SERENITY PRAYER
God grant me the Serenity
to accept the things I cannot
change, Courage to change the
things I can, and Wisdom to
know the difference.
Enjoying one moment at a time;
accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
taking as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
trusting that he will make all things right
if I surrender to his will;
that I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with him
forever in the next. Amen
FUNERAL PROGRAM
MC: Mr. Joseph Montsho & David Moedambeli
13 February 2012, Monday
03.00 pm Gathering at Kagiso Funeral Parlour Monarch, Prayer- Fr. George05.00pm Arrival of the body at St. Bridget Parish, Tonota,Reception Prayers and Songs06.00pm Requiem Mass by Rt. Rev. Boniface Tshosa Setlalekgosi (Bishop emeritus)Readings: 1 Reading- Wisdom 4:7-14 by Mrs. E. Neo PillarPsalm23 by Mrs. Amala Michael2 Reading ICor 15:51-57 by Br. Lutwin Dollwet SVDGospel Jn 11:17-27After Communion: Condolence Messages, Blessing of Body08.30pm Refreshments/Dinner09.00pm Office for the Dead by SVD-SSpS, Presider: Fr. Tomek SVD10-05am Night Vigil14 February 2012, Tuesday
05.00am Body Viewing05.30am Final Commendation and Farewell07.30am Reception of the Funeral Procession,SVD Provincial House Chapel07.45am Procession to the Graveside08.00am At the Graveside08.30am Thanksgiving and Fellowship, Provincial HouseCondolence Messages: St. Bridget’s Tonota, Mater Spei College,St. Arnold and St. Bridget, Serowe, Palapye, FilipinoCommunity, Vicariate of Francistown, and Fr. HilariusBro. Silas Peregrino Tumlay SVD
(June 13, 1947 to February 9, 2012)
Bro. Silas Peregrino Tumlay was born on June 13, 1947 in Pingad, Mountain Province, Philippines. He was blessed with one brother and one sister. In June 1965, he joined the SVD novitiate in the Philippines, professing his First Vows in 1967. After the usual studies in the Society, he made his Final Vows on 3 June 1973. He also completed two years of pre-nursing course during this period. He arrived in Botswana on 9 November 1983. He got his first assignment to Mater Spei College, Francistown, where he served as bursar from 1983-1990. From there he was transferred to St. Anthony’s Catholic Mission, Palapye in 1991, as administrator of the School. Here he remained until 2001. He was assigned to St Gabriel's, Serowe in charge o the crèche until 2004. Failing health forced him to return to the Philippines for one year. After recovery he returned to St. Bridget’s Tonota. He left for the Philippines on 12 December 2009 after his residence permit was expired and for health reasons. He returned to Botswana on 30 November 2010 upon receiving a new residence permit valid for the next five years! After his brief service as the bursar of St. Arnold’s Primary School, Tonota he was transferred to St. Bridget’s in 2011.
He passed away quietly, most unexpectedly, after being hospitalized in the Riverside Private Hospital, Francistown, for difficulties in swallowing food and experiencing acute pain on his right hand. A medical check-up had disclosed that his lung was in bad shape with fluid infiltration. Besides, he had inflammation of the heart. The final collapse could have been triggered by a number of fragilities in Silas’s system... the heart or the lung ...the still high sugar level, and failing kidneys and liver. No medical help could save him anymore.
He breathed his last at 5.30 A.M. on 9 February. Bro. Silas never disclosed his ailments and pain to anybody. As usual he kept all his sufferings to himself.
Bro. Silas had no flare for name or fame, to be on the centre stage, in the lime light. The tasks entrusted to him were performed with utmost care and dedication in admirable simplicity. He worked tirelessly as an able administrator to bridge parents-staff-student relationship in schools he served. He, in every way, identified himself with the poor and was satisfied with the minimum facilities. He also dedicated his time to the parish activities and family visits. His jovial and friendly manner brought him closer to the young and old alike. He was happy and contented wherever he was. He regularly attended AA meetings every Tuesday at Nyangabwe Hospital in Francistown. He suffered a great deal in his fragile health. But even in his suffering, he maintained a sense of humour that invariably baffled everyone who visited him. During the past ten days, Bro. Silas was put to a lot of lab tests and medication. But even here, he kept up his joyous self. We remember his Bingo number calling, making our gatherings enjoyable and fun for all. Performing magic trickeries such as flushing water from the nose, coin in the pocket always wowed kids and confreres, bishops and sisters during our celebrations. Let it be, said Bro. Silas often at times of pain and joy. May the legacy he has left us be a point of departure in the life of each one of us. For certain is death for the born. And certain is new birth for the dead; Therefore over the inevitable you should not grieve. Let it be!
Shalom
FUNERAL PROGRAMME TEXTS
