Tampa: Celebrating Mary at Her Work

(Tampa, FL – June 4) – What a month! May is the month of Mary, and all month at Mary Help of Christians Center in Tampa, our Blessed Mother was celebrated in big and small ways, especially on the weekend of the feast of Mary Help of Christians, May 24-26.

Friday, May 24

Cristo Rey Tampa had a school Mass at 9:00 a.m. for the feast of Mary Help of Christians. During the Mass, benefactors were recognized and given a blessing, founding president Charles Imbergamo was thanked for his years of service, and the Don Bosco and Dominic Savio Service Awards were presented to two CRT students.

After Mass, everyone moved outside for the May crowning. Holy cards were distributed, and the prayer that Don Bosco wrote to Mary, the Help of Christians, was prayed together. Then teacher Audrey Merck went up on a lift and placed a crown of roses on the statue of Mary at the apex of the main building.

At lunch that day, the Salesians arranged for a special treat for the students—empanadas, pupusas (a cornmeal flatbread typical of El Salvador), and ice cream sundaes—to continue the merriment for Mary’s feast day.

Saturday, May 25

Honoring the patroness of the Salesians’ Tampa works would not be complete without the 200 Hands for Mary service day, which has taken place at MHCC every December and May since 2012. It is a day of service and volunteer work, a day of fellowship and fun, a day to give honor to Mary—ALL for Mary. Together, 100 volunteers:

• cleaned the road and property along Harney Road;
• trimmed trees and removed branches;
• cut down trees at the back of the property;
• painted fencing in the front pasture and barn areas;
• cleaned the church and liturgical vessels;
• cleaned the kitchen at St. Philip Residence;
• cleaned the MHC Youth Center;
• set up pews, tables, chairs, inflatables, and games at the outdoor altar and lakeside and on the porch; and 
• began clearing nature trails behind the back pond.

Sunday, May 26

The celebration of the feast of Mary Help of Christians culminated on Sunday. At 10:00 a.m. a Rosary procession began at the Mary statue in the courtyard behind the main building, then moved to the Mary statue at the gymnasium, then to the statue in front of St. Philip Residence, then to the Mary statue near the tennis court, and finally to the front of the main building. About 120 people took part, praying the Rosary in English and Korean, and singing Marian songs after each decade.

At the end of the Rosary, MHC Parish’s coordinator of religious education, Jennyfer Rodriguez, went up on the lift and crowned the statue of Mary.

At 11:00 a.m., the solemn Mass of Mary Help of Christians was celebrated at the lakeside altar. As part of the offertory procession, children and adults brought up flowers and prayer intentions for our Blessed Mother.

After Mass and until 3:00 p.m., everyone enjoyed games, fun, and fellowship. Food was available for purchase, or people brought their own. The pool was open. Many of the farm animals were out for families to get acquainted with. A children’s talent show began at 2:30 p.m. Volleyball, corn hole, and other games were set up on the lawn. And many took advantage of the lake activities such as kayaking, water trampoline, and paddleboards.

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