Jubilee 2022

Sister Sheshanti Margaret Nokrek, CSC

Celebrating Her Silver Jubilee

Sister Sheshanti Margaret Nokrek, CSC, was born in in Mariamnagar, Sherpur, Mymensingh, Bangladesh, and grew up in a Catholic family. Her home was close to the local church, and she took part in many activities there throughout her childhood. She is the sixth of seven children: four daughters and three sons. Her eldest brother died in 2004 in Meghalaya, India. Her youngest brother is a Holy Cross priest.

About Her Ministry

Sister Sheshanti made her initial profession of vows with the Sisters of the Holy Cross on December 5, 1997, and her perpetual profession on October 3, 2003.

During her time with the Congregation, Sister Sheshanti has shared her gifts in the areas of education and pastoral ministry. In 1998 she began teaching at Corpus Christi primary school in Jalchatra, Tangail, Bangladesh. Concurrently, she assisted at the Jalchatra Sewing Center, a ministry that provides training in sewing and embroidery for women living in poverty. She then taught at Nirmola Education Center and ministered in a Khasi tribal village in Kulaura, Moulvibazar, Bangladesh, before continuing her service in pastoral ministry at St. Paul’s Church, Pirgacha, Tangail.

Sister Sheshanti is currently a teacher at Holy Cross Girls High School, Dhaka, Bangladesh, a position she’s held for 15 years. She is also treasurer for the Congregation’s Area of Asia. Additionally, she serves in parish ministry at Holy Rosary Church, Tejgaon, Dhaka, where she leads confirmation classes and is the animator for the Holy Childhood group.

Getting to Know Her

Education

Dharmaram College, Bangalore, Karnataka, India, theology studies
Bachelor of Arts, Christ College, Bangalore
Bachelor’s degree in education, Teacher’s Training College, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Executive Master of Business Administration in finance, University of Asia Pacific, Dhaka

My favorite activities

I enjoy singing and sometimes sewing and painting.

My favorite time of ministry

I have served in the Archdiocese of Dhaka, and the Mymensingh and Sylhet dioceses of Bangladesh. My favorite time of ministry was in Kulaura, Sylhet, where I taught school to children who lived with great poverty. Along with my interactions with the students, I also enjoyed visiting their families in the punji (forest villages) and the tea gardens.

My most memorable time of ministry

It was in my work in the punji that I experienced my most memorable time of ministry. It was my turning point of thinking deeply about religious life. It was also my first experience with life in the punji. People were so simple but hungry for the word of God.

A favorite story from my time with the Sisters of the Holy Cross

There are many stories. One experience that stands out is when I attended the Congregation’s Come and See program in Jalchatra. I received a warm welcome and Sister Thecla Dinila Nokrek, CSC, arranged a beautiful prayer for me. At the close of the week-long program, I was given a list of questions to help with my discernment about pursing a religious vocation. The final question surprised me. It mentioned my good exam scores and my chances of studying at a good college, then asked why I wanted to become a sister. I thought, “If I cannot answer this question properly I cannot join in Holy Cross.” So I was afraid and little bit upset. Finally, I was able to answer the question. My response was, “I believe God is calling me, so I should respond to the call.” When I reflect on this experience now I feel joy because it strengthened my vocation and kept me in the right direction.

My favorite type of music

Classical and liturgical music