By Margee Garbach
For The Catholic Telegraph 

“I’m looking at the future leaders of this city,” Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley told DePaul Cristo Rey High School students in his first official visit to the school.

Cranley’s speech to students was part of the school’s Founders Day Celebration on Sept. 25, which began with an all-school Mass to mark the upcoming feast day of St. Vincent de Paul, namesake of the school.

Cranley shared with students lessons learned from his own experience as a Cincinnati native, Catholic school graduate and city leader. He explained how his Catholic education helped instill in him an understanding of the role we all play in creating a better community. “We’re all part of one human family; we can’t be comfortable in our lives, if there’s discomfort in someone else,” he said.

He also stressed how important education is to break the cycle of poverty and joblessness in the city and society as a whole. The Mayor commended the students for their participation in DPCR’s Corporate Work Study Program, “You are already learning and seeing the dignity that comes with work. DePaul Cristo Rey is modeled on this and your work will lead to great satisfaction in your life.”

Before taking questions from students, Mayor Cranley concluded his remarks by encouraging the students, “I’m going to bet on your futures. You’re going to college; you can achieve your dreams. Believe in yourself and start dreaming!”

This story originally appeared in the November 2014 print edition of The Catholic Telegraph.