Sisters of Mary of Kakamega (SMK)

In Oregon, USA, East of the Cascade Mountain Range, six African nuns teach American children in the Diocese of Baker. These Sisters of Mary (SMK) belong to a large, thriving Congregation that began in the Diocese of Kakamega, in Western Kenya, in 1932. Currently numbering over 350 souls, they live and work and pray in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Sudan.
How did they arrive in the high, cold desert of Oregon?

SOM

 

In 2009, The Most Reverend Bishop Robert Vasa invited the Sisters of Mary of Kakamega to the Baker Diocese. Rev. Maureen Oyolo, Mother Superior S.O.M. visited the Diocese and soon arrangements were made for the Sisters to come. This was a fulfillment of the 10th General Chapter held in 2005 which recommended Sisters to move out as Missionaries to other parts of the world to share Christ with others.

We wish to express our gratitude to Most Reverend Robert Vasa who granted us an opportunity to share the Gospel and our Faith with God's people in the new culture of Baker diocese.

Welcome Bishop Cary!             

On May 18th, 2012 the Diocese of Baker ordained our seventh bishop in a beautiful ceremony at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Bend.  We wish to congratulate and welcome Bishop Liam Stephen Cary.  Our prayers for his well-being and his work in leading our Diocese are with Bishop Cary.     

Bishop Cary's Ordination (from left to right) Archbishop John George Vlazny (Principal Consecrator), Newly ordained Bishop Liam Cary, Bishop Robert Francis Vasa and Bishop William Stephen Skylstad (Principal Co-Consecrators). May 18, 2012. (picture by Marc Salvatore)
The Sisters of Mary of Kakamega express our thanks to Diocesan Administrator Bishop William Skylstad for his support during his months overseeing the Diocese. God Bless you, Bishop Skylstad.
Click here to visit the Diocese of Baker website.