KENYA: Canadian Missionary Educator Dies after over 20 years of Service in Kenya
The Late Sr. Patricia holding a baby in one of their communities in Kenya
Described as a passionate teacher who inculcated good values of hard work, diligence and perfection especially through her own example, Sr. Patricia Anne LACHARITE, FMA, arrived in Kenya on 10th October, 1992 having been sent to the missions in East Africa, to the Province of Our Lady of Hope.
In Kenya she worked as a teacher of English in Siakago and Embu, from 1992 to 1995. She assisted and taught at the Novitiate which was then in Auxilium, Nairobi in 1996, then moved to Makuyu from 1997 to 2000 as Sister in charge of the Secretarial College. She was Head teacher of Don Bosco Girls Secondary School, Embu from 2001 to 2003. She was appointed as Diocesan Coordinator for catechesis in Murang’a diocese for four years from 2004 to 2007, which she did with much dedication, working closely with the Bishop and priests of the Diocese of Murang’a.
her community in Nairobi, Kenya
According to Rt. Rev. Peter Kihara Kariuki, I.M.C., the Bishop of Marsabit Diocese from where Sr. Patricia worked until her health began to deteriorate, “Sr. Patricia was a very committed sister, very forthright with what she had to say and do, and very convinced on the work of evangelization especially through the youth and education. She remains a great pillar and a great missionary to us.”
Bishop Kihara who revealed that he has known the late Sr. Patricia for over 20 years, said he worked with her in Muranga Diocese when he was Bishop of Muranga.
“I had appointed her the Christian Religious Education (CRE) adviser in the diocese and she also taught the same subject in the primary schools for six years,” he said adding that when he was appointed Bishop of Marsabit, he requested the congregation of Sr. Patricia to team up with them in evangelizing Marsabit.
“After they came and assessed the situation, she happed to be among the pioneer team that was sent to open a new convent in Marsabit Diocese in a place called North Horr which is within the Chalbi dessert in the Northern Kenya.”
Sr. Patricia fondly known as Pat is said to have put her heart and soul, and all her energies, without minding the harsh desert climate, the new language or the many problems of health that kept coming up during her 6-year service as community animator. Towards the end of 2015 she began to experience more serious problems in health and she was forced to seek medical attention in Nairobi when it was discovered she had cancer.
According to Bishop Kihara, the treatment forced her to withdraw from Marsabit so that she could stay close to the doctors who were attending to her even though her heart remained in Marsabit.
“Despite the rigorous treatment she had gone through, she attempted to came back to Marsabit and for two weeks she was working at Bishop Cavallera Girls Secondary School. Unfortunately, her metabolism failed, she couldn’t eat and she became very weak and had to be brought back to Nairobi to be near the doctors. The Lord called her Home on the morning of Holy Thursday and we wish her peace that God has promised those who worked tirelessly in the vineyard with total dedication.” Bishop Kihara said.
Rev. Father Glen Lowe, SDB, former principal of Don Bosco Boys Secondary school who served at the same time with Sr. Patricia when she was a head teacher at Don Bosco Girls Secondary School, Embu describes her as a strong personality who stood for excellence, truth and Justice. She made collaborations with the SDB an easier reality.
Born at Sherbrook, Canada on 18th April, 1952, Sr. Patricia was the last born in a family of five siblings, two girls and three boys; she Professed at Newton, New Jersey, USA on 5 August 1973 and graduated with B.A in Philosophy, BED in Education and several certificates in Catechesis. She will be buried on Saturday April 7, at Mother Mazzarello Youth Centre Burial Site in Embu Diocese.
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By Pamela Adinda, AMECEA Online News
