SISTER BERNADETTE GOTHORP

The second child of the four siblings of Mr. George Gothorp and Mrs. Cecilia Gothorp, Mary Bernadette was born on the 1st August 1930, in Assam, Dutupdum T.E. Darrang. Hers was a very united family. She has two brothers, Tony and George and a very loving sister, Phyllis. Circumstances moved Bernadette and her sister to the boarding school run by the FMA sisters in St. Mary’s Guwahati.
Mary Bernadette Gothorp received the name of Mabel at baptism (20th January, 1938) but she later on chose to be known as Amabilis.
In the early 1951-52 when [late] Sister Mary St. Candid RNDM went to Gauhati to write her MA (Economics) Examinations she was accompanied by [late] Sister Mary St. Columba RNDM. By then young Amabilis was already discerning her “call”.
Fascinated and attracted by the openness and jovial spirit of the two RNDM sisters, Amabilis approached them and without any hesitancy, expressed her desire to join the Congregation. In the process, she was admitted into Postulancy in 1952 and pronounced her first Profession in Chittagong on 2nd July, 1956 and after six years in 1962 made her Final Vows in Chittagong.
Having done her studies through the Gauhati (Guwahati) University and trained as a Montessori teacher in Bangalore, Mary Bernadette served the Congregation in various capacities in our communities spanning from Bangalore in the South, Kolkata in the Centre and rounded many communities of the India North East Province between Meghalaya and Assam.
As an optimistic RNDM, Bernadette left behind only trails of kindness and graciousness. She never indulges herself in fault finding but was always ready with commendable praises and appreciation towards those who lived and worked with her. In fact, she is an embodiment of compassion, gentleness and generosity. She was appointed superior of the Queen of the Missions Convent, Park Circus twice, 1972- 1978 and 1982-1985. It was during her tenure as Superior that the Province Headquarter was transferred from Shillong to Kolkata. Bernadette’s big heartedness enabled to mobilize the shift. In spite of the shortage of rooms, to the joy of one and all, Sister managed to free one floor for the Provincialate.

A compassionate mother of the poor, she opened the afternoon school for the children of the pavement dwellers around the posh area of the city. This venture has become the apple of the eye for the Community ever since.
Though devastated by the death of Phyllis Bernadette knew how to channelize the cup of pain and loss at the altar of holy resignation. Knitted with stronger knot with Tony and his children she became the source of strength for them.
Bernadette grew old graciously and when sickness gripped her, she was able to carry the cross and bore all discomfort and pain with admirable fortitude. The scenic environment of St. Agnes’ couple with its composing silence became the last mission for this great daughter of Euphrasie.
The apostle of smile accepted service and tender care of the community with surpassing appreciation. The ebbing health slowly deteriorated into unconsciousness. The community celebrated the Diamond Jubilee of Profession of Mary Bernadette Gothorp and her companion Mary Albert Edanad on 21st October, 2016. But Bernadette could no longer respond to the eventful day.
God called his beloved spouse to himself on 18th November, 2016. Many sisters from Shillong were able to join the bereaved and devastated community. Under the able leadership of Sister Sonia Chacko, member of the PLT Bernadette had a beautiful solemn befitting funeral on the 20th November. She was buried with the pioneers who had consecrated the sacred ground with their lives.
Consoled by the messages of condolences and prayers received from across the Congregation, Bernadette was instrumental for the Sisters to experience a great sense of contentment and bliss.
May her soul rest in peace and may she shower blessings on our Province and multiply graces for the community of St. Agnes’.