62nd Annual President's Dinner

Loyola Academy celebrated its 62nd annual President’s Dinner on Friday, November 1, 2019. Sister Paulanne Held, OSF, of Glenview’s Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, beloved teacher and founder of the Needy Family Fund, was honored with the Rev. Daniel A. Lord, SJ, Award for Distinguished Service in the Cause of Youth.
Fondly referred to by the members of OLPH Parish and the surrounding community as the "Patron Saint" of Glenview, Sister Paulanne has dedicated her life to inspiring young people in the classroom while serving those in need. She has spent more than half a century as a beloved teacher and role model, forming the hearts and minds of generations of young people at the primary and middle-school levels.
 
For more than 30 years, she has also been out on the front lines in the fight against poverty, helping families in crisis reclaim their hope and dignity through the parish's Needy Family Fund. Since its inception over three decades ago, the Needy Family Fund has helped thousands. During the 2017–18 fiscal year alone, the fund served more than 130 families and helped 63 students purchase all of their back-to-school supplies and clothing.
 
The occasion of the 2019 President’s Dinner fell on the Solemnity of All Saints and kicked off with a beautiful evening Mass at Old St. Patrick’s Church in Chicago. Loyola Academy President Rev. Patrick E. McGrath, SJ, presided. Following Mass, guests made the short walk to the event venue, Amazing Space@625, to enjoy cocktails and cuisine from around the globe.
 
“For generations, Sister Paulanne has been a teacher, counselor, role model and sacristan,” said Fr. McGrath in his introduction of the night’s honoree. “She teaches priests how to be better priests; she’s a friend to thousands of people for generations. She’s made all of us better people because we’ve known her. She’s made us all better people by reminding us that we have to get busy taking care of Jesus’ poor…She is a driving life force.”
 
Upon accepting her award, Sister Paulanne addressed the crowd, emphasizing the importance of faith and family life. “God needs to be the center of our lives every day,” she said. “We need to go to Mass as family. Eucharist is key. Children need to learn the importance of their faith. They learn it from good example as well as instruction.”
 
To listen to the full audio recording of Fr. McGrath’s introduction and Sister Paulanne’s remarks, click here.
 
Read more about Sister Paulanne’s life and work here.
 
 

A very special thank you to the following individuals and corporations:

2019 President’s Dinner co-chairs
Susan and Peter Anthony '84; Stacy and B. J. Dolan III '77; Patty and Bob Huffman; Rosemary and Jim Hughes; Kathy and Brian Johnson; Carrie and Larry Nicholson; Peggy and Dave Radelet; Jay and Joe Scoby '83; Kim and Jim Walsh III '79
 
Daniel A. Lord, SJ. Society Sponsor
John Joyce; Dawn and John Livingston; J. Hobie Murnane '75; Wintrust Community Banks
 
Archangel Society Sponsor
Dorothy Banas; Anita and Steve Livaditis; Marge Livingston and Family; Courtney and Ed Loeb; Jane and Jim Lyman '79; Kathy and Chris Perry; Suzanne and Bill Sullivan '72; Monica and Larry Thuet; Byline Bank, Gibsons Restaurant Group; Valenti
 
Benefactor Society Sponsor
Julie and John Grayhack; Rosemary and Scott Gunnison; Mary Beth and John Hartmann; Nancy Paridy and Steve Naughton; Liliana Roche; Joan and Francis Roti '61; Glunz Wines
 
Patron Society Sponsor
Reb Banas, Stanley Spring; Linda Baudhuin; Lisa and Peter Cormier; Amy and Dan Dunn; Meg Fiorenza and Mark Santacrose; Martha and Bill Forsyth; Stacy Frantz and Theodore Nebel; Mark Green; Sue and Peter Hendrick; Margaret and Amb James Kenny; Fran and Perry Mandera; Jen and Pete Marino; Patti and Dan McGrath; Bill McIntosh '57; Kari and John McNeil; Lisa and John Mullen; Donna and Jim Placio; Louise and Robert Sanborn; Dr. Walter and Lisa Stadler; Diane and Michael Stone; Nicole and Alan Wahlert; Anne and Kevin Warnke; Robert J. Wild '79 and Lisa Lyn Donofrio; Chalet; Chicago Partners; MPSLaw; npn360
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