Jubilee 2020
Sister Cecilia Karuna Corraya, CSC
Sister Cecilia Karuna Corraya, CSC
Celebrating Her Silver Jubilee
Sister Cecilia Karuna Corraya was born in Dharenda, Dhaka, Bangladesh. She has five brothers and three sisters—she is the youngest of the nine. During the war for Bangladesh’s independence in 1971, she was in her mother’s womb, so everyone protected her from all kinds of danger. At the age of 10, she lost her father, but her mother carried on guiding the children.
Her parents were prayerful, loving, caring, gentle and simple. Her mother, whom she considers to be her dearest friend, would wake her up early in the mornings to go to church; she was everything to Sister Cecilia. From her family, Sister Cecilia learned to share food and clothes with people who are poor. As the youngest child, she didn’t always have chores at home, but was very much involved in the church and school, where she would clean, make candles, decorate and more.
As she didn’t know how to cook, her mother worried every day during Sister Cecilia’s time as a novice—where cooking is essential. Sister Cecilia recalls how her mother would watch her from the fence that surrounded the novitiate, looking to see if her youngest could do the necessary work. And when her mother saw Sister Cecilia could manage just fine, her heart was calmed.
It was with a peaceful heart that her mother went to heaven on November 10, 1994. She was not present at Sister Cecilia’s first profession and final profession, but her spirit was there, and Sister Cecilia knows, “She is always with me.”About Her Ministry
Sister Cecilia made her initial profession of vows on June 7, 1996, and her perpetual profession on October 11, 2002. Before entering the Congregation, she worked in a hostel. Her first five years in the Congregation were served in parish ministry with the Sisters of the Holy Cross in Kulaura, Moulvibazar, Sylhet and in Sonapur, Noakhali, Chittagong, Bangladesh. Her longest tenure was at Holy Cross Convent in Dhaka, Bangladesh, from 2008 to 2017.
Sister Cecilia studied theology for a year at Jnanodaya Dharmaram College in Bangalore, India, followed by a year of teaching elementary education in Kulaura. In 2006, she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Saint Mary’s College, Shillong, Meghalaya, India.
Currently, Sister Cecilia provides pastoral ministry while working with special needs children at St. Paul’s Church in Pirgacha, Tangail, Dhaka.Send a message!
Send Sister Cecilia a note, prayer, poem, photo, favorite memory or message using the button below. They will be collected on kudoboard.com and presented in both a slideshow and Blessing Book for her to enjoy. The deadline to be included in the printed book is July 22, 2021.
Getting to know her
Education:
I studied for my bachelor’s degree at Holy Cross Villa in Shillong, Meghalaya, India, from June 2003 to June 2006. During that time, I also served in pastoral ministry and worked once a week with children who had special challenges.
My favorite activities:
I like to sew, sing, garden, cook and paint.
Favorite time of ministry:
My favorite ministry is working with the specially challenged children. Following my schooling, I was fully involved with them from 2006 to 2017. I love them very much. I give them physical therapy, speech therapy and vocational training. I also do assessments for the newcomers, including their medications. I enjoy spreading joy by playing, singing, dancing and showing them love for who they are.
My favorite story:
All the Holy Cross sisters are very important, loving and supporting, and they care for me. I am most grateful to them—and thankful for them. Some of the sisters are pioneers, life givers, and also guided me like a mother. As my mother was in heaven, Sister M. Bruno (Beiro) gave me a surprise during my first profession, writing a loving note for me.
Sister Margaret Shield was a sister as well as a life giver for me. When I was with her in Noakhali, she challenged me, molded me, helped me to speak what is right or wrong. I got new life from her.
During Sister Marian Teresa’s prayer turn, she asked me to lead the song. One day we were in the chapel practicing the song. I kept my specs next to my prayer book. I went to get another book, and when I came back I saw my specs were not there. I was searching but could not find them. Sister asked me what happened and I told her that I kept my specs here, but now they are not here. Sister told me, “Go and check where you put them.” Suddenly, I looked and Sister Marian Teresa was wearing my specs! I said, “Sister, those are my specs.” We were laughing and laughing. I was with her from 2006 to 2011. Her concern, love and care were always with me. May God give her eternal rest and peace in Heaven.
My favorite songs:
"Walk with me, oh my Lord" and "Here I am Lord"