Our Lady of the Lake School commenced the celebration of Catholic Schools Week with a special Family Mass and celebration on Sunday, January 27. This year, Catholic Schools Week runs from January 27 through February 2. The theme for this year’s commemoration is “Catholic Schools Raise the Standards.”
At the Family Mass on January 27, the Our Lady of the Lake School community honored Bethanne McNamara, “Mrs. Mac,” the school’s fifth grade teacher, for her 25 years of loyal and devoted service. For the past few weeks, the class parents for the current fifth grade class collected testimonials and other greetings from past and present students and parents. All of these messages were collected into a special booklet that was presented to Mrs. Mac at the Family Mass. Fr. Mike Hanly, pastor of Our Lady of the Lake, read some of the messages as part of the presentation. Members of the current fifth grade class also presented Mrs. Mac with a large bouquet of flowers and other gifts.
Fr. Hanly, in his remarks at the Family Mass, used the example of Mrs. Mac’s service to Our Lady of the Lake School as an example of the service of devoted teachers, administrators and parents that make Catholic Schools special. Mrs. Mac, who was overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and gratitude, thanked all of those who had taken part in honoring her and expressed the hope that she would be able to serve another 25 years. After the Family Mass, the school community gathered in the parish auditorium for a party to mark Catholic Schools Week and to greet Mrs. Mac.
Throughout Catholic Schools Week, Our Lady of the Lake School hosted unique activities. Two Open Houses for interested families were held on Monday and Tuesday, January 28 and 29, and a special Open House for local realtors was held on Wednesday, January 30. The school students enjoyed a variety of once-a-year events and presentations. The week culminates in the annual eigth grade pasta dinner, when the eighth grade class and their parents not only host a delicious pasta and salad dinner but also organize an extensive tricky-tray raffle. All proceeds from the pasta dinner go to support the many special activities that the eighth graders enjoy leading up to their graduation.
