“Love and serve with purpose,” that is what ILS students are called to do this year. As a school, ILS lives the school theme of putting intention into all the good that needs to be done. The community’s first major opportunity to exhibit this theme, occurred on Thursday, September 3rd, at Welcome Back Mass. In addition, St. John Bosco’s Oratory gets incorporated into these first weeks of school, getting everybody situated into the ILS routine.
The first Mass welcomes students back home and new students to their new home, and provides a welcoming, safe, and loving environment where young people feel like family. At Mass, the new Student Council is inducted. This links faith to a promotion of preparing youth for work, good citizenship, and life.
Together, everyone receives the Eucharist once more and meditates in their faith as the school becomes a center for faith, prayer, and moral inspiration where students learn to develop a relationship with God. Lastly, ILS gives students several opportunities to make new connections and have fun. School becomes a “Playground” as a joyful space for recreation, games, and building healthy friendships.
As Church finally gets tied into St. Don Bosco’s Oratory at ILS, students and teachers feel one step closer to God.
“The Mass was a good way to start off the year and was very welcoming to all freshmen and transfers. It made me feel proud to be a Royal,” said sophomore Daria Pereira.
Students from previous school years get to show new students what faith at ILS is all about.
“The Mass felt like a good way for the school to come together not just as a school but as a family,” said sophomore Emma Ponce, reminding everyone that faith connects everyone by allowing members of the community to set differences aside and remember everyone is one of God’s children.
