On Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024, the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth kicked off a celebration of the approaching 50th anniversary of ministry in Belize with Mass at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Nazareth, Kentucky. Coinciding with Belize Foundation Day, the Liturgy included a warm welcome by Susan Gatz, SCN, who shared some of the history of the Sisters’ relationship with the Belizean community:

Sister Susan recalled the beginnings of the SCN mission in Belize, dating back to August 1974, when she and Sister Mary Lynn Fields embarked on a journey that would change their lives and the lives of many others.

“Sister Mary Lynn Fields and I were the first SCNs to step foot on Belizean soil in that summer of 1974. How could we ever have imagined that in the 50 years since that special and sacred moment, hundreds of SCNs, Associates, volunteers, friends, family, and colleagues would have gone there in ministry and, like us, been blessed by the beauty of the country and most especially by the loving and faith-filled Belizean people they came to know.”

The journey to Belize began with an invitation from Sister Mary Lynn, who had long desired to serve as a missionary. At that time, SCN ministries outside the United States were limited to India, where visa restrictions made long-term stays challenging. However, Providence intervened when Sister Mary Lynn learned of an opportunity in Belize through Fr. Jim Short, the superior of the Jesuits in the region.

“She invited me to be — as we used to say — her prudent companion,” Sister Susan said.

Upon arriving in Belize City, they were greeted by Fr. Short at the small airport. The plan had been to continue to Sacred Heart Parish in Dangriga, but heavy rains had caused flooding, washing out a key bridge and delaying their travel. During the week-long wait, they experienced the hospitality of the Mercy Sisters at St. Catherine Academy and endured a plague of mosquitoes, all while learning to adapt to their new environment.

Once they reached Dangriga, they were warmly welcomed by the Sisters of the Holy Family from New Orleans. The summer was spent traveling with Fr. Mike Oliver to over 20 villages in the parish, many of which could only be accessed by boat.

“We spent lots of time visiting the people in the parish, listening to their stories, and learning so much about them and the place,” Sister Susan said. They even found time to teach arts and crafts to young girls, sharing a macrame technique they had just learned from the Mercy Sisters.

The experience was life-changing for the Sisters. They returned to their teaching positions in the U.S. but knew their connection to Belize was far from over. The following year, Sister Mary Lynn returned to Belize to continue her ministry, while Sister Susan began serving in a Mexican American parish in South Texas.

In 1975, the SCN mission in Belize officially began with a new parish team that included Sisters, priests, and a young laywoman named Barbara Flores, who would later become an SCN and is now the Provincial of the Western Province. Over the past 50 years, the SCN presence in Belize has grown, with Belizean women joining the SCN community, a vibrant Associate program developing, and numerous partnerships with other religious communities strengthening their mission.

“Today, we begin a celebration of deep gratitude to all who have given generously of themselves to lay a foundation and legacy of charity in Belize,” Sister Susan said, expressing the Congregation’s collective thankfulness. She acknowledged the ongoing work of the SCNs and Associates in Belize, who continue to seek meaningful ways to serve those on the margins of society.

In addition to Sister Susan’s sharing, Sunday’s kick-off also included a beautiful homily given by Sister Barbara Flores, a Belizean flag procession and dance by Sister Amina Bejos, messages of remembrance and recognition by Western Province Vice Provincials Michelle Grgurich and Camille Panich, and special music selections. Sister Jackulin Jesu, President of the Congregation, also lit a fire bowl, symbolizing the start of the Jubilee year.

“May the light be a sign of our hope through Jesus as we continue to be called and led by the Spirit to respond into action for a more just and compassionate world,” Sister Barbara declared.

The full Mass can be viewed at the link above.