St. John Brebeuf open house set for Sunday, Jan. 29

To help kick off Catholic Schools Week, St. John Brebeuf, 8307 N. Harlem Ave., Niles, has planned an open house for Sunday, Jan. 29, from 10 a.m. to noon. An annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States, Catholic Schools began in 1974. The theme for the National Catholic Schools Week 2017 which runs from Sunday, Jan. 29, through Saturday, Feb. 4, is “Catholic Schools: Communities of Faith, Knowledge and Service.”

As part of the celebration at St. John Brebeuf, an outdoor ice rink, will be blessed by Father Michael Meany during the open house, and will be open to the public during daylight hours through February. A Shoot the Puck contest is planned for 11 a.m. on Jan. 29. A toy raffle for young children as well as a special appearance by Jack the Jaguar, the school mascot, are also on the schedule.

The annual celebration week will also include Masses and other activities for students, families, parishioners and community members. Through these events, St. John Brebeuf will focus on the value that Catholic education provides to young people as well as its contributions to the church, the community and the nation.

For more information, call 847-966-8145 or visit www.sjbrebeuf.org.

Caption # 1
An enthusiastic crowd gathers with Jack the Jaguar at last year's St. John Brebeuf ice rink that will be part of festivities at this year's open house Sunday, Jan. 29.

Caption # 2
Skaters practice their hockey moves at last year's St. John Brebeuf ice rink. Part of festivities scheduled during Catholic Schools Week which runs from Sunday, Jan. 29, through Saturday, Feb. 4.

Caption # 3
Ready to score, a young hockey player moves toward the puck at last year's St. John Brebeuf ice rink. The ice rink will be open this year beginning Sunday, Jan. 29, through February during daylight hours weather permitting.