Why One Mayfield Senior School Student Says Teenage Christian Service is Important

Kaitlyn Maddigan, a senior at Mayfield Senior School, said she was not only honored to receive the Christian Service Award Medal from Archbishop Jose H. Gomez, but she was proud to stand among 75 other Catholic high school award recipients.

“It showed how so many young people are doing good things in their schools and in their communities,” she said. “When you learn to perform service at a young age, I think it is something you do for the rest of your life.”

The annual awards, organized by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Department of Catholic Schools, honor one student from each Catholic high school for outstanding service to the community and for exemplifying Gospel values.

Kaitlyn is a Mayfield Campus Ministry team leader and has worked with other students this year to build strong participation in campus Masses.

“We have tried to make the liturgies more relevant,” she said. “It makes them more enjoyable, more meaningful, we are not just going through the motions.”

Kaitlyn said she and the team involve students in affirming activities at every Mass—handing out candles for Advent and selecting their own readings when possible.

“I think the whole student body has grown spiritually this year,” she said. “In general, I think people are more involved in Mass and we have more fun being involved.”

Campus Minister Teri Gonzalez said Kaitlyn is young woman of faith with “a strong, resilient and joyful spirit.” She is generous with her time and service and always responds to the needs of her leadership role at Mayfield, she said.

“Kaitlyn is dedicated and committed to her faith in her personal growth and the growth of others,” Mrs. Gonzalez said.

Kaitlyn’s service extends to her home parish of Saint Francis Xavier Church in Burbank, where she is a Confirmation leader, Eucharistic Minister and lector.

In the broader community, Kaitlyn is an active member of the National Charity League and she and her mother make lunches at family shelters and assemble hygiene kits for homeless seeking aid.

“Mayfield has taught me to try to branch out when it comes to service, to try something new,” she said.

When Kaitlyn was younger she would just drop off lunches at the family shelter. Now she has expanded her service and stays to serve meals to families.

“When you stay you have a personal connection to the people you are serving,” she said. “You realize they are just like you but are going through bigger problems.”

Kaitlyn received her medal following Mass at the Cathedral of our Lady of the Angels on March 14 and her award will be recognized during Mayfield’s graduation ceremony in June.

Mayfield Senior School of the Holy Child Jesus, 500 Bellefontaine St, Pasadena, (626) 799-9121 or visit www.mayfieldsenior.org.