Fifteen new academies opened this fall, and diocesan bishops have been busy visiting each one to commemorate their opening and inaugural year.
Auxiliary Bishop Witold Mroziewski visited the community of St. Bartholomew Catholic Academy, Elmhurst, on Nov. 6.
He celebrated Mass for the students, faculty and staff as well as many parents and parishioners in attendance. Fathers Rick Beuther, pastor, and John Gildea, pastoral associate, concelebrated the morning liturgy.
Students greeted Bishop Mroziewski by learning how to say good morning and welcome in his native language of Polish. Students also sang a hymn in Polish in honor of Our Lady of Czestochowa, and were proud to present a portrait of the patroness of Poland to the bishop as a memento of his visit.