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High school chaplain offers ministry of presence

Katie Scott | Catholic Herald

7 a.m. — After early morning prayers to fuel his long day, Fr. Gregory Thompson celebrates Mass in the Bishop O’Connell student chapel.

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7:35 a.m. — Fr. Thompson takes a few moments to sample coffee cake and discuss the week with theology teacher Allison Lattie and physics teacher Anthony Rennekamp in the student lounge.

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Fr. Gregory Thompson’s office is located next to the student chapel.

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8:40 a.m. — The chaplain finds a quiet spot outside his office to call a fellow priest. He hopes to visit sixth- and seventh-period theology classes and needs someone to cover afternoon confessions.

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9:15 a.m. — He shows off one of his two guitars before playing a few tunes in his office.

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11:15 a.m. — Fr. Thompson chats with (from left) Tommy Petersen, a visiting eighth-grader from Our Lady of Good Counsel School in Vienna; O’Connell senior Jacob Salazar; and eighth-graders Max Johnson and Vince Pizzano, from Our Lady of Good Counsel. Such interactions are central to what Fr. Thompson calls a “relational ministry.”

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11:45 a.m. — Senior Ria Duffy asks Fr. Thompson a question about Superdance, the school’s annual fundraiser for cystic fibrosis. Fr. Thompson, an Eric Clapton enthusiast, performed at the March 14 event.

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12:45 p.m. — After a busy morning, Fr. Thompson catches up on administrative tasks.

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2:30 p.m. — Fr. Thompson speaks to seniors about marriage preparation during theology class.

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4:05 p.m. — The chaplain cheers on an O’Connell runner prior to the start of the boys’ lacrosse game.

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8:40 p.m. — Skating past his teammates, the chaplain finishes his day playing a semifinal game at the Kettler Capitals Iceplex in Arlington. His team won in overtime.

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Sometimes bringing Christ to people means picking up wads of
paper towels covered in PB&J stickiness. Other times it
requires answering tough questions about sex and marriage.

Father Gregory S. Thompson is eager to do it all – and
everything in between – as part of his chaplaincy at Bishop
O’Connell High School in Arlington.

It’s a ministry of being flexible, enthusiastic and, most
importantly, present.

“This job is a relational ministry,” Father Thompson said.
“When you’re trying to be a credible witness to the Gospel,
the first principle is to converse, to relate to students.”

It’s only 9 a.m., but the chaplain has been at the school for
about three hours. In one of his rare seated moments, he
swivels his office chair under a crucifix flanked by
portraits of Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde and Pope
Francis.

“This ministry is a matter of your enthusiasm,” said Father
Thompson, filled with caffeine-free energy (he doesn’t drink
coffee). “It’s about your willingness to share yourself with
the kids, to talk to the kids, to listen to them.”

Sacraments and ‘Doctor Who’

More than an hour before sunrise, Father Thompson drove from
St. James Church in Falls Church, where he resides, to
O’Connell. The 43-year-old priest sustains his busy life the
same way he challenges his students to: through a
relationship with God. On this recent Friday he arrives a bit
earlier than usual to fit in a few extra prayers before a day
that will not end until after 10 p.m.

After prayers and cloaked in Lenten purple, Father Thompson
celebrates 7 a.m. Mass for about 13 people in the student
chapel. Light the color of his chasuble streams through the
windows as he distributes Communion to the mix of students,
faculty and Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of
Mary, who live in the convent adjacent to the school.

Following Mass, Father Thompson walks a few steps down the
hall to Café Vaticano, aka the student lounge, just
outside his office.

In the mornings it’s a place where faculty and staff sip
coffee or tea and grab a bite to eat before class.

Father Thompson chats and laughs with teachers as they share
updates and discuss the next day’s Superdance, the school’s
annual fundraiser for cystic fibrosis.

“Father Thompson is very lively, very bubbly,” said theology
and history teacher Matthew Rose. “He injects life into the
students.”

“And he definitely has a heart for youth ministry and
evangelization,” said theology teacher Meredith Bumbarger,
adding, “and for ‘Doctor Who’ (the PBS science fiction
series).”

Evidence of Father Thompson’s diverse interests sprinkle his
office: two guitars in the corner and a “Doctor Who” “sonic
screwdriver” and miniature time-machine police box on his
desk.

Such openness about his interests helps Father Thompson
connect with students, said David Owens, chairman of the
theology department. “His playing the guitar, for example, is
a real unifying factor with young people.”

‘An ordained youth minister’

While teachers trickle out of the lounge and into their
classrooms, Father Thompson spends the next 45 minutes
hearing confessions.

As chaplain, he witnesses the everyday challenges of teenage
life along with students’ spiritual struggles.

High school can be a tumultuous time as teens navigate the
stress of dating, parties and getting into college, said
Father Thompson. “But mostly kids are struggling with who
they are – their identity and coming to know themselves and
knowing God and how they fit in,” he said.

After hearing the last confession, Father Thompson finds a
quiet corner to make a quick phone call. He hopes to visit
sixth- and seventh-period senior theology classes, and he
needs to find a priest to cover afternoon confessions for
him.

Back at his desk, Father Thompson talks about the job he’s
had for the past year. Before coming to O’Connell, he served
as parochial vicar of St. John the Beloved Church in McLean.

“The way I approach the job is like an ordained youth
minister,” he said. “You need to take an interest in
students’ lives and interests. They need to know you care
about them and are not trying to impose the Gospel on them.”

In a culture hostile to the faith, evangelization is a key
part of the ministry.

“We can’t just give students information, we have to
evangelize them,” he said. “We have to bring Christ to them,
to demonstrate this is a life to be lived, not just knowledge
for a grade.”

Lounging for Christ

Back in the lounge, Father Thompson sets out jars of jelly
and peanut butter and loaves of bread.

Café Vaticano offers students a chance to enjoy a
break from the often-frenzied cafeteria and is “prime
ministry time,” said Father Thompson. “It’s an opportunity to
engage with kids in a casual setting.”

Moments later, students file in with backpacks and early
afternoon chattiness. Some flop onto the plush leather couch
while others wait in line to assemble a sandwich. A small
group begins a game of Uno in the corner.

Father Thompson, a big Eric Clapton fan, soon is engaged in a
conversation about music with a student.

“Father Thompson is really easy to talk to about any topic,”
said junior Christian Tran. From music to movies, “he knows
something about everything,” added classmate Zach Wilson.

Wilson, a member of the O’Connell ice hockey team, often
talks hockey with Father Thompson, who played in high school
and is a member of an Arlington league.

Forming virtuous student-athletes

A quick lounge clean-up finished, Father Thompson’s next stop
is the gym for the school’s first Athletes for Christ
meeting.

“A lot of kids play sports here, so we’re trying to use
athletics as another way to help form students in the faith,”
he said.

Looking out at an empty court, he wonders how many students
will turn up. “It’s always a challenge starting something
new,” he said. “Eight or 10 students would be a great.”

Three girls arrive, then a few boys. When the meeting starts,
10 students are gathered.

Dennis Dwyer, an O’Connell Hall of Famer and religion
teacher, speaks about the four cardinal virtues. Joe Wootten,
athletic director and varsity basketball coach, explains that
a lived faith goes beyond Sunday Mass and is carried onto the
athletic field.

Back in his office, Father Thompson is visibly excited about
the turnout. “Well, that was fantastic, just completely
awesome,” he said.

Checking his cellphone, he receives more good news. Father
Ghenghan Mbinkar, also in residence at St. James, is able to
cover afternoon confessions.

Tackling the tough questions

Black cassock flowing, Father Thompson takes swift strides
down the hallway to teacher Allison Lattie’s theology
classroom. At 5 feet, 5 inches tall, his gait belies his
height.

During sixth period, Father Thompson speaks to students about
marriage preparation.

“If there’s anything I want you to take away from this class,
it’s this: When you get engaged, call a priest.”

Seventh-period students recently finished a unit on theology
of the body, and Father Thompson opens the floor to questions
related to marriage and sexuality.

The seniors don’t skirt tough topics, and the first questions
are about infidelity and homosexuality.

His ministry of presence gives Father Thompson credibility
when he tackles such challenging subjects.

“Being at afterschool games, in the student lounge, in the
cafeteria – if you show up to things, they know you care,” he
said. “Then when you need to talk about difficult issues,
like abortion and marriage, they know you’re coming from a
perspective of love.”

Joy-filled days

A little before 4 p.m., Father Thompson makes his way to the
lacrosse field to lead a prayer before the boy’s game.

He’ll watch the game before finally leaving campus, but his
day is not quite over. In a few hours he’ll lace up his ice
skates and pull on his No. 12 jersey at Kettler Capitals
Iceplex in Arlington. The semifinal game is at 8:20 p.m.

It’s a long day, but Father Thompson finds energy from his
ministry.

“It’s a fulfilling job, or apostolate, and my favorite part
is hanging out with the kids,” he said. “There is such joy in
being with them every day, in knowing that you’re part of the
formation of all these young people and trying to bring
Christ to them. That’s exciting.”

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