High school chaplains lean into a ministry of presence for teens.
After two years in a parish, Father Peter M. McShurley this year is joining the ranks of the diocese’s high school chaplains. And he’s excited for the opportunity — because as chaplain at Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlington, he will have “a front row seat on God’s grace.”
“It’s inspiring seeing God at work in someone’s life, and in high school, it seems like the transformation that takes place is so concentrated in those four years,” he said, adding that he saw this with the youth group at St. Agnes Church in Arlington, where he served for two years as parochial vicar.
As the diocese’s newest chaplain, Father McShurley joins three other priests who minister full time (and then some) to students and staff at the four diocesan high schools: Father Stephen J. Schultz at St. Paul VI Catholic High School in Chantilly, Father Noah C. Morey at Bishop Ireton High School in Alexandria, and Father Christopher F. Tipton at St. John Paul the Great Catholic High School in Potomac Shores.
“Full-time youth ministry, I guess you could call it,” said Father Morey, who’s starting his fourth year as chaplain at Bishop Ireton. While his most essential role is offering the sacraments, he practices what all four chaplains consider a ministry of presence.
“A father is present to the activities of his children,” Father Morey said. “I go to all the different events: games, practices, theater, music. It’s about being around throughout the day, from daily Mass to visiting in the hallways and the cafeteria. It’s a fast-paced, high-energy environment, and the days go very quickly.”
Father Schultz, chaplain at Paul VI for five years, thinks of the school community as his parish. “The difference is my parish — my whole parish — is here every day,” he said.
As at parishes, all the chaplains celebrate daily Mass and are available for confessions; they teach about prayer, offer retreats, and help plan mission trips and service projects.
Despite long days packed with activities, “I’ve never been happier as a priest,” said Father Schultz, who earned a master’s in psychology last year from Divine Mercy University in Sterling, “to be a better priest for the students here.” While he’s “a pastoral counselor, not a mental health counselor,” he said psychology “has really helped me understand the human person better, and learn how to help them to grow, to heal and to understand themselves.”
Father Tipton sees a chaplain’s role as “a hyperfocus of what we do in the parishes — we’re really dedicated to the life and growth of our teenagers in their high school years.” The joyful presence of the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia at the school adds a lot, he said.
While the sacraments “take precedence over everything,” he also provides informal opportunities for personal and spiritual growth, from teaching about “the richness and vastness of the devotional life of the church” to events such as “Evenings with Jesus,” with dinner, a talk around an outdoor fire and adoration.
“I get to be with them at the high moments and the low moments. If I see someone walking down the hall who seems to be having a bad day, I stop them and we can talk,” he said. “It’s not just the students I’m here for, but every soul that comes into the building. I’m right here on the main hallway. Anyone can walk in at any moment, and I’m able to be present for them, whatever it may be.”
Father Schultz said chaplains work together on some events, such as the annual Bethany retreat for 70 students from all four schools. They also get together regularly for “lunch, meetings or dinners to compare notes,” Father Tipton added.
Being a chaplain also offers important learning opportunities. “I’m not here simply to teach others, but to learn as a priest,” said Father Morey, who’s lately been learning about construction projects as he meets with administrators and architects about the school’s chapel renovation. He’s also learned other lessons, such as “the importance of communication, and keeping people informed,” from stakeholders to new hires. Kathleen McNutt, Ireton’s head of school, is “a great communicator,” he said.
Father Schultz said one of the most rewarding aspects of chaplaincy “is really helping young people know that they are loved — to be able to receive the gift of God’s love and respond to it. It inspires me to be part of the lives of these students that God is going to make saints. He’s raising up new saints in this generation, and as a high school chaplain, I get to be part of this work.”
Father Schultz noted that the pandemic has been hard on students and teachers, but “even in the midst of all the challenges we have in our culture and what COVID has taken from us, God is doing vital work in all of our Catholic schools. It’s really our time to shine our light on the world and on our communities, and preach the message of God’s love. A lot of people are more open to it than they have been in the past.”
As he begins his new chaplain role, Father McShurley knows the most important gift he can bring is himself. “Like all people, young people are looking for authentic human connection,” he said. “Being yourself is what really opens people up.”
