Mission in full circle

By Sister Marion Welter

There at the door of my hospital room at St. Francis Hospital in Shakopee, Minnesota, stood an individual shouting, “You are a School Sister of Notre Dame from Good Counsel, Mankato. When I was just a toddler in Kisii, Kenya, you sisters brought education to our Kisii village and community. It changed our lives forever! Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

These words of deep gratitude continued to be expressed by Dr. Edwin Bogonko, serving on the staff at St. Francis Hospital and soon to become Chief of Staff. Dr. Bogonko noted that he heard that the School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND) from Mankato were now living in Shakopee. He expressed his strong desire to meet with any of the sisters who had ministered in Kenya and thank them.

This wish was fulfilled when nine sisters met over lunch at Benedictine Living Center. The lunch included Sister Maris Simon, one of the first four sisters who went to Kisii in 1974.

This was truly an example of reverse mission – Dr. Bogonko is now ministering to SSND and the people of this area in our time of healthcare need!

Learn more about the history of Blessed Theresa’s vision and the ongoing mission work in Africa.