Student Life
Faith
Believe. Seek. Serve.
Dowling Catholic High School is a community of faith where learning, leadership, and sportsmanship are Christ-centered. The mission at Dowling Catholic is to inspire a love of learning and a respect for fellow human beings in an environment that fosters excellence in academics and spiritual development. The culture at Dowling Catholic is one of caring and support which embraces diversity and students of all faiths.
Service Hours
The goal of Dowling Catholic High School’s Christian Service Hour program is to ensure that students are seeking to serve the community, the world at large, and to see Christ in all people. To find out more about service hours and the graduation requirement, click here.
If you are completing your service hours during the summer, please print off a Service Hour Verification Form and get it signed by the supervisor of your hours. When you start school in the fall you can enter the hours in our online service hour system.
Students can earn a white Service Cord by going above and beyond the 80 hour service requirement for graduation. Students must have earned at least 210 Christian service hours during their time at Dowling Catholic and must apply for the award.
If you are completing your service hours during the summer, please print off a Service Hour Verification Form and get it signed by the supervisor of your hours. When you start school in the fall you can enter the hours in our online service hour system.
Students can earn a white Service Cord by going above and beyond the 80 hour service requirement for graduation. Students must have earned at least 210 Christian service hours during their time at Dowling Catholic and must apply for the award.
Below is a list of the faith-based service clubs and activities Dowling Catholic has to offer. To learn more about each club, the requirements and moderator download the DCHS Activities Handbook.
Retreats
List of 7 items.
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Freshman Retreat
All freshmen attend a day-long retreat in the fall led by nationally renowned Catholic speakers, DCHS faculty and a group of DCHS seniors. The retreat focuses on helping students integrate their relationship with Jesus into every aspect of their high school lives. The retreat is called “Get Your Heart in the Game” and is part of our Freshman Month of Welcome. -
Metanoia
Metanoia (a Greek word meaning "change of heart") is a retreat for Dowling Catholic freshmen led by a team of seniors and held at St. Thomas More Center in Panora, IA. The retreat runs from Sunday noon until Monday afternoon. The retreat follows the thematic development of "Change Your Mind--Change Your Heart--Change Your Actions.” Students will listen to talks, participate in small group discussions and activities, engage in prayer/reflection activities, and celebrate Mass together. The experience is intended to give students a chance to get away from the hectic pace of life, reflect on their faith, get to know many new classmates, and grow in faith and friendship. Please contact Mrs. Sheaff with questions.
Metanoia 2024-2025 Registration FormMetanoia Dates:February 16-17, 2025April 6-7, 2025 -
Quest
Quest is a 24-hour retreat opportunity for sophomores. The retreat takes place at the St. Thomas More Center in Panora, IA, and runs from Sunday noon through Monday afternoon. The focus of this encounter with Jesus is on the question Jesus poses, “Who do you say that I am?” (Mt 16). Witness talks and discussions surround the questions, “Who am I” and “Do I let Jesus form who I am?”. The Quest team consists of Dowling Catholic seniors and faculty and includes personal reflection time and small group sharing. Please contact Mrs. Sheaff with questions.
Quest 2024-2025 Registration FormQuest Dates:January 26-27, 2025March 30-31, 2025 -
Kairos
Kairos is a four-day retreat available to juniors. Kairos, which means “the Lord’s time,” not only gives students an opportunity to explore their own hearts but also draws them closer to God and each other in an intensely powerful way. This retreat significantly impacts students and strengthens their ideals and values as Christian leaders. Kairos retreats are held at the Creighton Retreat Center located near Griswold, IA, and are led by a team of Dowling Catholic students and faculty. Please contact Mrs. Sheaff with questions.
Kairos 2024-2025 Registration FormKairos Dates:October 17-20, 2024December 5-8, 2024January 23-26, 2025February 13-16, 2025March 27-30, 2025April 10-13, 2025May 1-4, 2025 -
Suscipe
April 11-13, 2025Suscipe is the Latin word for 'receive'. The term was popularized by St. Ignatius of Loyola and his Spiritual Exercises and is the name of one of his famous prayers, the Suscipe.Take Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my entire will, all that I have and possess. Thou hast given all to me. To Thee, O lord, I return it. All is Thine, dispose of it wholly according to Thy will. Give me Thy love and thy grace, for this is sufficient for me. - St. Ignatius of LoyolaThis three-day weekend retreat for high school seniors is an opportunity to step out of the hectic nature of their last semester and into a relaxing and prayerful experience, where they can say, "Take Lord, and receive..." and prepare to live their faith beyond their high school years.Registration for the retreat is $160. This covers the cost of lodging, retreat materials, meals, and snacks. If cost is a concern, financial assistance is available. Please reach out to Jessica Pancho, Director of Youth Ministry, at jpancho@dmdiocese.org or Christy Sheaff at CSheaff@dowlingcatholic.org. -
Seek
What if God wants to meet you in this moment — right where you are? What if you’re being invited into something extraordinary? What if you dared to seek it? Register your child for SEEK 2022, a livestreamed conference that will be housed at DCHS in a COVID-safe environment. The weekend will include Sacraments, all meals, and time to meet Christ freshly anew. Register online. Limited space available, first come first serve. $80 all-inclusive before December 1st; $120 after December 1st. -
Senior Day of Reflection
Every spring the seniors experience a day of reflection during which they look back on their time at Dowling Catholic. They focus on the highs and lows, what they are to take with them and leave behind, those they need to thank and those with whom they need to make amends. The day includes brunch and the senior video.
Spiritual Activities
List of 7 items.
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Adoration
Monday 8am-2:45 pm, Tuesday-Friday 11-1pm -
Daily Mass in St. Joseph Chapel
Monday - Friday 7:15 am, Primetime -
Morning Prayer
Monday - Friday 7:55 pm -
Reconciliation
Reconciliation is available during Seminar with Fr. Acrea in his office in the narthex. -
Revive
A night of witness, praise, and Eucharistic adoration. Held periodically on Sunday evenings from 7-8:30 pm. See the Maroon Minute for this semester’s speaker schedule and specific dates. -
Students For Life
An organization promoting the Catholic Church’s teaching on the consistent ethic of respecting all human life from conception to natural death. -
Ut Fidem
Ut Fidem, from a Latin phrase meaning “Keep the Faith,” strives to develop high school students into intentional disciples who will keep the faith for the rest of their lives, and especially through college. Ut Fidem does this by supporting students in forming deep, personal relationships with Christ through small group ministry and faith mentoring.
More about Ut Fidem
