Sister Maria Angélica ND 5893 PDF Download
Maria Angélica DORNELES
Our Lady Aparecida Province, Canoas, RS – Brazil
Date and Place of Birth: August 23, 1947 Caçapava do Sul, RS
Date and Place of Profession: February 12, 1968 Canoas, RS
Date and Place of Death: November 8, 2023 Ernesto Dornelles Hospital, Porto Alegre
Date and Place of Burial: November 8, 2023 Convent Cemetery, Canoas, RS
“Apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5
Sister Maria Angélica committed herself to this verse from Jn 15:5 – “Apart from me you can do nothing” on the day of her final profession. It sustained her throughout her earthly journey and prepared her for the final surrender. Having completed 55 years of religious life, the time the Lord had given her to fulfill her mission as Sister of Notre Dame, she returned to the Father to contemplate God face-to-face for all eternity.
The many years of loneliness and suffering due to an illness that bound her to a wheelchair as well as a speech impediment, were a time of conversion and purification as Sister allowed the good and provident God to form her life as she placed all her trust in Him.
Maria Angélica was the tenth of the twelve children born to Adão and Maria Cândida Dorneles. She grew up on her family´s farm in Caçapava do Sul, from which her parents took their livelihood. At a young age, Maria Angélica met the Sisters of Notre Dame and enchanted by their way of life, entered the Congregation.
After graduating from teacher training, Sister began her ministry in several schools in Our Lady Aparecida Province. In 1999, Sister Maria Angélica retired from formal education and engaged in pastoral care service with a special focus on Catechesis, a ministry she carried out with great dedication in different parishes. Sister had a compassionate heart for the poor and needy. Besides collecting donations to help people in need, she spared no effort to live out our charism, visiting the sick and their families and bringing the Eucharist to them.
Sister Maria Angélica loved her religious community. She was always available and helpful, present and participative in community activities and times of prayer. She had a great devotion to the Eucharist and to Our Lady. Sister maintained a strong connection with her family and enjoyed exchanging visits with them. She also loved spending her vacation at the beach.
In 2016, due to poor health, Sister joined the Recanto Aparecida community, helping with small community services. Whenever possible, she participated in community prayer, ongoing formation, weekly gatherings, and retreats.
On October 19, 2023, Sister Maria Angélica fell ill and was admitted to Ernesto Dornelles Hospital, in Porto Alegre. Sisters, especially from her own community, visited her, bringing comfort and presence. Her relatives, from far and near, also came to visit. Because she was unable to express her deep gratitude with words, she did it with tears of emotion. On November 7th, during visiting time, the sisters prayed with her, renewed her consecration to Mary and helped her to surrender her life into the hands of Jesus. Having completed her mission on earth, at 1:35 a.m., November 8th, Sister entered into eternity.
May the good God welcome Sister Maria Angélica into eternal rest to enjoy the beauty and peace of the embrace of the One whom she loved and dedicated her life throughout her 76 years of life.
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