Rev. James D. Conley, D.D., S.T.L. | Diocese of Lincoln website

The call to know, love, and serve God was answered by 11 teenagers from St. Mary Parish in Sutton, who embarked on an eight-day mission to San Pedro, Belize, in late May.

Each morning began with prayer. The young disciples and their three chaperones attended daily Mass and adoration before setting out on the day's mission. In turn, they shared their faith with others.

Grace Schmer, a 2024 graduate of Sutton High School, said one of the most impactful moments was visiting Hope Haven, an orphanage housing physically and sexually abused children ranging from ages 2 to 17.

"The thought of being able to share God's love with all the kids impacted my heart greatly," Schmer said. "While I was there, I spent time with a little girl who made me realize adoption would be a very great possibility for me."

The trip allowed students to use their gifts to break down barriers such as language.

Being able to speak and understand another language "is such a wonderful gift," said Rosie Reyes, who will be a senior at Sutton this fall. "I got to express myself in two different ways and in return helped others express themselves with me."

Kailie Griess, a 2023 graduate of Sutton High School, agreed. She and others had the opportunity to speak a universal language of love with people from all walks of life, including Carla, a young widow living with HIV in one of the poorest neighborhoods on the island. Carla’s 14-year-old son Johnny was her only caregiver.

"I thought it was an amazing experience getting to go out into the community and meet as many people as possible with different backgrounds and experiences," Griess said. "It was beautiful to see how even with a language difference we could all still come together through God and his gift of music to have the same intentions of healing and protection for Carla and her family."

The mission team planned various activities: team members donated baby clothes to mothers in need, cleaned parish grounds, hosted trivia nights, joined in prayerful processions for protection against hurricanes, and painted pro-life murals at an elementary school. There was even time for snorkeling with sharks.

Not everything went as planned; however. The pilgrims sat on tarmacs due to delays; they were boarded and deplaned multiple times and even sprinted between gates. They defended their faith against atheists at breakfast tables or when verbally ambushed at supermarket checkouts—bystanders cheered them on nonetheless.

This pilgrimage marked the first international mission for St. Mary’s Youth Ministry Program.