News for Graduates, Friends and Families of St. Frances of Rome Fall 2012

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1 News for Graduates, Friends and Families of St. Frances of Rome Fall 2012 Mardi Gras Since Saint Frances of Rome s founding, our school has provided the children of Cicero with an excellent education. As a Catholic elementary school, the education we give to our children is guided by our faith and the message of Jesus. Our mission is simple: to educate saints and scholars, disciples of Christ and leaders in the community. Our students are given a comprehensive education that instills values, honesty and discipline. We believe that with enlightened minds and zealous hearts, our students will change the world. For several years, Saint Frances of Rome has held a special fundraiser to help keep high-quality Catholic education affordable for all who desire it. This year, SFR is proud to once again hold its Mardi Gras Gala Ball on February 9, 2013 in the school auditorium. The Mardi Gras brings together our parish and community for an evening of food, drinks, dancing and fun in support of Catholic education. We reached our goal of $45,000 at the last Mardi Gras, making it the school s largest fundraiser. As alumni, we hope you will take the opportunity to join us at the Mardi Gras Gala Ball. Tickets will go on sale in January. You can also aid the Mardi Gras by donating an item that can be used in our silent auction. These gifts help guarantee that the students at Saint Frances of Rome will continue to be engaged by a demanding academic program. Your gift is tax-deductible, and you will be recognized in our program. You may also contribute by buying Mardi Gras 2012 Continued on page 2 Pastor Rev. Mark Bartosic Associate Pastor Rev. Sergio Mena Mena In Residence Rev. Augustine Koomson Executive Director Clement V. Martin School Principal Patricia Huizar Director of Religious Education Sandra Luz Dominguez-Herrera Deacon Couple Javier and Irma Pineda Rectory/Parish Secretary Marta Herrera School Secretaries Patricia Gecic and Elizabeth Sandoval Youth Minister Andrew Schindhelm Development Coordinator Carlos A. Trejo Inside this Issue Mardi Gras A Message from Fr. Mark Bartosic, Pastor...2 From the Executive Director, Clement V. Martin Annual Appeal St. Anne visits St. Frances...4 All Saints Day Celebration....4 Staff Spotlight: Maria Pham...5 Alumni Updates Photo Booth

2 St. Frances of Rome Alumni & Friends Fall 2012 A Message from Fr. Mark Bartosic, Pastor On October 31, about 300 people from the surrounding community came to an event at St. Frances. Fr. Carlos Martins gave a presentation on the saints, and afterwards, all those in attendance had the opportunity to prayerfully venerate the relics of over 100 saints in a chapel prepared for the purpose. This type of devotion is very scriptural see 2 Kings 13:20-21; Matthew 9:20-22; Acts 5:12-15 and 19: Catholics venerate the relics of the saints because they are physical reminders (like our living bodies) of God s plan for us to take us body and soul into heaven. Fr. Martins explained that a relic is a part of the body of a saint, such as a piece of bone or hair, or something that the saint owned and touched, such as a piece of clothing. All relics are verified by the authority of a bishop of the Church. Relics of the Apostles, St. John the Baptist, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, St. Francis of Assisi, Blessed John Paul II and Blessed Teresa of Calcutta were venerated, along with relics of lesser-known saints. There was a relic of the True Cross there, and a piece of a veil, which by ancient tradition belonged to the Blessed Virgin. Visit treasuresofthechurch.com to learn more. It is appropriate to share this news in our Advent/ Christmas newsletter, because Christmas is precisely the feast of the Incarnation the coming into flesh of Jesus, the Word made Flesh. He took on a body, and since then the human body is a holy thing that reveals God s love in a new and unique way. It is important to us at St. Frances of Rome that our children learn to think of the body as a good and holy thing, destined for resurrection. The Church is the Body of Christ, and those who believe in his resurrection are connected to each other in a holy and mysterious way. The opportunity to pray with relics of those brothers and sisters who have successfully followed Jesus is a beautiful way to get ready for the coming season of Advent, culminating in the feast of the Incarnation of the Word Jesus Christ. XX Parishioners examine some fo the many relics on display at the exhibition Continued from page 1: Mardi Gras an advertisement in our event program book. The Mardi Gras is our largest fundraiser, and its success hangs on the support of the community. Anticipation for the event is already building, and we hope to see many of you there. For up to date information on the Mardi Gras or to donate an item, please contact us at mardigras@sfrschool.org or (708) x327. XX 2012 Mardi Gras guests bidding at the silent aution tables 2 SFR School 1401 S. Austin Blvd., Cicero, IL

3 Quarterly Newsletter for Graduates, Friends and Families of Saint Frances of Rome Fall 2012 From the Executive Director, Clement V. Martin It seemed like only yesterday that we opened the doors for the first day of school. The beginning of the school year is always filled with energy and excitement. This year, enrollment has grown to 266 students, marking a highpoint for the past 15 years. Parents continue to send their children to Saint Frances, as they have for generations, for a quality Catholic education. In the days ahead, we will be hosting report card conferences. This year we have transitioned to trimesters rather than having quarterly marking periods. As part of this process, teachers began the year by assessing all of their students. Teachers then met with the students, along with their parents, to set goals for the first trimester. Open communication and collaboration are hallmarks of the educational program at Saint Frances, helping to ensure that all children are successful. Our ability to work together parents, teachers, students, school administrators in support of our mission is a testament to the strength of our community and our faith in a better tomorrow. Our efforts, however, would not be sufficient without the prayers and generosity of many people. During Advent, we offer our gratitude to the many people who have partnered with us in the mission of Catholic education. You have been at the forefront of our prayers this season and will remain so in the weeks leading up to Christmas. On behalf of all the faculty and staff, I would like to wish you and your family a very merry Christmas. May the peace and joy of Christmas fill your hearts and homes. Blessings to all in the new year ahead. In the last few weeks, you received a letter in the mail with our annual appeal information. In recent years, the annual appeal has helped to make a dramatic difference in our school and has impacted the lives of many students. Through the generosity of alumni and friends, the appeal has generated money that has been used to update math, science, and technology materials used in classrooms. It is extremely important that we provide not only a faith filled education, but one that will prepare students for the rigor of high school and set them on the path toward college. Current technology and academic Annual Appeal 2012 materials that allow students to use higher order thinking skills to solve complex problems are needed in all our classrooms. The annual appeal helps to provide these materials. One of the historic strengths of Saint Frances of Rome has been that of community. This strength, this power, comes from the active participation and engagement of all its members. To date, 100% of our current faculty and staff members have contributed to the 2012 appeal. We hope that you will make a donation as well. Your gift will ensure that Saint Frances of Rome remains strong academically, and that it will continue to provide a faith filled foundation for children in our community. You can make a gift by replying with the envelope enclosed in this newsletter or online at our school website at Educating saints and scholars, disciples of Christ, and leaders in the community. 3

4 St. Frances of Rome Alumni & Friends Fall 2012 St. Anne Visits Saint Frances For several years now, the students of Saint Frances of Rome School have held a special relationship with the students of St. Anne School in Barrington, IL. The third and fifth grade classes from both schools write to each other as penpals, and visits between the school are organized yearly. Students from St. Anne recently visited St. Frances of Rome on two separate occasions. Earlier this season, the fifth graders at St. Anne visited their SFR counterparts. The visiting students met with their penpals and worked on projects together. Saint Frances students then took their guests on a tour of the school before going on a joint field trip to the National Museum of Mexican Art. Our students were eager to show off their own school and happy to learn about both schools similarities. The field trip to the art museum was interesting for both groups as the viewed an exhibit on the Day of the Dead. Saint Frances fifth graders will visit St. Anne later this school year where they will partake in another day of fun and excitement with their peers. St. Anne s third graders visited Saint Frances on a separate occasion where they were treated to a special Day of the Dead Celebration. The Day of the Dead, or Día de los Muertos, is a holiday celebrated in Latin America on All Soul s Day where people honor and remember family and friends that are no longer with us. Third grade students from Our Lady of Charity were also present and took part in a fun icebreaker activity where students from all three schools were able to get to know each other. Students worked together on different art projects and painted calaveras, traditional sugar skulls. SFR s talented third graders also treated all of the guests to a traditional dance. All Saints Day Celebration Students at Saint Frances of Rome School began the month of November with a special Feast of All Saints Mass. As part of the day s festivities, students took the opportunity to dress up as their favorite saint. Each classroom spent time researching and learning about the saints by creating books, posters, and mobiles in order to strengthen their understanding. Later in the day, faith buddy classrooms, older students matched with younger students, met together to hold saint celebrations and compete in an All Saints Day door decorating contest. 4 SFR School 1401 S. Austin Blvd., Cicero, IL

5 Quarterly Newsletter for Graduates, Friends and Families of Saint Frances of Rome Fall 2012 As a little girl in Holland, Michigan, Maria Pham used to come home from school and make up tests for her parents to take based on what she learned at school that day. Her parents would humor her and take her tests. She had no plans to become a teacher while in college, but throughout her four years at the University of Notre Dame, she grew to understand the importance of serving others and leading a life of service. She tutored at innercity afterschool programs in the South Bend, Indiana area throughout college and recognized the importance of inspiring students to continue learning inside and outside of the classroom. She knew her future did not lie in the science focus track she studied, and she recognized her calling to serve others through teaching. After graduating from the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, she enrolled in Loyola University s LU-CHOICE program to become a volunteer teacher. She chose the LU-CHOICE program because it focused on serving in Catholic schools while giving her the opportunity to study education in Chicago. It was a program that allowed her to grow spiritually through retreats and faith sharing opportunities. She was able to grow in character and learn more about herself as she lived in community with eleven other new teachers. Staff Spotlight: Maria Pham She later received her masters degree in education from Loyola University Chicago. This year marks Ms. Pham s fourth year as Saint Frances of Rome s second grade teacher. She loves Saint Frances of Rome because of the warm community. She believes the students are respectful and eager, the families are helpful and involved, and the staff is enthusiastic and supportive. Recently, students in her class have been reading about the adventures of Flat Stanley who is mailed around the world. Inspired by Flat Stanley, her students will be learning about the USA by sending their own Flat Stanleys around the country to friends and family. Using what they learn about different areas in the United States, they will create a guidebook of the USA. Her hobbies include photography, taking walks through neighborhoods of Chicago, and trying food from various cultures. Ms. Pham recently became engaged and also enjoys planning her upcoming wedding. Her dedication to our students and Catholic education is second to none, and we are very proud to have her as a member of our school community. WW A group of Ms. Pham s students work on a project Educating saints and scholars, disciples of Christ, and leaders in the community. 5

6 St. Frances of Rome Alumni & Friends Fall 2012 Alumni Updates 90th Anniversary Join us for an all-class alumni reunion at SFR on Saturday, September 21, 2013 to celebrate 90 years of SFR history. If you are interested in helping with the planning process, please contact us at Elizabeth Capua (Dunlap), 62 I live in California. I taught school for thirty-three years. I am now retired, but I still tutor and substitute. I have two grown daughters and four grandchildren. The closeness we shared at SFR was priceless. Tony Navigato, 79 I graduated college from North Central College in Naperville, IL in 1987 with a degree in Speech Communications and a minor degree in P.E. I went to Columbia Broadcasting School in Chicago, IL to further my career, but I was hired as a sales representative in telecommunications. I switched jobs in 1990 and began in a successful position in home remodeling. I left that company in 1992 and started my own company with the help of two partners in April Our company, Euro-Tech, INC, is a leading home improvement company located in Bensenville, IL. This is our 20th year anniversary and we are currently adding new team members for both Sales and Marketing positions. I got married to my wife Tammy (Howe) in We have three sons and are currently living in DuPage County (Addison). Our youngest son is graduating from high school this year and hopefully attending college next year. Our oldest son is trying to become a State Trooper and is hoping to be added to the force. tonyn@eurotechinc.net David Joseph Wojcik, 81 His widow writes: It is with great sadness that I write to inform you of the passing of a former alumnus, David Joseph Wojcik, Class of 81. David fought a five-year battle with a rare form of cancer and peacefully died on November 12, 2011, at the age of 44. He is survived by his wife Anne Marie and young daughter Alexis. David was baptized at St. Frances of Rome and was a parishioner until he was married. David is the son of Mary and Ben Wojcik (both deceased), and brother of Michael, James, William, Anne and Laura. Merry Christma s! The students, faculty and staff of Saint Frances of Rome School would like to wish you and your families a very Blessed Christmas and a very joyous New Year. Thank you for your continuos support. You and yours are always in our prayers. 6 SFR School 1401 S. Austin Blvd., Cicero, IL

Frances of Rome memories with us. We will publish as many articles and photos as space allows. BEFORE Thank you to Mr. George Lanphear for submitting these before and after photographs.

7 Quarterly Newsletter for Graduates, Friends and Families of Saint Frances of Rome Fall 2012 Share your vintage photos! Share SFR history with us! Mail a copy of your photos to: St. Frances of Rome Alumni Newsletter, 1401 S. Austin Blvd., Cicero, IL or your photos to: alumni@sfr-school.org Photo Booth Thank you for sharing your St. Frances of Rome memories with us. We will publish as many articles and photos as space allows. BEFORE Thank you to Mr. George Lanphear for submitting these before and after photographs. Can you guess when they were taken? Are you or someone you know in these photos? Please send your comments to us at school. AFTER Educating saints and scholars, disciples of Christ, and leaders in the community. 7

8 SFR Photo Memories To see more photos submitted by fellow alumni, go to Tell us your St. Frances of Rome stories! We want to find out more about our graduates! Write in and tell us your stories and best memories from your days at SFR. Tell us where you went to college and what you re up to now. Share your wedding and birth announcements and don t forget to send pictures! If you give us permission, we ll publish these updates in future editions of this newsletter. Name: Address: City: State: Zip: Phone: Graduation Year: Yes, please publish my story and my address so that other classmates can contact me! Please don t publish my information; it is for update purposes only. Write in your update here, and attach more sheets if you have a lot of stories to share! Mail this form to: SFR Alumni Newsletter 1401 S. Austin Blvd. Cicero, IL Or your update to: alumni@sfr-school.org

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