St. John Brebeuf Gala Nov. 7 to Benefit School

“Lighting the Way” will benefit St. John Brebeuf School. Larry and Jan Skaja will be honored.

Lighting the Way, a benefit that will bring teacher ideas to life for children at St. John Brebeuf School, will be held Saturday, Nov. 7, at 6 p.m. in the Thomas P. May Parish Ministry Center, 830l N. Harlem Ave., Niles. Tickets for this 22nd annual gala that will benefit St. John Brebeuf School, the only private Catholic school in Niles, are $75. Proceeds will make it possible for the school to continue to provide a solid Catholic foundation coupled with cutting-edge 21st Century education for children and families in the area, according to Michael and Heather Trajan who are chairing this year’s event.

Parents and community members brought the idea of GALA to St. John Brebeuf 22 years ago to provide more educational opportunities for children. In past years the event has provided funds for a new science curriculum, refinishing the gym floor, for tuition assistance, and to bring core curriculum up to date in coordination with technology. This year funds will support the 1:1 initiative which will provide a tablet for every child in kindergarten through second grade and a laptop for every child in third through eighth grade, according to Trajan.

The evening will also include the presentation of the Sheila Harrington Award honoring Jan and Larry Skaja. The Skajas will be recognized for their long years of service at St. John Brebeuf and especially their support of pastors, priests and lay staff over the life of the church. Jan has been a faithful music minister, cantor, organizer and supporter of the parish and school for over 50 years. Working in the school when her children were students, she continues in many of those roles especially singing at festivals and working at the hospitality table for the Music Lumina concert series. Larry also has a history of long involvement in the early years of the school and athletic programs, as well as being on the leadership team with his wife for many festivals and parish fund raisers. More recently, he updated and improved SJB’s Virtus Program, Protecting God’s Children, Marriage, and the Baptism Preparation Program as well as providing leadership for the 60th anniversary celebration.

For more information about Lighting the Way, to purchase raffle tickets or donate to the cause, visit www.sjbrebeuf.org or email gala@sjbschool.org.

Caption: Deacon Larry Skaja checks on some of the food he and Jan prepared. She was singing in the concert too.