St. Patrick School to celebrate Catholic Schools Week

St. Patrick School in Wadsworth will host its annual Open House on Sunday, Jan. 27 as the kickoff activity during the nationwide Catholic Schools Week.

Sunday morning activities will include Mass, pancake breakfast, art show, book fair, and school tours provided by student council members. Students, families, parishioners and prospective families are invited to attend.

The schedule of events is:

Sunday Mass: 7, 9 and 11 a.m.

Pancake breakfast: 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Book fair: 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Art show: 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

School open house: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

School tours: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Marcella Bosnak has been principal since 1979 and is one of the longest-serving school principals in the Archdiocese of Chicago. After 34 years of dedicated service, she will be retiring in May.

“St. Patrick School is a very special community,” Bosnak said. “It has been a privilege being a part of it for so many years.”

On Tuesday, Jan. 29 at 8:30 a.m., the Rev. Fred Pesak will officiate at a special Catholic Schools Week Mass.

Following the Mass, the Distinguished Graduate Award for 2013 will be presented to Gail Hoffman Wegener of Wadsworth. She is a graduate of 1967 and has been actively involved with the school for 50 years. Her two children and two grandchildren have all attended St. Patrick School.

“She is part of the fabric of St. Patrick School,” Bosnak said.

The annual scholastic book fair will continue throughout the week. The fundraiser helps raise money for new books and equipment for the school’s library. All students’ names will be entered into a raffle for a chance at eight gift certificates to the book fair.

St. Patrick School offers a fully accredited, challenging academic program for kindergartners through eighth-graders. The school has a total enrollment of 590 students.

The theme for the National Catholic Schools Week 2013 is “Catholic Schools Raise the Standards.”