Nazareth Sisters of the Annunciation Living in the United States

Iowa Sisters

In 2013, two Nazareth Sisters from Kenya were sponsored by the Catholic Diocese of Des Moines to work in central Iowa at a Catholic hospice organization operating in the Des Moines area. In 2016, these two sisters were joined by two other Nazareth Sisters from Kenya. Later, these four sisters began working at MercyOne Medical Center in Des Moines when the hospice organization closed. These sisters live as a small community in a house on the west side of Des Moines. They send any money not needed for basic living expenses back home to support the work of the order in Kenya.

In 2020, a group of supporters in Iowa helped the sisters form a 501(c)(3) organization to raise additional funds to support the work of the Nazareth Sisters of the Annunciation in Kenya. The work of the tax-exempt Nazareth Sisters of the Annunciation – USA organization is led by a Board of Directors. Names and titles of current board members are listed below.

One of these original four Nazareth Sisters moved to Scranton, Pennsylvania in 2023. Sister Rosehellen Karwirwa now lives and works at a Catholic rehabilitation center in Scranton. The three remaining sisters living in Des Moines are pictured below.

Picture of Current Nazareth Sisters Living in Des Moines, Iowa (L-R)

Sister Rosalia Njura, SIster Joan Suan Mwende, Sister Joan Clare Silas

Pennsylvania Sisters

In 2023, Sister Rosehellen Karwirwa moved to Scranton, Pennsylvania and began working at a Catholic Rehabilitation Center there. In 2024, two other Nazareth Sisters from Kenya joined her in Scranton. They work with physically and intellectually disabled patients at the St. Jospeh’s Center in Scranton that is managed by sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary religious order. Like the sisters living in Iowa, these three Nazareth Sisters live as a small community in an apartment in Scranton. They send any money not needed for basic living expenses back home to support the work of the order in Kenya.

Picture of Current Nazareth Sisters Living in Scranton, Pennsylvania (L-R)

Sister Mary Gertrude Wambui, Sister Stella Majiri, Sister Rosehellen Karwirwa

Wisconsin Sisters

There are currently three Nazareth Sisters from Kenya living and studying in Lacrosse, Wisconsin. They are all attending Viterbo University, a Catholic university founded by the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration. Sister Flora Luka and Sister Sophia Mugambi are completing a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. Sister Beatrice Mwangi is completing a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.