Karaoke night honors St. Cyprian’s Father Gene

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St. Cyprian students sing karaoke during a benefit honoring Father Gene Gratkowski. | Maryann Pisano~For Sun-Times Media

Updated: March 3, 2012 8:35AM

The Rev. Gene Gratkowski felt appreciated at St. Cyprian’s fundraiser on Jan. 21.

The fundraiser included food, drinks, a raffle, karaoke and a farewell tribune to Father Gene, who is retiring. The students also had a singing competition, with a variety of songs such as “Don’t Stop Believin’” and “I Just Can’t Wait To Be King.”

The first part of the night consisted of the students having a karaoke competition. Each grade level competed and the second grade won.

The second part of the evening was the adult karaoke competition.

“The St. Cyprian community is so supportive and family-oriented. This is a great school, with a lot of support from families,” said parent Dana McCoy.

McCoy, as well as many of the parents, enjoyed the show and seeing their children perform. Many were weepy eyed when viewing the tribute to Father Gene.

“St. Cyprian parish is one of the most close-knit communities I’ve ever seen,” said Gratkowski, who has been a priest for 45 years.

“Everyone is so open, generous, and supportive. It’s going to be hard to leave,” he said.

The farewell tribute consisted of the Advent Prayer Service singing songs from “Godspell” and “Joseph.”

They changed the lyrics in the songs to make them about Father Gene.

“This whole night has been extremely humbling,” Gratkowski said. “It’s going to be very difficult to leave.”

He plans on staying within the community and substituting for other priests when needed after he retires.

Sixth-grader Seano McNally is sad to see Father Gene leave the Parish.

“I am very sad to see him leave! I don’t want a different priest!” McNally said.

The fundraiser and tribute was extremely successful. The school raised over $3,000.

“This event was so much fun to coordinate,” said coordinator Maggie Muellner. “It’s a great way to get everyone together for a good cause. We are all going to miss Father Gene.”