A team dedicated to Father Ubald’s teachings of peace and reconciliation
Board Members
Katsey Long
Katsey Long is a retired Clinical Social Worker, where she worked with children, adults and families. She did her undergraduate work at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA and her Master’s Degree work at the University of Denver.
Jeff Black
Jeffrey is a native of Mountain View, California. He is a graduate of Santa Clara University with a Bachelor of Science and Commerce degree in Finance. He retired in 2019 as an Executive Vice President in the Silicon Valley office of CBRE, a national real estate company, where he was a leader in the commercial real estate industry for 42 years.
Stuart Palmer
Stuart Palmer was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona where he attended the University of Arizona earning a degree in Production Management with graduate work in Finance and Real Estate. A job at the Teton Valley Ranch, a summer ranch camp for boys and girls in 1967 led to his career as a camp director at the ranch for 20 years beginning in 1977.
Amy Polasky
Amy Polasky serves as a trustee and secretary of the corporation for the Center for Secret of Peace. Mrs. Polasky has worked in public policy and international relations for the past thirty years, serving in leadership capacities in the private sector, educational and not for profit organizations, as well as working for the United States House of Representatives.
Bishop David Ricken
Bishop Ricken was ordained a priest in 1980 by the Bishop of Pueblo, Arthur Tafoya, at La Junta Catholic Parish in Colorado. Then in 1987, the then-Father Ricken attended the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome where he received his Licentiate degree in Canon Law. He was nominated to be an official of the Congregation for the Clergy at the Vatican in 1996, where he served through December 1999.
Elisabeth Sütter
Traude Schröttner was born in 1943 in Austria, Europe. From a young age, she felt a deep compassion for those in need and initiated various charity projects in addition to her work as a payroll accountant. Since 1978, she has been working to aid the poor in Rwanda, driven by her faith.
Bishop Édouard Sinayobye
Mgr Édouard Sinayobye was born on 20 April 1966 in the District of Gisagara, Diocese of Butare. After primary school in Higiro, he did his secondary studies at the Petit Séminaire Saint-Léon de Kabgayi (where he graduated in Latin and modern languages).
Staff
Betsy Ackerson, Ph.D.
Betsy Ackerson is the inaugural Executive Director of the Center for the Secret of Peace Foundation. She has an extensive background in leadership, strategy, fundraising, and program development in higher education, secondary education, non-profit, and Christian ministry.
Fr. J. Robert Rubayita
Fr. Robert is a Catholic priest from the Diocese of Cyangugu, and serves as the Director of the Center for the Secret of Peace in Rwanda. He was ordained in 2002 in Mwezi, his home parish.
Fr. Ubald Habimana
Fr. Ubald Habimana is a diocesan priest of Cyangugu Diocese, Rwanda and serves as a chaplain at the Center for the Secret of Peace. After secondary education, he attended priestly formation, where he studied Philosophy and Catholic Theology in Major Seminary.
Solange Furaha
Solange was born in Nyamasheke, Rwanda and is married with four children. She was a Personal Secretary and Treasurer for Father Ubald Rugirangoga from 2009 until his death in 2021.
Keep the Mission Alive
As we continue to spread the message and ministry begun by Fr. Ubald, we invite you to join us and financially support this critical work. In our world filled with strife, conflict, and suffering the message of forgiveness, reconciliation, healing, and peace is as needed as it ever was.
The Latest News & Events
“Let’s Make Joy” Benefit Dinner & Silent Auction
“Let’s Make Joy” Dinner & Silent Auction in Chicago! Featuring guest speaker Immaculée Ilibagiza, close personal friend of Fr. Ubald.
Thursday, October 17, 2024 | 6pm
Looking Toward Sainthood for Our Beloved Father Ubald
For those who knew Father Ubald personally, there is no doubt in our minds that he is in Heaven soaking in the joys of eternal life with the Holy Trinity, Mary, the saints and his beloved Rwandan family.
Reflection On My Travels to Rwanda
Having just returned from Rwanda, here are a few reflections. The Center for the Secret of Peace grounds were beautiful with lots of visitors and pilgrims.
