonful of oil to the Indian lamp, symbolizing the life of our dear Tr. Ruhi. Many people, situations and events made Tr. Ruhi the person she was.
The wicks already present denote the life present in Tr. Ruhi. However, parents, family provide the oil so that life keeps flowing for the wicks. In our school community, every staff member provided the oil of encouragement, friendship, joy, enthusiasm and shared life meaningfully. The oil bonded Tr. Ruhi and the others into a beautiful relationship.
Life is meant to light up and brighten up everything around us. For Tr. Ruhi, the Management was a body of persons she respected. The Sisters were persons Tr. Ruhi obeyed and enjoyed doing things for them. To all Tr. Ruhi was a loving person, she lighted up our world. Sr. Agatha Dias our Manager and Superior lit the Indian lamp signifying Tr. Ruhi who received God’s light and spread it to all around her.
Tr. Ruhi also touched the hearts of the little ones in the Primary. They have experienced her love, compassion and guidance. Today their lives are lighted with the life of Tr. Ruhi As a sign of their respect and homage the class monitors placed a small lamp around the Indian lamp to pay their tribute to Tr. Ruhi.
Each of the staff members shared their memories of Tr. Ruhi expressing the love and warmth they had experienced from her.
Sr. Agatha Dias shared her rich experience of meeting Tr. Ruhi in person.
Dear Tr. Ruhi,
You brought sunshine and joy
To every little girl and boy
Your ways were gentle and kind
A teacher like you we’ll seldom find
The Divine Mercy you treasured
In His love today you are reassured.
