Reflections on time in Belize: Sept. 11 – Sept. 18, 2023 – By Barbara Flores, SCN

The month of September carries profound significance both for the people of Belize and for the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, especially as we celebrate our 48th year of presence in Belize, aligning with the country’s 42nd year of Independence.

Reflecting on my time during this trip, I am transported back to ’75, when I first encountered the Sisters. As a young lay woman in the Sacred Heart Parish, Dangriga, I had the immense privilege of introducing Mary Lynn Fields, SCN to Belize and collaborating with these inspiring women in the pastoral team. Those formative years paved the way for my eventual journey to becoming a Sister of Charity of Nazareth. As I developed within SCN, I felt a deep kinship with Belize as it transitioned into a sovereign nation, drawing parallels in our shared growth, independence, and quest for identity.

Four years had elapsed since my last visit, and this trip was intended as a humble reunion with our Sisters, collaborators, and partners in ministry. But I hadn’t anticipated how profoundly I would be affected. The familiarity and warmth of Belize beckoned me instantly – the taste of fresh coconut water, the soothing evening breeze, the rhythmic Garifuna drums, the welcoming smiles, and the vibrant worship at St. Martin De Porres. Everything felt like home.

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Source: https://nazareth.org/