Personal Profile: Reena Theruvankunnel, SCN
As I begin writing this brief story of my life, my mind is filled with so many happy memories and my heart overflows with gratitude to my God, my family, mentors, friends and to my SCN Congregation.
I was born on December 9, 1952 in Chirakadav, Kanjirappally to Kurian Theruvankunnel and Catherine Kadiyakuzhy as their second child and at my baptism I was named Maria in honor of my maternal grandmother. We are three girls and my siblings are Gracy and Thankamma. My elder sister Gracy, known as Sister Geeta, is a religious belonging to Franciscan Sisters of St. Mary of Angels, Mhow (FSMA). My younger sister Thankamma was married and she has two children, Jim and Jaina. My parents stayed with her when they needed assistance in their old age.
I have so many happy memories of my childhood with my parents, siblings and cousins. My family belonged to Little Flower Church, Chunkappara, Chenganassery Diocese. My parents were faith-filled and devout and they passed that on to us. I recall especially my mother’s prayerfulness and trust in God’s providence and her great devotion to our Blessed Mother. The evening family rosary together and participating in Eucharistic celebration in the morning by the children were a part of life at home. Our parish church and the school too were situated within walking distance. My cousin and I were admitted to nursery class (Kalari) when we were four-and-a-half years old. I have lot of pleasant memories related to Kalari, our teacher was addressed as, Ashan, held each one’s hand and helped us to trace the patterns of the Malayalam alphabets first in a tray of raw rice and then in fine sand with our index finger. We did not have textbooks or copy books. Our teacher engraved the alphabets and numbers on dry palm leaves.
Sister Reena Theruvankunnel with her familyFront: Sister Reena’s father, Kurian, and mother, CatherineBack: Thankamma; Sister Reena, SCN; and Sister Geeta, SMA
From class one to ten, I studied in St. George High School, Chunkappara, owned and managed by Syro Malankara Diocese. My sisters, cousins and I enjoyed our years of school life – walking with friends, running back home for a hot meal during lunch break, participating in school activities etc. Being a bright student, I was one of the favourites of the teachers.
My father and mother were very particular about bringing us up in a disciplined way. Both my parents were hard working. Our regular income came from rubber trees, cashew, and coconut. My mother had a kitchen garden which provided varieties of vegetables and fruits throughout the year. Summer holidays were a time to visit our grandparents, aunties, uncles and stay with them. We had catechism class every Sunday and our parish priest encouraged us to read story books on saints and I was inspired by the life of St. Teresa of Lisieux – Little Flower – and a desire to be like her slowly began to grow in my thoughts. In 1966, my sister passed her class ten examination and she told my parents that she wanted to be a missionary and she had met her friend’s sister who had joined FSMA congregation in Mhow and her three friends were also planning to join. Since she was adamant, my parents gave consent after meeting the Sisters who had come to accompany the girls. All of us were affected by her departure especially my father.
School friends, 1968 (Reena is middle, right)
When I was studying in class 9, my maternal uncle, Father Wilfrid, who was a Capuchin priest came to meet us and he shared his experiences of being a missionary in Northeast India. He was the editor of the “Assisi” magazine published by his Province; he put my mother in the mailing list of the magazine and every month I used to read it. Towards the end of 1966, I came across an article written by Sister Nirmala Mulackal about the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth and their work among the poor in Bihar. As I read this article something in me stirred – a desire: “I too want to be there amidst the poor of Bihar”. Since the address was given, I took the courage to write a letter and send it to the given address. I received a reply from Sister Lawrencetta Veeneman encouraging me to continue my correspondence. I passed class ten in 1968 and while informing my sister about my result I mentioned that I too wanted to join religious life thinking she would support me. To my surprise she wrote a letter to my father and told him to discourage me from joining religious life. My mother supported me, but my father was adamant about his desire to see me married into his friend’s family. I stayed at home hoping he would change his mind, helped out with the parish activities and kept in touch with SCNs occasionally. In the early part of May 1970, my father asked me whether I am still holding on to the dream of becoming a nun. To my surprise he told me that I am free to decide about my future. Since I had the Mokama address I wrote a letter and I was thrilled to receive a reply immediately asking me to meet the Sisters who had come to Kerala. My father came with me to meet Sister Josephine Naduvilekunnel (later withdrew) and her companion, Sister Suma Muthukattuparampil, then a senior candidate. We were instructed to complete all the requirements and reach Mission Home, Pala on June 24, 1970.
My parents came with me till Pala to send me off and with a few more candidates we travelled to Ernakulam to board the train. We were around twenty and most of us were travelling in the train for the first time. We had to change trains in Chennai and in Kolkata. The train journey was long and challenging but meeting the new companions, sharing our stories and watching the scenery as the train passed through various states kept us engaged. Finally, we reached Mokama in the evening on June 29,1970. We had a warm welcome from all the Sisters and the senior candidates. A guardian angel (senior candidate) was assigned for each of us to help us with adjustment to the phase of candidacy.
Sister Reena Theruvankunnel with her elder sister, Sister Geeta, SMA, 1979
In the initial weeks there were more than forty candidates and almost twenty were senior candidates waiting for their colleges to re-open. After a few days of rest, we were immersed in our language classes and household chores. Once a month we were allowed to write letters to our parents. Our Candidate Director was Sister Josephine who was very lively and caring. After completing one year, six of us were chosen to move to the next phase – pre-novitiate – and others went for studies. Sister Patricia Mary Kelley was our Director. Several Sisters (Anne Marie Thayilchirayil, Olive Pinto, Rta.) taught us English and Hindi as well as community & church history. We had a specific schedule for play, recreation, village visit etc. Though everything was totally different from what I had been used to and at times I missed the familiar, the desire to become a missionary helped me to overcome all the challenges of each day.
Pre-novitiate and novitiate batch, 1971-1974Front: Jane Karakunnel, Shobha Nirappeal (withdrew), Archana Valiaparambil, Alice ChirackanalBack: Asha, Patricia Mary Kelley, and Reena Theruvankunnel
After one year of pre-novitiate, we were allowed to go home for a month before joining the novitiate. As the days came closer for departure my mother asked me whether I was really happy to spend my life in a faraway land with many hardships and she told me if ever I feel unhappy with the choice I have made, come back home. The novitiate was for me a happy, challenging, and grace-filled period. As novices, we worked hard, had much fun together and received a strong foundation for spiritual development and for living a vowed life in the SCN community. I owe so much to our directors, Sisters Pat Kelley (Novice Director) and Teresa Rose Nabholz (Junior Director) for mentoring us to respond to the call of Jesus by following in the footsteps of Mother Catherine. My long-awaited dream of becoming a religious was fulfilled on June 2, 1974, when along with my five novitiate companions, I made my first vows.
Novitiate group, first and second year, with Sister Patricia Mary Kelley, 1972-1974
My first mission was Nazareth Academy, Gaya, teaching in Creane Memorial School, a Hindi medium parish school. I was blessed to have Sister Teresa Xavier Ponnazhath as my Principal from whom I learned the skills of teaching. In 1976-77, I completed +2 studies (the two highest grades of secondary school in India during which students choose a “stream” – Science, Commerce, or Arts – as their focus) and assisted in the Province Office, Mokama. In 1978, I had the opportunity to attend a one-year scripture and basic theology course in Mater Dei, Goa. It was a great opportunity to live with young Sisters from various congregations from all over India. This opportunity helped me to grow deeper in my commitment as a consecrated person. On June 17, 1979, on the feast of Corpus Christi, along with five other companions, I made my final vows. Immediately after this I joined Sophia College, Mumbai for three years of graduate studies. I stayed in our convent in Vasai and travelled every day by the local train and attended classes. I have many pleasant memories of my college life. During these years Sister Teresa Rose was a mentor for me.
Final vows group, 1979Left to right: Sisters Jane Karakunnel, Rose Plathottathil, Rosita Kavilpurayidathil, Margaret Rodericks (Provincial), Reena Theruvankunnel, Stella Chullyil, and Gracy Thombrakudy
After completing my studies, I was called to community service as Administrator of Nazareth Convent, Mokama. This gave me the opportunity for practical experience in administration and management of the entire Nazareth Convent campus along with the animals and the lush green fields. The Sisters in the local community and in formation were very supportive. I was blessed to have the opportunity of looking after Sister Lawrencetta Veeneman during her final years of life with us. In 1984, the Province Office of the Eastern Province was moved to Patna and I spent a couple of years in this new place. In 1987, I moved on to Gaya for a year of teaching experience, a requirement for enrolling for B. Ed (Bachelors of Education) studies in St. Xavier’s College of Education, Mumbai. I completed my B.Ed in 1989.
Sisters Reena Theruvankunnel, Roselyn Karkattu, Josita Eniakattu, and Teresa Kotturan, Nazareth Convent in Mokama, 1983
In 1989, Sister Sarita Manavalan was elected as the Provincial of the Eastern Province. After the Province Assembly Sister Sarita asked me to meet her and during our conversation, she asked me whether I am open to consider being an assistant to the Provincial for the next five years. I was shocked and confused and did not know what was expected of me. She was patient and gave me time. I took time and trusting God would lead me, I said yes. These five years taught me to completely surrender to God’s plans and allow God to lead through joy-filled and painful events and experiences. It was a privilege to share life and ministry with the Sisters and to experience and appreciate their SCN spirit, commitment, readiness to respond to the needs and their joyful enthusiasm for their mission.
Global Exchange group outing to Bernheim Forest, 1990
Sarita was a visionary and during this time we extended our ministry to the southern parts of our country. As an assistant to the Provincial, I got a chance to visit most of our communities. In 1990, I went to Nazareth, Kentucky on Global Exchange. On our way to the USA, we were given permission to visit Rome and it was Holy week. It was a great spiritual experience to participate in the Eucharistic celebration presided over by Pope John Paul II on Palm Sunday and Holy Thursday in St. Peter’s square with thousands of pilgrims from all over the world. On Holy Saturday, we arrived at the Louisville airport. Sister Brenda Gonzales and a few other Sisters welcomed us and took us to the Motherhouse, at Nazareth, Kentucky. The days that followed were filled with many unforgettable experiences. Walking on the sacred grounds walked by Mother Catherine and meeting all the Sisters, especially the older ones in the Motherhouse, filled me with awe and admiration. Sister Brenda was very generous in taking us to visit SCN ministry places in Boston, Massachusetts, Camp Maria in Maryland, and in Louisville and to meet the families of Sisters Lawrencetta, Ann Roberta Powers, and Teresa Rose. Enjoying the beauty and sacredness of our legacy, the courage to let go of everything familiar by our six pioneers made a lasting impact on me. At the end of the Global Exchange program I had the opportunity for being present for the General Assembly for the first time. As the years passed by, I had many chances of going back to Nazareth, Kentucky and all these occasions helped me to deepen my life as an SCN.
Sisters Marcelline Indwar, Reena Theruvankunnel, and Maria Palathingal in front of the Motherhouse at Nazareth, Global Exchange 1990
In 1994, I completed my term in the Province Board and took time for spiritual renewal. I went to Jaiharikal, a beautiful hill station in Uttrakhand where Sister Vandana, RSCJ had an ashram. Here I was exposed to Indian spirituality and contemplative practices which supported healing and transformation. The time here helped me to get in touch with the core of my being and experience the God within.
Gaya community with Sister Maria Vincent Brocato
After the renewal I completed my post graduate studies and returned to Gaya and took up my new ministry responsibilities as Principal of Nazareth Academy, Gaya from April 1997 to March 2007. I enjoyed working with the faculty in the school and accompanying two thousand and more students for ten years. I was greatly blessed by the companionship of Sister Ann Roberta during this entire ten years. Sister Eugenia Muething was also part of the community in the initial years. During these years along with the school responsibilities I had the privilege of serving the society at large by getting involved with various civic committees as well as being part of the congregational committees too. As a member of the Inter-faith Forum I had the opportunity to meet and interact with the Venerable Dalai Lama.
Sisters Eugenia Muething, Ann Roberta Powers, and Reena Theruvankunnel attending Nazareth Academy’s Sports Day in Gaya in 2001
The love and support from the Sisters especially the Vice Principals – Sisters Cecily Velleringatt, Deepti Ponnembal, Priya Kalapurayil, and Vijaya Chalil – and all the Sisters who were part of the school and the local community helped me immensely in my ministry. It is very rewarding to meet the former students and to know that most of them have excelled in their chosen fields and are making remarkable contributions to society.
In 2007, I was elected to the Province Leadership Team as one of the Vice Provincials. Sister Sangeeta Ayithamattam was the Provincial and Sister Basanti Lakra was the other Vice Provincial. As Vice Provincial I was given the responsibility for the mission and ministry in the Southern part of India. I moved to Bangalore for the next five years to be near the southern missions. Since I had previously been placed only in the north, our ministries in south were new to me. In most of the places in the south, the ministry was in its infancy stages. Here the Sisters faced the challenges of the pioneering years, every State had its own language, culture, and life which were different from the north. Only few convents had been built and in places where convents had not been built, Sisters lived in rented space or in the school building. It was here that I learned to trust in the Providence of God in a total way and embody that hope for the Sisters, assuring them: “If God has called us to this place, God will provide all that we need -in His time”. In 2008, the General Assembly was held for the first time in India. The venue was Nazareth Convent, Chandapura, Bangalore. Many Sisters got the opportunity to attend a General Assembly and it was a joy-filled spiritual experience for all. It was during this General Assembly that the decision to form a Province in the south of India was approved. God blessed us abundantly and the mission and ministry flourished and by 2012 Bangalore Province was born.
Eastern Province Leadership Team 2007-2012Left to Right: Sisters Jackulin Jesu, Basanti Lakra, Sangeeta Ayithamattam, Cecily Velleringatt, Josita Eniakattu, Ann George Mukalel, Reena Theruvankunnel, and Philomena Kottoor
In 2010 and 2011, I went through a few painful phases in my life – the death of my beloved parents, work related stress, etc. God’s blessings came to my life in the form of an opportunity to avail myself of a six-month renewal program in Sagre De Christo, Santa Fe, New Mexico in 2011. My time in Sangre nourished me spiritually and emotionally. It was a time of healing and abundant blessings.
Sister Reena Theruvankunnel in Sangre De Christo, New Mexico for a Renewal Program in 2011
In 2012, a new Province Leadership Team was elected, and I moved on to Dharan for two years. In 2015, I came back to where I began my SCN journey in 1974, becoming a student Counsellor at Nazareth Academy, Gaya. Ministry beyond teaching is truly a rewarding experience. Prior to the official starting of our Nongstoin mission, I had the opportunity to spend three months living in the village with a family and working in the Diocesan primary school.
Sister Reena Theruvankunnel with students and teachers at St. Dominic School in Nongdiwah, March 2020
At present I am involved in community ministry living in Nazareth Convent, Gaya. I have learned so much from my life experiences and from everyone who has been part of my life’s journey. Among other things, their lives spoke to me about trust in God, care for neighbours and about acceptance of the difficulties and disappointments of life with grace and hope and I am enjoying the many blessings of being a part of the SCN family.
COVID time relaxing, 2021
As I look back now over these seventy-three years of my life’s journey, I am filled with awe, love, and gratitude…
- To my God, who has blessed me abundantly and whose abiding presence manifested through persons, events, experiences, guided me through the ups and downs of my life.
- To my dear parents who taught me by their example what real love for family and trust in God really means. Their examples of deep faith in Jesus, devotion to Mother Mary, forgiveness, hard work, generosity and compassion have been and are guiding values in my life.
- To my siblings and cousins, and extended family members and friends for your expressions of love and care.
- To my colleagues in ministry – teachers, support staff, students and parents, and well-wishers for their affirmations, encouragement, support and the many expressions of concern and care.
- To my SCN sisters, for your love, encouragement, trust, constructive criticisms and invitations for growth. You were always there for me, as sisters, mentors, friends, encouragers, and spiritual companions.
- To many others who through the years have touched and enriched my life – friends and partners in ministry, collaborators, benefactors and the people wherever I have been missioned.
In God’s love, there is always hope
In God’s grace, there is always a way
In God’s presence, we are never alone.