TRIBUTE TO TERESA MONIZ

THE CARDOZOS OF ZANZIBAR.

Greetings my dearest friends from Zanzibar, of that once upon a time... that UNGUJA of mine that I love so dearly... ah, how the memories waft in and out as various occasions present themselves in All manner of choices. A death is hardly a joyous event, but, out Faith has taught us to believe that it is the stepping-stone to eternal oneness with God our creator....some being more deserving than others in this Oneness.

Our dearest friend Teresa is one most deserving, in my humble eyes, for she was a shining star from that realm of special stars to all who knew her.

I was a little tyke when I knew the CARDOZOS in Zanzibar. I’ll put it this way. In the UK, when one talks of Buckingham Palace, or Wembly Stadium ,or Batteresea fun fair, one knows without hesitation that these refer to the Queen, or football or summer fun for all ages of yore. 

For me, the words Naghe, Kungus, Seven tiles .... just bring back memories of the wonderful days of my childhood spent at the one and only Cardozo family yard by the prison where we gathered together with their neighbours’ sons the Remedioses, to play these wonderful childhood games....and to reap the rewards of the most delicious kungus in all of Zanzibar.

Although I was amongst the youngest of the small fry, the CARDOZOS had no qualms about giving us all a chance in the fun, sometimes even Mr. and Mrs joining in the games. Teresa, Zita , Jenny and Bosco , although older than myself, never excluded themselves from the foray of the camaraderie that was generated during these special games at their place....and Bosco was the master shooter to bring down the best kungus from that special tree in their yard.  This was indeed a testing ground for learning sportsmanship and good behaviour. I remember those days as if they were yesterday.

So my friends, with that said, I’ll sing my praises of our dearly departed Teresa, and Zita and their parents who with my parents are smiling down from heaven on all of us their beloved Zanzibaries-Ungujamites....May they All Rest In Peace.

Much love and fond memories from Betty and me, and my siblings who I’m sure remember all of the above with much love and sincerest condolences to the Moniz family at this time.

God bless and much love.

Benny de souza

Eulogy

Christine McDermott

How do I begin to describe (Aunty) Teresa? – Dignified and completely self-effacing! A most beautiful natural soprano voice – she was famous for singing the Ave Maria throughout her life! A cheerful giver. A daily communicant? Well read +++ Teresa’s interests and enthusiasm were phenomenal. She was a scrummy chapati maker? She was great company. She lived life with an Attitude of Gratitude?...........And I realised that we human beings are all created Full to the Brim with each of OUR OWN talents, gifts and smiles. Infact, we are each created more incredibly than even the Lilies of the Field which are arrayed more majestically than Solomon (Matthew 6:25-34) –  which anyway we would find very difficult to describe.....and I have here only a tiny short time to reflect on Teresa’s life – of nearly 91 and ¾ yrs!!!! ............ One thing I do know is that in the Bible that is called a life “full of days!”

Many feel that Teresa had a special bond particularly with them! I know I did – I think she made you feel that your time spent with her was precious to her. AND I have realised that in this she was fully present and attentive and purposefully intentional with people which is actually remarkably rare and a wonderful gift from her to us – Her niece in Mumbai Sr Marie Maciel has summed this up by saying “she was very gracious in her dealings with people.” I think that simple and unsung habit has been fruitful and we are all the richer for it – and it is the main reason why we have made it OUR particular intention to be here this afternoon!

Teresa’s example taught me that visiting, accompanying and being with people is important – and her quiet presence was a boon to many, many people over the years including me!

Teresa took over the running of Sr Gummara’s Over-55s club at St Anthony’s which she loved and to which she was very dedicated and gave her whole 100 per cent. They went on many outings and leisure breaks including to Butlins, Pontins and far beyond! She excelled at Scrabble! and played it constantly – mostly..... she remained serenely!!! unbeaten.

She knew that all our gifts are given to serve others and I think the example that she left was the way that she tended and watered her gifts for the good of the world!

An interesting story was that Teresa had completed her Senior Cambridge exams in 1942/43 at St Joseph Convent School in Zanzibar however it was the time of WW2 and a torpedo hit the boat that was taking the exam papers from Zanzibar to be marked in Cambridge, England and they were all sunk in ......the (Atlantic) Ocean! She had to re-do those exams gaining a First Class Honours. Teresa’s ambition was to become a Doctor which could explain some of her helpful habits!

Once there was a scandal about a Cardinal and I rang her to discuss the matter and she rebuked me very speedily and said “Christine it is because we have not prayed enough for our leaders and our priests that they have been attacked and not protected from evil.” This has always stuck with me.

Her serenity and forbearance at each season or stage in her life - relying on God’s grace - whether in a travelling phase or bed bound at her nursing home was shown by her smile that was always radiant!!!  She was not backward- looking nor begrudging rather ever-ready – This was a remarkable trait.

There is much that is wrong in the world as Teresa knew including how little our society values or appreciates let alone rewards nursing home care staff who I would say do the most unpleasant and the worst job in the world! To this end, she supported certain charities with her widows mite including Marys Meals – which is named after Mary who brought her son up in poverty. Marys Meals now sustainably feeds over 1 million children but say there are still 57 million to go – this throws down a super and now totally achievable challenge to us all!

Teresa knew that offering up all our suffering is all we can do.....and that our suffering is not for nothing.

Teresa wore a Miraculous Medal around her neck and taught me that Our Lady longs to bestow graces on us to cope with life and we have only to ask for them. These graces are symbolised by the shining rays from her fingers on the Miraculous Medal. Where Our Lady’s fingers have NO rays coming from some of the rings on her fingers- ie. the gems looked dark when St Catherine of Laboure had the vision of OL in Paris – OL gave her to understand that this depicts where the graces are available but we have simply not asked for them........? There are some blessed Medals at the back of the Church for you to take away if you would like one as Teresa was always giving these out.

Overall, Teresa increasingly sought to match her heart beat to the heart beat of God and to bloom where God had planted her - by making Jesus the centre of her life.

Pope St John Paul the Second was Teresa’s role model as he suffered and travelled much like her and she kept a picture of him above her bed.  I do not know if he was also an avid collector of sea-shells and fossils and postcards from each of his trips like Teresa was though? His feast day is the birthday of my lovely brother in law Damon – which is the 22nd October. Teresa also loved a hymn called “Lord you have come to the Lakeside” which was St John Paul 2’s favourite song.  This hymn NEVER failed to cheer Teresa up, soothe, calm and transform her mood and the effect on her was always AMAZING and humbling.
 
Now I have been up here trying to describe Teresa and I think instead let us ALL try to do that together at the Reception afterwards – bringing each of our own beautiful smiles to share. Rather I think that the words of this most radiant hymn - Teresa’s prescription for life - actually describe her better than I ever could.
And how about saying that God loves us each so much ........ that He gave us Aunty Teresa?

To sum her up as Daj Hammarskjöld whom Aunty Teresa introduced me to stated.....“For all that has been I say Thank you and......... for all that will be -  I say Yes!”

Eulogy: Lord you have come to the Lakeside – Christine McDermott

Lord you have come to the lakeside, seeking neither wealthy nor wise folk,

You only ask Lord that I should love you.

With love you have looked in my eyes Lord,

smiling gently you have called me by name

And I left my boat by the lakeside now with you

I will seek other shores.

Lord you well know that I carry in my boat no treasure nor weapon

I bring you only my willing labour.

Lord take my hands and direct them, help me spend myself in seeking the lost.

Returning love for the love you gave me.

Lord, as I drift on the waters, be the resting place of my restless heart,

My life’s companion, my friend and refuge.

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Hi Ben,
Kindly add our condolences to the Cardozo blog. Yes, the CARDOZOS were ‘special’ in Zanzibar, and I too share many of your memories, including choir singing at St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Zanzibar, with Mr. Cardozo leading in Latin....with his family in tow.

However, upon reading my note of some years ago on Sr. Zita ‘ Lily in God’s Garden’.... I am reminded that these beautiful, elegant flowers grow in bunches of two or three or five, around Easter time, and thus are deemed Easter Lilies....for Resurrection. ...signs of Hope and Love and Peace. Teresa came from that same Lily branch from that same garden, and together the two sisters are lighting up heaven with their songs and fragrances together with their parents no doubt. Bless them.

It’s funny what wonderful memories can do to our minds even years later as we recall the good old days. Let us, All, lovingly cherish today, tomorrow and all our yesterdays before our turn comes too, with unconditional love and goodwill. Carpe diem !

Teresa Cardozo-Moniz... Salute and RIP!

Love and blessings and heartfelt condolences to All, from Mike and me.

Yvette de Souza-Muise

FAMILY PHOTO COLLECTION

MORE PHOTOS WILL FOLLOW
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Dear Floren & Lana Moniz, Joe, Genny & Immediate Family Members

Please find attached below a few photographs for family members to share.

You are free to copy any or all photographs from this blog spot. 

It was nice meeting you family members as I am a very close special friend of Joe & Genny, Tony & Shirley and also Hazel and Dr. Bosco whom fortunately I met Bosco yesterday.

This blogspot is not complete and is just a draft which will be complete in a couple of days.

If any of the family members have photographs to share of good old times and memories with Teresa, please oblige and send via Lana or Floren or directly to me on my email:-

bennydesouza@btinternet.com

Regards Benny