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| Auxiliary Bishop Oscar Cantú accepted a check for $6,355 on behalf of the Hope for the Future Fund and posed with students holding the trophy he received for his participation in this year’s run.
Jordan McMorrough | Today's Catholic |
SAN ANTONIO • A check for $6,355 in proceeds from a February 5K fun run sponsored by the Southside Consortium of Catholic Schools was presented to Hope for the Future Executive Director Julie Seguin and Auxiliary Bishop Oscar Cantú at a reception in the Pastoral Center atrium April 21.
Rita Crow, principal of St. Cecilia School, praised school volunteer Susie Cadena for her efforts in organizing and expanding the event, which initially began as a walk two years ago before becoming a 5K fun run and walk this year.
In near freezing weather, more than 400 people turned out at Mission County Park 2 on the city’s south side and participated in the event, almost doubling the number of runners expected by organizers.
And for the 2010 event, already scheduled for Feb. 6 at 8:15 a.m. at the park, it is hoped that this year’s numbers will be doubled again.
Father Martin L. Elsner, SJ, associate pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church on the city’s Westside, said, “I’m convinced about Catholic schools. It doesn’t get any better in getting Christ, the church and the community. I tell children that they’re not the hope for the future, they are the hope now. And you only get that at Catholic schools.”
Father Elsner presented an oversized check from the consortium to Bishop Cantú for use by the Hope for the Future tuition assistance fund, which benefits not only students attending Southside schools, but all Catholic schools in the archdiocese.
Bishop Cantú praised the race organizers for the spirit associated with the run.
“It is wonderful that participation has grown tremendously,” said the auxiliary bishop. “I want to thank the Southside Consortium of Catholic Schools for partnering with Hope for the Future. It is all about Catholic education.”
The bishop then received an unexpected recognition, when Crow and Cadena handed Bishop Cantú a trophy honoring him for his participation in the run.
Students attending the reception at the Pastoral Center, who also ran in the 5K event, represented St. James the Apostle, St. Benedict, St. Margaret Mary and St. Cecilia schools.