Juniors at Immaculata-La Salle High School participated in Christ Encounter, a religious retreat that gives students the opportunity to strengthen their faith, build friendships, and grow closer to God. The retreat allows students to take a break from their everyday school routines and focus on their personal relationships with God and their classmates.
“I got to connect with people I normally don’t talk to at school, and I feel like our grade became a lot closer,” said junior Isabela Gonzalez.
Throughout Christ Encounter, students had the opportunity to participate in prayer, group discussions, personal reflections, and activities that encourage them to open up about their lives. The retreat creates an environment where students can feel comfortable sharing their experiences and learning more about one another. It also helps students realize that many of their classmates face similar struggles.
“My favorite part was being able to see everyone’s stories because it made me realize that I’m not the only one dealing with challenges,” said junior Tiffany Acosta.
One of the most important parts of Christ Encounter is the friendships students can build during the experience. Juniors have the chance to connect with people they might not normally talk to during school. By spending time together and sharing personal stories, students can develop stronger relationships and a greater sense of community.
“It was nice to take a break from school and just focus on God, my friends ,and myself,” said junior Jesus Leandro
Christ Encounter also encourages students to reflect on their personal challenges and think about the role faith plays in their everyday lives. With the stress of school, grades, and preparing for college, juniors often have busy schedules. The retreat gives them an opportunity to slow down and focus on what is truly important.
“Christ Encounter helped me understand that faith isn’t just about going to church. It’s also about how you treat other people,” said Camila Plehn
As a Catholic school, ILS encourages students to practice kindness, compassion, forgiveness ,and respect. Christ Encounter helps students understand these values and reminds them to carry these lessons into their daily lives.
Christ Encounter is more than just a religious retreat. It is an opportunity for juniors to create meaningful memories, strengthen friendships, and grow in their faith. Students can take the lessons they learn during the experience and apply them throughout the rest of their time at ILS, and beyond.
