Who We Are
Voices of DSHA
Fulfilling His Vocation
From the 2020-2021 school year Word Magazine; published in summer 2021.
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Retiring School Chaplain and Theology and Social Studies Faculty Fr. Dennis Thiessen, SDS, is anything but your typical priest. He wears socks with sandals, isn’t afraid to have a laugh, and leads a fairly laid-back
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Retiring School Chaplain and Theology and Social Studies Faculty Fr. Dennis Thiessen, SDS, is anything but your typical priest. He wears socks with sandals, isn’t afraid to have a laugh, and leads a fairly laid-back
classroom environment. He works hard to teach his students from two departments and leads the student body
in the sacramental life of the Church. He loves doing so because he was called to do so in the Salvatorian way.
Q: You have always wanted to teach young people. What about teaching makes you happy, and why did you enjoy teaching at DSHA?
A: I enjoy the enthusiasm of the students, their cooperativeness, eagerness to learn, and sense of humor. One of the other assignments I’ve had in the priesthood was not entirely, but more of, sitting at a desk and participating in meetings with adults. I love the energy from the girls.
DSHA is a Salvatorian institution, which means it has the same mission and charisms that my fellow fathers and brothers have. It’s a good fit in terms of ideology and core principles.
DSHA is a Salvatorian institution, which means it has the same mission and charisms that my fellow fathers and brothers have. It’s a good fit in terms of ideology and core principles.
Q: You are one of a few teachers at DSHA who teach in two departments. What is it like to share your expertise in both theology and social studies with students?
A: Social studies was my college major, and it was what I always envisioned I would be teaching. It’s what I taught in my first two teaching assignments as a priest. I’ve also taught theology before.
This wasn’t my first experience teaching either subject, but it was two different departments. It required a lot of work, especially in the social studies department with the magnitude of classes, but it was quite a nice variety, and I didn’t get bored.
My favorite subjects to teach have been Christology to freshmen and Topics in Psychology to juniors/seniors, which I and a number of girls are interested in.
A: It allows me to fulfill my vocation. I’ve participated as a priest in every one of my teaching assignments, and when I first started at DSHA I was the only priest on staff. It allows me to exercise all of the aspects of my vocation, whereas my administrative leadership duties didn’t really allow me the same opportunities.
I try to exemplify the Salvatorian charism and the goodness and kindness of Jesus Christ in how I relate to the girls and the atmosphere I instill in my classroom. While I expect my students to focus, it’s fairly informal. In Masses, I also try to exemplify and explain the Salvatorian charism.
A: Life without joy would not be life. My joy is part of the way I become approachable, and displaying joy allows the girls to feel more comfortable asking a question or sharing something.
A: All-girls makes all the difference because teaching at an all-girls school is more enjoyable than teaching at an all-boys school. Girls at a given age are more mature than boys at the same age.
Q: What is your favorite DSHA memory?
A: When the class of 2021 were freshmen, the summer read was Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult. It focused on prejudice and racism, and we were to discuss it in our first period classes on the first day of school. I had freshmen, and I thought, “Oh gosh, this is going to be tough. They don’t know each other.”
I asked the first question, and off they went; they were very respectful. It was then I knew that this class was going to be special.
A: I hope to do some non-extravagant traveling to the presidential libraries I have yet to visit, and go on some road trips. Of course, I’ll be able to spend time with my cat. I plan to say Masses at the Alexian Village and help in parishes. I am also on the list to say Mass, hear confessions, and substitute at DSHA. The reality of retirement will become more apparent in August.
A: I will the miss the girls a great deal, but my aging self told me it was time.
FR. DENNIS THIESSEN AT-A-GLANCE:
Years at DSHA: 8
Classes taught:
Favorite quote: “To make the goodness and kindness known to all people.” — SDS Mission
Education:
Q: What does it mean to you to lead the sacramental life at DSHA, where the Salvatorian mission is at the forefront?
A: It allows me to fulfill my vocation. I’ve participated as a priest in every one of my teaching assignments, and when I first started at DSHA I was the only priest on staff. It allows me to exercise all of the aspects of my vocation, whereas my administrative leadership duties didn’t really allow me the same opportunities.
I try to exemplify the Salvatorian charism and the goodness and kindness of Jesus Christ in how I relate to the girls and the atmosphere I instill in my classroom. While I expect my students to focus, it’s fairly informal. In Masses, I also try to exemplify and explain the Salvatorian charism.
Q: Sometimes we think of priests as serious people, but you are known for being unique, quirky, and funny. Why is it important to you to find these joys in life?
A: Life without joy would not be life. My joy is part of the way I become approachable, and displaying joy allows the girls to feel more comfortable asking a question or sharing something.
Q: How does all-girls make all the difference to you?
A: All-girls makes all the difference because teaching at an all-girls school is more enjoyable than teaching at an all-boys school. Girls at a given age are more mature than boys at the same age.
It’s not that I didn’t enjoy teaching at the all-boys school Jesuit High School in Sacramento, CA earlier. It was a lot of fun, but in a different way.
Q: What is your favorite DSHA memory?
A: When the class of 2021 were freshmen, the summer read was Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult. It focused on prejudice and racism, and we were to discuss it in our first period classes on the first day of school. I had freshmen, and I thought, “Oh gosh, this is going to be tough. They don’t know each other.”
I asked the first question, and off they went; they were very respectful. It was then I knew that this class was going to be special.
Q: How do you plan to spend retirement?
A: I hope to do some non-extravagant traveling to the presidential libraries I have yet to visit, and go on some road trips. Of course, I’ll be able to spend time with my cat. I plan to say Masses at the Alexian Village and help in parishes. I am also on the list to say Mass, hear confessions, and substitute at DSHA. The reality of retirement will become more apparent in August.
Q: Is there anything else you would like to add?
A: I will the miss the girls a great deal, but my aging self told me it was time.
FR. DENNIS THIESSEN AT-A-GLANCE:
Years at DSHA: 8
Classes taught:
• Cultures and Civilizations
• The Bible
• Christology
• Post World War II History
• Gender Studies
• Behavioral Science
• Topics in Psychology
Chaplain responsibilities:
• Led all-school Masses
• Heard confessions
• Assisted with Adoration
• Accompanied freshmen on
Freshmen Service Day
• Said Mass on student + TSC
retreats
What he will miss most about DSHA, besides his students: His colleagues in his department, and his centralized location and visitors in room 222.
Favorite quote: “To make the goodness and kindness known to all people.” — SDS Mission
Education:
• BA in U.S. History, Dominican College
• MA in Systematic Theology, Graduate Theological Union
• Master of Divinity, Franciscan School of Theology
FR. DENNIS, THANK YOU FOR...
“...helping me learn about and grow in my faith in so many ways. Although you are
FR. DENNIS, THANK YOU FOR...
“...helping me learn about and grow in my faith in so many ways. Although you are
a priest, I never felt you were critical of me questioning my faith. You always met
each student where they were in their faith journey and helped her grow.”
- Maddie Ertl, DSHA '21
- Maddie Ertl, DSHA '21
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