Sister Rita Marie

This is a story Sister Rita Marie wrote for JUST Words in 2010, the 100th anniversary of Our Lady of Grace School, under the leadership of the Dominican Sisters all that time.

On the morning of June 7, 2010, Our Lady of Grace School in Chicago celebrated its 100^th anniversary. Wanting to honor the Dominican Sisters during this anniversary year, two parents of the graduation class of 2010 approached Sister Rita Marie Range, principal of Our Lady of Grace School, with the idea of renaming the 2400 block of Ridgeway Avenue (the street that runs in front of the school) “Dominican Sisters Way.” The parents said that the 100^th Anniversary would not be complete without recognizing the 285 Dominican Sisters who served the students at Our Lady of Grace School since it opened its doors in 1910. According to these parents, renaming the street would forever pay tribute to the Sisters.

The “All Class Reunion” to celebrate the 100^th Anniversary of Our Lady of Grace School was held in April. It was a joyous celebration. Dominican Sisters who were guests at the celebration included: Sister Rose Marie Riley, the prioress general of the Dominican Sisters of Springfield; Dominican council members Sisters Kathlyn Mulcahy and Rebecca Ann Gemma; the superintendent of schools of the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Mary Paul McCaughey; and former faculty members. Present from the neighborhood community were members of the Big Shoulders Fund and Alderman Rey Colon. The guests gathered in front of the school with the present faculty and students of Our Lady of Grace School, alumni, parishioners, and friends to celebrate the renaming of Ridgeway Avenue. The program involved speeches, a mariachi band, and the singing of the hymn to Our Lady of Grace by the students. The celebration culminated as everyone walked to the corner of Ridgeway and Altgeld for the unveiling of the new sign. A part immediately followed in the school hall.