A convent for the St. Vincent Sisters

Belize is a small country in Central America with a population of around 400,000. Since it is a former British colony, English is spoken here, though many of its inhabitants are migrants from other Central American countries.

Agriculture is the main source of income in the country, and many people are living and working on the banana, orange, and coconut plantations. Tourism is also important, and building work in the main tourist areas is a major source of employment, as is shrimp farming. Generally, though, this work is poorly paid, and mothers working on these farms are often forced to leave their children in the care of friends, neighbours, or relatives.

Unfortunately, many young people see no future for themselves, and end up sliding into drugs and crime. Youth gangs are widespread. Other young people look for a better life abroad and emigrate— above all to the United States.

The Catholic Church is making every effort to improve opportunities and give these young people a better chance. Since 2013, a community of the St. Vincent Sisters have been working in 14 villages of the Sacred Heart parish in the rural Stann Creek District in the south of the country. The three sisters come from Mexico, Nicaragua, and Colombia respectively, and in their ministry to the poor, they seek to “pass on the passion for the Kingdom of God among the poor and needy,” they tell us. They are actively engaged in the youth apostolate, in catechesis and the training of catechists, and also organize Bible study courses, visit and support families, and care for the sick. They offer their precious service in all 14 villages of the parish.

Their mission is somewhat hampered, however, by the fact that they have no convent of their own. To date, they have been living in a rented property in one of the more remote villages, but this is proving too expensive in the long term. A home would provide greater security and benefit their religious life, and they would like to build one in the strategically placed village of Bella Vista. But they are poor, and the local people aren’t in a position to help either, which means they are dependent on outside help.

So we’ve promised the sisters $30,000 to build themselves a convent that will become their home, a safe and permanent abode. Help us help them!