Students Complete Season of Giving
Barb Dawson • December 17, 2024
Merry Christmas!

After completing a very successful Golden Gobbler Food Drive in November, Montini Catholic students began 'phase 2' of their "Season of Giving" - with their Adopt-A-Family gift drive which began in early December. Each year Montini Catholic students, under the guidance of the Lasallian college preparatory high school's Campus Ministry, 'adopt' several local families with the goal of giving them a very Merry Christmas by providing much needed items (clothing, hats, gloves) as well as toys and gifts. In late November, students (via homerooms) receive wish lists informing them of the number of family members, their gender, ages, and sizes. "Most of the wish lists include simple items many of us take for granted like gloves, boots, and warm hats," said Campus Minister Mr. Mike Blanchette. Food donations from the food drive are also packaged up for each family.
Throughout the month of December, Montini's Peer Ministry Team hosted a 'candy gram' drive and raffles with money going to supplement the Adopt-A-Family donations. Montini alumni were also invited to participate with gift card donations.
On Friday, December 13th, after an inspiring Advent prayer service, students enjoyed an extra-long homeroom period to wrap their gifts. On Saturday, December 14th several students from Montini's Peer Ministry team were honored to have the experience of personally delivering the 'gifts' to their families. "Being able to deliver these gifts to the families has been such a joy," said Peer Ministry leader, Sienna Skarda '25. "This was the 2nd year that I was able to do this and both years have been so heartwarming. Knowing that our Montini community came together to raise the amount of money that we did in order to give these kids an amazing Christmas is so special. The best part about delivering these gifts would have to be the smiles on the kids' faces and knowing that on Christmas morning they have so many gifts to open!"
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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."

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.