On October 26th, the Sacred Heart Academy community received a heartbreaking email that announced a 2014 alumna of Sacred Heart, Nneoma Obi, was in a medically-induced coma. This news hit many juniors and seniors hard, as many had fond memories of Nneoma. My own sister was in her graduating class, so I knew Nneoma personally, making this news especially troubling. Nneoma is memorable for so many reasons, such as being an amicable and intelligent  Student Council President and being noted humorously by Sr. Maureen in an anecdote as, “someone who frequently lost her belongings” around the classrooms and hallways of SHA. Her charms were known by more than just her own classmates at SHA and surely have continued into her new family of friends at her college, the University of Connecticut, where she plans to study medicine.
Prayers and well-wishes flooded in from many alumnae, parents, faculty, and friends. Her family has felt the immense love and hope from an entire community that stretches far beyond the busy SHA halls. Members of her graduating class requested a rosary in her honor after school on Wednesday, October 28th, inviting anyone who wanted to show support for and share in the love of a fellow SHA sister. Many previous graduates came, whether a part of Nneoma’s graduating class or not. The morning show has also continued to give prayer intentions for Nneoma every day, alongside teachers and students always requesting prayers for her healing at the beginning of classes. A devoted theology teacher, Ms. D’Ambrosio, organized a beautiful prayer vigil for Nneoma, which took place on Saturday, November 14th. It began outside with the lighting of candles and ended in the true presence of Jesus’s healing love in the school chapel. Over 120 people came to pray for her and her family. Not a day goes by where the students, faculty, and other community members are not reminded of Christ’s healing love, inviting us to trust in Him.
The concern for this beautiful and loved young woman has not ceased. Every day as I drag my book bags into the kitchen after a long day of classes, I am greeted with two questions: “How was school?” which is immediately followed by “Is there any news about Nneoma?” She is always on our minds and the minds of all who have known her contagious smile.
She was recently moved from Hartford Hospital to Philadelphia for more rehabilitation care specializing in brain injury. Ms. D’Ambrosio has organized a fund-raising event for Nneoma and her family on Friday, January 8, 2016 at 6:00 p.m., and every person’s support is deeply appreciated. Please continue to send prayers of strength and healing for Nneoma and special thoughts of support to her family and friends. This is a challenging and upsetting time for all who have known her, but with hope and trust in God’s plan, we will again see her smiling face.