WOODSTOCK—This year’s annual parish picnic at St. Mary Parish, here, Aug. 27, took on an added layer as it coincided with the concluding celebration of St. Mary Catholic School’s 100th anniversary.

Bishop David Malloy celebrated a bilingual Mass with Father Burt Absalon, pastor, and Father Jhakson Garcia, parochial vicar, in honor of the school’s final centennial event. It was held outdoors on the extensive parish grounds inside a huge tent filled with over 500 faithful.

While it was a bit humid and the clouds oftentimes looked threatening, the rain stayed away. The Mass was enhanced by the bilingual and children’s choirs, and the encouraging words of Bishop Malloy.

“These are once in a lifetime events that will never be repeated,” said Bishop Malloy. “There won’t be any of us here when this school celebrates its next 100th year anniversary.”

Catholic education began because of the culture challenging those with faith.

“The culture was not kind to us,” he added, “and the bishops said we need great schools for us to learn in a way that looks to God, our faith and the sacraments.”

He acknowledged the history of St. Mary School when it was founded in 1916 by six Sisters who were teaching.

“They really knew their business,” he said. “The sisters have taught us our prayers, excellence in reading, writing, and arithmetic and how to live our faith.”

He mentioned that St. Mary once included a high school that has become Marian Central Catholic High School.

At the end of Mass, Father Absalon asked Bishop Malloy to bless the school’s 100th anniversary symbol, a photograph with students posing in green t-shirts, arranged to show “100.” He also thanked principal Brenda Baldassamo and the teachers, ca;;omg them “the pillars” of the school and asked for prayers for the students.

Even in these challenging times, St. Mary School enrollment has grown this year. It has 260 students from pre-kindergarten to eighth grade with a staff of 30.

Immediately after Mass, everyone gathered outside the tent for the release of green and gold balloons and a group of white balloons linked to form the number “100.

Colton Aftanski, an eighth grader at the school, kept watch on the balloon he released and was taking photos and videos on his phone. “It’s been a lot of fun,” he said.

As the celebration continued, Mike Domek introduced a video showcasing memories of the school.

Domek, chair of the school’s centennial committee and a 1983 graduate, introduced the video. He and his wife Amy have three sons who will also be alums of St. Mary School. Nicholas is a recent graduate and now a freshman at Marian Central; Alex is in sixth grade; and Matthew in fifth.

Domek added it was amazing that the school secretary Cathy Stanger has been at St. Mary’s for a third of the school’s history.

“I heard that and thought, oh boy,” Stanger said. “I do love my job and going to work every day. The kids have always been very special.”

Over the years, Stanger has worked for nine principals and said her own two children graduated from the school.

Principal Brenda Baldassano appreciated the enthusiasm and from everyone who helped celebrate the anniversary with events all year long, including a successful Century Gala at the Grand Geneva in Lake Geneva, the school’s first color run, and a Christian concert.

Domek added the gala raised $71,000 and it couldn’t have been possible without the help of Erin Zecchin, a member of the Home and School Committee

“We had fabulous participation and the event sold out with 300 guests,” Domek said. “Our goal was to raise funds for a new intercom and security system to help integrate communication between our two different buildings. It was ready and in place for the beginning of this school year.”

He said Father Absalon and Baldassano made the success of the centennial possible.

“Father Burt was always there for our committee,” said Domek. “He was willing to help us for what’s best for our school and church. Our new principal, Brenda, brought many new ideas and thoughts. She is very open to our committee’s input on marketing of the school.”

The picnic to end the celebration was the last of the centennial celebration. Many remained after Mass and gathered to share the food, reminisce and look forward to the future.

Parishioners Jennifer Schnepf and Mary Bjork looked around the grounds and and the large crowd.
“This is so very nice,” said Schnepf, “and the best parish picnic I have attended.”