Nazareth Academy girls’ art on religious Christmas cards

From staff reports

Two local girls are among four students at Nazareth Academy whose works of art are available on the CSJ (Congregation of St. Joseph) Ministry of the Arts website for free download Christmas cards.

“These four incredible art students have become part of the tradition honored by the CSJ Sisters to spread the mission of inclusive love through art,” said Nazareth Fine Arts Department Chair Kelly Pack. “I’m so honored to have been able to work with these students and even more proud to see their artwork become available to our community.”

(Editor’s note: artwork appears at the end of this story.)

Senior Catie Luzzi’s work is called Door to God’s Home.

A 2020 graduate of Byrne School, Luzzi expects to play softball in college and plans to major in sports management with a pre-law focus. Her dream is to become a sports agent to help represent female athletes and push women’s sports to a more prominent level.

Senior Valentina Marijan produced a work called The Ring of Light.

A 2020 graduate of St. Daniel the Prophet School, Marijan participates in Youth Initiative, Snowball, SMILE Club, Future Healthcare Professionals, National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta.

Outside of school, she performs a Croatian cultural dance, kolo, at Kardinal Stepinac. She plans to pursue a career in nursing.

For Marijan, art is an opportunity for unified emotions and feelings to be communicated to the world. Whether through her art, attitude or academic drive, she strives to create positive impressions on others.

The MOTA free Christmas card program is in keeping with the Congregation’s charism That All May Be One. “Aware of the power of the arts to heal, beautify, transform consciousness, and aware of the world’s need for these gifts, we are thrilled to freely offer a select number of pre-made digital cards for your personal use this Holiday,” reads their statement.

To browse and request this year’s Christmas card collection, visit ministryofthearts.org/cards.

Located in La Grange Park, Nazareth Academy is a Catholic, coeducational, college preparatory high school serving families from 55 communities and 110 grade schools in Chicago and the western suburbs. It was established in 1900 and sponsored by the Congregation of St. Joseph, values scholarship, service, spirit and unity.