Don Bosco Feast Day Celebration at Mary Help of Christians in Tampa Florida 2013

1. Don Bosco Feast Day Celebration 2013

2. Under the direction of Fr. Paul the Mary Help Buildings and Grounds
team, Tom and Kay Conroy our missionaries, the MHC Youth Group,
parents and volunteers transformed the gym into a sacred space!

3. With all the seats occupied, the crowd spilled over into the bleachers.
Over 600 people came together to celebrate their faith and the charism
of St. John Bosco, Friend of the Young and the Poor.

4. Fr. Dennis Donovan, former director of Mary Help of Christians Center
was on hand to greet everyone, preach the homily, and take part in the
rededication of the pool. Everyone was glad to see him!

5. Fr. Steve Ryan rededicated and blessed the recently repaired pool.
Thanks to the Donovans and other generous donors who made this
possible. Now we get to swim!

6. God sent us a perfect day! The children played field games, enjoyed the
bounce house and simply enjoyed being kids! Many took advantage of
the horse rides over near the petting zoo.

7. Thanks to the Mexican community of Pope John XXIII for providing and
supervising the bounce houses. They were a hit!

8. The Costello Clan with the help of dedicated volunteers turned the
basketball courts into a flea market. Many bargains were to be found.

9. At Mary Help we can never have too many cooks in the kitchen!

10. There was plenty to eat and plenty to choose from: Filipino food;
Mexican chicken, rice and beans; hamburgers and hot dogs; spaghetti
and meatballs; and scrumptious desserts donated by local bakeries.

11. Yummy! The dessert table!

12. Couples for Christ brought Filipino food!

13. Everyone enjoyed eating in the pavilion, courtyard, or on the porch. The
weather was perfect and so was the food.

14. There were bargains galore at the flea market.

15. Vendors offered treasures for sale at the craft fair.

16. The old game room and Mary Help of Christians hall were filled with
vendors at the craft fair and antique show.

17. Italian Ice anyone?

18. Fr. Joseph and the ladies of the Korean community doing a line dance.

19. Fr. Steve, Dr. Kim and Rosa join in the fun!

20. Couples for Christ do tinikling. One mistake and OUCH!

21. While the adults enjoy the show, the kids enjoy field games.

22. Fr. Steve and Fr. Joseph take a turn! Are they defying gravity?

23. Beautiful Mexican dancing as Korean children look on!

24. Korean Drummers

25. Elegant Korean Dancers

26. Dr. Kim presents a check for $14,000 to the Boys and Girls Club on behalf
of the Korean members of Mary Help of Christians.

27. The action packed day ended with a Rosary Procession that started at our
outdoor chapel by the lake.

28. Rosary Procession

29. Next year? Even bigger and better! Over $9,500 was raised to help
reduce the parish debt. Imagine what we can do if we continue working
together!!!!!