Priests have the hardest job in the world, arguably. They bless those who are sick , provide last rites to those who are dying, give funerals and say nice things about the deceased who they may have never met. They baptize people of all ages, marry people, listen to confessions and offer absolution. But Father Thomas Maddock has an even harder challenge: connecting with high school students as the chaplain at Hayden Catholic High School.
For someone who has spent the past eight years,, studying theology and what it means to devote his life to God, how hard is it to take the intense teachings of the Catholic Church and relay them to students who for the most part couldn’t care less?
Father Maddock is only 29, relatively young for a priest, which is a blessing and a curse in this situation. He is young enough to be able to talk to high school students and not seem too out of touch. But as an abstinent, socially concealed priest, relating to high school kids is not for the faint of heart.
The Catholic Church does not support the LGBTQIA+ community, pro choice laws or premarital, physical relations. In 2023, they’re in the minority as times have changed, sexuality is a lot more open and fluid. Father Maddock has to navigate the treacherous waters of high school kids including some who are gay, transgender or not even Catholic to begin with.
Although Pope Francis has recently come forward saying that, “sex is a beautiful thing and it's 'normal' to meet people on Tinder,” the Catholic Church is still caught up on that thought. That single sentence by the Pontiff rewound thousands of years of Catholic teachings. So it makes sense for other religious leaders to be on the fence about the situation. Father Maddock says that it is less of a green light than it sounds, meaning that he wants his students to still remember their core Catholic values before jumping into anything.
Although the Bible has strict proclamations, Father Maddock relies on a monumental yet overlooked teaching of Matthew 5:43-45, “You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. ' But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.” Not that this verse isn’t important all the time, but it is especially relevant today. With politics, laws, differences in identity, even beer of all things is pulling people apart. At the end of the day, Father Maddock wants his students to be good people. Contrary to popular belief, being a good person is not black and white. There is not one way to be a good person, so remembering Matthew 5:43-45 is central to Father Maddock's teachings.
Father Thomas Maddock makes notes in his Bible while he prays in silence.
Father Thomas Maddock and a sophomore alter server prepare to walk into all school mass.
Father Thomas Maddock takes a moment of solitude before an all school mass.
Father Thomas Maddock leads the entire school in a May Crowning celebration.
Father Thomas Maddock takes the chalice used at all school mass back to his office.
Father Thomas Maddock watches an alter server attempt to put away a podium used at all school mass.
Father Thomas Maddock leads the Hayden Catholic High School senior class in prayer before lunch at their senior retreat.
Father Thomas Maddock interviews and mentors a prospective student of the seminary in his office at Christ the King School in Topeka, Kansas
Father Thomas Maddock listens to a student's confession at Hayden Catholic High School.
