Joseph (FSJ)-Asumbi is a local Congregation of Diocesan Rite in Homa-Bay Diocese, Kenya; founded on 2nd August, 1936.We were founded in Asumbi by Rev. Francis Generalate
P.O BOX 669 - 40200
KISII
TEL.+254731437102
LEADERSHIP TEAM
Sr. Mary Goretty Ochieng, FSJ Superior General
Sr. Marcella Cherobon, FSJ Ass. Agnes Nyauma, FSJ General Councillor
Sr. John Mary Vianney, FSJ Gen
eral Councillor
Sr. Josepha Otwori, FSJ General Councillor
ABOUT US - BRIEF HISTORY
WHO WE ARE
Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph (FSJ)-Asumbi is a local Congregation of Diocesan Rite in Homa-Bay Diocese, Kenya; founded on 2nd August, 1936. We were founded in Asumbi by Rev. Father Philip Scheffer, a Mill Hill Missionary priest and the first six members of the Institute, namely, Sr. Teresa Nyagonge, Celestine Akoth, Joseph Agwila, Margaret Onyisi, Sr. Anthony Oloo and Sr. Pacifica Akeyo. The canonical formation of the first Sisters was given by the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of St. Joseph at the invitation of Rev. Fr. Philip Scheffer. FOUNDATION
Fr. Philip Scheffer MHM was appointed to the South Kavirondo (South Nyanza) and started Asumbi Parish in 1913. His faith and dedicated service among the people drew many to the Catholic faith. Alongside, pastoral work, he also offered medical, educational and social services to those in need. He paid special attention to the most vulnerable: women, children, widows and widowers, the hungry and orphans etc. His exemplary life inspired catechumens to desire to serve God as he did. Once baptized, they opted to remain in the Parish and learn to serve as he would teach them. As early as 1920s, the girls who had been baptized began to congregate in the Parish. They learned how to make hosts, serve as sacristans and teach catechism. The determination of these first girls to serve God in turn inspired in Fr. Philip Scheffer the dream of an African indigenous Sisterhood. From his experience of having been a Franciscan Novice, Fr. Philip Scheffer began to train the girls, also called ‘Bawezi’, in a strict Franciscan way of life. He gave them a distinct blue uniform and a headscarf, instructed them to love God above all things, and taught them to live the Gospel message after the manner of St. Francis. In order for these girls to ever become an Institute of Consecrated Women Religious in the Church, he took initiative, through Bishop Stam, the then Bishop of the Kavirondo Vicariate, to invite the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of St. Joseph from England to form them into an African Sisterhood. The Franciscan Missionary Sisters of St. Joseph (FMSJ) arrived in Asumbi on 6th January 1936 with faith and determination to fulfill the mission of forming an African Sisterhood. They found a vibrant group of aspirants waiting to be formed. At the same time, in Rangala Mission, there was another group of girls also aspiring to be religious, and who lived with the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of St. Joseph as early as 1929. In April of 1936, they travelled to Asumbi to join the already existing group of ‘Bawezi’. They then formed one group of aspirants, and on 2nd August 1936, they became postulants and officially began their formation under the direction of the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of St. Joseph. GROWTH AND CRISIS
After the coming of the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of St. Joseph, Fr. Philip Scheffer continued strengthening the postulants through conferences and confession. The task of formation was now solely in the hands of the FMSJ. On 2nd February 1937, the first Clothing of eight Novices took place. On 19th March 1938, another Clothing of five Novices took place, and the following year another set of Novices were clothed. It was a time that also saw many aspirants become postulants. However, as years went by, what began with enthusiasm slowly began to experience signs of conflicts due to cultural differences and difficulties in adapting to the formation process offered by FMSJ. The darkest year of this conflict was in 1939 when majority of the novices and postulants left the novitiate. Some went back to their homes while some were taken to Kakamega to become Sisters of Mary of Kakamega.
1939 was a decisive year. A small group of six (five Novices and one postulant) was left behind when others left. The dream of an African Sisterhood was at its crossroads. Bishop Stam was informed about what had befallen the novitiate, and the prospects of an African Sisterhood became dim. He travelled to Asumbi to close the novitiate. Accompanied by Fr. Philip Scheffer, he walked to the novitiate in order to close it. He was pleasantly surprised and shocked to find a strong African novice standing at the door, holding its two posts. The novice told him, “My Lord why are you closing the Novitiate and we are here? Are we useless?” Behind her, another senior novice said, “If someone wants to stay, could she not remain?” There were two other senior novices, one junior novice and a postulant who stood behind the first two who spoke, and whose looks spoke to the Bishop of their determination to stay on. Their questions, determination and obvious single mindedness to stay on motivated the Bishop not to close the Novitiate. Their questions/statements echoed the answer Simon Peter gave to Jesus, when after many disciples left, Jesus turned around and asked the twelve whether they also wished to go: “Lord to whom shall we go. You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe…”
Bishop Stam and Fr. Philip Scheffer held a meeting with these five Novices and the Postulant, promised to let their formation continue, having been convinced by their perseverance that the dream of an African Sisterhood was God’s will. PERSEVERANCE AND SPREAD
This persevering group of six novices and a postulant became the foundation stone upon which the future Institute of the Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph was formed. With the encouragement of the Bishop and the Fr. Philip Scheffer, the FMSJ were encouraged to continue the formation of the novices and postulants. They are fondly referred to as the ‘Pillars’ of the Institute. For this reason, they together with Fr. Philip Scheffer, are extolled as the founders of the Franciscan Sisters of St. Indeed we can say, that they were there from the beginning and stayed to the end. It is on this foundation that the Institute of the Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph is built. The first profession of vows took place in 1940. The first Sisters were sent for their apostolic work in Kisumu Diocese. In subsequent years, more Sisters were professed and they began to spread out to other Dioceses as well. Now we are in most of the Dioceses in Kenya and also work in Tanzania, Uganda, USA and UK. OUR CHARISM
We follow Christ according to the Rule of Life of the Brothers and Sisters of the Third Order Regular of St. Our Franciscan Spirit is permeated by the fundamental values of conversion, poverty, humility, and contemplation. Like our founders, we are compelled by the Franciscan spirit of willingness to be poor and vulnerable and be among the poor, serving them joyfully with love and compassion. We are imbued with unquenchable desire to dedicate ourselves to raising the dignity of the people of God, particularly the women, children and the most vulnerable. We respond to this invitation of God by closely following the steps of our Lord Jesus Christ after the manner of St. Francis of Assisi, our founder Fr. Philip Scheffer and our co-foundresses-the first six Sisters of our Institute. Our special Charism therefore is that of Joy, love and Compassion of God for the people (Mk: 6:34). We are called to witness this in our mission which is to radiate joy, love and compassion to the people of God through the ministries of: prayer; teaching in all levels of Education; care of the orphans, elderly, physically and mentally challenged; and widows; health care; youth ministry; catechism/pastoral work; working with the marginalized communities; living in community and ministering to each other through presence, good example and service as need arises. We are motivated in this by St. Francis of Assisi who embraced the l***r, symbolizing the marginalized members of our society. We value prayer and inner conversion; kindness, gentleness, humility, joy, love, hospitality, compassion for all, and simplicity in all our relationships with those we serve and with each other in our communities. As Franciscans, we have special concern for the care of mother earth and seek to respect and nurture our environment as our brother and sister. WHERE WE ARE AND WORK
We work in various dioceses in Kenya such as- Homabay, Mombasa, Kitale, Eldoret, Kericho, Nakuru, Meru, Maralal, Marsabit, Kisumu, Kisii, Kakamega, Meru and Nairobi. We are called to work among the marginalized people. In Marsabit Diocese we work among the Rendile and Borana; in Ngong Diocese in Kenya, we work among the Maasai; in Maralal we work among the Samburu; in Kitale we work among the Pokot. In Arusha diocese in Tanzania, too, we work among the Maasai. We also work in the United Kingdom and the United States of America where we are involved in health care and care for the elderly; counseling and Eucharistic ministry; and feeding the homeless. In all these areas our focus is on education, youth ministry, social work, technical education, medical and pastoral work. This is based on a strong prayer life and community living without which there would be no effective service to God’s people. In order to serve effectively and meet the demands and challenges of our time, we remain open to the ever increasing needs of the Church in our time. Structurally, the institute is divided into five administrative units known as Regions. These are: Homabay Region, Kericho Region, Eldoret Region, Nairobi Region, and Arusha Region. Various communities are distributed under the said Regions. The Generalate stands as a distinct unit with certain designated communities under it. THE MISSION IN PERRY- BUFALLO DIOCESE
Adress: Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph , 3439 Bacon Road, Perry, NY, 14530
St. Clare of Assisi Convent Perry is a property of the Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph donated to us by Fr. Lieutenant George L.Okoth. The original owner of the property, Ms Alice Stepien, had intended that it would be used as a place of prayer and expressed this wish to Fr. George. When Fr. George transferred the property to Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph, in October 2018, the intention was for the Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph to use it and transform it into a place of spiritual activities such as days of recollection, retreats, sabbatical programs etc. It was intended for spiritual activities for young and old; religious and laity in the wider community apart from the community of Religious Sisters. The wishes of Fr. George and Ms Alice are in line with our pastoral values and charism. THE NEED TO RENOVATE AND EXPAND THE HOUSE AND CHAPEL
The House in Perry does not have the capacity to accommodate all the activities envisioned. There is need to provide additional rooms for the Sisters to be able to accommodate those who come for sabbatical and other growing needs; as well as expanding the existing small Chapel. Once complete, the Chapel will be open for reflection and meditation for our Sisters and to the wider community, offering a space of peace and spiritual renewal. This project will be made possible through the collective effort of friends and donors who share our commitment to our Charism of prayer all in the Spirit of the sacred mission of Christ. I. KENYA
HOMABAY DIOCESE
ASUMBI GENERALATE:
ST. FRANCIS - ASUMBI GENERALATE COMMUNITY
ST. THERESA’S - ASUMBI MOTHERHOUSE
FR. SCHEFFER INFIRMARY
SECRETERIAT - NAIROBI
ASPIRANCY COMMUNITY
POSTULANCY COMMUNITY
NOVITIATE COMMUNITY
ST. JOHN MARY VIANNEY CONVENT, MIROGI
ST. PHILIP CONVENT (FATHER SCHEFFER COMMUNIITY), MIROGI
ST. AGATHA CONVENT, HOMABAY
EMMANUEL CONVENT, TONGA
ST NICHOLAS CONVENT, MFANGANO
ST PETER CLAVER CONVENT, MAWEGO
ST CLARE CONVENT, RARUOWA
OUR LADY OF LOURDES CONVENT, RAKWARO
ST. JOSEPH CONVENT, RONGO
ST. FRANCIS CONVENT, MIGORI
ST. CLARE CONVENT, MBITA
STAR OF THE SEA CONVENT, KAKRIGU
OUR LADY OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY CONVENT- KALANYA
KISII DIOCESE:
FATHER DOYLE COMMUNIITY
ST. FRANCIS ON-GOING FORMATION CENTRE
ST. MARY CONVENT, NYABURURU
OUR LADY OF VICTORY CONVENT-. KISII PARISH
OUR LADY OF MERCY CONVENT, KIBIRIGO
ST. CHALES LWANGA CONVENT, GEKANO
QUEEN OF APOSTLES CONVENT, RANGENYO
ST. ANNE CONVENT, KISII
CHRISTAMARIANNE MISSION HOSPITAL
KERICHO DIOCESE:
ST. CLARE CONVENT, KAPLONG
ST. TERESA CONVENT, KIPCHIMCHIM
ST. FRANCIS CONVENT, BOMET
OUR LADY QUEEEN OF PEACE CONVENT, KAPLOMBOI
NAKURU DIOCESE:
ST. CLARE CONVENT, NAKURU (INCLUDES NJORO)
KISUMU ARCHDIOCESE:
ST. TERESA’s CONVENT, KIBUYE
SAN DAMIANO CONVENT, KANYAKWAR
UGANDA MARTYRES CONVENT, AHERO
ANUNCIATION CONVENT, RANGALA
SIGOMRE (ANNEX OF RANGALA)
ST. PAUL’S CONVENT, MBAGA
ST. PATRICK CONVENT, UKWALA
ST. ANNE CONVENT, SEGA
ST. CLARE CONVENT, BOLO
ST. FRANCIS CONVENT, NYAMONGE
ST. MAGDALENE, OASIS OF PEACE
KAKAMEGA DIOCESE:
ST. FRANCIS CONVENT, HAMBALE
ST. URSULA’S CONVENT, CHAMAKANGA
SACRED HEART CONVENT – SH*TOLI
BUNGOMA DIOCESE:
TONGAREN –QUEEN OF PEACE CONVENT
ELDORET DIOCESE:
ST. JOSEPH CONVENT, CHEPTERIT
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR CONVENT, KOBUJOI
ST. FRANCIS CONVENT, KAIBOI
ST. JUDE CONVENT, YAMUMBI
ST. STEPHEN CONVENT, KAPNYEBERAI
KITALE DIOCESE:
KITALE CONVENT
ST. PAUL CONVENT, KACHELIBA
ST. ANNE CONVENT, CHELUPOY
NGONG DIOCESE:
ST. MARY CONVENT, NAROK
SISTER MARY STEPHEN NKOITOI, CONVENT
ST. ANGELA CONVENT, ROMBO
ARCHDIOCESE OF NAIROBI:
BOGANI, CUEA COMMUNIITY
ASSISI HOUSE
ST. CLARE OF ASSISI LANGATA
ARCHDIOCESE OF MOMBASA:
ST. ANTHONY- MIVUMONI
MERU DIOCESE:
CONSOLATA CONVENT, IGOJI
CONSOLATA CONVENT, MUNITHU
MARALAL DIOCESE:
IMMACLATE HEART CONVENT, KISIMA
ST. PAUL CONVENT, BARAGOI
MARSABIT DIOCESE:
HOLY SPIRIT CONVENT, SOLOLO
II. TANZANIA
ARUSHA REGION
ARUSHA DIOCESE:
ST. FRANCIS CONVENT, SAKINA
ST. MARY CONVENT, SIMANJIRO
MOSHI DIOCESE:
IMMACULATE HEART CONVENT, BOMANGOMBE
MBULU DIOCESE:
BABATI CONVENT
III. UGANDA
JINJA DIOCESE
PRESENTATION CONVENT: CHYEBANDO
SACRED HEART CONVENT: WESUNIRE
IV. USA
RICHMOND DIOCESE
ST. FRANCIS CONVENT, VIRGINIA BEACH - DIOCESE OF RICHMOND, VIRGINIA,
BUFFALO DIOCESE
ST. CLARE OF ASSISI CONVENT, PERRY - BUFFALO DIOCESE
V. ENGLAND
BRENTWOOD DIOCESE
DIVINE MERCY CONVENT - BRENTWOOD DIOCESE
