SPIRITUAL AND SERVICE
Angel for a Day
DESCRIPTION: To foster a good mentoring relationship between high school and elementary age females.
ACTIVITIES: Members visit with selected parochial schools.
MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS: Any Dowling Catholic High School female.
FEE: None.
MODERATOR: Kathleen Dautremont
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Best Buddies
DESCRIPTION: An organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by providing opportunities for one-to-one friendships and integrated employment. Dowling Catholic students are buddies with students from Ruby Van Meter school. Grades 9-12.
ACTIVITIES: Pizza parties, social gatherings.
MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS: Open to all students.
FEE: None.
MODERATOR: Dan Malloy
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Christmas Baskets
DESCRIPTION: An all-school project led by the senior class to assist needy families during the holiday. Grades 9-12.
ACTIVITIES: The entire school helps coordinate gift and grocery donations for needy families in the Greater Des Moines area. Seniors lead the project and deliver the gifts and groceries to the families.
MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS: Donation of gift items for baskets.
FEE: None.
MODERATORS: Pete Ause, Jeff Ferguson, and Trish Sackett
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Community Outreach
DESCRIPTION: Develop young people’s commitment to support their community through volunteer efforts. Grades 9-12.
ACTIVITIES: Raise money to benefit a worthy organization in the Des Moines community. Past sponsorships have included: “The Haven,” an after school program to provide a safe place for Moulton Grade School children.
MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS: Grades 11 and 12.
FEE: None.
MODERATOR: Paula Plasencia
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Crossroads
DESCRIPTION: A weekend spiritual retreat scheduled three times a year, Saturday through Monday, for seniors. The retreats are held the first weekend of the month, beginning in the second semester of the school year. Grade 12.
ACTIVITIES: Prayer and reflection.
MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS: Seniors.
FEE: $ 150.00
MODERATOR: Fr. Chris Fontanini and Christy Sheaff
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DEO (Dowling Ecological Organization)
DESCRIPTION: Promotes energy conservation, healthy lifestyles, and recycling of plastic bottles at Dowling Catholic in conjunction with the Social Justice class. Grades 9-12.
ACTIVITIES: Activities vary, but have included: “Bike-to-Work” and sponsorship of a nature photography contest.
MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS: Attendance at weekly meetings and participation in activities.
FEE: None.
MODERATOR: Dan Malloy
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Fall Project
DESCRIPTION: An annual all-school project (typically on a Sunday in the fall) to raise money for a worthy cause. The project is coordinated by the Leadership Team, which consists of seniors. Grades 9-12.
ACTIVITIES: Activities vary, but have included: a work/clean-up day and a car wash.
MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS: To be part of the Leadership Team, you have to be a member of the senior class.
FEE: None.
MODERATOR: Mike Rolf and Kurt Heinrich
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Habitat for Humanity
DESCRIPTION: Work in partnership with God and volunteers to eliminate poverty housing. Grades 9-12.
ACTIVITIES: Students participate in building, fundraising, and education/awareness advocacy activities. Students also assist with ReStore, a student-run home improvement store that offers tools and supplies at a fraction of the retail cost.
MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS: Attendance at weekly meetings and participation in activities.
FEE: None.
MODERATOR: Dan Malloy
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DESCRIPTION: A Christian spiritual retreat for juniors. Takes place at the Creighton Retreat Center or Conception Abbey. They are held once a month, Thursday through Monday, in October through May. Grade 11.
ACTIVITIES: Prayer and reflection.
MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS: Junior at Dowling Catholic.
FEE: $ 175
MODERATOR: Fr. Chris Fontanini and Christy Sheaff
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Lectors/Eucharistic Ministers
DESCRIPTION: Assisting with liturgies as lectors and ministers of the Eucharist. Grades 9-12.
ACTIVITIES: Lectors and ministers of the Eucharist.
MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS: Students must be a practicing Christian to be a lector. Students must be a practicing Catholic to be a Eucharistic Minister.
FEE: None.
MODERATOR: Fr. Chris Fontanini and Christy Sheaff
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Liturgy Committee
DESCRIPTION: Students are invited to participate in the organization of all-school Masses and liturgies. Grades 9-12.
ACTIVITIES: Planning, setting up, and learning about the liturgy.
MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS: None
FEE: None.
MODERATOR: Fr. Chris Fontanini and Christy Sheaff
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Metanoia
DESCRIPTION: A 24-hour spiritual retreat for freshmen, takes place at St. Thomas More Center.
ACTIVITIES: Prayer, reflections, and games
MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS: Freshmen.
FEE: $65
MODERATOR: Fr. Chris Fontanini and Christy Sheaff
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Operation Smile
DESCRIPTION: Throughout the world, Operation Smile volunteers repair childhood facial deformities while building public and private partnerships that advocate for sustainable healthcare systems for children and families. Grades 9-12.
ACTIVITIES: Bishop Drumm Student Guild, ChildServe, and Ronald McDonald House.
MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS: Attendance at weekly meetings and participation in activities.
FEE: None.
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Peer Helpers
DESCRIPTION: Assist throughout the school and community. They are trained in listening skills, communication, problem-solving, decision-making and how to recognize and direct potential problems to those who are qualified to help. Grades 10-12.
ACTIVITIES: Trained Peer Helpers are used in one-to-one helping relationships, conflict resolution, group leadership, mentoring, tutoring, service, and drug/alcohol prevention programs.
MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS: All Peer Helpers are trained in Peer Mediation through summer and seminar classes. Students may apply in the spring to become a Peer Helper for the following year.
FEE: None.
MODERATOR: Jan Brubaker
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People-to-People
DESCRIPTION: Attempts to bring peace and human understanding by meeting other cultures. Grades 9-12.
ACTIVITIES: Fund raising for local and international causes, monthly meetings that include programs with guest speakers, socials, and project work time. Work with other service groups on large projects.
MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS: Active participation.
FEE: $ 15
MODERATOR: Diane Thierer
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Quest
DESCRIPTION: A weekend spiritual retreat for freshmen or sophomores, takes place at St. Thomas More Center. Grades 9 and 10.
ACTIVITIES: Explore Christ’s presence in students’ lives through prayer, reflections, and games.
MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS: Sophomore.
FEE: $65
MODERATOR: Fr. Chris Fontanini and Christy Sheaff
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Service Trips
DESCRIPTION: Service trips are offered to students at Dowling Catholic based upon their interest and availability to students. Opportunities are offered during spring break, the summer, and the school year. Grades 9-12.
ACTIVITIES: Activities are dependent upon the type of service trip. All service trips include an emphasis on prayer, developing an awareness and a respect of another culture, simplification of lifestyle, developing a community, and providing service to one another and the people DCHS students encounter.
MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS: 10-12 grades students may apply.
FEE: Student will incur the cost of the trip.
MODERATOR: Fr. Chris Fontanini and Christy Sheaff
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Special Olympics
DESCRIPTION: Help coach and interact with special needs children participating in athletic events in April through May. Grades 9-12.
ACTIVITIES: Help coach at Special Olympics practice and events.
MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS: Volunteer coaches are required to attend a four-hour inservice to work with athletes.
FEE: None.
MODERATOR: Sharon Abler
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Students for Life
DESCRIPTION: Students for Life is an organization committed to emphasizing the sanctity of life from “womb to tomb.”
ACTIVITIES: Promote goal by raising awareness of issues.
MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS: None.
FEE: None.
MODERATOR: Janet Regier
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Terra Livre
DESCRIPTION: Terra Livre is an organization of students whose mission is to help support the disadvantaged of God’s kingdom locally and globally.
ACTIVITIES: Locally the group works with the staff at The House of Mercy in supporting and encouraging the mothers and children that live there. Globally, students who belong to Terra Livre have the opportunity to participate in a yearly mission trip to Goiania, Brazil which takes place over spring break. While in Brazil, students help and support the original Terra Livre organization in serving the poor of the area.
MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS: Open to all.
FEE: None.
MODERATOR: Fr. Chris Fontanini and Christy Sheaff
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VIP (Volunteer Initiative Program)
DESCRIPTION: A service club which gives students an opportunity to put their Christianity into action. All activities are focused on enhancing the vision that cherishes the uniqueness and potential of each human being. Grades 9-12.
ACTIVITIES: Activities include Combat Hunger Project, Iowa Special Olympics, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and Blank Children’s Hospital.
MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS: Attend a weekly meeting and continuous volunteer activities. A service commitment pledge is signed by each member.
FEE: None.
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4-H Club
DESCRIPTION: 4-H stands for head, heart, hands and health and is composed of a community of young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship and life skills.
ACTIVITIES: Weekly meetings, service projects, Dallas County Fair and Iowa State Fair.
MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS: Grades 9-12.
FEE: $25
MODERATOR: Erin McMullen
PERFORMANCE
Band
DESCRIPTION: This year-round activity provides students the opportunity to experience, through rehearsal and performance, instrumental music in a variety of styles. The season begins with band camp in early August, and includes performances at home football games, weekend competitions, and concerts throughout the school year. Grades 9-12.
ACTIVITIES: Marching Band, Pep Band, All-State Music Festival, Jazz Ensemble, Stage Band, and Lab Band
MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS: Commitment to performing and to music education. Open to all students.
FEE: Students must buy their own instrument. Additional costs will be incurred for the Booster Club fee, which is $125.00, and for competitions.
MODERATOR: Steve Holland
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