USA Mission

The history of the Little Sisters of St. Francis (LSOSF) USA-Mission reflects the growth and resilience of the mission over the years. Officially established during the leadership of the late Mother Ann Nasimiyu and her Council in 1993, the mission now includes 39 members, consisting of Sisters in ministry and students.

The USA-Mission Leadership Team

  1. Sr. Marieta Kilundo,             – Co-ordinator
  2. Sr. Julian Oyoo            – Treasurer
  3. Sr. Mary Jane F. Athieno      – Spiritual/Pastoral Care Desk
  4. Sr. Celestine Kalunge – Education Immigration Desk
  5. Sr. Hellen Khisa                – Secretary/Communication

The USA-Mission is divided into four zones based on geographic regions across the United States to enhance collaboration and administration: St. Anthony of Padua Zone (North Atlantic States), Mother Kevin Zone (South Atlantic States), St. Clare Zone (East North Central States), and St. Francis Zone (West North Central States).

THE BEGINNINGS

The establishment of the USA-Mission traces back to the 1993 when Sr. Agnes Narocho was sent to Gallaudet University in the United States to study Special Education. During her summer break, Sr. Agnes was tasked with conducting a Mission Appeal in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. One of the parishes assigned to her was in Fond Du Lac, where she stayed with the Franciscan Sisters at Villa Loretto in Mt. Calvary. While staying with the sisters, she helped with housekeeping and laundry at their nursing home. Impressed by Sr. Agnes’s dedication and joyful spirit, the Franciscan Sisters inquired if more LSOSF sisters could join them to support the facility, which was suffering from a shortage of workers due to severe snowstorms. Following discussions between Sr. Agnes and the late Mother Ann Nasimiyu, the request was honored, and three pioneer sisters were sent to establish the first LSOSF community in Fond Du Lac: Sr. Samuel Ibotet, Sr. Isabella Kanyua, and Sr. Hermenegild Nalunyima. The sisters faced challenging weather conditions but persevered, and over time, other sisters joined the mission.

MISSION EXPANSION

The mission expanded further when Sr. Agnes completed her studies and was offered an internship in Williamsburg, Virginia, where she cared for a family’s son with a disability. This marked the beginning of what would later be known as the “Mother Kevin Ministry,” a service that provides care for people with mental and physical disabilities. Sr. Agnes and her team opened several group homes and assisted living facilities, and in 2022, the ministry celebrated 25 years of service. Several sisters joined Sr. Agnes in this vital work, ensuring the continuation of compassionate care for those in need.

Simultaneously, another ministry was emerging in New York. Recognizing the need for pastoral care in Endicott and Binghamton, Sr. Anisia M. Ndwiga, who had relocated to Endicott, pioneered the LSOSF’s Pastoral Care Ministry in the Diocese of Syracuse. She, along with other sisters, established the first LSOSF convent in the region, St. Anthony of Padua Convent, in Endicott. Sr. Anisia, Sr. Scholastica Wanza, and Sr. Lilia Kagendo began providing pastoral care in the surrounding areas. Later, Sr. Mary Caritas joined, contributing to the expansion of their pastoral outreach and helping to construct Nazigo Orphanage in Uganda, through her network of friends and parishioners. The LSOSF continues to provide pastoral and spiritual care in the Diocese of Syracuse, demonstrating their enduring presence in the region.

PASTORAL CARE MINISTRY

Throughout the years, the LSOSF USA-Mission has grown under the guidance of various Superior Generals and Councils, carrying on the mission of Christ as exemplified by the foundress, Mother Kevin Kearney. The sisters’ work is not limited to pastoral care and services for the disabled; they are also students in universities and colleges across different dioceses. The mission continues to expand, with LSOSF communities now present in various dioceses across the United States, including the Diocese of Syracuse, Diocese of Scranton, Diocese of Brooklyn, Archdiocese of Milwaukee, Diocese of St. Joseph Cape Girardeau, Diocese of Richmond, and Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

RESILIENCE AND COMMITMENT

The resilience and dedication of the sisters, particularly those who were instrumental in the early years of the mission, have paved the way for the continued spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the United States. Their unwavering commitment to the charism of the LSOSF-bringing the newness of Christ’s love to their daily work-reflects their deep-rooted spirituality inspired by St. Francis of Assisi and Mother Kevin Kearney. Over time, the mission has been blessed with new vocations, further ensuring the continuity of their ministries in education, health, pastoral care, and social outreach.

Today, the sisters continue to serve faithfully, embodying the spirit of the LSOSF and contributing meaningfully to the communities in which they live and work. The leadership of the USA-Mission, guided by Sr. Sr. Marieta Kilundo and her team, remains committed to fostering growth and nurturing the spiritual and physical well-being of the sisters. Their history, deeply intertwined with the story of Mother Kevin, serves as a testament to the enduring mission of the LSOSF in the United States. The sisters’ presence, witness, and resilience serve as a beacon of hope and a reminder of the ongoing work of the Spirit in their ministry and mission.