The Lighthouse Ride for Catholic Education in Belize!
September 1, 2025
On July 15, 2025, Fr. Matt Ruhl S.J. and his team of four other riders departed from the coast of Portland, Maine, en route to Santa Monica, California on a historic ride to raise funds for Catholic Schools in Belize.
This ride was born of necessity.  Most of the Catholic schools were built over 40 years ago and since then most have deteriorate to the point that some have had to be condemned.  The roofs leak, termites have taken over many of them and bats and their droppings make for a very unhealthy environment. Fr. Matt and Celia Usher, General Manager of Catholic Schools, along with the Bishop’s Commission on Education, propose to raise $5,000,000 USD to revitalize the Primary Catholic Public School System. They chose to do this through fundraising project dubbed the Lighthouse Ride – a 3,800 miles bicycle ride from Brunswick Maine to Santa Monica California in the US.
Today September 1^st, the team are now in Texas, having covered 2,400 grueling miles, across mountains, plains, through rain and pain, yes, a lot of pain!

The four riders accompanying Fr. Matt are Jeff Chattin, Tom Makarewicz, Susie Johnson, and her husband Mike. Jeff has participated in amateur racing for over thirty years, which led him to a 35-year career in the bicycle industry. Tom identifies as an endurance athlete and is active in cycling, running, swimming, and hiking. He commuted by bicycle year-round for 25 years during his professional career. So, we are not talking about young people here. But we are talking about a courageous team of people who are taking the meaning of commitment to a new level.  For those who were wondering how these old men would make it, well I’ll tell you- by the grace of our Good Lord and pure grit, they are making it Kudos to all of you!

Susie is the only lady on the team and Mike’s wife.  They have both known Fr. Matt for 42 years. Susie is employed by Bank of America, while Mike, a Clinical Psychologist, retired in 2024 to dedicate time to training for the ride and supporting Fr. Matt's work. Both Susie and Mike have previously visited Belize and are committed to contributing toward providing children in Belize with the opportunities they deserve.

The team covers roughly 50 miles daily. Each morning, Fr. Matt conducts Mass in the hotel rooms, utilizing ironing boards or other stable surfaces as temporary altars. Susie manages logistics, plans routes, and drives the support truck that tows their trailer. Other members occasionally assist with driving. At the end of each day, fundraising events are held, Mass is conducted, and gear is cleaned and serviced for the following day.
But we need your support. Help us to sustain Catholic education in Belize. But more than that: We implore you to help us educate these children in safe, welcoming spaces.
Your donation will:

• Help rebuild the infrastructure of the entire Catholic school system.​
• Support the longevity of Catholic education in Belize.​
• Assist in making schools a positive place for students and the community.​
• Meet the nutritional needs of the students through school lunch programs.

Around the 1^st October 2025, Fr. Matt and his team are expecting to complete their ride at the Santa Monica lighthouse.  The lighthouse is symbolic, representing a beacon of hope.  The ride was inspired in Belize where we have the Baron Bliss Lighthouse and officially took off from a Lighthouse in Brunswick, Maine and concludes a lighthouse in Santa Monica, California.
Belizeans, friends, and supporters are invited to accompany the team for several miles along the route. We also respectfully request that you include the team in your thoughts and prayers, asking for their continued health and safety.