Indian Notre Dame nuns mourn death of last American missionary

By Matters India Reporter

Patna: The Indian members of the Sisters of Notre Dame congregation have mourned the death of their last American missionary who served the country as a teacher, communicator and social worker for nearly seven decades.

“Sister Mary Ann will be remembered with much affection and gratitude for her outstanding witness of true missionary spirit, her very simple life style, her spirit of poverty and her joyful simplicity,” says Sister Mary Sujita, the congregation’s former superior general.

According to the Indian nun, their last American missionary had inspire many young people to respond to God’s call with prophetic courage and enthusiasm.

Sister Mary Ann died February 8 in Patna, capital of Bihar state, where she had spent most of her time in India. She was 93.

Archbishop Sebastian Kallupura of Patna on February 9 led the funeral Mass in the Notre Dame Provincial House chapel with 25 priests. She was buried in Notre Dame campus cemetery, Pataliputra, the same day.

The Covid restrictions prevented many from attending the services.

Sister Mary Ann, was born on December 6, 1927, in Memphis, Tennessee, USA, as the first of the two children of Peter and Alvera Gemignani. Mary Ann joined the Notre Dame novitiate in Cleveland on February 2, 1945. At her investment she received the name Sister Mary Timothee. Later on she went back to her baptismal name, Mary Ann.

She made her profession on August 16, 1947. After her final profession, Sister Mary Ann opted for missionary work in India in August 1952. Her first mission was in Jamalpur.

According to Sister Sujita, Mary Ann, was a multifaceted missionary who inserting herself into any new ministry or situation, with a sense of joy and adventure.

She enjoyed being a life-long learner. As a teacher in Jamalpur, she proved herself to be “an outstanding educator who believed in the transformative power of education.”

She adapted latest methods and techniques of teaching that endeared to students and collaborators. “Her spirit of inculturation made her a genuine participant and credible witness of Christ among all people.”

“From the beginning of her missionary journey in India, she showed an extraordinary ability and determination to enter into the culture of the people, learn their language and become Indian at heart. She enjoyed the simple and spicy Indian food, Indian languages, music and celebrations. She was perfectly at home making the challenging journeys in the most crowded north Indian trains. She happily surprised many vendors in the train by buying and enjoying their goodies.”

Her desire to connect with the ordinary people of Bihar helped her master Hindi that opened several new ministries in northern India. She was interested in teaching Hindi medium diocesan schools in Bihar. “She was a much admired and appreciated headmistress of St. Joseph’s Primary School, Jamalpur, St. Ann’s Primary School, Sasaram, and Hartmann High School, Patna,” Sister Sujita recalls. She was also a certified Scout and Guide Master.

She also obtained a diploma in Pastoral Work at the East Asian Pastoral Institute, Manila, Philippines in 1972. Later on, she obtained a Master’s degree in Religious Education from St. Thomas University, Texas, USA.

Returning to India, she served as the co-directress of the Apostolic Orientation Programme of the CRI for women Religious for six years, from 1974. “Sister Mary Ann often referred to her AOP experience as a great opportunity for helping to form a large number of young Sisters from many congregations.”

Towards this end, she obtained diplomas in Pastoral Communication from Gregorian University Rome, Certificate in Video Production and Certificate in Career Guidance.

She served the Diocesan Socio-Pastoral Center in Chianki, Daltonganj (now in Jharkhand) during 1987-1990 and the Diocesan Catechetical Training Institutes in Bihar’s Mokama (1990-1994). She was the registrar of Navjyoti Niketan Patna in 1986.

In her later years, Sister worked as a team member at the Notre Dame Communications Centre, Patna, conducting workshops, formation programs, training courses and organizing media workshops, production of video films.

“She has touched and challenged many young hearts, especially many novices, juniors and tertians from several congregations, through her communication classes, value education, catechetical programs and group dynamics,” Sister Sujita says.