By Sisters of St Francis of Sarawak (SSFS)
KUCHING — Sr Mathilda Agnes Abui had served the SSFS Congregation, Church and the people of God for 65 years.
In her application letter dated 11 December 1958 to the Mother General to join the Congregation, then known as the Little Sisters of St Francis of Sarawak, Agnes Abui aged 20 from Kampung Singai, Bau trustingly wrote, “I sincerely hope God will help me to become a good sister”.
On the morning of 25 July 2024, her Encoffin was carried out at the Home of Santa Clara. It was followed by Funeral Mass at St Joseph’s Cathedral, Cremation at the Batu Kitang KBS Village and Interment at St Peter’s Columbarium, Padungan Kuching.
The Funeral Mass was presided over by Msgr William Sabang, concelebrated with Archbishop Emeritus John Ha and nine priests including Fr James Ting from Sarikei. In his homily Msgr William affirmed and paid tribute to Sr Mathilda’s virtues and faithful dedicated services. He was positive that based on the Word of God and Jesus Christ who is the Resurrection and the Life, we have hope that Sr Mathilda will receive her heavenly reward.
Agnes Abui entered the Postulate together with one other companion at Convent of Mary Immaculate, Padungan on 8 January 1959. Seven months later she received the religious habit as well as the new name Sister Mathilda. She underwent her religious and spiritual formation at the Novitiate in Padungan Convent and made her First Profession on 23 August 1961. She pronounced her Final Vows on 14 August 1966.
Immediately after her First Profession in August 1961, she was posted to Sarikei Convent where she was stationed for three years. Thereafter, she was transferred to Sibu to serve at the Sibu Benevolent Nursing Home.
She was one of the SSFS pioneers to make the necessary preliminary preparations for the occupation of the Sarawak Cheshire Home, and together with Mother Margaret and Sr Agnes Then, did nursing care there before its official opening on 1 November 1969.
From 1972 to 1974, she was trained as Assistant Nurse at the Sarawak General Hospital. She was assigned to serve (second round) at the Sibu Benevolent Nursing Home from 1977 to 1992. Then she was appointed to Long San Baram where she was the Assistant Nurse at the Mission Clinic. On 1 April 1995, she was stationed again at Sarikei Convent where she humbly did general household duties and pastoral visits. She was based in Bunan-Gega from January 2013 to December 2015.
In January 2016 she joined the Franciscan Formation Community at Laman Rock Kuching doing general domestic duties. On 9 June 2019 she was placed at Padungan Convent where she retired. Her physical and mental health were failing, so she was moved to Home of Santa Clara on 24 September 2022.
Prior to her demise, she was admitted to Timberland Hospital for severe pneumonia. At age 85, she was ready to answer our Divine Master’s call to return home eternally on 23 July 2024 at 9.07 am.
May the saints and angels accompany her in her journey to the heavenly kingdom.
