Montini Catholic students proudly embraced their diversity as a school during their annual Cultural Awareness Week, held on March 20th through the 24th at the Lasallian college preparatory high school in Lombard. The celebration, sponsored by the World Language Department, commenced with an Interfaith Prayer for Peace Service which welcomed Fr. Jeff Stoneberg (Christ the King Catholic Parish), Pastor James Davis (Martin Temple AME Zion Church), Imam Noman Hussain (Islamic Foundation) and Pastor R. Keith Beauchamp (Bethel New Life Church). (Ms. Cindy Michelassi, from the Congregation Etz Chaim (a Reform synagogue in Lombard) was invited, but unable to attend - Montini Catholic sophomore, and member of the Congregation Etz Chaim, Julia Schinsky, led a prayer.) 

The morning service was organized by Assistant Campus Minister, and World Religions teacher, Mrs. Kelly Davis. "This morning came about because diversity comes in many forms and religious diversity is one of those forms. We wanted to provide our students with an opportunity to see how others pray and to demonstrate the values and beliefs that we share with people of other faiths." Each year Mrs. Davis also arranges an educational and informative World Religions field trip with her students - this year they visited the BAPS Hindu Temple in Bartlett and the Islamic Foundation Mosque in Villa Park. "Our goal is to provide opportunities for our students to learn and experience other cultures, races and religions. This can facilitate a better understanding of one's own beliefs and strengthen their faith."

"I want to first thank our guests for taking the time and energy to share their faith with our school community today. It’s a great gift to our community to have you here to share in our faith lives together and experience the kind of unity that brings peace into our world and into our own hearts," said Principal Beirne prior to the Prayer for Peace service. "Pope Francis said, “The goal of interreligious dialogue is to establish friendship, peace and fraternity, and to share spiritual and moral values and experiences in a spirit of truth and love."

"Today, I simply want you to be open to experiencing that feeling of curiosity and humility. There’s almost nothing I want more for you than to experience the world around you with open, peaceful, thoughtful hearts," added Principal Beirne, thanking students in advance for their respect and reverence as each religious guest shared their prayer.

On October 25, 2022, Pope Francis joined other religious leaders at a similar prayer service for peace at Rome’s Colosseum as part of a 3-day interreligious summit, "The Cry for Peace" organized by the Community of Sant'Egidio. According to "Nostra Aetate Proclaimed by His Holiness Pope Paul VI on October 28, 1965" (cf. Nostra Aetate 1) in relation of the Church to non-Christian religions - "In our time, when day by day mankind is being drawn closer together, and the ties between different peoples are becoming stronger, the Church examines more closely her relationship to non-Christian religions. In her task of promoting unity and love among men, indeed among nations, she considers above all in this declaration what men have in common and what draws them to fellowship."(Source link)

Montini's Cultural Awareness Week celebration continued throughout the week with all departments getting involved. World Language students were inducted into the World Language Honor Societies on Tuesday (March 21st) evening in the school's auditorium.

"We come to Montini with our own experiences, understandings and views of the world. We also bring a few misconceptions and stereotypes," said Michael Blanchette, Campus Minister. "We learn that there are other views than our own.  Diversity refers to an inclusive community with varied human characteristics, ideas, and world-views, and whose interactions both benefit and challenge each other to grow while making our community a better place."

Image above: ​L to R: Fr. Jeff Stoneberg (Christ the King Catholic Parish), Pastor James Davis (Martin Temple AME Zion Church), Imam Noman Hussain (Islamic Foundation) and Pastor R. Keith Beauchamp (Bethel New Life Church)