Religious
San Pedro Catholic Church commemorates the life of Pope Francis
On Easter Monday, April 21st, at 6PM, the bell of San Pedro Catholic Church was tolled 88 times in honor of the passing of His Holiness, Pope Francis. The leader of the Catholic Church and the sovereign of the Vatican City State died on Monday at the age of 88 after serving as pope since March 2013.
Religious
The Holy Cross Anglican Church opens in San Mateo
The recent opening of the Anglican Holy Cross Church on March 2nd in San Pedro Town marks a significant milestone for the local community, symbolizing spiritual and social development. Dr. Fr. Kesner Ajax has been officially appointed as the resident priest in charge, making this a historic moment for the Holy Cross Anglican School.
Religious
Belize Sports Outreach Hosts Annual Baseball Camp for Kids
On March 14th, Belize Sports Outreach hosted its annual baseball camp at San Pedro’s Ambergris Stadium. From 1PM to 4 PM, the camp attracted children and youth of all ages. This event was part of a broader initiative by the Belize Sports Outreach Ministry, which has visited Belize since 2018. The program aims to teach children the fundamentals of baseball and softball while sharing the message of Jesus Christ.
Community and Society
Traditional Misa de Pescadores and Blessing of Boats held on Dia de San Pedro
In honor of the traditional celebration of the patron saints, "San Pedro and San Pablo," the San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) collaborated with Father Eduardo Montemayor from the Roman Catholic Church in Ambergris Caye to hold their traditional mass known as "Misa de Pescadores." This was followed by a breakfast at 4AM on Saturday, June 29th, at the Catholic church in Central Park. After the breakfast and mass, Father Montemayor led the traditional service and blessed the vessels for the upcoming fishing season. The grand celebration included two days of live entertainment. The Miss San Pedro Pageant, scheduled for June 29th, was postponed due to inclement weather.
Education
San Pedro Roman Catholic Schools host religion competition
On Monday, May 27th, around 1PM, the San Pedro Roman Catholic School (SPRCS) organized a religion competition for students in the upper division based on the book "Christ Our Life". Teachers use this book to help students learn about Christ and their Catholic faith. Students were tested based on their grade level, with Standard Four students tested on book five, Standard Five students on book six, and Standard Six students on book seven. Winners were announced at the end of the competition. Cristy Hernandez from Standard Four took third place, Jeffrey Martinez from Standard Six took second place, and Wilson Vasquez from Standard Six won first place.
Religious
The “Israel United in Christ” group is a growing concern to churchgoers
On Thursday, April 9th, around 9:30 am, an incident occurred at the San Pedro Roman Catholic Church when a group of members from the Israel United in Christ disrupted a school mass in the church. Their disrespectful and insulting behavior alarmed many in the church and within the community. The occurrence is rare in Belize, a country known for religious freedom and peaceful coexistence among many denominations.
Community and Society
Living Word Church hosts another successful Christmas toy outreach
Hundreds of island children accompanied by their parents received Christmas presents courtesy of the Living Word Church (LWC). The anticipated event occurred at the Angel Nuñez Auditorium, where every child walked out smiling with new toys and was treated to fresh snacks and refreshments.
Religious
Living Word Church’s annual Christmas Toy Drive receives donation from Caye International Bank
Driven to continue helping island residents and children, San Pedro’s Caye International Bank’s (CIB) Chairman Joel Nagel presented the Living Word Church (LWC) with a check for $77,316 to assist with its annual toy drive. Every year, LWC holds a toy drive to provide families and children on the island with Christmas presents and groceries (food baskets) for the holiday season.
Religious
San Pedro Catholics celebrate La Virgen de Guadalupe
On Tuesday, December 12th, devoted island Catholics headed under the rain to the San Pedro Roman Catholic Church by Central Park to honor La Virgen de Guadalupe (Our Lady of Guadalupe). The annual tradition is part of the festivities held across the Americas in the Roman Catholic Church. The celebration pays homage to the story of the appearance of the Virgin Mary to Juan Diego, an indigenous Mexican farmer in the Hill of Tepeyac, in 1531. This year, the San Pedro Roman Catholic Church acquired a replica of the venerated image on a cloak associated with the apparition of the Virgen. The original portrait of the image is in Mexico City, Mexico.
Religious
Massive event in South Korea sees tens of thousands of theology students graduating, including Belizeans
Belizeans were among the over 100,000 theology students graduating on November 12th at Daegu Stadium in South Korea. The New Heaven New Earth, Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony oversaw the event. According to records, this is the third time in recent years that so many theology students have graduated at the same time.
Religious
Minister of Religious Affairs Speaks at the 8th Jalsa Salana
Hon. Henry Charles Usher, Minister of the Public Service, Constitutional and Political Reform and Religious Affairs, was a speaker at the opening of the 8th Jalsa Salana, an annual gathering of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community. The two-day event of prayer, reflection and community building is being hosted by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at in Belize City.
