Diocese: Essen
Pioneers: Sr Monthy Fernandes and Sr Celine Lobo
Haus St. Anna is an established catholic senior residential and nursing care facility located at Oberdorfstraße 55a in the Altendorf district of Essen. While the modern facility celebrated its 30th anniversary in September 2025, the institution's tradition dates back to a parish home built in 1913 by the St Anna Congregation. After complete destruction during World War II, it was rebuilt alongside the historical St. Anna church. The church itself was demolished in 2015.
This milestone was made possible thanks to Ms. Eva-Maria Rexhausen, Directress of the Marienheim Überruhr Institute. A warm-hearted individual of deep Christian faith, Ms. Rexhausen has long been a dedicated friend to many religious Sisters. Following a series of preliminary meetings and consultations, the regional leadership—including Regional Superior Sr Leena Rodrigues and Councillors Sr Monthy Martis and Sr Roshni Monis—formulated their initial conclusions. Subsequently, Superior General Sr Doreen D Souza and Assistant Superior General Sr Susheela Sequeira conducted an official visit to the management of the St Anna Institute in Essen Mitte on May 24, 2013. During this visit, they finalized the decision to begin the new mission in July 2014.
On June 23, 2014, Sr Monthy Fernandes and Sr Celine Lobo moved into the residence, officially establishing themselves as the pioneers of this mission.
"You need to take pride in what God has given you. "Therefore, the Regional Team organized a Thanksgiving prayer service on June 29th, 2014 at 7:00 PM in the institute Chapel. Apart from the Sisters from the German Zone, Sr Apoline Pinto and Mary Magdalene—who were our guests from the India North Province—and Sr Lilly Gonsalves from the Italien Zone were present for this occasion. The President of St Anna Institute, Mr Rolf Groeger, the Parish Priest of Altendorf Church Essen, Fr Blasius, Ms Eva-Maria Rexhusen, and a few friends and well-wishers were the invited guests. During the Prayer Service, the Regional Team (Sr Roshni Monis, the Regional Superior, and Sr Monthy Mary Martis and Juliet Molly Serrao, the Regional Councillors) blessed the Pioneers.
Every Sister, who joins the community dedicate their lives to serving the elderly and the sick, providing holistic care that nurtures their spiritual, physical, and mental health. Living together in a house of prayer, these dedicated women accompany individuals through the final chapters of life, blending professional nursing care with deep pastoral assistance. Their mission extends far beyond medical support. They stand faithfully by deathbeds to ensure no one faces the transition alone, while offering profound emotional and spiritual comfort to grieving relatives. By guiding families through these difficult moments, the Sisters help them find the strength to accept sickness, navigate loss, and embrace peace in the face of death.
The community empowers the Sisters to enhance their expertise and capabilities through specialized nursing studies and spiritual programs such as weekend courses organized by the German Zone, retreat, self-care and community bond through outing and picnics. It is the deepest desire of the Congregation that each Sister leads a fulfilling life dedicated entirely to ministering to the sick and the elderly.
