Seniors Commissioned As Leaders of the School

Barb Dawson • September 15, 2023

Special Mass and Dinner Held in Their Honor

Montini Catholic seniors gathered for a special Commissioning Mass and dinner on the evening of Wednesday, September 13th. "Senior Commissioning Mass is the first opportunity for our new seniors to establish themselves as leaders of our student body,"said Montini's Senior Class Moderator, Student Activities Director and teacher, Eric Brechtel. "The ceremony cements the expectations we have for them as role models, while also reminding them that we, as the adults and parents in the community, believe in them and will support them on their journey to graduation and the real world."

Father Jim Schaub (currently retired but formerly of St. Mary of Gostyn Parish in Downers Grove) presided at the Mass.

"Seniors, tonight is a very special evening. It marks the beginning of the end of your high school career," said Principal Chris Tiritilli. "It is the first of many times we will celebrate you, the many obstacles over which you vaulted, the many goals you’ve met, the many accolades you’ve earned."

He continued. "Today is a proud day as we are all witness to the act of passing down to you, the class of 2024, the responsibility of leading our school and serving as the daily embodiment of our mission statement. There will come a day when your high school experience may seem far and gone, and the details of what you have learned in your classes will seem irrelevant. But the legacy you leave and example you set for our younger Broncos, may stick with you for years upon years after high school."

Montini Catholic High School was founded in 1966 and is a four-year comprehensive private Catholic, co-educational, college preparatory high school, located in Lombard, Illinois. Today, Montini Catholic has graduated more than 7,000 students, 99% of whom have gone on to college. All faiths are welcomed members of the Montini Catholic family.

Image above: Montini parent and alumna Pat O'Connor '81 and senior Rory O'Connor

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Brothers Visit to Celebrate Founder's Feast Day

By Barb Dawson • April 7, 2025

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."

Students Create Mosaic Mural of Founder, St. John Baptist De Lasalle

By Barb Dawson • April 3, 2025

Under the direction of Fine Arts Department Chair and Music Director, Donnie Glowinski and Art Teacher Christiana Blatchley, Montini Catholic students were invited to participate in the creation of a beautiful mosaic of the Lasallian college preparatory high school's founder, St. John Baptist De Lasalle. St. John Baptiste De Lasalle was designated the Patron Saint of teachers by the Catholic Church in 1950. The artistic endeavor was an activity created as a part of Montini's celebration of Belongingness Week (March 24-28, 2025). "Belongingness Week is designed to promote a sense of inclusion, connection, and community among students and throughout the school," said Principal Chris Tiritilli. "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. During this week, we seek to provide several experiences and activities to celebrate the things that make us each unique and special, such as the backgrounds, experiences and traditions that we come from, all while also realizing that we come together and belong as one Montini community and family." Throughout the week, each department wwas asked to organize an activity to align with one of the three main goals of the week: Building Positive Relationships, Promoting Inclusion, Increasing Self-Esteem and Emotional Well-Being. The mural was a way for Montini students to come together through a fun and artistic activity. Each piece of the mosaic symbolized an individual, with its unique shape, color, and position contributing to the overall 'masterpiece.' The final piece will be unveiled during Montini's upcoming Mass to celebrate the Feast Day of St. John Baptist De Lasalle which is April 7th.

Alumni Return to Host Career Focused Lunch and Learns

By Barb Dawson • April 3, 2025

Under the direction of Alumni Relations Officer, Mary Albert, Montini Catholic High School is proud to continue their Lunch & Learn series throughout their spring semester as an opportunity for Bronco juniors and seniors to learn more about potential careers. This program, now in its 4th year, offers students a unique opportunity to connect with Montini alumni who have built successful careers in various fields. The informal sessions, each held during lunch periods, were developed to provide the opportunity for Montini students to explore career paths, ask questions, and gain valuable real-world advice as they plan for their futures. The first of four sessions was held on Wednesday, March 26 and featured alumni Sarah Sniegowski '14 (Senior Manager, Customer Story Development, Product Marketing at Salesforce Chicago), Alexandra Briggs '12 (Elementary School Teacher, Naper Elementary) and Mike Sullivan '94 (Managing Director & Wealth Advisor, The Wealth Management Group). Earlier in the year, students were asked to complete a career interest survey to help Lunch and Learn organizers to tailor the series to the most sought after careers. Among the careers most listed were those involving Sales/Marketing/Advertising, Banking/Accounting, Medical, Nursing, Public Service, Education, Engineering, IT/Computer Science, Political Science/Legal and Entrepreneurship/Business. Once preference information was received, Miss Albert invited those alumni holding careers in these specific areas to present at the Lunch & Learns. Montini Catholic juniors and seniors are able to register for the Lunch & Learn presentations online. The presentations are held from 12:15-1:15 PM on the designated days with pizza being served to the students as they 'listen and learn.' There is also an opportunity for students to ask questions and make connections for their future career goals. "Our first day of presentations was very successful," said Miss Albert. "Students were truly enthused and engaged to learn about their chosen careers. We are so appreciative to our alumni for graciously giving their time and for teaming up with us on this project." Upcoming Montini Lunch & Learn presentations/presenters are as follows: April 16, 2025 Finance Tom Wasilowski CFA, CPA, ‘05 – Financial Manager, Amazon Medical Dr. Megan Muscia, DO, ‘01 – Pediatrician April 28, 2025 Government & Law Enforcement Richard Starmann ‘89 –Former U.S. Secret Service April 30, 2025 Law Enforcement Guy Papa ‘94 – Law Enforcement Bureau Chief, DuPage County Sheriff’s Office Nursing Mariella Maduzia RN, ‘19- Registered Nurse, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, Level IV NICU. Civil Engineering Dan Lowery, PE, ‘08 – Assistant Vice President & Construction Services Team Leader, Gannett Fleming TranSystems Image above: From L to R: Mike Sullivan '94, Alexandra Briggs '12 and Sarah Sniegowski '14 - pictured here with President Kevin Beirne (far left in blue) and Alumni Coordinator Mary Albert (far right)