The Little Sisters of St. Francis USA-Mission serves as a mission for all the LSOSF
under the General Council. The USA-Mission was officially established during the first
term of the late Mother Ann Nasimuyu (RIP) and her Council. Over time, the US-
Mission has grown and expanded and currently there are 39 members (Sisters’
Students and Sisters in Ministry). The current Leadership Team since 2017 comprises
of:

1. Sr. Nancy Kamau, - Leadership Team Coordinator
2. Sr. Lucy Marindany - Leadership Team Council
3. Sr. Mary Jane F. Athieno -Leadership Team Council
4. Sr. Rosemary Nakhumicha - Leadership Team Council
5. Sr. Lilia Kagendo - Leadership Team Council

For easier collaboration and administration, the LSOSF USA-Mission is divided into four
Zones. The Zonal Leaders are part of the Leadership Team for the USA-Mission. The
Zones are divided according to geographical parts of the United States as follows: -

Northeast Region:
1) St. Anthony of Padua Zone (North Atlantic States)
2) Mother Kevin Zone (South Atlantic States)
Midwest Region
3) St. Clare Zone (East North Central States)
4) St. Francis Zone (West North Central States)

 

                                       The History of the LSOSF US-Mission

 

 

The Beginnings
The beginnings of the establishment of the Little Sisters of St. Francis - USA-Mission
can be traced back to 1990s. The story begins when Sr. Agnes Narocho was sent to
Gallaudet University in-the USA to study Special Education. During her Summer break,
Sr. Agnes was commissioned to carry out the Mission Appeal for the Institute in the
Archdiocese of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Among the Parishes assigned to the LSOSF in
the Archdiocese of Milwaukee was the Church in Fond Du Lac.

The Franciscan Sisters in Fond Du Lac welcomed Sr. Agnes to stay in their community
in the town of Mt. Calvary while she carried out her mission appeals for two weeks.
During her stay at Villa Loretto, Sr. Agnes helped the sisters in the Nursing Home taking
care of the housekeeping and laundry. Because of the tremendous work Sr. Agnes did
and her great love and joyful spirit, the Franciscan Sisters asked Sr. Agnes if there was
a possibility of getting more LSOSF to work among them in their facility. The Sisters
needed more help because they were experiencing loss of the workers due to
unrelenting snow storms and subsequent floods and suffering in that area.

​

Sr. Agnes communicated the matter with the late Mother Ann Nasimuyu (RIP), the then
Superior General of the LSOSF and about the services at the Villa Lorreto facility. After
a series of discussions, the Superior General and her Council honoured the request and
appointed three Sisters who are the Pioneers that started a community in Fond Du Lac.
The Pioneer sisters were:

1. Sr. Samuel Ibotet
2. Sr. Isabella Kanyua
3. Sr. Hermangilde Nalunyima

These pioneer sisters carried on the mission of Mother Kevin as missionaries in the
United States providing services in Villa Lorreto. For several years changes were made
and other sisters were assigned to come and serve in Villa Loretto. After the years
passed, the fruits and the work of the Little Sisters can be seen in various states in the
United States.

Mission Expansion

The US-Mission was now established and began to grow gradually. Sr. Agnes Narocho
Walubuka, who completed her studies in special education, was then looking for a place
to do internship. A family in Williamsburg, Virginia offered Sr. Agnes a place, and
requested if she would care for their son who had some disability. It is through her
perseverance and the care of this one person that Sr. Agnes started what we call today
“Mother Kevin Ministry” in Virginia, a ministry that cares for people with disabilities.
Over time, Sr. Agnes opened several group homes and assisted living facilities for
people with mental and physical disabilities in Williamsburg, in the Diocese of
Richmond, Virgina. Later on, several sisters joined Sr. Agnes her in this ministry and for
25yrs Sr. Agnes and the sisters continues to serve still today.

Pastoral Care Ministry

As the time went on, a new ministry was getting established. There was great need for
pastoral care in Endicott /Binghamton area, in the Diocese of Syracuse, New York. Sr.
Anisia M. Ndwiga who had then relocated to Endicott / Binghamton, was instrumental in
the establishment of the Pastoral Care Ministry for the LSOSF (St. Anthony Parish) in
Endicott /Binghamton and she became the pioneer of this ministry. The LSOSF were
then invited to come and serve in Diocese of Syracuse, and the first convent (St.
Anthony of Padua Convent) in Endicott, New York, was established. Sr. Anisia Ndwiga,
Sr. Scholastica Wanza and Sr. Lilia Kagendo began living at St. Anthony of Padua
community and together they served as Pastoral Care Associates in different parts of
Eddicott/Binghamton. Sr. Mary Caritas joined the sisters as well and did Pastoral Care
in Binghamton. Through Sr. Caritas and her friends’ efforts, Naziggo Orphanage in
Central Region was constructed. Today, the sisters continue these ministries in the
Diocese of Syracuse, Endicott/Binghamton.

Since the establishment of the US-Mission, the Sisters have continued to carry out their
daily duties faithfully, whether in ministry or as students. Over the years, through the
guidance of our former Superior Generals and Councils, the mission of Christ, as

exemplified by our Mother Foundress, Mother Kevin Kearney, continues to expand. It is
the resilience of the sisters in the US-Mission is ….. 
The Spirit of the Lord continues to work among us and the US-Mission continues to
grow and has expand. Today the sisters offer services in communities located in the
following Archdioceses/ Dioceses.
1. Diocese of Syracuse, New York
2. Diocese of Scranton, Pennsylvania
3. Diocese of Brooklyn, New York
4. Archdiocese of Milwaukee, Wisconsin
5. Diocese of St. Joseph Cape Girardeau, Missouri
6. Diocese of Richmond, Virginia
7. Archdiocese of Los Angeles, California

Also, there are sisters studying in various Universities and Colleges located in different
Dioceses and Archdioceses in the United States.

The presence, witness and resilience of the sisters in the US-Mission, especially those that
were instrumental in the beginning is a great gift that continues to offer other LSOSF the
opportunity to spread the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, while following in the footsteps of our
holy Father St. Francis of Assisi and Our Mother Foundress, Mother Kevin Kearny.