We received this message from Ms. Jane Martinez, Principal at St. Hilda's Anglican School in Belize and the liaison for our scholarship program for students attending high school in Belize.

Greetings Friends,

I pray this email finds you well. It has been an exciting year for us here at St. Hilda's Anglican School. Time went by so quickly that we could hardly keep up. We are thankful that we are nearing the end of the year and are looking forward to exciting things that I know God has planned for us.

On behalf of the students, staff and parents of St. Hilda's, I say a big thank you for your continued partnership, prayers and financial support. Our four scholars have been doing well. We have Caleb who needs some additional support and we are doing our best to offer it to him.

I [will send] letters and pictures of each of our [high school scholarship] recipients. As a reminder:

Auzryn Spain is this year's recipient. She is in first form at Eden SDA High School. Amalio Revolorio is in second form at Eden SDA High School. He is doing an exceptional job. Silvia Trapp is in third year at Cayo Christian Academy. Caleb Martines is in fourth year at Belmopan Comprehensive High School.

Our school is also growing. We are in our third year with our preschool and we also have a feeding program. Your support has helped us to come a long way. Teachers are provided with necessary school supplies and materials needed to make learning more fun and meaningful.

We are looking forward to the holidays and would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year. God has been faithful so we are thankful.

Thank you friends for supporting us. We love you all.

Best,
Jane

The Principal of St. Hilda's Anglican School in Belize sent us a few photos of the students' classrooms.

Ms. Jane Martinez wrote, "Our school year has started off well. It has been busy but God’s grace is keeping us going. Thankfully I was able to get a full staff to start off the school year. Thank you for your patience, support and prayers."

She promises to send more updates when available, on the elementary school students and the high school scholarship recipients.

Please keep the students, teachers, and their families in your prayers.

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The Cathedral has a special relationship with the staff and students of St. Hilda’s Anglican School, an elementary in the rural village of Georgeville. Over two hundred children attend the school, ranging between kindergarten and grade 8, in addition to a recently established preschool.

Cathedral teams have travelled to Belize five times: in 2005, 2007, 2010, 2013 and 2018. We hope to send another mission team to Belize in the winter of 2027. Over 60 Cathedral members ranging in age from 15 to 79 have participated in a mission trip to Belize, and hundreds of people in Fredericton have supported the work at St. Hilda's through organizational support, donations and prayers. We continue to provide financial support to St. Hilda's each year, in support of educational programming and other needs at the school, and we keep in close contact with the school Principal, Ms. Jane Martinez. We are thankful for the congregation's continuing support of this mission.

In 2010, Cathedral mission team members established a high school scholarship program which has allowed students from St. Hilda’s to apply for a scholarship to continue their education past grade 8 (high school is not publicly funded in Belize, and finances are a barrier for many families). Some of the graduates supported by the Cathedral have continued on to post-secondary education, and all have gained knowledge and experience that will help them in their future. We are grateful to everyone from our congregation and beyond that has helped to provide scholarships for these teenagers, and support for programs at the elementary school.

Scroll through our website archives to read more about the students and teachers in Belize, and past mission trips.

You can contribute to the mission in Belize through offering envelopes or donate online.

If you are interested in participating in future endeavors benefiting the students in Belize, please contact the Cathedral Office to connect with members of the Belize mission committee.

It's back-to-school time!

Ms. Jane Ramirez, Principal of St. Hilda's Anglican School in Belize, sent us these photos of the first day at the elementary school. A school-wide assembly was held to mark the beginning of the new school year.

The Cathedral has a special relationship with the staff and students of St. Hilda’s Anglican School, an elementary in the rural village of Georgeville. Over two hundred children attend the school, ranging between kindergarten and grade 8, in addition to a recently established preschool.

Cathedral teams have travelled to Belize five times: in 2005, 2007, 2010, 2013 and 2018. We hope to send another mission team to Belize in the winter of 2027. Over 60 Cathedral members ranging in age from 15 to 79 have participated in a mission trip to Belize, and hundreds of people in Fredericton have supported the work at St. Hilda's through organizational support, donations and prayers. We continue to provide financial support to St. Hilda's each year, in support of educational programming and other needs at the school, and we keep in close contact with the school Principal, Ms. Jane Martinez. We are thankful for the congregation's continuing support of this mission.

In 2010, Cathedral mission team members established a high school scholarship program which has allowed students from St. Hilda’s to apply for a scholarship to continue their education past grade 8 (high school is not publicly funded in Belize, and finances are a barrier for many families). Some of the graduates supported by the Cathedral have continued on to post-secondary education, and all have gained knowledge and experience that will help them in their future. We are grateful to everyone from our congregation and beyond that has helped to provide scholarships for these teenagers, and support for programs at the elementary school.

Scroll through our website archives to read more about the students and teachers in Belize, and past mission trips.

You can contribute to the mission in Belize through offering envelopes or donate online.

If you are interested in participating in future endeavors benefiting the students in Belize, please contact the Cathedral Office to connect with members of the Belize mission committee.

We were pleased to receive news that Korey Kelly, our Grade 12 Belize scholarship recipient, has graduated from high school!

Korey graduated from Sacred Heart College in San Ignacio in June, and he received awards for Economics and Belizean Studies at the graduation ceremony. He plans to attend post-secondary school to study Engineering.

Korey sent this letter of thanks to the Cathedral congregation:

Dear Friends of St. Hilda's,

I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for the generous scholarship support I received during my time in high school. Your investment in my education has made a significant difference in my academic journey, and I am truly thankful for the opportunities it has provided me.

I am pleased to share that I will be graduating from high school on June 7th, 2025. This milestone is a testament not only to my hard work and determination but also to the encouragement and assistance I received through your organization.

Looking ahead, I am excited to continue my educational journey at the tertiary level, where I plan to pursue a degree in engineering. This next step would not have been possible without your support, and I remain deeply appreciative of the role you have played in helping me reach this point.

Thank you once again for your generosity, belief in my potential, and commitment to supporting students like me. I hope to one day give back and help others in the way you have helped me.

With heartfelt appreciation,

Korey Kelly

Thank you to everyone from our Cathedral congregation who has contributed to the Belize scholarship fund since it was established in 2010 by mission team members who travelled to work at St. Hilda's School.

High school is not publicly funded in Belize, so many children complete their education after Grade 8. Each of the Cathedral's high school scholarships are $1000 CAD per year. Your generosity has truly made a difference in the lives of students who could not afford to attend high school if not for their scholarship. The additional education provides them with important skills and opportunities.

This year our scholarship recipients in Grades 9-12 are all moving forward in their studies. We will accept a new scholarship student who will start Grade 9 in September.

We are grateful for all who have helped to provide scholarships for these teenagers, and support for programs at St. Hilda's Anglican (elementary) School. Learn more about our mission work in Belize. You can support these programs in Belize through offering envelopes or donate online.

If you are interested in participating in a 2027 mission trip to Belize, please contact the Cathedral Office to be connected with members of the Belize Mission Steering Committee.

The Belize Steering Committee has been encouraged over the last couple of months with the level of interest and excitement shared by so many of you. We truly feel like there is a growing desire to return to Belize and start rebuilding our relationships with the teachers, students and families at St. Hilda's school.

With that said, we have made the difficult but necessary decision to postpone plans for a mission trip to Belize until 2027. While a number of individuals stepped forward with the intention of travelling in 2026, it was determined that we could have a deeper impact if we delay for just one more year and build up a larger team of missioners committed to serving in Belize.

Our mission team leader, Caryn Gunter, is still very hopeful to lead a team in 2027 and our Steering Committee is committed to moving ahead with fundraising plans starting as early as this fall. These events have been instrumental in bringing our Church family together in previous years and we will be counting on your support once again!

Join us on Sunday, 22 June after the 10:30 a.m. service at the Cathedral for an information session about the upcoming Belize Mission. Whether you are looking to be involved in the Away Team, Home Team or are simply curious, join us to learn what this mission is, and how and why we are doing it. Information on timelines and commitment dates will be shared at the meeting. We can’t wait to see you there!

If you have any questions or would like to express your interest in supporting or joining the Belize mission, please email <belizemissions at cccath.ca>.

The Cathedral has a special relationship with the staff and students of St. Hilda’s Anglican School, an elementary in the rural village of Georgeville. Over two hundred children attend the school, ranging between kindergarten and grade 8, in addition to a recently established preschool.

Cathedral teams have travelled to Belize five times: in 2005, 2007, 2010, 2013 and 2018. Over 60 Cathedral members ranging in age from 15 to 79 have participated in a mission trip to Belize, and hundreds of people in Fredericton have supported the work at St. Hilda's through organizational support, donations and prayers.

In 2010, Cathedral mission team members established a high school scholarship program which has allowed students from St. Hilda’s to apply for a scholarship to continue their education past grade 8 (high school is not publicly funded in Belize, and finances are a barrier for many families). Some of the graduates supported by the Cathedral have continued on to post-secondary education, and all have gained knowledge and experience that will help them in their future. We are grateful to everyone from our congregation and beyond that has helped to provide scholarships for these teenagers, and support for programs at the elementary school.

Scroll through our website archives to read more about the students and teachers in Belize, and past mission trips.

The most recent letters from our high school scholarship recipients are below. Our congregation currently sponsors four students' high school tuition. In Belize, high school is not publicly funded, and these students would have financial difficulty attending if not for the scholarships they receive.

Some of the letters were long, so we have included excerpts.

Letter from Amalio (Grade 9 - our newest scholarship recipient)

Joyful greetings from Amalio Revolorio and wishing you the best of all the blessings.

I am a 13 year old child. I was born on March 27, 2011. My favourite sports are football and volleyball. One thing I enjoy doing the most is reading books. I love to read non-fiction books, because some books talk about a person’s life, often giving advice.

As a person I am respectful and kind. Things I like about myself are that I am a very dedicated and responsible. In my family at this moment there is only three of us, my mother (single), my brother and me. I have my grandparents living only from my mother’s side. The family close to me is my mother’s family.

I am in 1 Tapir, that’s my class name, and I am the class president. My classes have been good so far. I learnt things in primary school and I am familiar with them, so I understand the work especially when it comes to Math and English subjects. At my orientation day I was nervous, but as the week went I adapted to the classroom and I started talking with some students. What I enjoy from my homeroom teacher and subject teachers is that they are kind, respectful and most important helpful. What I enjoy about my subjects is that I understand them as well as I enjoy myself learning them.

My goals for this school year is to have a 90% and above in every subject so I don’t take exam, also I look forward for a 4.0 GPA and I will achieve this goal by doing my work as best as possible. If I needed help along the way I think my friends can help me because they are dedicated.

As a president I face challenges. Some of my classmates don’t listen when I speak to them. I cope with this challenge by being strong and not giving up. I also told the homeroom teacher about it.

Thanks to God because by his grade I have no subject giving myself trouble. The only thing is that I had never used a computer so I am slow with typing on it.

Now I say thank you for the scholarship. I am very appreciative of it. This scholarship has helped me to stay more focus and show more interest in my studies. I will do all my classwork, homework and projects to pass so I can keep this scholarship. If I could change one thing in the world, it would that there may be free education everywhere. I would change this because I show interest in school and my studies, I want to continue studying and I know I am not the only one who wants to study. I would like to give this message to the world: “appreciate what you have because not everyone has what another person has.”

I would like to wish you the best of the best for you and your family, I wish you more prosper.

With love and appreciation,

Amalio

Letter from Sylvia (Grade 10)

Dear sponsor,

I am writing to thank you once again for always helping me. It has been such an honor to me. I am very grateful for your financial support and will forever be thankful.

I am now in the 10^th grade and have been doing very well. I hope to continue and I will. This year was a blast and I had so much fun. I have been participating in so many activities like dances, acting and so forth. I would really like to join a sport, but there are no girls’ teams. This year I participated in the school’s harvest presentation. My class and I did a beautiful dance. I also participated in the chapel skits and dances and the Christmas presentation. We also had some sports days which I also participated in.

We had our 1^st semester exams and I’m pretty sure I passed. I love my school so much and would never change to another school. Also, I never got any demerits nor suspension, I never disrespect teachers, I always do my homework and get good grades, I am also helpful to teachers and I will continue doing my best. I have a very big goal and I really want to succeed.

Once again, thank you so much.

Sincerely yours truly,

Silvia

Letter from Caleb (Grade 11)

Dear friends of St. Hilda's,

Merry Christmas friends of St. Hilda's, I hope you and your family are having a very merry Christmas.

As my journey at Belmopan Comprehensive High School hasn’t been easy but I continue to push on because I’m determined to make my family proud and reach new height.

With 2nd semester around the corner I plan to join my school’s track and field team again but to do so I have to keep all my grades high. We also received word that we will not be taking exams this year but instead a major project.

May God keep us safe for further days ahead, and I greatly thank you for this amazing opportunity.

Caleb

Letter from Korey (Grade 12)

Dear Christ Church Cathedral,

I hope this message finds you well. As the year comes to a close and the Christmas season arrives, I want to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude for your generous support through this scholarship.

Your contribution has made a significant difference in my academic journey, and I am truly thankful for the opportunities it has provided. I am now at the exciting stage of deciding which college I will attend to further my studies, and I currently have two options in mind. Before making this important decision, I would greatly appreciate any advice or guidance you might have. If there are any colleges you would recommend, I would be grateful for your insights.

Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful Christmas filled with peace, love, and happiness. May the New Year bring you continued success and blessings.

Thank you once again for your kindness and generosity.

Warmest regards,

Korey

March in Belize schools is 'Child Stimulation Month' and the students at St. Hilda's Anglican School will be engaged in a variety of fun activities. Principal Jane Martinez sent us these photos of teachers and preschool children at the event launch.

Our Cathedral family has had an ongoing relationship with our brothers and sisters in Christ who live in Belize, since our first mission trip in 2005 with the Cathedral Puppeteers. The Mission and Outreach Committee is now looking to gauge interest in potentially organizing another mission trip.

Listen to Brad McKnight from the Missions Committee speak to the Cathedral congregation on 16 February

God expects all Christians, and His church, to take the love of Christ into the world. One way in which we can do this is through mission. Part of this mission involves helping others, perhaps less fortunate than ourselves. From past experience we also know that both the preparation and the actual mission trip have a very positive effect on the spiritual growth and faith of individuals. For several it has been a life-changing and faith-growing experience.

Our most recent visit to Belize was in 2018, but we have kept an active relationship with St. Hilda's school and various scholarship students over the years. The school principal, Ms. Jane Martinez, has expressed a desire to have us return.

At this time, no dates have been determined, but if we were to consider a return in 2026, preparations will need to commence very soon. If there is enough interest, we will put together a steering committee and will organize sessions to share more information. Among other things, a team leader will be required and a commitment from others to participate on the home team as well.

For now, our ask is, for any of you who may be interested, to reach out to the Cathedral Office with your contact information.

Learn more about our support for St. Hilda's School, and our scholarship program for high school students in Belize.