Tribute to Sr Ursula Lucia Madun Lian, SSFS

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.

Apr 15, 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 February 2024 and by the time she was admitted to the ICU, Timberland Medical Centre, her brain was already damaged. She was discharged on 5 February and was called to rest eternally by our Blessed Lord at the Home of Peace at 1.10 pm.

Her Encoffin on 7 February 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 8 February, 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 January 1967.

She received the religious habit and was officially given the new name Sister Ursula on 13 August 1967. She underwent her religious formation at the Novitiate and made her First Profession on 10 August 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 December 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 December 1991. She was also the Church sacristan and gave Religious Instruction to school children and prepared catechumens for RCIA.

In January 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 August 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.

God had other plans for Sr Ursula from 2002 to 2004 by entrusting her to a different ministry. In response to the request of the Sibu Diocese, she was assigned to serve at the Pastoral Centre at Kemuyang, Sibu. On 10 January 2003 she was appointed Sister-in-charge of the diocesan Centre with a 5-storey building. She supervised the housekeeping of this place, preparing the venue for Retreats, Seminars, Priests’ Recollections and other related public events.

In January 2005 she was transferred to Miri and became the Sister-in-charge of the Convent from 2008 to 2013. She served as the matron of Miri Home for the Aged Centre and was also involved in the Miri Diocese Pro-life Ministry as well as other related pastoral activities.

In February 2013 Sr Ursula was transferred to the Home of Peace (HOP) at Jalan Landeh, Kota Padawan, a charitable project undertaken by the Catholic Welfare Service Council Sarawak (CWS) in support of the aged poor. She was appointed matron of HOP in 2016.

Sr Ursula was greatly appreciated for her exemplary kindness, patience, understanding and good public relations. Besides taking care of the residents at Home of Peace, she efficiently supervised the day-to-day activities there.

She celebrated her Golden Jubilee (jointly with other SSFS anniversaries) on 8 December 2019 with Thanksgiving Mass at St Joseph’s Cathedral followed by dinner at the ACCPC.

When Sr Ursula was admitted to the Timberland Medical Centre on 3 February, we prayed earnestly with hope for her miraculous recovery, but God was waiting for her in His heavenly kingdom. It was her cherished wish to return to Home of Peace for her final journey. She breathed her last at 1.10 pm. Standing on the promises of our Father God to those who are faithful to Him, we are assured that our beloved Sister will be eternally rewarded.

Sharing her outlook on life she stated, “Imitating St Francis of Assisi in enduring all things patiently and with gladness, thinking on the sufferings of our Blessed Lord and bearing all for the love of Him. Remain faithful to the Lord and trust in Him in overcoming all hurdles and obstacles”.

The SSFS Superior General Sr Rose Wong summed up her affirmation: “Sr Ursula loved the Lord which can be seen through her faithfulness in prayer. She served with selfless spirit. Her motherly heart made many people feel warm and open to relate with her. She had extra love towards the plants, and you can see Home of Peace surrounded by beautiful plants. Her demise is a great loss to our congregation and HOP, but her examples will definitely continue to motivate many people to love the Lord.”--Today's Catholic