FLORIDA: CRISTO REY TAMPA WINDS UP SCHOOL YEAR WITH CELEBRATION OF MHC

Story and photos by Terrie Dodson

            (Tampa, Fla. – June 4) – Cristo Rey Tampa High School & Corporate Work-Study Program celebrated the feast of Mary Help of Christians with an all-school Mass and a reception open to friends and family of CRT. Fr. Steve Ryan rang the bell in the campus square, and students, teachers, staff, and supporters of Mary Help of Christians Center and CRT flocked to church on this quiet day in May 24.

Bright light streaming in from the stained-glass windows and a string quartet created the perfect backdrop for this feastday. Fr. Ryan’s homily focused on the virtues Mary lived by and highlighted a few of Cristo Rey Tampa’s core principles and values: dedication, perseverance, and tenacity.

This last Mass of the 2017-2018 academic year was also a special time to recognize students.  The Dominic Savio Service Award was presented to Nicole Singletary, ’20, for her excellence in Christian service and generosity to others in need.

The Don Bosco Award was presented to Kyana Sanford, ’20, for her excellence in Christian witness and living the Salesian spirit. Both students were presented with a plaque, and their names were added to a plaque that hangs in the main hallway of Mary Help of Christians Center’s administration area.

President Charles Imbergamo thanked Fr. Ryan and principal Jim Madden for their efforts to open CRT and announced that an endowed scholarship will be establish honoring their service and commitment to CRT. Both men are leaving CRT for new responsibilities—Fr. Ryan as vice provincial of the Salesians’ New Rochelle Province.