SCN Immersion

A trip to pay tribute

2012-02-03T07:18:00.010-05:00

Twenty-four hours from now, we will be on our way to Belize. What started as a dream is now coming true. When our mother, Frances O’Toole, passed away in November 2010, we were filled with an overwhelming desire to pay tribute to her and our father, Jim, who passed away in 1983. I’ve had the privilege of traveling to Belize many times over the years, most recently because of my role in the Advancement Office for the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth. Belize always touches my soul on the deepest level, and my sisters and brothers have heard the stories over the years.

One night as we were caring for our mother, my sister, Mary, said, “I’d love to do something like that.” Then, on the day of our mother’s funeral, my family had the chance to meet Sister Luke, the Director of the Volunteer program for the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth. In conversation, Sister Luke planted the seed, and we began to talk about the possibility of a family trip to build a home in memory of our parents. And here we are. On Saturday, four of us siblings, a cousin and his wife, and seven close friends will travel to Belize and meet up with Sister Luke. Two brothers are unable to make this trip, but are with us in spirit - the way that matters most. While there, we will work through Hand in Hand Ministries to build a home for someone in need. Mary explains, “They provided us with a loving home. This is our way to pay it forward. We’ll provide a home for someone else.”

So many people have made this trip possible, and they are part of this journey too. Over 100 people attended a fundraiser and raised enough money to build the house, install plumbing and provide for other needs in Belize. Others purchased bracelets with the word “JOURNEY” in solidarity with us on this trip, and to recognize the journey that each of us is on in life.

So, this is your invitation to journey with us, as we hope to provide updates and photos each day. We are grateful for your prayers.

Patsy O'Toole

Last Day in Belize

2012-01-31T09:17:00.006-05:00

To see more photos visit the SCN family Facebook page here.

Final Days after Building Home in Belize City for Volunteer Group

2012-01-30T09:01:00.002-05:00

Saturday

On the road to Alta Ha-bouncing over potholes, through unpacked stretches of single lane road. Rough ride, but worth the trip.

Beautifully restored Mayan temple-with detailed explanations by guide. Several of the group climbed to the top of two temples. Rain showers came and went-Great Experience.

In the afternoon, we visited Old Belize Museum and Sea Side Marina. A slow down in our fast pace and a nice break to sip and savor the ocean views.

A candlelight ceremony closed our reflections of the week.

Sunday

Sleep late- leave for Las Flores by 10:00 am.
Rainy day- cooler, hard ride to Belmopan.

Last Days at Belize City House

2012-01-28T19:26:00.002-05:00

Friday-The house is painted, doors hung and blessed with prayers and songs!

Today was sooo hot! Last touches of paint for louvres and facia board. More volunteers than jobs - older ones supervised from the van-noon came and we were still painting and hammering-but by 3:30 every nail was covered and every window, door and step was completed!

A lovely ceremony of blessing held up for 30 minutes waiting for Mark White's sons to arrive after a 3 hour ride on a bus-SCN's, neighbors, and all of the volunteers came for the delivery of the keys.

Mark was given a picture of the commissioned volunteers and a Hibbs family photo, a crucifix, a candle, a bible and a welcome mat! Mark promised to place them in his home and remember all of us-for days from a pile of lumber to a house.

Afterward we all (25) went to the Bird's Isle restaurant on the water-ate beans and rice, fish, shrimp, and enjoyed local drinks.

Thursday in Belize City

2012-01-26T20:47:00.001-05:00

From Sister Luke:

Thurs-
Up and at them-arrived at site by 8:30-painted the second coat of blue on the top one third of the finished 4 walls-at 10 am-all of the volunteers gathered to raise the walls - 5 men to lift and 6 women to anchor the wall from slipping. Heavy walls were lifted, braced, and held until they were nailed solid. All of the edges fit as expected and by 11:00 the house was up.

Next the roof-
Unload tin and rafters - climb nail and cut off ends-women continued to paint the 2nd coat of blue and the trim coat of pink-today was not as hot or as tiring as yesterday. Our skins continue to pink and our spirits are intertwined with the Belizian people and our mission of building a house.

Wednesday in Belize

2012-01-25T22:08:00.001-05:00

Hot and busy, but its been a very productive day — four framed walls-unload 3" siding to cover the walls-cut, hold, hammer-the sound of hammers intermixed with calls for help and more nails and wood. Pink and blue paint is spread on the finished walls and on elbows, hands and clothes-working late to try to finish this house for a Friday evening dedication. Good help from all volunteers. Sunburned and tired on the second day.

Working in Belize City - First Days

2012-01-25T08:47:00.002-05:00

A message from Sister Luke in Belize City:

Monday, Jan. 23

We arrived at the airport in Belize City, captured our luggage and smiled our way through customs. Our tour coordinator /driver, James, met us outside the gate. We loaded the long bed pick up truck that was driven by Alphonso, an employee at Hand in Hand Ministry. Sister Chris was also there to greet us. She beamed as she hugged her mother and brother.

The Starfish House had plenty of rooms and beds and we spread out like molasses.

Later in the afternoon, we had a orientation on the veranda as Michelle, our cook, prepared a delicious beef and rice meal.

We visited the SCN center to meet the other sisters. They were so happy and supportive of our mission. As usual, Sr. Paschal touched everyone's hearts with her beaming goodness and love.

Tuesday, Jan. 24

Up early for morning prayer and a delicious breakfast. After driving around Belize City viewing old and new buildings we arrived at the building site.

Mark White, the new home owner, greeted everyone with a warm smile. He had waited for three years to have his home built. You could feel and see the excitement in his eyes.

Our working group was composed of Hibbs family and friends, Kunze family, Sr. Luke, Mark, Beto (the main construction supervisor) along with five local volunteers. The goal of the day was to pour piers to support the floor of the house and to construct the floor. All was accomplished!

More from the Last Work Day in Las Flores

2012-01-15T20:54:00.002-05:00

We have met so many wonderful people during our journey here in Las Flores. Our team of volunteers have become very close over this past week. The experiences are truly life changing here. We have Sister Luke to thank for bringing us together, Sister Carlette and Sister Paschal for their warm hospitality and all who we have met in Belize for sharing their stories and teaching us so much.

On the last day of building Sister Luke concluded the day with a special blessing of the home. It was a very special moment for everyone. The family of 10 receiving this home will certainly benefit from this gift and will in turn do many other great things for this village.

Las Flores Volunteer Trip 2012 - Day 2-3

2012-01-14T17:23:00.002-05:00

Video from Day 2-3

A Rainy Last Day on the Work Site

2012-01-14T12:30:00.001-05:00

Heavy rains have hit us around 11:00 a.m. We have taken an early lunch break. Right now we are pouring the lintels across the doors and windows and will soon be finished with a home ready for a roof — this will be completed after our group leaves.

A blessing of the home will happen later today.

Caye Caulker

2012-01-13T16:26:00.001-05:00

Taking it easy today after visiting with Sister Barbara Flores in the city.

Photos at the Belize Work Site Day Three

2012-01-12T20:07:00.001-05:00

More Photos from Belize

2012-01-12T07:32:00.001-05:00

Video from Day One in Belize

2012-01-11T07:38:00.000-05:00

Video from the first day of the volunteer effort underway in Las Flores, Belize right now.

Photos from the First Day of Building

2012-01-10T21:30:00.001-05:00

Las Flores Volunteer Trip

2012-01-09T21:02:00.000-05:00

I am traveling with a group of twelve to Las Flores in Belize, a small village outside of the capitol Belmopan. We will be completing work on a home here for a family of 10. They have spent the better part of 14 years working to make this home a reality, yet have only completed a foundation. Proper concrete building materials necessary to avoid the havoc caused by termites are expensive and unobtainable for the many low income families.But, through volunteer efforts and fundraising campaigns, the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth are able to bring in small groups of people willing to help and the means needed to make a new home a reality for a family in a place where it will make a difference.The Sisters have been missioned in this area of Belize for 6 years. A landing place for El Salvadorian refugees in the eighties, Las Flores has benefited from the work done in education through a daycare program, a library, pastoral ministry and repairs and home building efforts in the SCN volunteer program. All done in a partnership with the people of the Las Flores community.We arrived today and have already experienced the warm Belize welcome that some of us have received in our previous journeys here while others learn of this welcoming spirit for the first time.It is an added joy that I get to share this experience with my wife. We look forward to making new connections and meeting new friends in Las Flores. Let the work begin!

Spalding Hurst is the communications specialist with the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth. He is currently traveling with the SCNs throughout their global community — learning first hand about their ministry work, helping to connect through technology the SCN Community, and recording the stories of the Sisters around the world.

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Belize Immersion

2012-01-05T14:40:00.001-05:00

SCNs Luke Boiarski and Dolores Greenwell, along with 10 lay mission volunteers, will be leaving for Las Flores, Belize on Monday, January 9. They will be helping to build a concrete block house for a family of 10 in the village of Las Flores. The home is being funded through donations. The group will begin their time together with orientation on the Nazareth Campus on Saturday, January 7. They will return from Belize on January 16. Please pray for safe travel.

Group Photos from Nun Build 2011

2011-11-18T15:14:00.001-05:00

All the Sisters of Charity at the Nun Build

The Sisters of Charity of Nazareth portion of the Nun Build

Nun Build Day Two

2011-11-16T13:00:00.001-05:00

Here at the House of Charity, we begin each day reflecting on the words of SaintsVincent and Louise.

As you can see by the photos we are still "mudding" and cutting plasterboard.

Sister Luke

Nun Build 2011 is Underway

2011-11-15T13:58:00.000-05:00

SCNs Luke Boiarski, Maria Vincent Brocato, Teresa Kotturan, Eva Kowalski, Carol Rogers, Grace Mary Whittaker and SCNA Mary Gene Frank joined other Sisters from around the country for the annual Nun Build in New Orleans. They will be assisting the homeowners who have experienced devastation during Hurricane Katrina. Please keep them in prayer as they travel and work the week of November 13-19.

For more information and photos on the trip click here.

Last Day for Volunteers in Wauchula, Fl.

2011-08-15T09:03:00.000-04:00

Our last day of Bible School. It was hard to say goodbye to all the lovely women and children. It was such a privilege to be here in Wauchula.

SCNs Kitty Wilson, Nancy Gerth, Angela Hicks and Luke Boiarski with the students from Spalding University in Wauchula, FL.

Wauchula Bible School

2011-08-12T13:23:00.001-04:00

Day 3 theme: Grow Love

Today the children reflected on the love and mercy of Jesus. A skit depicting Jesus healing the blind and feeding the hungry was presented by the students from Spalding University.

The children continue to enjoy each and every day.

Day Two in Wauchula, Florida

2011-08-10T14:37:00.000-04:00

Theme: Sprout Hope

Today, the children learned of Noah, a person of hope. Their art work reflected the theme.

Volunteers Check-in From Florida

2011-08-08T16:01:00.000-04:00

From Sister Luke:

Today, was our first day of Bible School here at St. Michael's in Wauchula, FL. We were all excited to see the children come into the main Assembly Room for the welcome and theme: Harvest God's Gifts. We focused on day 1 — Plant Faith. As of today, we had over 75 children.

We also conducted a crafts class for the women in the parish. They are learning how to make jewelry.

SCNs Luke Boiarski, Nancy Gerth and Angela Hicks, along with 20 students from Spalding University in Louisville, Ky., traveled to Wauchula, Fla., to work with Kitty Wilson, SCN. They will be conducting a Bible School at St. Michael’s Parish.

Wauchula Bible School

2011-08-04T15:26:00.000-04:00

SCNs Luke Boiarski, Nancy Gerth and Angela Hicks, along with 20 students from Spalding University in Louisville, Ky., are traveling to Wauchula, Fla., to work with Kitty Wilson, SCN. They will be conducting a Bible School at St. Michael’s Parish. Please pray for safe travel and for this important ministry.