Sister Maria do Ceu de Melo MENDES
MENDES, Sister Maria do Ceu de Melo Sister of St. Joseph of Cluny, died peacefully at home on July 19, 2016. Born in Sobreposta, Braga, Portugal, April 7, 1944, Sister Maria do Ceu entered religious life in Nogueiro, Braga and made her first vows on September 8, 1967. After profession, Sister Maria do Ceu was missioned to Mozambique for 12 years and then 4 years to Lisbon, Portugal before being sent to Hamilton in 1990. In Hamilton, Sr. Maria do Ceu taught Heritage Language classes, coordinated the Portuguese Information Center and taught religion class at St. Mary’s Parish. In 2001 she began serving as secretary of the parish. She became Administrative Secretary in 2011. Well loved by the Portuguese community, she was a skilled teacher, pastoral worker, advocate for the poor, and minister of evangelization. She was known everywhere for her wonderful gift of hospitality. Predeceased by her parents Augusto Mendes and Maria Adilia de Melo, Sister Maria do Ceu is survived by her seven siblings Fernando Mendes (Conceicao), Maria Adelina Mendes, Alcina Mendes, Jose Augusto Mendes (Ilma), Jose Justino Mendes (Emilia), Jose Manuel Mendes, Maria da Conceicao Mendes (Antonio Peixoto) and numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and nephews, great-grandnieces and nephews. Her family, friends, and the many Cluny Sisters worldwide who have known her will miss her sorely. A special thank-you to Monsignor Edward Sheridan and Father Felix at St. Mary’s Parish as well as to the staff at St. Joseph’s Health Care Palliative Care Unit for their loving care. Visiting hours will be held Thursday July 21, 2016 from 2 to 9 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church, Park Street N., Hamilton. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary’s Church, 140 Park St. N. Hamilton at 11:00 a.m. on July 22, 2016. Christian burial will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Burlington. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cluny Sisters’ General Mission Fund or specifically for the mission in Mozambique by sending to: Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny, 15-802 Ray Street North, Hamilton, ON L8R 2X5.