Kay Daly said she reached for her Kleenex when her granddaughter, Maggie Lynch a fourth grader from Darien, stood up in front of Our Lady of Peace School students, family and friends and spoke about the special time the two of them share going out to lunch and shopping on Maggie’s birthday.
It was standing room only when many stories of tradition and love were shared during a special Grandparents’ Day mass honoring the grandparents and special people who help enrich the lives of the students attending Our Lady of Peace School in Darien.
“I was very surprised she found it so memorable,” said Kay Daly of Orland Park. “Maggie’s school is so family-oriented. Maggie was excited to show me the computer lab after mass and take me to the book sale.”
A tradition at Our Lady of Peace School, Grandparents’ Day recognizes the importance of family and faith by honoring the people who pass down the traditions connecting one generation to another. While some students shared their memories from the church podium, others walked up to the church alter with an item symbolizing their memory or tradition. After mass, grandparents attended an open house in the school and signed out their grandchildren before lunch. This unique opportunity strengthens family relationships and allows for more bonding and memories the rest of the day, according to Mickey Tovey, Our Lady of Peace School principal.
”We recognize and honor these special people because they help build the foundation of our church and school,” Tovey said. “There wasn’t anyone in the church who couldn’t relate to the stories told by our students.Grandparents are grateful to share this time and be acknowledged in this way.”
Third grader, Jacob Mielczarek of Lemont, beamed with pride and joy as he told the congregation how he spends a week-long retreat in Wisconsin bonding with his family, because his mother’s family went on a similar retreat in Poland when she was a child.
“It makes me happy and I feel important,” said Jacob, whose grandma is visiting from Poland this month. “She only speaks Polish, but I think she figured it out.”
Our Lady of Peace School has always shown creativity in finding ways to include family and friends in the learning process, according to Father Walter Dziordz, pastor of the church.
“This day thrills the kids and grandparents, and allows for real deep bonding,” Father Walter said. “It gives a wonderful, warm deep sense of family that mirrors God’s love and draws them closer to God.”
Malvi Gandhi, a new seventh grade student, brought a board game to the church alter and shared memories of spending time with her maternal grandparents from Bombay, India, when they visited the United States. She learned new games from her grandfather, listened to stories about her mother as a child from their grandmother, and ate delicious homemade meals. They even went to the Wisconsin Dells.
“We spent a lot of time together,” said Malvi of Darien, whose grandmother passed away since that trip. “I felt honored to share my memories. I love OLP. Everybody is so nice and welcoming.”
Although the school families may come from different parts of the world, it seemed clear that day that the students share the common thread of tradition and family honor.
“It is like a house,” said Rosa Palella who lives in Darien, but is originally from Bari, Italy. “If you have a good foundation it will be strong. OLP is a place where children grow strong.”
Palella’s granddaughter, fourth grade student Arianna Giannini of Burr Ridge, carried a rocking chair to the church alter and told how her grandma would sit in a rocking chair when she was younger and sing Italian songs from her heart. She said her grandma is the best grandma anyone could wish for.
“I showed my grandma the music room because she loves to sing,” Arianna said. “She got to meet my teachers and see my desk.”
During the open house, many grandparents said they didn’t realize the impact the little things they did had on their grandchildren. Others added that this day gave them special one on one time they don’t always have when several grandchildren visit at once.
Second grader Abigail Didio is lucky to see her grandparents every day at OLP. Her grandma, Cathy Didio, teaches sixth grade and her grandfather, Herb Didio, is an active volunteer and watches Abigail after school.
“There were a lot of tears at mass,” said Cathy Didio, whose own children attended OLP. “This mass recognized all grandparents who mold and contributed to the formation of children, not just the ones highlighted today. Many of them have traveled great distances to share this day with their grandchildren.”
Abigail brought an ice cream cone to the church alter. She said she rides bikes with her grandpa in the summer. They go to the park and then get ice cream at Dairy Queen.
“I felt proud to show my grandpa my work,” Abigail said. “I have fun at school and hope my grandma is my teacher when I’m in sixth grade.”
Abigail escorted her grandpa and great grandpa, papa and opa, through the school that day. Opa said he was happy to get out of the house, enjoy the good weather and see the kids.
As for Abigail’s grandpa, he said he takes the things he does with his granddaughter for granted, but knows that she does not.
“It goes with the territory when you go to the park on a hot day,” Didio said. “You have to stop for ice cream.”
