Mary Help of Christians Center
Site Overview
The Mary Help of Christians Center in Tampa, FL is a vibrant community hub dedicated to fostering spiritual growth and providing support to local residents. Named in honor of Mary Help of Christians, the center serves as a gathering place for worship, prayer, and community events, reflecting its strong Catholic heritage. It offers a welcoming environment where individuals and families can explore their faith, receive pastoral care, and participate in a variety of religious activities.
In addition to its spiritual mission, the center plays a vital role in community outreach and education. It hosts programs ranging from catechetical classes and bible study groups to cultural events and social service initiatives, ensuring that the diverse needs of the community are met. Through these efforts, the Mary Help of Christians Center not only nurtures individual growth but also strengthens community bonds, making it a cornerstone of faith and fellowship in Tampa.
Available Ministries
- Education
- Teacher (Primary)
- Teacher (Secondary)
- Healthcare
- Dentist
- General First Aid
- Physician
- Prison Ministry
- Project Development Office (PDO)
- Social Work
- Youth Centre
Current Volunteers
Ministry Background
We rent our retreat center for 32 weekends a year. However, we run only a few programs that are Salesian-led. This person would help us further that aspect of the retreat program. We have some annual events that we coordinate here at the center, which are; Don Bosco Festival and Pro-Life Youth Rally. THe person would coordinate or take a major role in these events.
Purpose & Objectives
To help with evangelization at our growing retreat center. We need a person who can coordinate a program for youth; schedule activities and communications. We need a person representing the Salesians and Don Bosco to go out to the community and be with the poor. I have in mind that the person go to San Jose Mission twice a week. To help with evangelization in all areas of our growing center. I would say that the ministry for the SLM is to help in all areas possible to make each event/retreat/youth program/etc. run smoother and to be a presence at each.
Programs, Activities, & Other Projects
Religious education teacher for Sunday school. Volunteering at the Boys and Girl’s Club, event planning for large Mary Help of Christians annual events. Driving the retired brothers and priests to doctors’ appointments, masses, etc. Summer Camp jobs, can be administrative, counselor, or faith formation leader. We also assist with the Youth Group on Thursday nights where we have the opportunity to plan the evenings teaching-very beneficial to remember all the games other SLM’s bring to orientation. Also we take the youth group to Homeless Outreach once a month, volunteer at the Trinity Café (soup kitchen-restaurant style), and do fun trips, such as going to the movies or playing outdoor games. Be present and active with the Cristo Rey students, encouraging them to partake in the events/activities that we have at the center.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Help coordinate the program aspects of retreats
- Work with the Director on representing the Salesians as an agent of social justice within the Tampa Bay community
- Work to establish a youth retreat program for latino adolescents (3 times a year); Spanish speaking is not necessary
- Working with Bridget Costello for coordinating the youth group nights/events/ministry.
- Hours involved- Bridget-every week 2 hours on Thursday, lesson planning-to you. Every couple weeks we have social events planned for the kids on Saturday.
- Hours are normally Friday-Sunday, depending on the retreat here and the needs of the weekend.
- Be event coordinator for annual events (covering all aspects of event: advertising, organizing, planning, fundraising, setup/tear-down, etc)
- Help the facilities director with any setup/cleaning/tear-down for retreats and events
- Help with the youth ministry program: Youth group on Wednesday and Thursday nights, retreats, outreach trips, special activities, fundraisers
- Help the Director of Religious Education with Faith Formation classes: teaching a class, confirmation retreats, presence to youth
- Be present at Boys and Girls club: lead Faith Formation on every Tuesday, be present with the kids after school
- Fill in anywhere else where you can be useful and help the other team members here to complete their tasks
Practical Qualifications/Skills Needed
Some theology, catechesis and youth ministry background
Useful Academic Preparation
Person would need to be mature enough to live in a community with 17 old and cranky Salesian religious. At the same time, we have several young men and ladies working here who are not old and cranky and who he/she can connect with. Some experience with event planning and leading groups would be helpful.
Useful Experience
Ability to persevere in the vision of improving the evangelization at Mary Help of Christians Center, the Parish, and for the area of Tampa Bay. Mary Help of Christians is at a critical phase of its existence. We need to strengthen the evangelization here. We need all the help we can get to do so.
Special Challenges/Conditions
See answer to #1 above. Please note at San Jose Mission the income level is very low. These are migrant families. The actual site is relatively rural with over 140 acres of property but you are about 15 minutes from downtown Tampa so there are urban elements as well. The area surrounding the actual site is relatively poor but there more affluent areas pretty close. The SLM will be working with some inner-city kids both at Cristo Rey and Summer Camp. Their primary need is a presence and education about the faith. There are many with troublesome homes and live in bad neighborhoods that need attention and to know that they are loved and have someone they can trust around them.
Involvement with the religous community
Area Information
See answer to #1 above. Please note at San Jose Mission the income level is very low. These are migrant families. The actual site is relatively rural with over 140 acres of property but you are about 15 minutes from downtown Tampa so there are urban elements as well. The area surrounding the actual site is relatively poor but there more affluent areas pretty close. The SLM will be working with some inner-city kids both at Cristo Rey and Summer Camp. Their primary need is a presence and education about the faith. There are many with troublesome homes and live in bad neighborhoods that need attention and to know that they are loved and have someone they can trust around them.
Involvement with the greater community
One way to get involved in the greater community is through the Christ the King Young Adult Group that meets on Thursday nights. Another way is through the Catholic Council of Women (CCW) at Mary Help or Knights of Columbus. The State Fair is about five minutes away so that is a nice weekend adventure to learn about the state. The diocese also supports a once a month Theology on Tap in a neighboring town. Strawberry Festival is quite large.
Special Challenges & Conditions
The center is privileged to offer three nourishing meals each day along with two to three daily masses that enrich the spiritual life of its community. It also proudly hosts one of the largest Salesian communities in the United States, exemplifying its commitment to faith, fellowship, and service.
Housing & Community
Live with Religious
Housing
SLMS live in apartments in the main building with other volunteers. It’s important to be flexible. There is a lot of space on the property and you might get moved around/the situation might change.
Room
Daily Eucharist
Bathroom
Launder
We have washing machines and dryers on the property that are available to use.
Access to ATM
Local Diet
Too much food! Since the majority of the community is retired, the community is fed well. We are blessed and have people to cook for us allowing us to serve in other ways. Good variety, lots of meat and potatoes. Fresh fruit almost always available. Very Salesian with the food here, make sure to bring work out clothes
Local Medical Facilities
There are numerous, quality medical facilities within 10-15 minutes so there are options.