WHITING – Though academic excellence and focus on faith are the mainstays at St. John the Baptist Catholic school and church, entertainment and fun took centerstage with the return of a parish fundraiser on Feb. 17-18.
Hundreds of students, parishioners and neighbors gathered at the parish at the intersection of 119th St. and Lincoln Ave. for the return of the Winter Festival. Launched in 1976, the two-day event featuring an adult Mardi Gras-themed evening and a family fun day had been sidelined for a couple years due to the pandemic.
Pausing from the frenetic pace of visiting with friends throughout the circa 1950 school campus – in the gymnasium, dance hall and out in the video game truck – SJB seventh-grader Jiovanni Martinez visited the snack bar stocked with sweets and beverages and manned by volunteer parents.
“I'm hanging out with my friends and having fun; it’s a wonderful time,” said Martinez, a seventh grader at the parish school who transferred from a public school. “It’s a great environment here … they teach the Catholic religion. My classmates and teachers are amazing.”
A youthful audience cheered on a professional local magician in SJB’s Marian Memorial Auditorium while adult guests spoke over food and spirits and were entertained by area musical acts in the school’s venerable panel room.
Addison Dafnis, an SJB third grader was among a group of elementary school students who sat bright-eyed, cheered and laughed at the illusions of Matt Kalita. She was invited on stage to assist in a rope trick, where cut sections of the cord were mysteriously restored into one piece.
Also on stage, a rabbit was pulled out of a gift bag held by two-year-old Victoria Villalpando. SJB fifth-grader Daniel Deleon was a good sport as he was led to believe that a fake tabletop guillotine could cost him one of his hands.
School parent Valerie Yzaguirre pursued the silent auction and adult tips displays which were like a variety store wall of items featuring home soap and spa kits to tickets to Chicago White Sox baseball games. Another school supporter, Samantha Del Rio held her inquisitive daughter Della Del Rio, 16 months, as her eldest child Elly Del Rio, 13, joined her eighth-grade classmates elsewhere on the school campus.
“I think it’s really great, I think the school and church are going to raise a lot of money,” said Samantha Del Rio. “I know my Elly is having a good time.”
Originally from the Region, Samantha Del Rio said she and her family have been away due to her husband, Antonio Del Rio’s career commitment to the U.S. Navy. “We just recently got back, so this is Elly’s first year at school … the students all welcomed my daughter into their class.”
Parishioner Joe Kruczek viewed the class art projects, including decorated benches and fire pits.
Sitting down with a hot meal, Kruczek said the vibrancy of the colorful pre-Lent event is evidence of the vitality of the parish.
“I like to see people getting together – all ethnic groups,” said Kruczek, who has been a SJB member for more than 50 years. “I’m Slovakian. I see Hispanic people and others and it’s nice.”
Families showed their support for the Home of the Trojans by wearing school swag or street clothes of blue and gold. Others pitched in by monitoring kids' games or accepting tips and bids on donated items.
With the sporadic help of his son, SJB fifth-grader Paul Garb, Tim Garb counted money and ensured people’s bids and tips were properly collected.
Proceeds from the auctions and ticketed events such as the magic show go to support St. John the Baptist school. According to Jamie Sandona, SJB director of religious education, Peers Helping Youth Reach Enlightenment (PHYRE) facilitator and festival coordinator, the success of the event is dependent on donations and volunteer hours offered.
“What I’m doing is walking to each (festival) area and making sure that volunteers are okay and if they need anybody,” said Jamie Sandona. “This is for the town, basically publicized to our family community – including faith formation kids from the public schools.”
PHYRE youth group for Whiting area churches were among those volunteering at the annual school festival. Sandona praised their efforts and announced Lenten charitable initiatives and Holy Week activities where she hopes many youth will join.
Some parents didn’t think twice about donating their time, talent and treasure. Isabel Chavez oversaw the snacks and ice cream carts. Meanwhile, her children Gavin Chavez, 10, and Anthony Chavez, 8, SJB students, enjoyed the kids' games.
“Jamie (Sandona) is amazing; she is very helpful," said Isabel Chavez. “And as far as others, (volunteer levels) were great on Friday and Saturday morning was great. After 4 o’clock we had few volunteers.”
She added that the Saturday slate of activities was most enjoyable with the children and teens present, as Friday was an adults-only gathering. “This day is my favorite thing – I like it to be a (whole) family festival.”
PHYRE member Tierney Whitefoot, 17, hopes to stay active in the youth group’s calendar of events. Being a volunteer at the SJB festival helped her stay connected with the many faces of the parish. “There are lots of kids from other schools who come to PHYRE and a lot of people from different parts of the community that come to our church,” she said.
Jessica Gonzales, SJB principal, said, “It’s just been a really fun weekend with family and friends … it was nice to see alumni and we’re hoping to raise significant funds to continue to improve our school.”
Lenten Service Project at SJB
St. John the Baptist’s Peers Helping Youth Reach Enlightenment (PHYRE) ministry is collecting personal care items in advance of their March 9 service project. Group facilitator Jamie Sandona said collection boxes are set at the entrances of the Whiting church. Soap, shampoo, wash cloths, dental care items, hand lotion and sanitizer, as well as laundry detergent are most needed. For more information on the charity drive or other PHYRE initiatives, call 659-0023.