Holy Redeemer Parish Hall, Belize City was supposed to be packed last weekend with youth and young adults praising God at the 12^th National Catholic Charismatic Youth Rally. But there were only empty seats as the May 2 event was postponed to a date to be announced because of the H1N1 virus (swine flu).

Belize neighbours Mexico, where the virus originated. While the Mexico-Belize border has not been closed, human traffic has understandable slowed.

Ruben Wong, assistant editor of the diocesan monthly Christian Herald, told Catholic News via e-mail that May 2 and 3 weekend Masses were not affected but “several major public events scheduled for the weekend were called off”.