July 23, 2018
will be remembered as a day of deep loss, as the cheerful nun, Sr Rufina Isabel Coutinho,
just 56, left for her heavenly abode. Her enthusiastic, caring and smiling face
will always remain etched in the lives of the poor, the sick and elderly, whom
she served selflessly.
Rufina was born in Curchorem, Goa on the historic day of Goa’s
Liberation. From her childhood days she was a lively girl – a little ‘good
Samaritan’ in her neighbourhood, doing little chores for the needy. Her great
love for God and her desire to serve the poor led her to jointhe Congregation
of the Handmaids of Christ, where she spent 34 fruitful years of her life
serving the poor and needy in different parts of Goa and in the neighbouring
states. She served the sick and aged, taught little children, instructed the
youth, counselled families and helpedthose in distress. She did not hesitate to
clean nauseating and maggot-infested wounds of the sick and dying. Her charity
was unbounded. Her tender words, her caring attitude and sense of humour
lightened the burdens and pains of many who crossed her path. At one of the
Senior Citizen’s Homes where she served,the inmates affectionately referred to
her as“Mother Tereza” and “Florence Nightingale”.
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With passing years, her health began to deteriorate with
complications like diabetes, blood pressure, multiple heart blocks, poor vision
etc, and herailing body refused to cooperate with her overenthusiastic mind.
Even when doctors gave up on her, she did not lose hope. She was determined to
continue serving the needy till her last breath.
It was a call within a call and God showed her the way. Instead
of wallowing in self-pity and becoming a burden to others, she chose to take a
daring step in her life.Leaving behind the security of the Convent,
shecourageously ventured into an unknown environment to the United Kingdom. In
spite of her frail health, she made her joyful services available to the
elderly and the needy, where she served for about four years. In a short time
she won the hearts of the people in the UK.She dared to be different and she
made a difference in the lives of the poor, the lonely and the unwanted.She
accomplished much and with her hard earned money, reached out to many in
distress, both abroad and in India,be they travellers, prisoners, alcoholics
and beggars. Her dedicated work was acknowledged in the UK and she received an
Award for her commendable work as one of the Best Care-Takers of the Sick and
Elderly.
Sr
Rufinabelieved that like her master, Jesus, she was “anointed to bring good
news to the poor”. Havingcompleted her God-given earthly mission with much love
and dedication, she will continue to inspire others to love, serve and care for
the downtrodden.
