Page 8 - Florida Sentinel 8-31-18

Local
St. Peter Claver Celebrates Early Days During 125th Anniversary
The St. Peter Claver Catholic Church and School Community will celebrate 125 years of spiritual guid- ance and educational leader- ship in the Tampa Bay Area, September 8-9, 2018.
A picnic is scheduled for Saturday, September 8, from 9 a. m. – 4 p. m.; Mass with Bishop Gregory L. Parkes as Celebrant, will be celebrated on Sunday, Sep- tember 9, at 10 a. m., at the church, 1403 N. Nebraska Avenue, Tampa.
In 1894, the school and church opened its doors to Black students and families who were in pursuit of excel- lence in educational oppor- tunity and Christian faith, unity, and grace. Many fam- ilies chose to make the sacri- fices of tuition and rigid adherence to church and school doctrine.
A few of these family rep- resentatives have agreed to share some remembrances of the early days at the school and church. We acknowl- edge with pride their contin- ued love and support for these institutions and cele-
St. Peter Claver Class of 1942: Standing in front of St. Peter Claver School, 1401 N. Governor St., left to right: Harold Brown, Anna Anenecibia, Jackie Kay Pichon,Celia Martinez, Carol Blood, Sister Felicity, (unidentified), Dorothy Clark, Edward Stone, Betty Jo Hayes and Verdell Olive.
MS. BETTY JO HAYES
licite and Sister Lawrence Amilia were rough on them in matters of behavior, yet instilled within them the love and light of God. Obedience and truth were the order of the day. To this day, truthfulness, de- spite how uncomfortable at times, is her style.
After graduation and transfer to Middleton High School, she and the other seven or eight classmates had a harsh adjustment to public school. They even left Middleton and returned to St. Peter Claver, only to be “counseled” and told they must return.
Rigoberto Garcia en- tered St. Peter Claver speak- ing little English, and received much help and com- passion from the Sisters. Sister Felicite was Princi- pal, and Mrs. Theresa Warren was one of his fa- vorite teachers. He vividly re- members being a member of the St. Peter Claver Florida Junior High School Statewide Basketball Cham-
RIGOBERTO GARCIA
pionship team in 1945. “Respect for others, per- severance, personal disci- pline and responsibility are the values I gained from the teachings of the school and church,” shared Mr. Gar- cia. “I am, in great part, who Iam,duetomydaysatSt. Peter Claver Catholic School.” His parents paid 50
cents per month for tuition. This 125th anniversary celebration committee in- vites all who have entered the doors of St. Peter Claver and the public, in general, to join in this historic weekend of fun and thanksgiving. Call the church office for addi- tional information – (813)
223-7098.
FYI
brate the impact of their lives upon our community.
Ms. Ernestine Brown Tripp, along with her sisters and cousin, attended the school during the early
1940s. She, like many, recall the stern, yet fair and caring, demeanor of Sister Fe- licite, principal.
“The church was very small and situated adjacent to the school on Governor Street. Mass was held in the upper floor of the school prior to building the church on Nebraska Avenue.”
Father Flanagan was pastor of the church. After fifth grade, Ms. Tripp relo- cated to Jacksonville, Florida and attended St. Pius Catholic School.
Ms. Betty Jo Hayes, a 1942 graduate, remembers feeling very special at St. Peter Claver. Sister Fe-
Greenridge And Delaney Creek Association
Meeting
Greenridge and Delaney Creek Association monthly meeting will be held Tues- day, September 4, 2018, at 7 p. m. The meeting is held the first Tuesday of each month at the Emanuel P. Johnson Community Center, 5858 South 78th Street Tampa, Florida 33619.
All concerned residents are invited to attend. Our Mission, "We the residents of Greenridge and Delaney Creek envision a community where people have a strong sense of security and every- one takes pride in where they live."
The President is Mrs. Ola Lott Mitchell.
PAGE 8-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 2018