Sister Mary Loretta of Jesus Crucified

  Sister Mary Loretta of Jesus Crucified, nee Florentia Tirkey was born on 15^TH  December,1946, in the unique village of Khatri, Khatang, and was a devout member of the Catholic Church in Dighia, Ranchi. Her parents, the late Mr Suleman Tirkey and Mrs Monica Toppo were deeply religious, gratefully accepted and nurtured their seven children—five girls and two boys—with unwavering faith, Christian values, and genuine parental love. Reminiscing on her family, Sister Loretta remarked, “The pure air of home makes me happy.” She grew up in a household where joys and sorrows intertwined, and every absence was keenly felt. Sister Loretta remained deeply connected to her family, supporting them through her prayers and strengthening their bond with regular visits.

Sister Loretta felt the intimate touch of God drawing her to Himself even before the age of fifteen. She approached the Missionaries of Charity seeking permission to join them, but the  superior of the community  suggested she wait until she turned fifteen and completed her matric examination. During this time, she deepened her love for God and became actively involved in church activities, particularly those for children and youth programs. She completed her high school studies at St. Xavier’s High School in Chaibasa and her Teacher’s Training at Bethesda in Ranchi.

Having met many sisters from different congregations, she struggled to decide which one to join. In her autobiography, she mentions writing seven letters to seven different congregations, expressing her desire to serve the Lord through them. Sister Loretta made a personal pact with the Lord: she would join the congregation that responded to her first. An angel in the person of Sister Maureen A.C. invited her to Hazaribagh, where she courageously went for a six-month experience and exposure to the Apostolic Carmel Charism. With a generous heart, she responded to Jesus’ call, and on July 15, 1978, she entered as a postulant at Mary Hill, Mangalore. Her Novice Directress Sr. Veronica D’Lima writes, “ There is reason to believe Sr. Loretta was particular to practice the values of Christian discipleship,  especially relationship-oriented prayer, love for God and fellow being,  and self-sacrificing service, which the missionaries had instilled in the members. She brought the same spirit of commitment to religious life. At the weekly Growth Sessions, she was transparent and made use of the encounter for further growth. Sr. Loretta was hardworking thoughtful and helpful without expecting any appreciation. Everything she accepted with trustful obedience. Though she was  older than other  novices, she did not boss over others nor did she refrain from speaking what she knew to be truth. She understood what her call expected of her and responded to it through the daily details of the call prayerfully and cheerfully.” On May 2^nd, 1981, she made her first commitment and received the name Sister Mary Loretta of Jesus Crucified and made her final commitment on 28^th April 1986 at Maryhill Convent, Mangalore

Sister Loretta was convinced that it was for the spread of God’s Kingdom in the lives of the people she served was the primary goal of her religious life and to serve the poor and marginalised. She opted to do a Diploma in Tailoring course from C.T. I., Patna in order to help the poor and needy women. Wherever she worked,  she made use of all her knowledge, time, and talents to make this mission a reality. She upgraded herself by attending Catechetical seminars and spirituality sessions, and skills in new Methodology to be an effective Evangelist, especially in the mission stations which were assigned to her by her superiors. She served in Hazaribagh, Sojong, Keorapukur, Campbell Bay, Anadapalli Bongaon , Kutra and A.C Provincial House Kolkata.. She used her special skills to empower women to earn and save, conducted sewing classes for poor women and young girls, carried out pastoral activities in the parishes, extra classes for the slow learners, and coordinated tuition classes for the neighbourhood slum children. Her passion was to visit families to bring solace and comfort to the troubled and distressed. Her contribution as an animator for Maria Sanga and SCC is remarkable. She was their zealous leader and kept the units alive and active.

Sr. Loretta, the A.C. Missionary, manifested her courage, grit, love, generosity and availability during the Tsunami in December 2004 when our newly built convent after living in a dilapidated residence for years, was washed away completely.  All priests and three out of four of our sisters left the island for safety reasons. But Sr. Loretta stayed alone with the Islanders taking care of their spiritual needs as well as easing their fears and tension.  They begged of the provincial superior not to take her saying, “ All our property, houses and other livelihood have disappeared. If you take away our sister also, we have nothing to live for because we will be deprived of spiritual nourishment also.” She stood by the victims and chose to serve them and accompany them until they were rehabilitated.

Sister Loretta was transferred to Carmel Convent Hamirpur in May 2022 from Carmel Convent Kutra. Here, she remained actively involved both as a community member and in payer apostolate.  She had been managing diabetes for 17 years and received regular medical care, often accompanied by Superior Sister Casilda AC to her doctor’s appointments.

On June 12, 2024, Sister Loretta reported a loss of taste and a reduced appetite. She was admitted to Apollo Hospital for treatment and discharged on June 14. However, after a few days, she experienced stomach pain and missed community prayer. Concerned, the superior took her back to Apollo Hospital, where the doctor advised a four-day observation starting June 21, after which she was discharged.

The doctor recommended a change of environment for Sister Loretta’s recovery. The community sisters gladly agreed to support her in whatever way she preferred, whether it be a home visit or staying at our convents in Orissa and Kolkata. Despite these options, Sister Loretta preferred to be at Rourkela. She felt discomfort occasionally.

On 16^th of July Sr. Loretta was normal during the day but complained of stomach pain in the evening. On the 17^th sister showed signs of weakness and exhaustion, and was assisted by our domestic helpers for her movements. Her reports were found to be normal and the Doctor made us understand it was the side effects of uncontrolled sugar.  Sister Casilda requested Dr. Helen  to examine  Sr.Loretta and other sick sisters in the community.  Seeing sister Loretta Dr. Helen suggested admitting her for observation at CWS. Hospital for a thorough check-up. Ultra  Sound scan showed signs of liver damage According to Doctor Sanjay’s suggestion and in consultation with our Provincial Superior, made the necessary arrangements to shift sister Loretta to Kolkata for better treatment and follow-up.

Following Dr. Sadan Goswami’s advice, she was admitted at ‘Manipal Hospitals under the care of Dr Subhayu Banerjee, on 23^rd June. All investigations revealed a malignant lesion in the gall bladder and liver, with an acute infection in the biliary tract due to obstruction. Medical oncologist Dr Ashotosh Daga and other expert doctors informed us that surgery was not possible due to the tumour’s extensive impact on vital parts of her body and no cure is envisaged.

On July 26th, Sr. Diksha, our Provincial Superior, and two more sisters held a conference with the doctors and decided to provide Sr. Loretta with palliative care at the Provincial House. She was discharged and brought back to the Provincial House on July 27th. Dr. Goswami, our sister nurse Medakerelin, and the sisters at the Provincial House provided Sr. Loretta with the necessary care and attention. Sisters from Rourkela, neighbouring convents, and her youngest sister Rita, along with her niece, nephew and children, visited her. She required oxygen support and nasal feeding.

On 7^th August, at 7:30 a.m. Sr. Loretta received communion from Sr. Susheela’s hand.  Nourished by the divine Manna, she slipped into the eternal shore to join her Spouse.

Dear Sr. Loretta,

We will miss your presence in our midst. Thank you for being an example of simplicity, zeal for the mission, readiness for hard work, and love for the poor and downtrodden. You lived your life with total commitment and generous service. Adieu, dear sister, until we meet again on the eternal shores.

A loving tribute from the sisters of Carmel convent Rourkela.

BIO DATA

Name in Religion: Sister  M Loretta  of Jesus Crucified

Institute No.: 1955

Maiden Name: Florentia Tirkey

Date of Birth: 15.12.1946

Admission to Postulancy: 15 07.1978

First Commitment: 2.05.1981

Perpetual Profession: 28 .04.1986

Date of Decease: 07.08.2024

Date of Burial: 08.08.2024

Place of Burial: Christian Cemetery, Tollygunge