Twins Charli and Robbie Manago remembered in tragic funeral in Rouse Hill
THE teenage godfather of Charli Manago, who along with her brother Robbie died after a pool drowning accident, told a packed funeral congregation in Rouse Hill the two would not be forgotten.
Rouse Hill
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A SISTER of drowned twins Robbie and Charli Manago, prayed at the funeral of her lost siblings today and asked God that he “please welcome Robbie and Charli into your eternal home”.
The pair, who would have turned two years old tomorrow, were farewelled in an emotional service at their church this morning as the heavens opened up outside.
More than 500 people packed into the Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church, in Rouse Hill in Sydney’s northwest, to remember the lives of the twins who died within days of each other after a tragic pool drowning accident.
The children were in two white coffins, which each had a teddy bear sitting on the top of them.
Parish priest Father Warren Edwards, who blessed the coffins of the twins at the start of the service, spoke of the difficult times that the Manago family were going through while assuring them that they will be reunited with their children in Heaven.
Fr Warren’s homily was a message of hope and comfort to the family and community, which has rallied around the Managos since the twins were pulled unconscious from the backyard pool of the family’s home at Kellyville Ridge on December 20.
Parents Robert and Fleur and their older children Bryan, Antonia, Angelica and Trinity, stood brave as the tiny white coffins were brought into the church.
Charli died on December 26 and three days later, her brother Robbie passed away.
Bryan, Angelica and Antonio read out the general intercessions, praying specially for “the healing power of Christ in the midst of their pain and grief”.
Angela read a prayer for “all parents who grieve over the death of their children, may they be comforted in the knowledge that their children dwell in God’.
Angelica summed up the mood of the congregation with her prayer: “You welcomed children promising your kingdom, please welcome Robbie and Charli into your eternal home”.
The people who supported the Manago family in their sorrow and the staff of the Children’s Hospital at Westmead and emergency services were also remembered in the prayers.
The school community has also been providing meals to the Kellyville Ridge family since the accident.
The haunting melodies of Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Israel ‘Iz’ Kamakawiwo’ole, was played while images of the twins and their family played on the screen during the remembrance which was lovingly spoken by Lorence Maroon.
The teenage godfather of Charli, Lorence, gave an emotional tribute to the twins, having to stop several times to compose himself as pictures of the twins came up on a large screen.
“We will never forget you,” he told the congregation.
Mourners had been encouraged to wear colourful clothing rather than black.
Father Warren told mourners the children had gone to a happier place.
They were later buried at a private ceremony in Castle Hill.
Mr and Mrs Manago had requested no flowers but instead a donation to the hospital where the twins were cared for.
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The Our Lady of the Angels Primary School issued a statement for the family.
“Our community has shared, in a small way, the sadness and despair of the Manago family,” the statement said.
“Throughout this time, we have received many requests of ways to help and support them.
“The heartbroken parents Robert and Fleur Manago of Kellyville Ridge, have requested no flowers.
“Instead, they have asked for donations to be made to the Family Support Unit at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead.
“Thank you to everyone for your prayers and support in so many other ways during this time.
“We continue to pray for the Manago family for God to give them the faith to know that Charli and Robbie are always with them and the strength for their life to return to normal, especially Bryan, Antonia, Angelica and Trinity.”
“The care from everyone at the hospital was beyond incredible and made this horrific time a little easier. Flour and Robert would like to raise money for the hospital … in remeberance (sic) of their beautiful twins,” a GoFundMe website set up by friend Nicole Anderson reads.
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