Stella A. Kattar First Death Anniversary

As Christians, we believe in the communion of saints. We believe that those who have died are not only still alive but that they are, as well, still in a real relationship with us. We the children, grandchildren, relatives and friends of Mrs Stella want to celebrate this relationship by going to those places where her spirit flourished and where our own spirits were instructed, stretched, and warmed by contact with our Mom and Dad.

As we get closer to one year we want to celebrate her home-going day in deep faith and profound hope in the resurrection of the dead. Lord, wash her from all sins and may her soul enjoy your radiant presence for ever.

Here I am to confirm that my dear Mom lives amidst us and that she is fully alive in her heavenly abode. Actually we have not lost her because she continues to live on in our life. Her memory and her presence are felt in many ways.

Her life reflects the beauty of a brilliant diamond sparkling with thousand fires.
And we have experienced something of its blaze which I want to share with you.

A true mother is one who keeps creating and recreating a house into a home where one is loved, accepted and wanted as she/he is. My father died 25 years ago, but he was totally alive in her all the 24 hours of the day. Together with him, she was creating this home. This had been the experience of each one of us. None of us felt more loved or less loved but each of us felt loved very especially and uniquely. Her voice rings loud and clear in all the telephone calls Leave that now tell me when are you coming home??? It’s not just the experience of her sons and daughters but of their friends too. Many are the sisters and priests who visit her. They say “oh Gosh, your mother has an enormous energy to make even a total stranger feel at home. she spent time in being with them, recounting interesting tales about her sons and daughters, sharing her pride in each one of us. She is concerned not only about her immediate sons and daughters, but about the needs of the larger family and even the world at large. At home, she read the news paper from the first to the last page and when she saw any news about Peru, she wrote the news, or she sent paper cuttings and assured of her prayers. In a word, what I want to share with you is, our world became her world, our interests became her interest. We are a large family but her love for the larger family was also great. She put no limit to her love – it was expansive, her love for her sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews, friends. Many of you here have seen her, have experienced her love and concern, isn’t it? A few days before her passing away, on her bed of pain, she was concerned about her nephew who hadn’t a house, a great grand daughter that she should be blessed with a very good groom. Yes, we grew up in a supportive and loving HOME. I know the thousand deaths she went through, with great joy and pride to create this loving HOME.

She was a flesh and blood woman, who knew struggle and pain, joys and hopes, a woman who experienced God’s love in her innermost being. She said “I brought you up not only with the earning of your father but through prayer and charity.” Time and again she had repeated to us, she had written to us in her letters and even in her last will, she had written this. We have seen her rising early and she starts her day with the Lord offering each of her sons and daughters, their families to the Lord. We recall the strength she displayed during difficult times. She faced fear with trust, overcame doubt with faith and transformed problems with love. Her faithful God walked with her and helped her as she helped others, one step at a time and one day at a time. Mom gave us roots and wings, a solid foundation and spiritual values that strengthen us and enables us to fly high today. As she passed away, many came to pay their last homage to the person who had given them life at the most desperate time of their life. It’s only then we knew the charity she had been doing in her everyday life. It was like the widow’s mite. From the little she had, she shared. She never cared to improve her life style, to live in greater comfort. She always felt that she was in a palace, that she was the queen of the house and well looked after by her beloved daughter Charlet and her family. In every letter and in every phone call she articulated this attitude of gratitude she had in the depth of her heart. Many of the poor were her true friends.

She was an active member of the church from her younger age to the present age. She had an angelic voice and she donated this gift completely in the parish choir and where ever she went. She came to Geneva, she sang, she went to Rome, she sang, to Canada she sang and in India for all the occasions and in all the charitable homes when she was asked to sing. Singing was her life, her joy, her passion. She sang not only in English but in pure Carnatic music in Tamil. Yes, she was a person of self esteem, self confidence and self- dignity. She was an active member of the legion of Mary and it was her mission to visit the families. Almost everyday, she used to visit the families who needed her. Many are the couples who have shared with me her charism/gift of reconciling them. She had not participated in marriage encounters etc but the Lord blessed her with a profound wisdom that enabled her to reach out to all and live the mission of reconciliation and integration . Today, all the members of Anbiams(Basic Christina Communities) speak volumes about her faith and active participation in those groups. She wanted to have it in our house so that she could participate even in her 80s.

How can we be witnesses to the death and RES of Jesus if we do not face our own death, even the death of our beloved mother. The glory of RES can ony break through only if there is death. We cannot grasp the wonder of the RES unless we have been struck by the scandal of death The temptation is to seek at all cost to survive, because we dare not face death. She had taken the brave decision to die with dignity and with trust in the Lord. That too was a preaching of the gospel from our dear mom to all of us and today, we want to be living testaments of our dear dad and mom to our nephews and nieces and larger family and friends.

“ My First Christmas in Heaven”
I see the countless Christmas Trees,
around the world below
with tiny lights like heaven’s stars,
Reflecting on the snow.
The sight is so spectacular, please wipe
away your tears,
For I am sharing Christmas, with Jesus
Christ this year
I hear the many Christmas songs, that
People hold so dear
But the sounds of music can’t compare,
With the Christmas choir here.
I have no words to tell you , the joy their
voices bring,
it’s far beyond description, to hear
the angels sing.
I know how much you miss me.
I see the pain within your heart,
But I am not so far away.
We really aren’t apart.
So be happy for me, loved ones.
You know I hold you dear,
and be glad im spending Christmas,
With Jesus Christ this year.
I send you each a special gift,
from my heavenly home above.
I send you each a memory.
Of my undying love.
After all “love” is the gift more
Precious than gold
It was always most important,
in the stories Jesus told.
Please love and keep each other,
As my father said to do.
For I can’t count the blessings.
Or the love he has for you.
So have a merry Christmas and
Wipe away those tears,
For I am sharing Christmas,
With Jesus Christ this year.

(Wordings from the card sent by Romi Akka)