FSICs bid final farewell to Sr Alphonsus on her birth anniversary

TANJUNG ARU – Over 60 Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception (FSIC) led by Superior General Sister Grace Deosing bade final farewell to Sister Alphonsus Low, at the Stella Maris Church here on 29 Sept 2017, her 79th birth anniversary.

Singapore-born Low died peacefully on Sept 26 at KPJ Sabah Specialist Hospital Likas.  The wake was held at Stella Maris Hostel Tg Aru where she had been taking care of the boarders.

Archbishop John Wong presided at the funeral Mass at the parish church.  Concelebrating with him were Msgr Primus Jouil, Father Johnny Raju, Father Tony Mojiwat, Father Wiandigool Runsab and two Korean priests.

In his homily, Abp Wong paid tribute to the deceased’s lifelong fidelity to her vocation as a religious and as a teacher.  Her first posting in 1958 was at Stella Maris Primary School before she joined the Franciscan Sisters in 1961.  Her last posting was at Stella Maris Secondary School as principal (1981-1989).  After her retirement from teaching,  she took charge of the hostel for students.

Over 300 people turned up for the funeral Mass, among whom were several of her former students.  Three nieces, two nephews, and a nephew-in-law flew in from Perth and Singapore on Sept 28 even though one of the nephews had to leave early on the day of the funeral.

Fr Mojiwat officiated the rite of burial at Mile 4.5 Catholic Cemetery Jalan Penampang Lama.