Sr. Fosca, the former Principal of the St Mary’s Catholic High School passed away in Verona, Italy on Friday 6 January 2012.  She will always be remembered by the students, teachers and the parishioners of St. Mary's Dubai for her 30 long years of service to this parish.

After joining the Comboni Sister in 1949 in Verona, Sr. Fosca worked in Asmara (now capital of Eritrea) from 1954 to 1971 where she founded the University of Asmara.

Sr. Fosca worked in the Vicariate of Arabia from 1973 to 2007 when she returned to Italy for health reasons, but her heart remained in the Gulf.  From 1973 to 1977 she worked at Sacred Heart School in Bahrain.  In 1977 she was appointed Principal of St. Mary's Catholic High School in Dubai where she was instrumental in making the school one of the most recognized Catholic academic institutions for education excellence. She was also involved with adult faith formation at the parish level by giving religious instruction for adults preparing for the sacraments of confirmation and marriage.

Sr Fosca moved to Fujairah in 2001 to establish St. Mary's Catholic High School there (In 2008 the Comboni Sisters handed it’s management over to the Salesian Fathers).  

In recognition of her missionary work, Sr Fosca was honoured with the Cavalier award by the Italian government in 2004.

Sr. Fosca Berardi is the author of the book "Notes on Christianity and Islam", published and printed in Dubai for private circulation in 2009. The copies of this book are available with the Comboni Sisters in Dubai or at the Bishop's House in Abu Dhabi.

We pray to the Almighty to show her mercy and bestow her eternal happiness in His Kingdom.   We offer our condolences to the Comboni Sisters for the loss of our dearly beloved Sr. Fosca.  May her soul rest in peace. 

For the repose of her soul, a memorial Mass will be offered on Wednesday 11 January 2012 at 5:30 pm. at St Mary's Catholic Church, Dubai.  All parishioners are invited.