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Ignatian Community & Belonging

Hero

"You have gathered us here around the table of your Son in fellowship with the Virgin Mary, Mother of God, and all the saints. In that new world, where the fullness of your peace will be revealed, gather people of every race, language, and way of life to share in the one eternal banquet with Jesus Christ the Lord.”

- Excerpted from Eucharistic Prayer II for Reconciliation I

Christ's Vision for God's Kingdom

Christ’s vision of God’s Kingdom is an inclusive and welcoming one. As a Catholic, Jesuit school, a focus on Ignatian Community & Belonging is vital and in keeping with our faith and our school’s mission. We realize more fully how we are called to pattern our lives after Christ’s vision of the Kingdom. 

Ignatian Community & Belonging flows from our Catholic faith and is demonstrated in the Gospels through Christ’s own work. His desire for community and belonging among all is demonstrated time and again.

At Saint Ignatius High School, Ignatian Community & Belonging work is something we have done for many years, and is part of our commitment to peace, justice, growth and fairness. This work began here in the early 1990s under the leadership of then-President Rev. Robert J. Welsh, S.J. ’54. His vision was an inclusive one, always mission-focused, and tied directly to our Catholic faith.

Jose Gonzalez ’87 was the first to direct the Office of Multicultural Retention and was followed by Treye Johnson ’99 and Jason Reed ’95. During Reed’s tenure, the office was renamed the Le’Charles V. Bentley ‘98 Department of Diversity and Inclusion.

Student Stories

Our Student Community

Our school has always been one where sons of lawyers learn next to sons of pipefitters. Where alumni become firefighters, doctors, athletes, artists and businessmen. Diversity of thought, race and socioeconomic background begins in our hallways and prepares our students for the diverse world around them.

 

Catholic Social Teaching

Catholic social teaching is a central and essential element of our faith. In order to prepare our students for a multicultural world, courses are offered to encourage critical thinking, dialogue, understanding, and awareness.

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Cultural Celebrations

Saint Ignatius celebrates a number of cultural events throughout the school year. This is an opportunity to educate, share and grow in our knowledge of and appreciation for others. 

Throughout the United States, Heritage Months are periods within the year designated to acknowledge various groups’ histories and contributions to American society. These commemorative months are important to help our school community gain an understanding of the cultures and identities of ourselves and others.

Throughout the year, the Saint Ignatius community celebrates Heritage months including Black History Month, Women's History Month, Asian and Pacific Islander American Heritage Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, and Native American Heritage Month. 

Affinity Groups

United by our commitment to promoting the dignity of all students, Saint Ignatius High School offers a variety of extracurriculars that allow our students to actively gain a deeper understanding of diversity, not just throughout our school community, but society at large.

Multicultural Student Union

MSU aims to foster an energetic, peaceful and safe environment where students from different cultures, ethnicities and nationalities can interact, work, and learn together.

Ignatian Alliance

The Ignatian Alliance provides a space where students of all orientations feel respected and valued through resources, dialogue, and support.

Asian American and Pacific Islander Society

The Asian American Society is Saint Ignatius High School’s student-run organization that strives to promote Asian culture while educating, empowering, and inspiring the school community.

Arabic Cultural Club

The Arabic Cultural Club is open to all current students with an interest in Arabic culture. Participants are exposed to a variety of cultural and religious experiences and celebrations.

Spanish Club

The Spanish Club is open to all current students with an interest in Hispanic culture. Participants are exposed to cultural experiences and celebrations, tutoring and service opportunities.

Ignatians for Peace and Justice

A student-driven group that pursues issues of justice, I.P.J. leads the campus fair trade initiatives, partners with other Catholic schools, and promotes a faith that does justice through action.