Students Attend Interfaith Prayer for Peace
Barb Dawson • March 26, 2025
Happy Belongingness Week!
Montini Catholic students proudly embraced their diversity as a school during their annual Belongingness Week (March 24-28) at the Lasallian college preparatory high school in Lombard. The celebration, sponsored by the World Language Department and Theology Department - commenced with an Interfaith Prayer for Peace Service which welcomed Father Matt Nathan (St. Pius X Catholic Parish, Lombard), Pat Gibbs (Congregation Etz Chaim, Elmhurst), Imam Hisham Al Qaisi (Islamic Foundation, Villa Park), Pastor R. Keith Beauchamp (Hope Presbyterian Church, Wheaton) and Venerable Miaowei (Fo Guang Shan Chicago Buddhist Temple).
The service was organized by Assistant Campus Minister, and World Religions teacher, Mrs. Kelly Davis, who welcomed students and speakers. "Today we gather in the spirit of unity, compassion, and hope. We are here from different faith traditions, yet united in our shared belief in peace, love, and the inherent dignity of every human being. In a world that often seems divided by differences, we stand together in the pursuit of a common goal: peace." Each year Mrs. Davis arranges educational and informative World Religions field trips with her students - this year they visited the Congregation Etz Chaim Synagogue in Elmhurst, 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."
Each speaker enlightened Montini students in regards to their various practices and prayers promoting peace.
"Let us take a moment to reflect on the unity we have shared in prayer, even though our faith traditions may differ," advised Principal Chris Tiritilli. "Through our words, thoughts, and intentions, we have come together as a community committed to peace, understanding, and respect. This gathering has been a reminder that while our beliefs may vary, our common desire for love, compassion, and justice binds us all as children of God."
Principal Tiritlli expressed his hope that the prayer service experience would inspire Montini students to continue fostering an environment of inclusivity and respect at Montini and beyond. "As we go forward, may we remember that dialogue, understanding, and empathy are powerful tools in building bridges and healing divides. Let us carry this spirit of unity in our hearts and actions, ensuring that the light of faith guides us in our daily lives, leading us to a world of greater harmony and peace. Thank you for being part of this meaningful service today."
Montini's Belongingness Week was conceptualized to promote a sense of inclusion, connection, and community among students and throughout the school. The purpose of this week is to enhance and emphasize an environment where each student feels known, accepted, valued and supported, regardless of their background, identity, or differences. Administrators and teachers provided several activities for the students to celebrate what makes them unique and special, as well as their different backgrounds, experiences and traditions.
Image above: L to R: Montini President Kevin Beirne, Imam Hisham Al Qaisi, Father Matt Nathan, Kelly Davis, Pastor R. Keith Beauchamp, Pat Gibbs, Steve Volkening, Venerable Miaowei, and Principal Chris Tiritilli
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Montini Catholic High School in Lombard will roll out the red carpet on Thursday, May 1st to honor members from their Class of 2025 as Academic All Stars. Each year the Lasallian college preparatory school invites seniors who have excelled academically throughout their high school years to a celebratory banquet in their honor. A total of fifty seniors achieved the honor this year of being named a Montini Catholic Academic All Star which involves attaining a 3.95+ GPA and/or earning Illinois State Scholar status. Congratulations to: Ryan Andres (Bartlett, Kenyon Woods Middle School graduate) Payton Atkins (Downers Grove, St. Scholastica graduate) Liliana Aumann (Bolingbrook, St. Dominic graduate) Zachary Baka (Naperville, All Saints Catholic Academy graduate) John Barrett (Villa Park, St. Pius X graduate) Annika Bartell (Downers Grove, Forest Park Middle School graduate) Maria Bednarczyk (Lombard, Sacred Heart graduate) Joshua Brunke (Lombard, Sacred Heart graduate) Hannah Bushati (Downers Grove, St. Joseph graduate) Gaetano Carbonara (Downers Grove, St. Isaac Jogues graduate) Liliana Cruz (Elmhurst, Immaculate Conception graduate) Julian D’Anca (Wheaton, St. Michael School graduate) Annalee DeFeo (Lombard, St. Pius X graduate) Isabel Evenson (Lombard, St. Pius X graduate) Peyton Farrell (Downers Grove, St. Mary of Gostyn graduate) Jimmy Fitzpatrick (Lombard, Sacred Heart graduate) Santino Florio (Oak Brook, Butler Junior High School graduate) Julia Gergen (Lombard, St. Pius X graduate) Naomy Gonzalez (Wayne, Indian Trail Junior High graduate) Isabella Greco (Oak Brook, Butler Junior High School graduate) Tyiance Haney (Aurora, Sacred Heart graduate) Alexandra Hernandez (Westchester, Divine Providence graduate) Sean Hubeny (Westmont, St. Mary of Gostyn graduate) Isabella Jaojoco (Bolingbrook, St. Scholastica graduate) Lauren Jaskier (Lombard, Jackson Middle School graduate) Conor Kaefer (Lombard, Sacred Heart graduate) Nicolette Kerstein (Naperville, Wilmot Elementary School graduate) Audrey Kinney (Glen Ellyn, St. Petronille School graduate) Jaxon Lane (Carol Stream, Monroe Middle School) Ruikun Ray Li (Oak Brook, St. John of the Cross graduate) Jamie Loftus (Lombard, St. Pius X graduate) Margaret Nielsen (Lombard, Sacred Heart graduate) Seoyeon Park (Lombard, International Student) Gianna Parrilli (Westchester, Ascension Catholic School graduate) Adrian Polazewski (Lombard, Glenn Westlake graduate) Wyatt Prater (Naperville, Jefferson Jr. High graduate) Christopher Reyes (Bolingbrook, St. Dominic School graduate) Brielle Rowgalo (Wood Dale, St. Philip the Apostle graduate) Valentina Serna (Addison, St. Isidore School graduate) Nicholas Sheeran (Downers Grove, Herrick Middle School graduate) Daniel Sherman (Bolingbrook, St. Scholastica graduate) Matthew Silveyra (Carol Stream, St. Isidore graduate) Jackson Simek (LaGrange/LaGrange Highlands graduate) Sienna Skarda (Elmhurst, Immaculate Conception graduate) Roberto Soto (Addison Trail, Indian Trail Jr. High graduate) Lily Spanos (Glen Ellyn, St. Petronille graduate) Hayden Surrette (Downers Grove, Herrick Middle School graduate) Sierra Urban (Westchester, Westchester Middle School graduate) Collins Whitfield III (Downers Grove, St. Joseph School graduate) Christopher Zayed (Lombard, Glenn Westlake Middle School graduate) Image above: Students listed l to r in alphabetical order as listed.
Montini Catholic in Lombard is proud to announce the senior members of their 2025 Prom Court. The king and queen will be announced and crowned during the Lasallian college preparatory high school's Prom Night on Friday, April 25th. The evening, themed - The Roaring 2020s - will be held at Bolingbrook Country Club. Class of 2025 Prom Court Members Queen Liliana Cruz Peyton Farrell Natalie Gartlan Autumn Schumerth Sienna Skarda King Nicky Castaldo Jonathan Hayes Sean Hubeny Matthew Silveyra Collins Whitfield Image above l to r: Peyton Farrell, Collins Whitfield, Natalie Gartlan, Sean Hubeny, Liliana Cruz, Nicky Castaldo, Autumn Schumerth, Matthew Silveyra, Sienna Skarda and Jonathan Hayes
We were honored to be joined at Mass on Monday, April 7th 2025 by Father Jeff Stoneberg of Christ the King Parish and Brothers Rob Veselsky, Chuck Gregor, Joel McGraw, Richard Merkel, James Gaffney, Phil Jones, Brother Kotek, Dr. Steven Torres and Brother Br. Michael Fehrenbach (with Principal Chris Tiritilli (left) and President Kevin Beirne (far right)) to celebrate the Feast Day of our Founder St. John Baptist De LaSalle. Students commemorated the 306th Anniversary of St. John Baptist de La Salle, Patron Saint of Teachers and Founder of our Lasallian Mission. He was a man of deep prayer, unwavering faith, and boundless compassion, devoting his life to God through service and education. "St. John Baptist De Lasalle, pray for us. Live, Jesus, in our hearts, forever."
