News Detail

Living Our Faith in the Salvatorian Family House System

12/9/2025

by Pamela Simon, DSHA '99

At DSHA, faith is lived through community. This year, the new Salvatorian Family House System has become a powerful way for students to pray together, serve together, and build meaningful bonds rooted in their Catholic identity.

“Faith grows best in houses,” says Director of Campus Ministry Stephanie Monson. “The House System creates little families within our community.” These “families” gather at all-school Mass in their Dens, sitting across grade levels and strengthening relationships that make faith feel more personal

and connected.

Each Mass begins with Campus Ministry representatives processing in with candles representing their Houses—a symbol of each community’s place in the Body of Christ. Students earn House points through service, Collections Days, and participation in optional Thankful Thursday Masses has increased as students come with their House members or friends.

A Faith Identity Rooted in Patron Saints

Every House is guided by a patron saint—five remarkable women whose lives reflect the qualities of a Dasher graduate. Working with Campus Ministry, write House prayers, create prayer cards, and help plan feast day celebrations. Students receive medals representing their saints, adding to a growing sense of House pride.

“One of the greatest spiritual strengths of the House System is the way students learn from their patron saints and really buy into the identity of their House,” says Associate Director of Campus Ministry Jena Thurow-Mountin. “There is already great spirit developing.”

Houses are also beginning to imagine service aligned to their saints—“There is so much room to grow,” Stephanie adds. “I can’t wait to see the traditions that will develop.”

Student Leadership at the Center

The House System has reshaped the way Campus Ministry connects with students. Campus Ministry reps now send weekly updates, encourage participation in faith opportunities, and check in with their House members at Mass and events.

“I put more responsibility into students’ hands,” Jena explains. “Instead of campus ministers pushing out reminders, student leaders are rallying their peers. They’re really taking ownership.”

Faith Through Belonging

Many House leaders are also retreat leaders or involved in Campus Ministry, making the House System an extension of DSHA’s already vibrant spiritual life. “Campus Ministry has the same mission,” Stephanie says, “just with one more way to foster belonging.”

Whether cheering each other on, donating to food drives, or simply knowing they will have someone to sit with at Thursday Mass, the House System reinforces that faith is strongest when shared.

As the year continues, the Salvatorian Houses are becoming spiritual homes: places where faith is lived with joy, responsibility, and the support of community. And in these homes, Dashers are discovering daily what it means to walk forward in faith, heart, and intellect—together.

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