By Sister Ida Gregoire, RN

I’d like to share a little about the only vacation time I take each year, a "working vacation" that is the favorite time of my year. Since my first trip in 2000, at the invitation of Father Noel Leslie of Belize, I have traveled to Belize 14 times to visit and to volunteer. My annual visits there always allow me to further my knowledge of the history and contributions of the Sisters of Mercy in Belize since their arrival from New Orleans in 1833. Citizens are so proud to announce that they, like Father Noel, were taught by the Sisters of Mercy in schools here, and that they contribute services at Mercy Clinic/Mercy Kitchen, an offshoot of the original ministry established by sisters who made home visits to care for victims of yellow fever. (Pictured on left: Sister Ida (left) meeting Dr. "AJ" (medical director) and Nurse Dean at Mercy Clinic to discuss how to improve services to elderly people at the clinic and during home visits.)