Celebrate 70!

This page will continuously be updated as additional event information becomes available.

Dear Parishioners and Visitors,

We’re extremely excited to celebrate Our Lady of the Wayside Parish’s 70th Anniversary! From very humble beginnings  (a broken-down shack which served as our first rectory) in 1953 we have been blessed to evolve into a large, dynamic parish with a beautiful church, a blue-ribbon award-winning school, a wonderful religious education program, a long list of ministries and outreach programs, and more!

All of this wouldn’t have been possible without committed and loving parishioners who generously gave — and continue to give — their time, talent, and treasure throughout the years, and who shared their vision, and helped shape this vision into a beautiful reality.

You’re invited to celebrate this Jubilee Anniversary with us by volunteering to help with, or by simply participating in the cornerstone events listed below (scroll down to see them).  Join us as we joyously Celebrate 70!

Mike Nolan,
Chair, Celebrate 70 Committee

Celebrate 70! OLW Soiree (February 24, 2024)

The parish will conclude its year-long anniversary celebration with Celebrate 70! OLW Soiree, taking place on Saturday, February 24, 2024, at the beautiful Metropolis Ballroom of Arlington Heights. Mix and mingle with parishioners, neighbors, and friends of OLW. Enjoy dancing, hors d’oeuvres, and a live auction in celebration and support of seventy years of Catholic education. For more information or to donate an item for the auction, contact Cassandra McKenna at cmckenna@olwschool.org.

CLICK HERE to buy tickets to attend, make a donation, and participate in the Soiree

CLICK HERE to volunteer to help with the Soiree (sign up before 1/25)

Details and other information:

Soiree Snapshot vol. 1

Soiree Snapshot vol. 2

For More Information, Contact
Cassandra McKenna
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Celebrate 70! OLW 50/50 Raffle

Tickets are ON SALE NOW for the OLW Celebrate 70! 50/50 Raffle. The lucky jackpot winner will split the pot — up to $50,000* — with the parish. The raffle is part of the year-long celebration of Our Lady of the Wayside’s 70th Anniversary. The winner will be drawn at the Celebrate 70! Oktoberfest on September 23, 2023. Proceeds from the raffle will be used to support the Celebrate 70! festivities and other parish ministries.

Click HERE to get your raffle tickets!

For More Information, Contact
Scott Baxendale
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Celebrate 70! OLW Oktoberfest (September 23, 2023)

Ready to get your oompah on? OLW’s Celebrate 70 team is planning an Oktoberfest Bash for Saturday, September 23, 2023 (yes, Oktoberfest really does take place in September). Oktoberfest will take place in the parish parking lot from 6-11 pm. (last call at 10:30). Break out your lederhosen and dirndls and get ready for German beer, brats, live music from two bands and good times. PROST! 

*This is a “21 & Over” event.

For More Information, Contact
Erin Berwick
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Celebrate 70! OLW Golf Outing (July 14)

It didn’t matter what your handicap is, but it did matter that you hit the links with your fellow parishioners at Old Orchard Country Club on Friday, July 14. This was an all-parish (men and women), shotgun event. Golf was followed by an awards dinner and drinks — not only for golfers, but also for anyone who wanted to come afterward to enjoy fellowship, laughs, and entertaining excuses for what should have been lower scores. Thanks to all sponsors and volunteers who made this event such an incredible success! 

For More Information, Contact
Bill Cleary
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Celebrate 70! OLW Family Fair (June 10)

The OLW Celebrate 70! Family Fair held on Saturday, June 10, was a fantastic success with an estimated 600+ people from ages 1 to 100 attending. The live music by A SURE THING was great, the food was delicious, kids had a blast with the games, inflatables, face painting, and a trackless train ride, and the weather was perfect! The Holy Spirit filled the hearts and tummies of all who came out to celebrate Our Lady of the Wayside’s 70th Anniversary with us.

  • To see photos and videos from the Family Fair, CLICK HERE.

For More Information, Contact
Katy Baumgartner
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Celebrate 70! OLW Memorial Day Parade Float (May 29)

Our Lady of the Wayside participated in this year’s Arlington Heights Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 29. Our OLW Celebrate 70! Float featured a 17-piece OLW School Band, led by Rich Pancratz. An enthusiastic group of marchers consisting of OLW families and children, staff, our youth group, and ministry volunteers walked beside the float and distributed candy to the onlookers. Our Celebrate 70! float represented the spirit and vitality of our Church, School, Religious Education Program, and Ministries. 

  • To view photos and a video from the Celebrate 70! Memorial Day Parade, click HERE.
  • To view photos from the Celebrate 70! parade float final preparation, click HERE.
For More Information, Contact
Maggie Nolan
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Celebrate 70! OLW Family Mass With Cardinal Cupich (April 16)

In honor of our Parish’s 70th Anniversary, Cardinal Blase Cupich graciously agreed to Celebrate 70 with us, by presiding at the 9:30 am Family Mass on Sunday, April 16. The Mass was concelebrated by Father Arthur as well as by former pastors. We extended invitations to our teachers and former (retired) teachers and staff. As with all Family Masses, school and REP students actively participated in the liturgy and choir. This was Cardinal Cupich’s first visit to Our Lady of the Wayside and this Mass was a joyous occasion for all!

  • To watch the Celebrate 70 Family Mass, click HERE. (great homily!)
  • To view photos from the Celebrate 70 Family Mass, click HERE.
  • To view photos from the Celebrate 70 Brunch that followed Mass, click HERE.
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