Authored by: Merianne Sinan, High School 2 Student

“Your life will be a blessed and balanced experience if you first honor your identity and priority.”-Russell M. Nelson

Each of us has an identity entirely unique to us, it is very crucial that we try our best to honor this identity, because this is who we are. We are Catholics, and it is very important to honor this part of who we are, as it sets the foundation of our beliefs, values and faith, understanding this makes us closer to each other and to God. “Faith is a living, daring confidence in God’s grace, so sure and certain that a man could stake his life on it a thousand times.”-Martin Luther King

Understanding faith is a crucial step in understanding ourselves, as faith shapes everything from our society, environment, principles, all the way to how we act and how we speak.

School is not just about learning, but it is about developing a sense of self. Our school took the time on Thursday 20th of February  to partake in a series of celebrations. This  day was created specifically for students to connect with God and to find inspiration to build a community within the school. Students took time to find a connection with God, by engaging in group discussions, listening to inspiring speeches, and taking part in Bible study. There were numerous activities throughout the day, to keep everyone engaged and interested. Students experienced the importance of patience, kindness, and forgiveness towards others which was an opportunity to self-reflect and showcase the IB learner attributes. This was a very beautiful way of preparing spiritually in anticipation of the start of the Lent season. 

Sister Nazik and Father Samir took time to give amazing speeches, to teach our youth about the importance of faith and to be aware of sins. The speeches gave the students ideas of what are sins and how we commit them knowingly or unknowingly, and how they can grow in faith. This helped the students reflect and understand how they can further grow in faith and how to connect with God on a deeper level.

The culmination of this day was the Eucharistic adoration. It is a time to be reverent, to show respect and admiration towards the body and blood of our Lord. For this final event of the day students were given candles to hold which represent the Light of the world, Jesus. The Eucharist was brought out of the tabernacle where students then prayed in silence, each for his own intentions, in the present of the Eucharist. With their hearts filled with joy, students went home with a new found understanding and admiration.