After four years leading the service department and immersion experiences, Ms. Sarah Maher has transitioned to become La Salle’s Campus Minister, taking more responsibility for the retreat program, Masses, prayer services, and chapel days. In this position, she hopes to bring a more prominent sacred space to not only herself, but the greater La Salle community.

“I was looking forward to more of a focus for spirituality for our students and myself,” Ms. Maher said. “I find that I often need to take a break and pray.”

With the new role, Ms. Maher is “excited” and dedicated to creating a robust retreat program for all students during their entire time at La Salle.

“I’m a big believer in retreats,” Ms. Maher said. While she loves the Journey retreat, Ms. Maher wants to focus on “enhancing our retreat program for all four grades.”

While Ms. Maher has never been Campus Minister at La Salle, she has had plenty of experience in the campus ministry sector in her past. She did volunteer work at a Lasallian school in Brooklyn, New York, and “was doing a lot of campus ministry things there.” Even in the Portland area, Ms. Maher has had service and campus ministry experience at De La Salle North Catholic High School.

Despite Ms. Maher’s excitement to take over as Campus Minister, there are two main pieces of her former role that she is going to miss. 

“I’ll miss my immersion students. I always love prepping them for the type of experiences,” Ms. Maher said. “The fact that I am not going on those is going to be new.”

Subsequently, Ms. Olivya Conner is filling in La Salle’s service department. Ms. Maher and Ms. Conner will go on a couple of service trips together as the role is handed off. Ms. Maher is thrilled for someone to take on service with a fresh perspective and new set of ideas. 

“The opportunity to hand off service to a new person who might have a new vision … I’m happy to do that,” Ms. Maher said.

Ms. Maher also has a new vision for Masses and chapel days at La Salle. She hopes to increase the frequency and number of students who are participating in these prayerful events to make them more “interactive” and engaging for everyone.

She also hopes to incorporate the Lasallian teaching and message into more campus ministry events, specifically through the five core Lasallian principles: Concern for the Poor and Social Justice, Faith in the Presence of God, Respect for all Persons, Inclusive Community, and Quality Education.

“I think the five core principles are very tangible for students,” Ms. Maher said. “Somebody can pick one of those and see where their faith is in that core principle too … it’s very relatable.”

In addition to embracing the five core Lasallian principles, Ms. Maher is thankful for the administration and their guidance throughout the transition.

“Our admin is so wonderful that they really give me a lot of trust to do what needs to be done with my expertise,” Ms. Maher said.