SHDHS Campus Faith Life

SHDHS 2025-26 School Theme

Eucharist: Our Highway to Heaven

Saint Carlo Acutis is a modern day Saint who specialized in computers, website design, and most importantly the gift of the Eucharist! Ever since he received his first communion, he made it his priority to receive the Eucharist every day by attending daily Mass. At age 15, Carlo suffered from a form of Leukemia that eventually led to his death. During his last months of life, he dedicated his prayers to the Church. Before his death, he was quoted saying, “The Eucharist is my highway to heaven”. Carlo spoke with such simplicity about spiritual life. He didn’t need to over complicate the Eucharist. He simply noticed that the more he received Jesus in the Eucharist, he couldn’t help but to have his life change for the better. He knew that he didn’t need to earn Jesus’ love. All he had to do was come as he was and allow his heart to be transformed. Come as you are, receive the gift, and experience peace that only God can give. To Carlo, receiving the Eucharist meant that he would be guided, given an increase of joy, and a divine outlook of love for the world. As his mother is quoted saying, “If you put Christ at the center and act out of love for God, it’s as if your whole life were illuminated, as if the sun suddenly made everything shine. That was Carlo’s life. That was Carlo.”

Simple prayer before receiving communion: Saint Carlo, accompany me on the highway to heaven.

Scripture – John 6:35

“Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.”

Saint Carlo Acutis Devotional Prayer

Lord Jesus, present in the Most Holy Eucharist,
I believe in Your real and abiding presence: Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity.
Just as You touched the heart of Saint Carlo Acutis with Your love,
ignite in me a burning desire for the Eucharist.

Saint Carlo, friend of God and servant of the poor,
intercede for us before the throne of grace.
Help us to recognize Christ’s presence in the Eucharist,
to use our talents in service of others,
and to navigate the digital world with wisdom and charity.

Like you, may each of us proclaim that,
“the Eucharist is my highway to heaven”
and strive to live in constant communion with Our Lord. Amen.

– Unknown Author

Campus Ministry

As a Catholic school, part of St. Henry’s mission is to educate students in the Christian tradition and the Catholic faith, to foster individual prayer and spirituality, and to put faith into action. SHDHS is very committed to the spiritual growth and well-being of our community.
The campus minister will work in tandem with the Diocese of Covington, chaplains, religion teachers, choir director, administration, staff, students, parents, and parishes to provide a safe and reasonable environment, atmosphere, and programs that will help build the faith life of individuals and our entire school community no matter where they are on their faith journey.

Opportunities may include:

Class Retreats
Eucharistic Liturgies
Weekly Opportunities for Confession, Adoration, and Mass
Women’s and Men’s Faith Groups
Bible Studies
Opportunities for individual prayer, guidance, and healing
Recognition of seasonal Church celebrations and events
Modified Chapel time and use for personal and communal reflective prayer
Faith leadership opportunities
Faith resources for students, staff, and parents
Service opportunities

Holy Family Chapel

The Holy Family Chapel is newly renovated and open for students to pray. The Blessed Sacrament is present in the tabernacle and makes the chapel a perfect “go-to” place when individuals need to pray “Be still and know I am God.” (Psalm 46:10). Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to stop by the chapel for prayer and/or to leave a written prayer request in the “Prayer Jar”. Weekly confession and adoration are offered in the chapel and prayer resources are available for anyone to use and take with them.

St. Henry District High School Retreats Information

SHDHS is proud to be a faithful Catholic school which prioritizes yearly retreats off campus for all students. These retreats give students the opportunity to grow deeper in their relationship with Jesus, connect with their classmates in a unique way, cultivate and understand their own God-given gifts, and relax and restore during the chaos of their daily lives. Each retreat aims to build upon the previous retreat and focuses on the importance of healthy and thriving relationships with self, others, and God. For more information about SHDHS’s retreats, please read the following description and information about each grade level retreat.

Freshman Retreat: “Crusader Connect”

September 30, 2026 from 8 am – 2:30 pm

The focus of this retreat is to help the Freshmen not only learn more about who they are as a child of God, but also what the core tenets of being a Crusader at St. Henry really mean. They will take part in music ministry, peer discussion, teambuilding icebreakers, prayer opportunities, and leader-run talks meant to open up the theme.

Basic Information:

Students must provide their own transportation to and from Saint Barbara
Students must bring their own water bottle and packed lunch.
Saint Barbara Sterling Center
4042 Turkeyfoot Rd,
Erlanger, KY 41018

Sophomore Retreat: “One Body in Christ”

October 1, 2026 from 8am – 2:30pm

The Sophomore Retreat will build on what the students have already taken from the Freshman retreat and will focus on showing them how to work as “One Body in Christ.” This retreat focuses on the theme of servant leadership and will help the students discover how to work together as Christian Leaders. The retreat will also remind the students that each one of them has been given gifts from God that are meant to help further His kingdom here on earth. This retreat will offer a series of team-building exercises, prayer experiences, and leader-run talks meant to open up the theme.

Basic Information:

Students must provide their own transportation to and from Saint Barbara
Students must bring their own water bottle and packed lunch.
Saint Barbara Sterling Center
4042 Turkeyfoot Rd,
Erlanger, KY 41018

Junior: “JOY: Jesus, Others, Yourself”

Junior Women’s Retreat – November 3, 2026 from 8am – 6pm
Junior Men’s Retreat – November 4, 2026 from 8am – 6pm
Junior Leadership Retreat – April 7, 2027 from 8am-8pm

The Junior Retreat is split into two extended day retreats, one being all junior girls and the other being all junior boys. Both retreats aim to reveal how Christ is actively working in their lives through relationships with self, friends, and Jesus. We will discuss positive male and female friendship and what it means to truly be a brother or sister in Christ. Both retreats will have a series of leader-led talks that are meant to help open the student up to the various ways Christ speaks to us in our ordinary lives. There are multiple opportunities for small group discussion, personal prayer, as well as an opportunity for the students to participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Basic Information:

This is an extended day retreat from 8am – 6pm, students will arrive back to SHDHS by 7pm at the latest
SHDHS will provide transportation from SHDHS to the retreat center and then back to SHDHS
Lunch and dinner are provided on retreat
Students should bring snacks to share and a water bottle
Jesuit Spiritual Center
5361 S Milford Rd
Milford, OH 45150

Senior Retreat: “Christian Awakening”

Each student will sign up for ONE retreat

January 7-8 (Th-Fri)
March 12-13 (Fri-Sat)

This retreat is a two-day overnight retreat held at the Jesuit Spiritual Center. It is an interactive experience led by the SHDHS staff members and alumni. This is an amazing retreat experience which allows students time for prayer, reflection, and discernment of who they are in light of their family and faith. This retreat is a unique opportunity for students to grow in their understanding of themselves in relation to family, friends, and God, to deepen their faith, and to build a sense of community within their class. We outline the sense of self and discovery of who we are and who God designed us to be and then discuss friendships and family relationships, the most important being that of our relationship with God.

SHDHS will provide transportation from SHDHS to the retreat center and then back to SHDHS the following day. Students will return by 5:45pm on the second day.
Meals will be provided during the retreat but students should bring snacks to share and a water bottle
Jesuit Spiritual Center
5361 S Milford Rd
Milford, OH 45150

Grandparent Mass

Grandparents (or grandparent figures) are invited to join us at the annual Grandparent Mass(es)! Each grade level will celebrate Mass in the auditorium. Grandparents will be seated at 9:45 am. Mass starts at 10 am. For questions, please email Annie Poat (Campus Minister) at [email protected]