Sr Ursula’s grandnephew, Fr Sylvester Ngau (R) blesses her coffin during the funeral Mass.
By Sisters of St Francis of Sarawak (SSFS)
Apr 16 2024
KUCHING – Sr Ursula Lucia Madun Lian was an exceptional person who lit up the lives of all who knew her. Her death came as a great shock to many people especially the Sisters of St Francis of Sarawak and those who knew her well.
She had severe asthma in the early morning of 3 Feb 2024 and by the time she was admitted to the ICU, Timberland Medical Centre, her brain was already damaged. She was discharged on Feb 5 and was called to rest eternally by our Blessed Lord at the Home of Peace at 1.10 pm.
Her Encoffin on Feb 7 at Home of Peace, Funeral Mass at St Joseph’s Cathedral, Cremation at Nirvana Memorial Park, and her Committal Service at St Peter’s Columbarium, Padungan on Feb 8, were all live-streamed at the request of her family.
Kuching Archbishop Simon Poh presided over her Funeral Mass concelebrated with Archbishop Emeritus John Ha and 12 priests (including Fr Sylvester Ngau, the grandnephew of Sr Ursula). Archbishop Simon observed that Sr Ursula had dedicatedly served until her last breath and commended her to the holy hands of the Father.
At the conclusion of the Funeral Mass, Fr Albert Jacobse, MHM who had previously served in Long San, Baram for many years, in fluent Kenyah language, paid Sr Ursula a tribute which everyone applauded.
Young Lucia Madun Lian aged 17, led by the firm conviction that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life, entered the Sarawak Franciscan Postulate together with four other aspirants at Convent of Mary Immaculate, Padungan on 6 Jan 1967.
She received the religious habit and was officially given the new name Sister Ursula on 13 Aug 1967. She underwent her religious formation at the Novitiate and made her First Profession on 10 Aug 1969. She went to Lau King Howe Hospital, Sibu for midwifery training the following year, graduating as a midwife in 1972, followed by an assignment to Sarikei where she managed St Clement’s Maternity Home.
On 8 Dec 1974, Sr Ursula made her Perpetual Profession at the Mother House in Padungan.
After a year of apostolic work exposure in Sarikei she was transferred to the then Sacred Heart Convent at Mile 12, Penrissen Road where she, together with her community, managed the public Home for the Aged.
In 1976 she was transferred back to Sarikei serving mainly as a midwife at the Maternity Home untill Dec 1991. She was also the Church sacristan and gave Religious Instruction to school children and prepared catechumens for RCIA.
In Jan 1992, she was appointed to her birthplace Long San for seven years, residing at Our Lady of Lourdes Convent as Sister-in-Charge of the Maternity Home and Clinic. She also took care of the Church sacristy and gave Religious Instruction to students and adults. In Au 1994 the Parish celebrated her Religious Profession Silver Jubilee on a uniquely grand scale. She felt most honoured by the presence and prayerful support of the Apostolic Delegate Nuncio Archbishop Luigi Bressan and Bishop Anthony Lee of Miri.
She became the community animator in Bintangor from 1999 to 2001, looking after children between three and four years old in the Nursery / Playschool and was actively involved in teaching Catechism to the Mission Primary School children and prepared them for First Holy Communion and Confession.
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