The Assumption Sisters of Eldoret are a young diocesan congregation from western Kenya with a presence in only three places: Kenya, South Sudan – and Broome. Source: The Catholic Weekly.
The sisters accepted a call from halfway around the world to serve in the remote Western Australian town and, since 2018, have found unlikely parallels with their ministry in Kenya.
The Assumption Sisters are not a missionary order and so 46-year-old Sr Dorcas Mbuga was shocked to hear just a few years after making her final vows that she had been nominated to lead a new mission in the Aussie seaside town.
Wearing their dark blue habits, white veils and broad smiles, Sr Dorcas and Sr Claire Kimutai, both former teachers but not qualified to work as such in Australia, are assistants in St Mary’s Catholic College.
Fellow Sisters Victoria Kithungu, Margaret Mashirima, Stella Nderitu and Naum Barngetuny work in Broome Diocese’s St Vincent Pallotti Op Shop.
“Most people here are Aboriginal and they have good memories of the St John of God Sisters who were the first religious sisters here,” Sr Dorcas explained.
“When we came with our habits and our veils it reminded the older people of how the nuns used to teach them and do activities with them, and so they especially love to have us with them.
“We tell them about our country and what we do and in return they have opened up to us. We feel very appreciated and feel we belong here and are needed by the people here.”
Sr Dorcas’ order was founded by Bishop Brendan Houlihan in 1962, when the Irish-born bishop was head of the Eldoret Diocese. The only places it exists are in Kenya, South Sudan and Broome, but it is growing rapidly.
Sr Dorcas dreams of more sisters coming to study for qualifications here and serving communities who need them in Australia.
“Now that our first house here is established and is going very well we are ready to spread out to other missions from here,” she said.
FULL STORY
How did a congregation of Kenyan sisters end up in Broome? (By Marilyn Rodrigues, The Catholic Weekly)
