CHICAGO (January 24, 2003)

Archdiocese of Chicago elementary schools throughout Cook and Lake counties will celebrate Catholic Schools Week beginning Sunday, Jan. 26. This is an annual celebration of Catholic schools sponsored by the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA).

“It is prophetic that the NCEA’s theme for Catholic Schools Week this year is ‘Making a World of Difference,’ because our parents and teachers believe that we make a world of difference in the lives of our students every day,” said Nicholas M. Wolsonovich, Ph.D., superintendent of schools. “Catholic Schools Week celebrates the important role that Catholic schools across the country play in providing a faith-based education for America’s young people.”

Highlight of the week will be Wednesday, Jan. 29, when the “Heart of the School Awards for Teacher Recognition” will be presented at a 10:30 a.m. ceremony at St. Stanislaus Kostka School, 1255 N. Noble Street, Chicago.

Fourteen elementary and secondary school teachers and one elementary school principal will be recognized for their contributions to Catholic education and feted by Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I., archbishop of Chicago, and Dr. Wolsonovich. A major gift to the Archdiocese of Chicago schools by a prominent graduate of the Chicago Catholic school system will be announced at the ceremonies, according to Dr. Wolsonovich.

As the nation’s largest non-public school system, the Catholic schools of the Archdiocese of Chicago develop the minds and spirits of more than 117,000 students of all races, faiths and backgrounds in the 290 elementary and secondary schools in Cook and Lake counties.

Here are some highlights of hundreds of celebrations, programs and projects scheduled throughout Catholic Schools Week in the Archdiocese of Chicago:

Sunday, January 26

St. Daniel the Prophet, 5337 S. Natoma Ave., Chicago

St. Daniel the Prophet will host an art fair Sunday, Jan. 26, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. to kick off Catholic Schools Week. More than 400 pieces of original student artwork will be on display in the school’s Brennan Hall.

The student artwork on display will include paintings, sculpture, pottery, three-dimensional images, structures built from Legos, cartoon books, and clothing that has been sewn or knitted.

“The students were encouraged to showcase their artistic abilities through this voluntary art fair,” said Anka Shute, principal. “Our students are so talented, yet they may not have the opportunity to showcase their diverse abilities. We thought that by encouraging them to work at home and at school on the projects, we would encourage the students to explore their creative sides.”

St. Cletus School, La Grange, Ill.

Each grade level was assigned a Book of the Bible to study and illustrate with pictures, poems, personal experiences and creative writing. The finished projects will be displayed during the school’s open house Sunday, Jan. 26, 10:30 a.m. to noon.

“We’ve been encouraging students to learn more about their faith on a personal level and to think about the benefits of attending a Catholic school,” said Nancy Scavuzzo, principal. “Our teachers want students to study the Bible in greater depth at every grade level, so we thought this project was perfect since the preschoolers can draw pictures, while the eighth graders could compose poems and creative writing.

In addition to the Books of the Bible projects that will be displayed during the school’s open house, students also will display art projects focusing on the Catholic Schools Week theme of “Making a World of Difference.”

The Schools of St. Benedict, 3900 N. Leavitt, Chicago

St. Benedict School’s Family Faith Fair will take place during the school’s open house Sunday, Jan. 26, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. throughout the elementary and secondary school buildings.

As part of the Christian Family Learning Project, elementary and secondary school students and their families at St. Benedict were asked to participate in the Family Faith Fair to learn more about the sacraments of the Catholic church. Each grade level was assigned a sacrament to study at home and students worked with their parents to complete a family project. Elementary school students were assigned sacraments such as Baptism and First Eucharist, while high school students studied Confirmation and Reconciliation. Projects include churches made of construction paper, timelines of the history of the Catholic church, pictures, videos and photographs.

“We hope this project will encourage students and parents to spend quality time together learning about the sacraments and help deepen their knowledge of the teachings of the Catholic church,” said Mary Sue Wielgus, Director of Catechesis at St. Benedict.

Monday, January 27

Infant Jesus of Prague School, Flossmoor

An all-school mass honoring Distinguished Graduate Hans Butzer, designer of the Oklahoma City National Memorial, will take place at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 27.

Butzer, a professor at the University of Oklahoma, graduated from Infant Jesus of Prague School in 1980. He and his wife, Torrey, both architects, designed the Oklahoma City National Memorial.

The National Catholic Education Association Distinguished Graduate Award is intended to honor graduates of Catholic schools who have made a contribution to American life and/or the Catholic Church. Jane Sweeney, religion teacher at Infant Jesus of Prague School, and her husband, Tom, fine arts teacher at Marian Catholic High School in Chicago Heights, Ill., know the Butzer family well. Jane said she nominated him for the award because he is actively involved in volunteer work at his church in Oklahoma City, Okla., and his life’s work fits with this year’s Catholic Schools Week theme – “Making a World of Difference.”

“Hans’ work on the Oklahoma City National Memorial has made a world of difference to the people who are honored and remembered there, and to those who visit the site each year,” she said.

Mater Christi School, North Riverside, Ill.

Former Chicago Bulls player Bob Love will speak to Mater Christi students Monday, Jan. 27, 12:30 – 2 p.m.

Love will talk about his eight-year career with the Chicago Bulls and his struggle to overcome his severe stuttering problem. Love played with the Bulls from 1969 to 1976. For seven straight years, he was the team’s leading scorer, and is the second highest scorer in Bulls history. Despite his athletic success, he stumbled over words and often couldn’t say anything at all. Finally, at the age of 45, Love found a speech therapist who helped him overcome his stuttering problem.

“Bob Love’s athletic and personal successes make him a perfect motivational speaker for our students,” said Marlene Hionis, Mater Christi principal. “He was able to overcome many obstacles and succeed, which is what we teach our students everyday.”

Queen of All Saints, 6230 N. Lemont Ave., Chicago

Throughout Catholic Schools Week, Queen of All Saints’ student council is sponsoring a food drive to replenish the Albany Park Food Pantry.

“It was the students’ idea,” said assistant principal Lynn Daly. “It’s a very visual thing for the students. They know where the pantry is and can see when the shelves are empty. They realized that a lot of people donate food for the holidays and then forget about donating once the holidays are over. But those in need have to eat year-round.”

St. Francis Xavier School, La Grange, Ill.

In keeping with the Catholic Schools Week theme of “Making a World of Difference,” students at St. Francis Xavier School will decorate paper dolls that represent their families’ cultural heritage. The paper dolls will be displayed in the school halls throughout Catholic Schools Week.

“The ethnic paper doll project continues our parish theme of ‘Who are we?’ and our Advent theme of ‘All come bearing gifts, different yet the same,’” said Norine Abramovic, assistant principal.

Wednesday, January 29

St. Barbara School, Brookfield, Ill.

Because of her commitment to the school and parish, St. Barbara will honor alumnus Jane Motycka with its Distinguished Graduate award during a 9 a.m. liturgy Wednesday, Jan. 29.

Motycka graduated from St. Barbara School in 1945 and her four siblings also attended the school. She and her late husband, Robert, were married at St. Barbara Church in 1951 and their six children were baptized there. The kids all attended elementary school at St. Barbara, and went on to attend Catholic high school. Robert was a deacon at the parish and he and Jane were involved in the Christian Family Movement there. Her sister, Sr. Margaret Halligan, CSJ, is the pastoral associate at St. Barbara and is in charge of the food pantry and care center for the elderly at the church.

Motycka’s work at St. Barbara has continued, even though her children are now adults and have families of their own. She is involved in church ministry and meets with parents whose children will be baptized at the church to guide them through the baptism process. She is a member of the Parish Council and is a Eucharist minister to the sick and homebound.

“We’re lucky to have such a dedicated member of our school and parish family,” said Janet Erazmus, St. Barbara School principal. “Jane has lived out her Catholic faith by demonstrating to others the importance of involvement in the church and school. She is truly deserving of this award.”

Our Lady of Ransom School, Niles

The school will host a Career Day Wednesday, Jan. 29 at 9:30 a.m. Alumni, community leaders and parents of current and former Our Lady of Ransom students will speak about their careers. Speakers include: Sonia Szczesniak, a current pilot and graduate of the Class of 1988;
Inspector Brian Henricks of the Niles Fire Department; Joseph Annunzio, a lawyer who works for the Village of Niles; Tom Sheridan, editor of the Catholic New World newspaper; and
Dr. Mark Cichon, an emergency room physician at Loyola University Hospital and parent of students in kindergarten, second and eighth grades.

St. Viator, 4140 W. Addison St., Chicago

Community leaders have been invited to speak at the school Wednesday, Jan. 29 at 9:30 a.m. Those invited to participate include Rep. Rich Bradley (D-Chicago); Cindy Santos, city commissioner, and Ald. Tom Allen (38th Ward). The community leaders will talk to the students about their jobs and get a tour of the school.

Students are collecting hygiene products for the homeless during Catholic Schools Week. Items such as tissue, toothpaste, shampoo and soap will be donated to the REST program and the Irving Park Food Pantry.

St. Cornelius School, 5252 N. Long Ave., Chicago

St. Cornelius School has invited alumni to speak to the students during Career Day
12:30 – 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29. The alumni will talk about their current careers, and about things they learned while students at St. Cornelius School. Alumni who will make presentations include: Ruth Ann Andrew, Class of 1951, teacher at St. Norbert School in Northbrook, Ill.; Louis Blume, Class of 1973; environmental scientist for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; Charles Quattrochi, Class of 1970, a certified public accountant; and Kristie Schneider, Class of 1985, a diamond broker.

“It is our hope that this event will give students an opportunity to meet former students who are currently building on the foundation that began at St. Cornelius,” said Margaret Campbell, principal. “Through this interaction, current students will be able to obtain first-hand information on how they can best prepare for the field of work they may be most interested in later in life.”

Thursday, January 30

St. Ladislaus School, 3330 N. Lockwood Ave., Chicago

Professional actors dressed as Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln will entertain the student body at 9 a.m. presentation Thursday, Jan. 30, focusing on the history of the 16th president of the United States and his wife.

“My philosophy is that Catholic Schools Week is a time when our school can show off our best accomplishments, as well as have fun learning,” said Milt Kobus, principal. “We’ve invited parents and community members to visit our school during the week so they can see for themselves the quality Catholic education our students receive.”

Friday, January 31

St. William School, 2559 N. Sayre Ave., Chicago

There will be an all-school liturgy at St. William at 8:15 a.m. Friday, Jan. 31. Throughout the school day, students will focus on praying for peace by participating in the DEEP program, which stands for Drop Everything, Everyone Pray. DEEP was devised by a St. William teacher who expanded upon the school’s DEAR program (Drop Everything And Read). Students will pause six times throughout the day for a moment of silent prayer for peace.

St. Frances of Rome School, Cicero

St. Frances of Rome will host a student council convention Friday, Jan. 31 at 10 a.m. More than 50 schools have been invited to send student council representatives to gather and hear messages of inspiration and commitment to service. Deacon Ron Colaianni, school principal, said the community and government leaders will explain their role in public service and encourage students to get involved. Those invited to participate include Town of Cicero president Ramiro Gonzales; State Rep. Frank Aquilar; U.S. Sen. Peter Fitzgerald; and State Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka.

Students will also meet in groups to share ideas about how to improve their schools. “The students creating a school full of faith, excitement and spirit will certainly spill out into the community and will influence others and make a difference in the world,” Colaianni said.

St. Maria Goretti, Schiller Park

The school is hosting a family picnic at the parish center Friday, Jan. 31, at 5:30 p.m. Families will bring their own picnic dinners. There will be an “earth balloon” – an inflated 20 ft. high by 25 ft. wide balloon into which people can walk and learn about the geography of the earth.

Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools
The Catholic schools of the Archdiocese of Chicago play a critical role in the life of the community by providing academic excellence and faith formation for 117,229 students of many races, faiths and backgrounds in the 290 elementary and secondary schools in Cook and Lake counties. There are more than 6,400 teachers in the Catholic school system who instill values, teach discipline and achieve strong, consistent academic results in the Archdiocese of Chicago's 248 elementary and 42 secondary schools. Visit the Archdiocese of Chicago Website at http://schools.archchicago.org