The Sisters at the Great Bend Motherhouse were graced recently with a visit from the Archbishop of Kaduna, Nigeria. Archbishop Matthew Man-oso Ndagoso is visiting the United States and took time out to meet with the Sisters who have supported his archdiocese for more than 50 years.

Sr. Rita Schwarzenberger currently works in his archdiocese and was honored by the Vatican with the “Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice” (For Church and Pope) award in 2023 for her service to the people of Sokoto. Archbishop Ndagoso expressed his sincere gratitude for her work and for the on-going support of Dominican Sisters of Peace. Sisters Jean Glach, Imelda Schmidt, Rene Weeks, Martina Stegman and Clara Ann Fluech were part of the original group of Sisters who went to Nigeria in 1956. The Sisters were instrumental in founding the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Gusau, an indigenous congregation that celebrated its 50-year anniversary in 2023.

The archbishop was named Metropolitan Archbishop by the Vatican on November 16, 2007, and installed Archbishop on January 31, 2008. He has been vocal on how life has become increasingly dangerous for Christians in Nigeria.