by Miranda Eby | Jan 20, 2026 | President’s Pen
Friday morning’s weather tried its best to discourage us. Single‑digit temperatures, blowing snow, and a slowed commute made it clear that winter had arrived in earnest. Yet by the time we gathered in our cafeteria for our Martin Luther King, Jr. prayer service, something warmer was already taking hold — a reminder of why this day, and this community, matters.
In what has become a meaningful tradition at Cristo Rey St. Martin, we honor Dr. King through a Baptist or A.M.E. prayer service. This year, our own Dean of Students, Pastor Pierre Edmonds — an A.M.E. minister from North Chicago — led us in worship. While we are proudly a Catholic school, not everyone in our community is Catholic. What unites us is something deeper: a shared belief in the God‑given dignity of every person. Praying together across faith traditions strengthens who we are.
The theme of the service, “Everyone Can Make a Difference,” was grounded in the day’s Gospel reading from James: “Faith apart from works is barren.” Two students offered reflections that brought those words to life.
Kylie, a sophomore, spoke honestly about the tension within that phrase. She shared how inspiring it can be to believe that small actions matter — that you don’t need fame or power to contribute to something bigger than yourself. At the same time, she acknowledged how challenging that call can feel. “Just believing something isn’t enough,” she reminded us. Faith, she said, must be expressed through compassion, integrity, and concrete action.
Allison, a junior, reflected on Dr. King’s courage — his willingness to act even when doing so put his life at risk. What inspired her most was his trust in God and his belief that one person, rooted in faith, could change the world. She connected that legacy to her own experiences of service, noting that volunteering and showing up for others are ways we live our faith not at a distance, but up close. Small acts, she said, add up — whether packing meals, serving the forgotten, or simply checking in on someone who feels unseen.
Listening to our students, I was reminded of Claudette Colvin, who passed away recently. At just fifteen years old — the same age as many of our students — she refused to surrender her dignity on a Montgomery bus. Her quiet courage helped ignite a movement that would transform this nation. She embodied Dr. King’s conviction that “Everybody can be great, because anybody can serve.”
Our guest minister reinforced that message with a powerful challenge. “Believing something is wrong is not real faith until you do something about it,” he preached. If bullying is wrong, if injustice is wrong, what good is our belief unless it leads to action? “Dreams without action are failures,” he said. “If not you, then who?”
As he spoke, I looked out the wall of windows behind us. The sun had emerged, but the snow was still blowing and drifting. It struck me how fitting that image was. Our nation and our world feel cold and chaotic right now. We see fear, violence, and suffering in our communities, including recent harm connected to immigration enforcement here and across the country. We are also witnessing a troubling resurgence of racism in our public life.
Yet inside that warm space at CRSM, praying together, we claimed a deeper truth. We are children of God, brothers and sisters to one another, and partners in building the Kingdom of God here on earth — a Kingdom marked by justice, mercy, and peace. At Cristo Rey St. Martin, we strive to live into the world as it should be, not as it is. Our students give me hope that the unfinished work of Dr. King and the Civil Rights Movement continues in capable, faithful hands.
May our prayers echo Dr. King’s own: “Use me, God. Show me how to take who I am, who I want to be, and what I can do, and use it for a purpose greater than myself.”
¡Viva, Cristo Rey!
by Miranda Eby | Jan 16, 2026 | Campus Ministry, School News
For the past ten years, the soulful sound of a saxophone has helped shape CRSM’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. worship services, guiding the community into reflection, prayer, and celebration. That sound belongs to Khalid Jernigan, a gifted saxophonist whose music has become a meaningful and beloved part of this annual tradition.
Khalid was first introduced to the CRSM community in 2016 by Dean of Students Pierre Edmonds, who recognized both his musical talent and the spirit he brings to prayer services. Since then, Pierre has continued to invite Khalid back each year, helping establish a tradition that many in the community now look forward to. With the exception of 2021, when services were disrupted by COVID, Khalid has faithfully returned to play for the MLK prayer service year after year.
In a brief interview, Khalid shared that his motivation goes beyond performance. “I just hope to empower the youth by doing what I love and sharing music and the Lord with them,” he said. His music reflects this mission, serving as both an artistic offering and a form of prayer that resonates deeply with students, staff, and guests.
Khalid has also witnessed CRSM’s growth over the years. “This school has come a long way. I remember when we were at the old campus. It was a lot smaller. It’s amazing to see how far we’ve come,” he reflected. His long-standing presence connects the school’s different chapters, linking past and present through faith and music.
For Khalid, returning to CRSM each year is a source of joy and meaning. “I love being at this place and celebrating the Lord with this group of individuals,” he shared. That feeling is mutual. Campus Minister Jim Dippold reflected on Khalid’s impact, noting that his music has become inseparable from the MLK prayer service experience. “I know Stevie Wonder wrote and popularized ‘Happy Birthday’ for Dr. King,” Jim wrote, “but when I think of it, I hear Khalid on his sax, and my soul smiles.”
As CRSM celebrates 10 years of music and prayer, the community gives thanks for Khalid Jernigan’s humility, generosity, and commitment. Through the vision of leaders like Pierre Edmonds and the faithful presence of artists like Khalid, the MLK prayer service remains a powerful space where music, faith, and community come together.
by Miranda Eby | Jan 16, 2026 | CWSP, School News
Cristo Rey St. Martin students are off to a strong start through a new Corporate Work Study partnership with PurposeBuilt Brands (PBB), gaining valuable professional experience at the company’s Gurnee, Illinois and Somers, Wisconsin locations.
The partnership was established through a connection with Chris Bauder, Executive Chairman of the Board at PurposeBuilt Brands, with support from Peggy Talbot, a Cristo Rey St. Martin Board Member. PurposeBuilt Brands has warmly welcomed Cristo Rey St. Martin students into its operations, demonstrating a shared commitment to student growth and career development.
Eight students are currently participating in the partnership. Four students are placed at the Gurnee location, which combines manufacturing and office space and focuses on liquid products filled into spray bottles for distribution. Another four students work at the Somers, Wisconsin site, where cleaning tablets—such as those used in coffee machines—are manufactured. At both locations, students primarily support office-based operations while gaining insight into large-scale manufacturing environments.
During their first week onsite, students met individually with PurposeBuilt Brands team members to discuss their interests and future career goals. These conversations have already led to job shadowing, mentorship opportunities, and connections with employees in related fields.
“We are thrilled to partner with Cristo Rey St. Martin and welcome their students into our Gurnee and Somers sites,” said Elem Machado Tluczek of PurposeBuilt Brands. “Their enthusiasm, professionalism, and eagerness to learn have made an immediate positive impact.”
Both Cristo Rey St. Martin and PurposeBuilt Brands look forward to continuing this partnership and supporting students as they build skills, explore career paths, and prepare for future success.
by Miranda Eby | Jan 16, 2026 | Campus Ministry, School News
During Flex time on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, students gathered for a Lectio Divina prayer session led by Vincent, CRSM Class of 2028. Lectio Divina, Latin for “sacred reading,” is an ancient way of reading and praying with Scripture, inviting God’s word to speak to us and to rest quietly in our hearts. Vincent began hosting these weekly Tuesday sessions after a meaningful experience at the Viatorian Youth Congress this past summer.
Reflecting on his motivation, Vincent shared that he organized the gatherings because of his “powerful experience at the Viatorian Youth Congress during the summer and wanted to share and expand [his] faith with the greater CRSM community.” Jim Dippold, Director of Campus Ministry, said, “I’m grateful for Vincent’s leadership and the example he gives to others, students and staff — his genuine desire to grow in his own faith and to invite others into prayer helps to make God’s presence more visible in our community.”
According to Mr. Dippold, Vincent has been leading Lectio Divina during the Flex period for the past few months. Attendance has remained small but consistent, bringing together students from multiple grade levels along with staff members, including Mr. Lincoln and Mr. Kendall. This student-led initiative highlights the impact of retreat experiences and the leadership students bring to the spiritual life of the CRSM community.
by Miranda Eby | Jan 16, 2026 | Development, School News
For nearly seven years, Susan Felitto has been a dedicated volunteer at Cristo Rey St. Martin, supporting students through the college application process and serving on the Event Planning Committee. What began as working directly with students quickly grew into a deep connection to the school’s mission and culture.
Susan started volunteering in college counseling in 2019. “This has been my seventh year of the college counseling process,” she shared. “First, it really started with the students, but then it just kind of transcended everything, just being at Cristo Rey and being in that environment.” Wanting to do more, she later joined the Event Planning Committee, where she has volunteered for the past three years.
Susan says the school’s culture is what keeps her coming back. “From the minute I met one of the students for the first time, there was just something so special about the dynamic and the culture,” she said. “You could really feel it, and it made for such a rewarding experience.” She describes CRSM as collaborative, faith-based, and committed to excellence across students, staff, and volunteers alike.
Some of Susan’s most meaningful moments come from working with students on their college essays. “Their willingness to be completely open and vulnerable, sharing their personal stories, really struck me,” she shared. “When we finished their essay, and they felt so proud of it, it honestly gave me the chills.”
Through her work on the Event Planning Committee, Susan has also seen the impact of CRSM on a larger scale. Attending her first Elevate event was especially powerful. “Watching the story unfold made me very emotional,” she said. “To know I was even a small part of something that brings so much pride and joy was incredible.” Seeing the school’s strong outcomes has only deepened her commitment. “The numbers back it up,” she added. “Admissions, retention, college acceptance, it is so wonderful to see.”
Susan often brings friends and family to CRSM events and says the enthusiasm is contagious. “People quickly say, How could you not support this?” she shared. “It is such a great story.”
Reflecting on her experience, Susan shared, “In a time when so many things can make you feel hopeless, this really lifts me up. It is so empowering to be a part of.”
We are grateful for Susan’s continued dedication and the impact she has on our students and community.
