History of Santa Maria del Popolo

The original icon of Santa Maria del Popolo (St. Mary of the People) is displayed in the "Piazza del Popolo" in Rome. The church of St. Mary of the People has a long history. The original church was founded in 1100 by Pope Paschall II. Pope Gregory IX had the church enlarged to thank our Blessed Mother for her intercession after the terrible plague of 1231. Pope Gregory IX installed this miraculous icon which became known as "St. Mary of the People" for the community that grew up around the church.

The third archbishop of Chicago, George Mundelein, appointed December 9, 1915, was appointed Cardinal-Priest on March 24, 1924, by Pope Pius XI. His titular church in Rome was "Santa Maria del Popolo." After taking possession of his new church, he returned to Chicago and years later founded a new parish of the same name in Mundelein, a town named for him. An extra replica of this icon is presently above the altar in our Parish Chapel.

Santa Maria del Popolo has served Mundelein and the surrounding communities for over fifty years. We are committed to and known for a tradition of academic achievement that is grounded in the values of Jesus Christ. Affirming the uniqueness of each child, we strive to promote the spiritual, intellectual, emotional, physical and social development of each student in context of an accepting and nurturing community. We seek out what is beneficial to the students we teach and retain those traditions that have served us well. We are a dedicated community that welcomes the tasks, opportunities and challenges of both the present and the future.

Demographics

Administration

The Santa Maria del Popolo administration includes:

  • Father David Arcila :: Parish Administrator
  • Mrs. Patricia Strang :: Principal :: pstrang@smdpschool.com
  • Mrs. Jeane D'Amico :: Assistant to the Principal
  • Mrs. Donna Rothman :: Business Manager

Faculty

Santa Maria del Popolo School faculty members are state certified and qualified to teach in any comparable school, private or public.

School Board

The Santa Maria del Popolo School Board is composed of seven elected members of the parish, the pastor, and the principal. The elected members serving on the board for the 2010 - 2011 school year are:

  • Mrs. Debbie Meyer
  • Mr. Patrick Reardon
  • Mrs. Jennifer Hill
  • Ms. Maria Bahke
  • Mr. Peter Heid
  • Ms. Theresa Schahczinski
  • Dr. Phil Horcher
  • Mr. Michael LaMora
  • Mr. Thomas Bartek

The function of the school board is to assist in hiring the principal, to approve the budget and to formulate all policies relating to planning, operating, and maintaining the facilities and equipment of the school within the framework of Archdiocesan policies. The school board is not a grievance committee for settling parent/teacher/student disagreements. Meetings are usually held on the third Tuesday of each month in the Parish Center conference room. All regular meetings of the School Board are open to parishioners and parents of children attending Santa Maria del Popolo School.