The Dominican Sisters of Peace have, in the words of St. John the Apostle, been sent to serve the marginalized and the needy around the world. Our Sisters have preached Christ’s Gospel of Peace in Vietnam and China, Peru and Cuba, Honduras, and the African countries of Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Today our overseas ministries are in Nigeria, where we founded an indigenous congregation and continue to serve, and in Jamaica, where we work with young people to help them find educational opportunities and hope for their future.
In celebration of its 50th year in Kansas, the former Great Bend Dominican congregation began a mission in Nigeria, West Africa. Dominican Fathers were already present in Nigeria and invited the Great Bend Dominicans to join them. In 2007, what began as a mission officially became a separate congregation: the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena, Gusau. The sisters administer five schools, operate two clinics, manage a Christian training center for women, serve in parishes, and participate in primary evangelization.
Today, the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena Gusau are celebrating their own Golden Jubilee …50 years of serving God and building peace.
Celebrating with our SistersSr. Rita Schwarzenberger has been a long-time missionary in Nigeria and currently manages Hope for the Village Child. This program works with the villages in an area south of Kaduna to improve the lives of rural residents, especially women and children. The organization advances education, healthcare, and women’s development in myriad ways. They build classrooms, mobile clinics, and clean water wells; train teachers and health workers, and help women learn to sew, knit, and make soap for income; establish programs for immunizations, health education, antenatal care, and corrective surgery for children with rickets, and more.
Sr. Rita was recently honored with the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice (For Church and Pope) medal for her service.
More than 25% of youth in Jamaica live below the poverty line. The Dominican Sisters of Peace have been supporting the youth in that island nation for more than 10 years, helping them gain entrance to high schools, universities and trade schools. The education that these young people gain will help lift their families out of poverty.
The Dominican Sisters of Peace have sponsored more than 350 young people through their education and training. The Congregation also supports the Jamaican Outreach Collaborative, which offers medical aid to families, summer camps, and educational assistance.
