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Religious Life  in the Diocese of Baker

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Sisters of Mary of Kakamega

Who are Sisters of Mary?
Sisters of Mary is a Religious Congregation which was started by the late Bishop Brandsma, a Mill Hill Missionary in 1932 in the Diocese of Kakamega in Kenya.  He requested the help of the Ursuline Sisters from Bergen-Holland as to assist with the religious formation of the African girls who wished to become sisters.  With time and God's blessing, the congregation has spread beyond this diocese and has 76 houses opened up in Kakamega, other diocese in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Sudan and now America.

This congregation was founded with the aim of spreading the Good News and fostering the education of the African women so as to uplift their standards of living in a world where they seemed to be completely marginalized by their male counterparts.  Some of these young girls were also trained as religious nuns to help other girls and women to learn to be self sufficient in order to enhance and  improve their standards of living.  The congregation started off with only five girls in 1932 but today they have grown to approximately 330 Sisters.

Please click here to access the official website of the Sisters of Mary of Kakamega.

Sisters Irene (left) and Sabina (right) Religious Sisters of Mary of Kakamega...arrived for ministerial service in the Diocese of Baker in June, 2010. Sisters Sabina and Irene come from a Community in Kenya and they bring zeal for souls and a spirit of joy which promises to infect the entire diocese. The first duty is acclimation and preparation for the Summer Camp Programs with which the Sisters will be actively involved. It has been our experience that the presence of Religious Sisters adds a most positive and energizing element to our Diocesan Camps and we are eager to introduce the youth to the Sisters and the Sisters to our diocesan youth.
     Re-establishing a stronger presence of Religious Sisters in the diocese is a sign of great hope. The original Sisters who served here throughout the earlier years of the Diocese did such great work and it is our hope in moving forward that these Sisters will now build on that firm foundation.  "Siempre Adalante, Nunca Atras"                 
 

Sister Sabina Mbenge 

Sister Sabina is the superior of the group of sisters in Bend.  She was born the second youngest in a Catholic family of six children and entered the congregation in 1973.  She made her final profession in 1983 and has worked in formation and counseling.  She has a Masters degree in Education and extensive experience both as a teacher and as an administrator and has also served the disabled.  She is working at St. Francis School in Bend teaching religion.



 

 

 

Sister Dorothy Radoli

Sister Dorothy comes from a family of eight children and attended Catholic schools before she joined the congregation.  She as been professed for 18 years and credits her parents' encouragement with being able to pursue her vocation.  Sister Dorothy has a Bachelor of Education and a Master of Education from the Catholic University of Easter Africa. 

"I am happy to be here and I feel that my teaching, guiding and counseling skills will be of benefit to the students.  I pray and hope that some of these students will get a vocation to the priesthood and religious life," said Sister Dorothy.

 

Sister Kevin Musonye

Sister Kevin came in contact with the Sisters of Mary in high school.  She joined the order in 1986 and was finally professed in 1994. She is a registered nurse and has also been trained in counseling and clinical pastoral education.  She has been assigned to St. Francis Parish to do confirmation and middle school ministry and is looking forward to giving witness to God among the youth of the parish. 

"Being an outgoing person with a sense of humor will help me reach out to the youth...and I thank God for this opportunity to share my life," said Sister Kevin.


 

Sister Fortunata Nabuduwa
Sister Fortunata is the daughter of two teachers and the youngest of four children.  She attended Catholic secondary schools and has a Masters degree in Education from Uganda Martyrs University.  She joined the religious congregation in 1984 and loves teaching and working with children.  Sister Fortunata has been assigned to teach at St. Thomas Academy in Redmond and help with the CCD program in the parish.

"I feel so glad to serve the people of God here.  The pastor, teachers, parents and children at St. Thomas are so great, supportive and receptive that I feel encouraged to serve and share with them the faith," said Sister Fortunata.

 

Introducing the Sisters of Mary in Eastern Oregon:

Sister Irene Mwangi

Sister Irene is the fourth in a family of ten children and credits her parents with nurturing her Catholic faith.  She was also inspired by Italian nuns who visited homes in the central part of Kenya where she grew up.  Moved by the kindness and attracted to the habits of the sisters, Sister Irene told her mother she wanted to be just like them.  After high school she joined the Sisters of Mary and was trained in spirituality, catechesis and human development.  She has served in hospital settings as a nurse and is currently in the spiritual care department of St. Alphonsus Medical Center in Ontario.  She believes interior healing can help bring about physical health and that empowering patients to discover strength from within helps them realize true healing comes from God.

"I am glad that Bishop Robert Vasa has welcomed my Order to serve in the Baker Diocese," said Sister Irene.  "God bless all who have touched my life in one way or another."

 

Sister Regina Namaleha

Sister Regina is the second-youngest of seven children.  Her father died when she was only two years old and her mother raised the family and taught them their Catholic faith. Sister joined the Sisters of Mary after she took her exams out of high school  During her four year formation she trained in Catechism and Spirituality and in 1994 she became a nun.  Sister Regina joined Teachers College and became a grade three teacher.  In 2003 she went back to college to further her education and majored in Special Education.  In 2007, she obtained Degree in Education.  Sister Regina has served as a Sister for 16 years and as a teacher for 13 years.  Sister Regina is now teaching Religious Education for third grade at St. Peter's School in Ontario and also assists the other teachers in the other grade levels.

"I am so happy to be in Ontario teaching the young ones.  They are so lovely and the teachers are friendly and ready to work with me.  The community and especially the parents are so happy to have Sisters in the school and at the hospital.  My hopes and my dreams are to do my best to all and that my presence may bring joy and peace.  I hope to grow and develop more for the
sake of the young kids and those entrusted to me."