St. John Brebeuf Celebrates Catholic Schools Week in Style

St. John Brebeuf (SJB) in Niles is celebrating Catholic Schools Week with a series of activities, a special guest speaker and a new outdoor ice skating rink. SJB Pastor Michael Meany said, "During the week, we plan to inform and entertain, along with having some winter fun". 

Kick-off will be Sunday, Jan. 26 with an Open House at the school from 10 a.m. to noon. Parents, students and community members are invited to tour the school, meet teachers and administrators, and learn about the new Educational Technology Plan. Details will also be available on the enVision Math Program and Accelerated Reader Program, according to Robert Gawlik, School Principal.

Located on the lawn south of the school gym, the outdoor skating rink is scheduled to open weather permitting that day as well. Open to the entire community, the rink will provide an opportunity for family fun during daylight hours. A warming center will be provided. Some food and hot beverages will be available for purchase.

A Friday Night Social will be held on Jan. 31 starting at 7 p.m. Patrick McCaskey of the Chicago Bears will speak, sharing his family's journey in Catholic education. He will recall how Papa Bear, George Halas, and the McCaskey Family value Catholic education and how it helped shape their lives. Patrick played football for both Notre Dame High School and the University of Notre Dame. A special Bear team door prize will be awarded as well.

"We are taking this opportunity to reflect on our school ministry and our Catholic faith with all residents of Niles and the surrounding area in new ways," states Fr. Meany. "We are also working in cooperation with our education partners, Notre Dame High School for Boys and Resurrection High School for girls."

Located at 8301 N. Harlem Ave., Niles, St John Brebeuf serves the geographic areas of Niles, Morton Grove, and Park Ridge; however, it reaches even further across cultures and social need groups. Parish outreach groups host non-sectarian gatherings for drug and alcohol recovery, fraternal organizations, food/clothing drives and even musical concerts.
 
When the Parish was established in summer of 1953, the Founding Pastor was Monsignor John J. Flanagan. Starting with an initial community of 400 families, the parish was named for St. John Brebeuf, one of the five Jesuit North American Martyrs. St. John Brebeuf was born in 1593 in Normandy, France, and spent his early years on the family farm before entering the priesthood. He did most of his great works with Indian tribes in Canada before being killed in 1649. He was canonized in 1930.
                   
The school building is also home to the Nicolaus Copernicus School of Polish Language and culture. Religious education and preparation for the sacraments is also made available for children and young adults who do not attend a Catholic school.  Adult education is a continuing process featuring marriage preparation and Bible study.

As part of the 60th anniversary celebration in 2013, SJB launched a capital campaign based on prayer, stewardship, involvement and information called "To Teach Who Christ Is". “SJB was chosen by the Archdiocese of Chicago's Cardinal Francis George as a pilot for an Archdiocesan-wide campaign to raise funds for Catholic education and faith formation,” Meany said. The three year campaign is designed to raise awareness of how Christ guides everyday living.

"We are excited to be one of the pilot parishes in this multi-year campaign which will eventually involve most parishes in the Chicago area," Meany added. "We hope the entire Niles area joins in and helps us continue celebrating our anniversary and see what St. John Brebeuf means to the community."

For information on Catholic Schools Week and schedule updates, call 847-966-3266 or visit www.sjbschool.org. Email questions to elem.stjohn-brebeuf@archchicago.org.