Dear friends and distinguished guests:

Gung Hay Fat Choy! And WELCOME!

Feb. 8th marked the beginning of the Chinese New Year 4706 which, in the Chinese Calendar, it is known as "The Year of the Rat".

Lunar New Year is a time for rejoicing, for re-connecting with ourselves and with our families.  

Restless and inquisitive, those born under the influence of the Rat are active, both physically and mentally, and tend to lead busy lives.

Rats are formidable problem-solvers. They are considered a symbol of good luck and wealth in both China and Japan.

We have all reasons to hope that this year will be a very special one for all of us.

I’d like, tonight, to welcome all of you to this banquet. It looks to me more like a big family- reunion with so many friends, benefactors and alumni than a fundraiser.

An event of this caliber requires lot of work and planning. I’d like to express my gratitude to the Principal, Mrs. Phyllis Cavallone-Jureck, to Mrs. Betsy Uchima, the chief organizer, to the School Board members, the dedicated Faculty, Staff, our school-children, to our generous sponsors and to the many people who have worked so hard to plan and stage this event. 

Through the untiring efforts of our Principal, our school can now boast of being technologically second to none.  In this challenging task, she enjoys the support of Parishioners and of our young, energetic and committed School Board.

St. Therese Chinese School has proved to be an academically strong and culturally connected community. The key to of St.Therese Catholic School success is the dedicated and professionally Faculty. Together with our children they made possible for us to rank among the top 25 private school in Chicagoland.

As you know, “Catholic” means universal, open to welcome diversity, which we consider to be a precious gift to be treasured with gratitude and not as a threat. As Catholics we teach at St. Therese values and wisdom, not only knowledge or technology.

Catholic faith is the secret of our strength and successes. 

Our Christian teaching aims at making our children God-fearing and exemplary citizens of this country. Our faith is a very powerful means of keeping our kids out of gangs and violence.

It is our Christian Faith that makes St. Therese “special” making our school  a place which is acknowledged to be “drug-free”, “violence-free” and “gang-free”.

I feel thrilled to have you as co-workers and partners in the great job of formation and I thank you for entrusting us with the most precious thing you have” your children.

As we share our friendship and food, I’d like to invite you now to join me in prayer as we say:

“Our father…”
Thank you and may God bless you all.

Gung Hay Fat Choy!

Fr. Michael Davitti, SX
Pastor