Celebrate Catholic Schools Week Jan. 27-Feb. 2 in DuPage County

Since 1974, National Catholic Schools Week is the annual celebration of Catholic education in the U.S. It starts the last Sunday in January and runs all week. In 2019, it will be Jan. 27 to Feb. 2. This year's theme is "Catholic Schools: Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed."

Schools typically observe the annual celebration week with Masses, open houses and other activities for students, families, parishioners and community members. Through these events, schools focus on the value Catholic education provides to young people and its contributions to the church, the local communities and the nation.

Addison

• St. Philip the Apostle School, 1233 W. Holtz Ave., Addison, will host an open house and tours from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 27. After attending the 11:30 a.m. Mass, stay to tour the school with Student Ambassadors. At 12:30 p.m., current parents, teachers, and students will be on hand to lead you through the school, visit, and answer questions. Visit school.st-phil.org.

Aurora

• Annunciation BVM Catholic Elementary School, 1840 Church Road, Aurora, will host an open house from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 27. Come for lunch, meet the families, and tour the school. Call (630) 851-4300 or visit annunciationbvm.org.

• Holy Angels School, 720 Kensington Place, Aurora, will begin Catholic Schools Week with an open house from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 27. Parents will be able to tour the school, check out the Fine Arts Fair from 10 a.m. to noon in the Leurck Library, as well as enjoy the entertainment of the talent show starting at 1 p.m. The Fun Fair will be 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with games, raffles, bounce house, face painting, food and balloons. All-inclusive wristband are $12 per student or $35 maximum for a family. Orders are due Friday, Jan. 25. Visit www.holyangelsschool.net or call (630) 897-3613.

• As part of Catholic Schools Week, Pope St. John Paul II Catholic Academy in Aurora will a comedy show "Mass Confusion" with Doug Brummel and Dave Wilson. It will begin at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 28, in the south campus gym, 601 Talma St. Admission is free; a freewill offering is appreciated.

The "catechetical comedy" by the "Doug and Dave Show" entertains, inspires and educates all at same time. This presentation creatively explores the Catholic faith within the context of the Mass. This original presentation shares the beauty, history and mystery of the source and summit of one's faith in an engaging manner which keeps the attention of all ages and backgrounds.

The duo will perform for first- to eighth-graders at 12:30 p.m. Monday on the south campus.

On Saturday, Jan. 26, after the 4:30 p.m. Mass, enjoy a Chili Cook-off until 7 p.m. in the south campus.

An all-school open house will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 27. Stop by grades 4-8 to view the project boards and classrooms.

On Friday, Feb. 1, the volleyball game with the teachers, and seventh- and eighth-graders will be held at 1:45 p.m. Visit www.jp2aurora.org.

• As part of Catholic Schools Week, St. Rita of Cascia School, 770 W. Old Indian Trail, Aurora, will hold a Mass at 10:15 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 27.

A New Family Open House will be held at 10:15 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 29. A book fair will be held all day Wednesday, Jan. 30, including during the open house starting at 6:30 p.m. At the 2 p.m. assembly on Thursday, Jan. 31, there will be the teacher vs. eighth-grade volleyball and mini-poms will perform. All are welcome. Call (630) 892-0200 or visit saint-rita.org.

• On Sunday, Jan. 27, Aurora Central Catholic invites all parents, grandparents, students and prospective students to a special Catholic Schools Week Mass at 9 a.m. at the church, 1255 N. Edgelawn Drive, Aurora. Afterward, the Booster Club will host a continental breakfast and an open house. Call (630) 907-0095 or visit www.auroracentral.com.

Bloomingdale

• On Sunday, Jan. 27, St. Isidore Catholic School, 431 W. Army Trail Road in Bloomingdale, will host an open house for prospective new students from 9:30 a.m. to noon. with a Mass at 8:30 a.m. The St. Isidore Knights of Columbus will be hosting a pancake breakfast in the Ministry Center following all Masses.

Visit the campus, tour the school, and talk with teachers, administrators and school board members.

The rest of the week features a variety of fun and Catholic faith-based activities each day of the week, including making valentines for veterans, putting together care packages for cancer patients, a Carnival Day, roller skating party, class theme day, eighth grade presenting "Lauda Anima," an appreciation of Catholic Music program, Wheel of Wisdom and a Friday pep rally, followed by the traditional eighth grade vs. faculty volleyball game, among others. The week will close Sunday, Feb. 3, with a potluck luncheon for school families. Visit stisidoreparish.org/school/.

Downers Grove

• St. Joseph School, 4832 Highland Ave. in Downers Grove, will host an open house from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 27, for preschool through eighth grade. Call (630) 969-4306 or visit stjosephdg.com.

Elmhurst

• Immaculate Conception Grade School, 132 Arthur St. in Elmhurst, will hold open house and new student registration from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 27. To register, bring child's baptismal certificate, birth certificate, Social Security card and a $300 deposit.

New for 2019-20, there will be a morning Pre-K 3 (8 to 11 a.m.) Monday, Wednesday or Friday or five mornings per week. Call (630) 530-3490 or visit www.icgradeschoolelmhurst.org.

• On Sunday, Jan. 27, Visitation Catholic School, 851 S. York St. in Elmhurst, will host a Family Mass at 11:30 a.m., followed by an open house from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Call (630) 834-4931 or visit www.visitationelmhurst.org.

Glen Ellyn

• St. James the Apostle Catholic School, 490 S. Park Blvd. in Glen Ellyn, will host open houses from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 27 and 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 1. Visit the school, ask questions and receive information about St. James the Apostle School. They offer 3- to 4-year-old blended preschool, kindergarten prep preschool (both of these offer a full-day option) and kindergarten through eighth grade. Registration for new families for the 2019-20 school year will be open at 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 28. They accept new family registrations on a first-come, first-served basis. Call (630) 469-8060 or visit www.stjamesge-school.org.

• St. Petronille Catholic School, 425 Prospect Ave., Suite 100, Glen Ellyn, will host open houses from 11 a.m. to noon Sunday, Jan. 27, and 10 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 31. Enter the school via the Parish Life Center (Door #2). Call (630) 469-5041 or visit www.stpetschool.org.

Lombard

• For Catholic Schools Week, Sacred Heart School, 322 W. Maple St. in Lombard, will host an open house from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 27. Call (630) 629-0536 or visit shslombard.org.

Naperville

• On Sunday, Jan. 27, All Saints Catholic Academy, 1155 Aurora Ave. in Naperville, will host an open house kicking off registration for the 2019-2020 school year. From 1 to 8 p.m., visit the preschool through eighth grade classrooms and find out more about the academics grounded in faith. All families who attend and complete the Open House Scavenger Hunt will be entered in a drawing to win their re-enrollment/registration fee for the 2019-20 school year.

Take part in the Knights of Columbus Free Throw Contest taking place in the gym. Check-in is at noon. Call (630) 961-6125 or visit ascacademy.org.

• Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic School, 201 E. Franklin Ave. in Naperville, will hold an open house about the kindergarten program from 10:45 to 11:45 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 27. Attendees will meet in the kindergarten classrooms, hear an overview from the teachers, explore the school and have the opportunity to ask questions. They encourage any prospective parent who will have a child entering kindergarten in the next 2 or 3 years to attend one of these events. To RSVP, contact Meg Olsen, director of marketing and enrollment, at molsen@sspeterandpaulschool.com.

• For Catholic Schools Week, students at St. Raphael Catholic School, 1215 Modaff Road in Naperville, will be involved in activities all week that celebrate their pride in the value of their Catholic education. At each mass the weekend of Feb 2-3, St. Raphael eighth-grade students will read testimonials to their faith-based education. On Sunday, Feb. 3, stop by the open house at 10 a.m. Explore the classrooms, tour the school, meet staff, students and families. No reservation necessary. Call (630) 355-1880.

Roselle

• St. Walter Catholic School in Roselle will host an open house for prospective families from 9 to 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 31. The school offers preschool to eighth grade.

A presentation will be given by school Principal Mary Kate Warco, followed by campus tours. Meet the administration, teachers and students. Learn about the academic programs, fine art offerings, student activities and athletic program.

Hear about the new all-age preschool program and the new preschool building scheduled for completion for the 2019-20 school term, as well as the new preschool extended day program for 2019-20. They also will discuss the BASIC and BASIC LITTLES after-school programs. Find out more about the admission procedure and financial aid process. Tour the campus, including the new kindergarten center.

Parking is available in the lot between Maple and Pine avenues. Enter through the school's main entrance at 201 W. Maple Ave. Call (630) 529-1721 or visit www.stwalterschool.com.

Warrenville

• St. Irene Catholic School, 3S601 Warren Ave. in Warrenville, will host an open house from 9 to 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 1. St. Irene's offers small class sizes; full- and half-day preschool 3 to 5 days a week; full-day kindergarten; before- and after-school care; Spanish, art and music for all grades; resource support for special needs; and financial assistance available. Visit st-ireneschool.org.

Wayne

• As part of Catholic Schools Week, Resurrection Catholic Church, 30W350 Army Trail Road in Wayne, will host the comedy show "Mass Confusion" with Doug Brummel and Dave Wilson on Tuesday, Jan. 29. It will begin at 7 p.m. Admission is free; a freewill offering is appreciated. Visit www.resurrectioncc.com.

Westmont

• Holy Trinity Catholic Parish, 25 E. Richmond St. in Westmont, will host an open house from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 27. Call (630) 968-1366 or visit www.holytrinitywestmont.org. In support of Catholic Schools Week and the local community, stop by Neat kitchen+bar, 246 N. Cass Ave. in Westmont, on Monday, Jan. 28. Mention that you are there to support Holy Trinity, and Neat will donate 10 percent of the sales to Holy Trinity, which will be donated to Catholic Charities - Diocese of Joliet.

Wheaton

• St. Michael Parish School, 314 W. Willow Ave. in Wheaton, will have an all-school open house Sunday, Jan. 27. Join them for the noon Mass, with the Open House starting at 1 p.m. All are welcome. Beyond the open houses, they also offer school tours for parents and students of every grade throughout the school year. To schedule a visit, call (630) 665-1454. Visit www.stmichaelschoolwheaton.org.

Winfield

• To kick off Catholic Schools Week, St. John the Baptist Catholic School, 0S233 Church St. in Winfield, will host an open house from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 27.

All are welcome to the open house to launch registration for the 2019-20 school year. Meet teachers, administration and staff, students, parents and school board members. Tour the school and learn how your child and family will benefit from the academics, faith formation and welcoming school community. Call (630) 668-0918, ext. 618. Visit www.sjbwinfield.org/catholic-schools-week-2019.

The Knights of Columbus Council 8002 also will host pancake breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. that day, followed by its annual Free Throw Competition at 1 p.m.

The menu includes: hot buttermilk pancakes, bacon, sausage links, golden hash browns, country fresh eggs, apple or orange juice, and fresh roasted coffee.

The school staff will help serve breakfast. Take a tour and get your questions answered about the new tax credits for Catholic education. Doors open at noon for warm-up. All boys and girls, age 10 to 14, are welcome. Visit www.stjohnwinfield.org/knights-of-columbus.