The Viatorians have been behind Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep since the day it opened in 2004, when Fr. Charles Bolser, CSV, served as president.
The school has continued to grow, both in numbers and square footage, with phase one of its new campus currently under construction.
However, the mission of the school remains the same: to educate young people of limited means become men and women of faith, purpose and service.
That mission was on display last week as members of its senior class gathered for a one-day retreat at the Viatorian Province Center. In between reflections on their last four years and looking ahead to their future, students and staff mingled with Viatorians who had worked at the school, including Fr. Bolser, as well as Br. Michael Gosch, who had served as a social worker, and Associate Jim Thomas, a current board member.
Daisy Morales, center, surrounded by her students, has returned to teach religion and work as a campus minister
This year’s retreat featured one notable difference: A graduate of Cristo Rey and of Trinity Christian College was one of the people in charge.
Daisy Morales ’12, joined the faculty at the start of the school year. She works in campus ministry and as a sophomore religion teacher. This summer, she will lead a delegation of CRSM students to the Viatorian Youth Congress, where she once was a delegate herself.
“Attending VYC opened my world to different perspectives,” Morales says. “I built lasting relationships through my involvement — first as a delegate, leader and coordinator — and the experience helped me become a leader and embrace who I am.”