Salute - WInter 2011

FARMINGDALE, NY 11735

PERMIT NO 60

PAID

US POSTAGE

PRESORTED STANDARD

lo. 1:11,28

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them...

“Serving Those Who Serve”

P.O. Box 4469 Washington, DC 20017-0469

Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA

CHRISTMAS 2011

T H E M AG A Z I N E O F T H E A R C H D I O C E S E F O R T H E M I L I T A R Y S E RV I C E S , U S A

...For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given;...

—Isa. 25:1

Dear Friends of the Archdiocese for the Military Services,

T H E M AG A Z I N E O F T H E A R C H D I O C E S E F O R T H E M I L I T A R Y S E RV I C E S , U S A

THE MAGAZINE OF THE ARCHDIOCESE FOR THE MILITARY SERVICES, USA VOLUME 5. NUMBER 3 CHRISTMAS 2011

table of contents

“W

e are grateful that God gives Himself into our hands as a child, begging as it were for our love, implanting His peace in our hearts. But this joy is also a prayer: Lord, make your promise come fully true.” So the Holy Father spoke last year during the first Mass of Christmas and so we pray especially for that elusive gift of peace. In this Archdiocese those who serve our country far from home, family, and friends occupy a very special place in our hearts. They may not be able to celebrate these holidays with their loved ones.

S

ince the last issue of Salute was published, my itinerant life-style has led me to a variety of places and so I managed to be away from Washington both during the earthquake and the visit of “Irene.” The month of December always makes demands on schedules and this year will be no different. Bishops Higgins, Spencer, and Buckon and I plan to visit the faithful at different installations in order to announce the joy of the Savior’s coming to the faithful. I am certain that you will accompany us with your prayers.

4 Anonymity is only Relative, It is a [small] World.

Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio

8 What’s out there?

Bishop Richard B. Higgins

10 A Pilgrimage to the Tomb of Saint Peter Bishop Neal J. Buckon

12 Highlights from Europe & Asia Vicariate Bishop F. Richard Spencer

14 Cultivating Vocations Father Kerry Abbott

24 The Harvest Continues On...

Meet our newest additions to the ranks

42 Convocations 2011 Archbishop Broglio calls his priests together

51 Pastor to Warriors

A

s has become tradition, this issue of the AMS quarterly publication will include the vocation stories of some of the seminarians studying in the co-sponsorship program. Many of them came to Washington over the Labor Day weekend. I was pleased to spend time with them. The commitment to the priesthood and eventual military chaplaincy of these fine young men sparks hope. Please keep them in your prayers.

Reflections of one priest

74 New Military Chaplain Scholarship Announced Knights of Columbus support AMS Co-sponsorship Program

81 U.S. Naval Academy Catholic Daughters institute first Miliary Campus Court

93 World Youth Day

E

A Pilgrimage of Faith

njoy the following pages of Salute. As I wish you an abundance of blessings from the Divine Infant, I pray that He will bestow gifts of peace and good health upon you and your loved ones.

...For to us a forChild is born, The Archdiocese the Military Services, USA publishes SALUTE for the nation’s Bishops, active and retired military chaplains, and financial to ussupporters a Son is given;... of the Archdiocese.

Sincerely in Christ,

Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio Archbishop

T H E M AG A Z I N E O F T H E A R C H D I O C E S E F O R T H E M I L I T A R Y S E RV I C E S , U S A

ADDRESS CHANGES AND NEW SUBSCRIPTIONS: Please send—Isa. title, name,25:1 address, and phone number to: support@milarch.org or call: 202-719-3600 or write: Development Office, Archdiocese for

the Military Services, P.O. Box 4469, Washington, D.C. 20017-0469 Feedback, letters to the editor, & advertising inquiries: editor@milarch.org Website: www.milarch.org ON THE COVER: Sandro Botticelli – “The Virgin Teaching the Infant Jesus to Read”

Museo Poldi Pezzoli – Milan, Italy.

2 christmas 2011 /

CHRISTMAS 2011

ARCHBISHOP TIMOTHY P. BROGLIO President

MONSIGNOR FRANK A. PUGLIESE Editorial Director

...For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given;...

—Isa. 25:1

JO ANN REDMOND Editor

ERIC NEUNER | RPISTUDIOS Design Director

© 2011 - A PUBLICATION OF THE ARCHDIOCESE FOR THE MILITARY SERVICES, USA - SERVING CATHOLICS IN THE ARMY, NAVY, AIR FORCE, MARINE CORPS, COAST GUARD,VA MEDICAL CENTERS, AND GOVERNMENT SERVICES OVERSEAS.

By ARCHBISHOP TIMOTHY P. BROGLIO

Anonymity is L only Relative...

It is a (small) world.

ARCHBISHOP TIMOTHY P. BROGLIO DINING WITH USAF CADETS.

O

ne of the advantages of the role of the Archbishop for the Military Services, USA is a certain anonymity. Not as many people recognize me as would be the case in a territorial diocese.

Of course, there are exceptions...

4

christmas 2011 /

christmas 2011 /

ast August I entered a large ball room in Denver for the business meeting of the Supreme Convention of the Knights of Columbus. I knew that I had a seat on the dais and so I was headed in that direction. In my peripheral vision I caught sight of someone beckoning from across the room. Convinced that he ARCHBISHOP TIMOTHY P. BROGLIO GIVING THE HOMILY, AS CO-SPONSORED SEMINARIAN must be calling someone else, I CHRISTOPHER CHRISTENSEN LOOKS ON AT THE SPANISH MILITARY CATHEDRAL, MADRID, SPAIN. continued my march forward. kindest standards I am much too old even However, there was a doubt.

In the classic “me??” gesture I looked to have the appearances of a baseball toward the man and pointed to myself. The player! But, she called me “Archbishop” and motion with his arm became more intense I was dressed in attire appropriate for the and I realized that he was part of the color Nationals’ Stadium.

It seems that her father, a worthy guard. Upon further reflection (sometimes even Archbishops are slow), I remembered Knight of Columbus from the District, has that I was in Denver and the chances that sent her over to collect the signature. It was the color guard might be composed of a good reminder that my anonymity is only people from my Archdiocese began to dawn. relative!

Those are two of my activities since my Drawing closer, I recognized not only the distinctive uniform of the cadets of the last writing. There have been many others Air Force Academy, but also could put as I make pilgrimage around the world in the names with the young faces. These were my quest of bringing the saving message of the Gospel to the global flock entrusted to my faithful!

Pictures were taken and the Supreme care.

The summer “rest” allowed me to witness Knight, Dr. Carl Anderson, and General Patrick Dolan (see page 74), a priest of the General Dempsey’s charm (Chairman of the Louisville Archdiocese who was a contem- Joint Chiefs of Staff) as he pinned the second porary of mine in the seminary, joined me star on Msgr. Rutherford, the new Army for a picture with them. The old men in front Chief of Chaplains. He made everyone feel at home. were rejuvenated by the youth around us.

I also journeyed to Spain for the celeA similar thing happened at Nationals’ Stadium over Labor Day Weekend. Seated bration of World Youth Day. The pilgrimage with the pride and joy of the Archdiocese, with Mark Moitoza and Margaret Betit the co-sponsored seminarians, I was greeted of the AMS staff began at the foot of the by a young girl with a pen and a hat. She Pyrenees where we met an intrepid group of wanted my autograph. I was certain that she French and Australian pilgrims who had was in the wrong section—even by the (continued on page 6) christmas 2011 /

5

Anonymity is only Relative... walked from Lourdes. It took almost six days for them to walk some 42 miles over the mountains.

They were in very good spirits despite the climb.

After the summer rest the convocations began with the first one in San Diego.

Washington, DC and San Antonio followed immediately. The final one was held in Rome at the end of October. Mark Moitoza led us in some interesting reflections about ministry to the young adults who comprise the majority of those served by the Archdiocese. His thought-provoking reflections challenged all of the listeners to examine how ministry is approached and what adaptations can be made. It seemed to me to be a moment of exceptional grace.

Of course, I always welcome the occasion to spend time with the chaplains, contract, and GS priests (these are two categories of civilian priests who offer steady, contracted religious services on installations that do not have a uniformed priest). It is a good opportunity to hear about their activities, challenges, concerns, and needs.

In the midst of those events I made a trip to Battle Creek, Michigan where I visited the Veterans’ Administration Hospital there and St. Joseph’s Parish. The stay at the hospital was brief, but I was able to meet some members of the staff and also confirm a young woman. It was a touching moment to be able to impart the fullness of the Spirit to this disabled veteran.

The purpose of the visit to St. Joseph Parish was to make an appeal for support for the Archdiocese for the Military Services.

The welcome was warm and the Knights

6

christmas 2011 /

(continued from page 7)

of Columbus treated all of the priests to a lovely dinner on Saturday evening. I must confess that fund-raising is not one of my preferred activities, but I did enjoy the first autumn colors and the friendly environment of the Midwest. The priests and staff of the parish could not have been more kind.

The occasion was also propitious to pay my classmate, the Most Reverend Earl Boyea, Bishop of Lansing, an overnight visit. We had some pleasant walks in his neighborhood and considered some of the challenges facing the Church in her mission to evangelize.

Later in September I made good on my promise to pay a pastoral visit to Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls, Montana.

It was my first visit to Montana in 34 years!

Despite the absence of a uniformed priest, the community is thriving. The local diocese of Great Falls-Billings has made a commitment to serve the installation and Bishop Michael Warfel even opened his house to me during my visit.

The occasion was propitious to thank him and his Vicar General, Father Jay Peterson, for their willing service. It was also a moment for me to honor, on behalf of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, three priests who have done so much for the Catholic community: Fathers Francis McInnis, Dennis Homes and Michael Guinan. Theirs has been a labor of love and it was a privilege to express my gratitude.

That particular trip included an address to the regional convention of the Serrans in Seattle, a good brief visit to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, and a couple of days at Naval Base Northwest Kitsap. christmas 2011 /

ARCHBISHOP TIMOTHY P. BROGLIO PRESENTING THE ARCHDIOCESAN MEDAL TO FATHER FRANCIS MCINNIS

In addition to the opportunity to visit the Catholic community and meet many of the commanding officers, I spent some time with the Marine contingent and learned about the challenges of their service dedicated to the protection of the base which houses nuclear submarines.

The tour of the Ohio Class submarine, USS Henry S. Jackson, was fascinating.

The fact that it was in dry dock allowed me to appreciate its size and design. The Executive Officer was an excellent guide and introduced me to the challenges of life on a submarine. Father Andrew Colvin, the Navy Chaplain for the installation, really worked wonders on short notice to plan an interesting and useful visit.

The conversations with the commanding officers were especially productive.

The Catholic Chaplains of the Veterans’ Administration Medical Center (NCVACC) had their annual meeting at

Malvern Retreat House and were kind enough to adjust their schedule to allow me to celebrate Mass and meet with them on October 18th. The adjustment in their program allowed me to attend the VI International meeting of Military Ordinaries convoked by the Congregation for Bishops in the Vatican.

95 chaplains participated in the session and I was pleased to speak with them about the challenges of their ministry and the upcoming introduction of the new translation of the Roman Missal. A fruitful conversation followed the presentation and I flew off to the Eternal City the next day. I was not anonymous in that gathering either, but sometimes it is useful to be recognized. The October visits ended in Roma for the final convocation. It is always good to go back to the Eternal City—neither anonymous to me nor I to her! christmas 2011 /

7

By BISHOP RICHARD B. HIGGINS

WHAT’S OUT THERE?

I

often joke that every priest should have three things in his back pocket, an invocation, a benediction and a five-minute homily!Recently I have come to believe every bishop should have a forty-five minute presentation in his back pocket!

I

t was supposed to be a routine visit to an Air Force installation to celebrate Confirmation, visit with senior leadership and meet with the assigned padre and members of the pastoral council. However, the good padre had injected a surprise one-hour session with the “confirmandi” into the schedule and the bishop was on the hook! What to do?

Certainly the young people deserved an opportunity to engage with a bishop; after all it might be the only opportunity they might ever enjoy. It might also be the last chance the bishop might have to convince them that God really cares about them and needs them to do His work in the world.

The padre had gathered the teens and their parents in a classroom. I needed to talk to the teens, just the teens…no “helicopter” parents hovering in the background. So, I asked the parents, teachers and the padre to step outside! Gutsy move, but I wanted the kids to have a chance to bethemselves and not be intimidated by the presence of their parents. A few mumbles, but soon it was just

8 christmas 2011 /

the teens and the bishop.

I reached into my back pocket and pulled out an exercise that I first employed with 35 young prep school students at the Air Force Academy back in 2002. I asked for a “white” board and a volunteer scribe.

Then, having assured them of non-attribution I asked the gathering of eager, though somewhat shy teens “what is out there that you consider really evil, that violates your sense of decency, that you abhor?” Suddenly I’m staring at a sea of blank faces…the classic “deer in the headlights.” Dead silence. I wait.

I look from one kid to another. No one wants to lock eyes with me. Then one teen slowly raises her hand “genocide” she says.

I thanked her and turn to the scribe. “Write that on the board.” I turn back to the “confirmandi.” More silence. Then another teen volunteers “greed.” “Write it down”, I say to the scribe. Back to the class….another teen whispers “abortion.” A neighboring teen adds “cheating.” Suddenly we’re on a roll and the scribe is busy.

It takes a few minutes but we fill the christmas 2011 /

WHITE BOARD REFLECTING THE ANSWER TO WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER REALLY "EVIL"? AND HOW TO COUNTER THIS STAGGERING AMOUNT OF "EVIL"

board with evil that our teens confront every day. The list is staggering…genocide, greed, abortion, human trafficking, drug abuse, domestic violence, suicide, war, cheating, lying, stealing, prostitution, gambling, murder, disease, pornography, terrorism, prejudice, discrimination, euthanasia. I step back from the board and look at the list, then turn to the now attentive and engaged teens and admit to them that the list of evil with which they are acquainted is simply staggering and possibly even overwhelming.

I pick a few items from the board and share some statistics on genocide, domestic violence, cheating, suicide and greed.

I owe them an apology. You see that list of evil is my generation’s legacy to them.

My contemporaries either condoned this stuff or engaged in it and we have left it to them. It is their inheritance!

I cannot stop here, so I turn the board over and ask the young people “Okay, what do we have available to us to counter this staggering amount of evil?” Silence again, but

this time it is a thoughtful silence. A hand slowly reaches for the sky…“prayer” says a kid with half a jar of gel in his hair. “Law” volunteers another kid who has been scribbling on a note pad. “Money” shouts another youngster not willing to be deemed a nonparticipant. Once again we are on a roll and the scribe is busy. Eventually we get to God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. It takes a while and I say a few words about the sacrament they are about to receive. We fill the board with the “good” available to us to counter the evil on the other side of the board. Not bad!

But we are not done yet!

I flip the board over and ask the young people to take a hard look at the evil they are dealing with and then I challenge them. “We cannot afford to allow this to continue and we have the capability to counter much, if not all of this junk. All it takes is for each of us to respond to the Holy Spirit given to us in this sacrament.

If we try to fix it all we will scatter the energy.

But if we take one or two of these “evils” (continued on page 65) christmas 2011 /

9

By BISHOP NEAL J. BUCKON

“A Pilgrimage to the Tomb of Saint Peter”

MILITARY COUNCIL OF CATHOLIC WOMEN - WESTERN REGION IN MALIBU, CALIFORNIA WITH: FATHER MANNY MARRUFO (FORT BLISS, TX), BISHOP NEAL BUCKON (EPISCOPAL MODERATOR), MONSIGNOR JOHN CUSACK (WESTERN REGION PRIEST MODERATOR)

T

he day after Labor Day I flew to Rome, Italy to attend the course for newly-ordained bishops. The Prefect for the Congregation of Bishops, Cardinal Marc Ouellet, plans and conducts this school for bishops every year. This year’s meeting was from the 7th to the 16th of September. The theme and title of the convocation was “A Pilgrimage to the Tomb of Saint Peter.” 117 Bishops from 33 countries attended the convention.

It was by providence that we celebrated Sunday Mass together at the tomb of Saint Peter on the 10th anniversary of September 11th (9/11).

The prayer of the Mass was powerful indeed as we remembered the acts of terrorism that occurred on that day and the lengthy conflict of the past decade. We prayed for the peaceful repose of the souls who have died, and for the healing of those suffering from the effects of war. We prayed for peace in our world.

A

mong the bishops attending the event were those who also selected to oversee the pastoral care of the Catholic personnel serving in the Armed Forces of their county. Bishop Charles Phillip Richard Moth is the Military Ordinary for Great Britain; Bishop Tomo Vuksic is the Military Ordinary for Bosnia – Herzegovina; and Bishop Jose Francisco

10 christmas 2011 /

Falcao de Barros is an Auxiliary Bishop for the Military Ordinariate of Brazil. I had the pleasure of meeting both Bishops Moth and Vuksic last May during the International Military Pilgrimage to Lourdes.

It was also a joy to have a reunion with the Archbishop for the Chaldean Church, His Excellency Bashar Matti Warda, C.Ss.R. I met Archbishop Warda in Baghdad during christmas 2011 /

BISHOP NEAL J. BUCKON AT CASTELGANDOLFO MEETING HIS HOLINESS, POPE BENEDICT XVI.

Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) I. We were both priests at the time. Due to the continuing violence in Baghdad, Archbishop Warda has relocated the Archbishop’s Office and the Archdiocese’s Seminary to the city of Irbil in the north of Iraq. I assured him of my continued prayers for his safety and safety of all Christian peoples in the Middle East.

The highlight of our pilgrimage was the trip to Castelgandolfo to meet His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI. The Pope spoke to us in a private audience to help us reflect upon our new responsibilities in the episcopal ministry. The Holy Father concluded: “The sanctity of your lives and your pastoral charity will be an example and support to your priests, ... who are also called to build the community with their gifts, charisms and the witness of their lives, so that the choral communion of the Church may bear witness to Jesus Christ, that the world may believe”.

Soon after the return from the convocation I found myself on the road

again. The first stops included the Military Council of Catholic Women (MCCW) Regional Conferences. MCCW-Central Region had their conference September 29th – October 2nd at the Passionist Retreat Center in Houston, Texas. The MCCWWestern Region had their Conference October 10th – 13th at the Franciscans’ Serra Retreat Center in Malibu, California. There were approximately 40 women representing various chapel communities from different states at each conference. As the new Episcopal Moderator for the MCCW, I was delighted to see the hard work that the Regional Board of Directors brought to fruition in meaningful and spiritual conferences. The liturgies were prayerful; the presentations were inspirational and a cause for reflection; the music was uplifting; the food delectable; and the company convivial. I know that these Catholic women returned home renewed in the Spirit and eager to support their chaplain priests and their community of faith. christmas 2011 /

11

HIGHLIGHTS FROM EUROPE & A ASIA VICARIATE

along with bishop spencer:

By BISHOP F. RICHARD SPENCER

PILGRIMAGE TO THE CHURCH OF THE BLACK MADONNA IN CZESTOCHOWA, POLAND.

12 christmas 2011 /

christmas 2011 /

EUROPE:

ASIA:

ugust 15, 2011, the Holy Day celebrating the Solemnity of the Assumption of our Blessed Mother. I had the privilege of representing the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, by participating in the 300th Anniversary Pilgrimage to the Church of the Black Madonna of Czestochowa, Poland. An estimated 27,000 pilgrims converged on Czestochowa from hundreds of starting points throughout Poland.

Many walked for ten days through thunderstorms, rain showers and intense summer heat. Along the way, many villagers and churches provided shelter, food and water. The Shrine is Poland's most revered site to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

It is located on the grounds of the Jasna Gora monastery, which houses the famous Black Madonna icon (depicting the Blessed Mother with Christ Child). In our group, were over 750 German and Polish soldiers, as well as more than 2,500 University students. Yet, we were but a small contingent of the massive crowds that gathered for this celebration. During a ceremonial wreathlaying at Poland’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier I was again blessed to have the honor of representing the USA. Without a doubt, we were standing on holy ground during this pilgrimage. With sincere dedication, joy and zeal for God, Church, the Blessed Virgin, and the beloved Motherland, each Pole sacrificed him or herself to pray for peace during the pilgrimage.

As brothers and sisters united in Jesus Christ, I was humbled to have the honor to carry and represent the “Stars and Stripes” of the United States of America as well as to carry the banner of the Archdiocese for the Military Services.

Our military communities in Asia have celebrated two significant ecclesial events in the past months.

BISHOP F. RICHARD SPENCER (CENTER) WITH READERS MR. ROY MELLON (LEFT) AND MR. JOE PAK (RIGHT).

T

his past fall Joe Pak and Roy Mellon were installed as Lectors as part of the pilot formation program for AMS permanent deacons currently located in Korea. This event marked a significant step in their formation.

T

he second event also took place in Korea. The Knights of Columbus took the historic step of expanding membership to the Land of the Morning Calm. The Most Reverend Xavier Yu, the Korean Military Bishop, became a Knight of Columbus. This event constitutes the first step in expanding international membership of the Knights of Columbus in the Republic of Korea through militaryto-military friendships. The Armed Forces of South Korea and the United States of America already maintain close ties, and so should their Catholic members. The Knights of Columbus is an outstanding vehicle through which these two groups can get to know each other better and practice their common faith. christmas 2011 /

13

By FATHER KERRY ABBOTT, OFM CONV.

Cultivating Vocations “Here I am Lord, send me”

G

reetings to you in our Lord Jesus Christ and in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi! I am writing to you on this Memorial of the founder of my religious community (himself once a military chaplain) from Seattle, WA where I have had the privilege of visiting three of our Co-Sponsored Seminarians ministering and studying here in the Pacific Northwest. Before I speak about these good men, let me back up a bit to fill you in regarding some exciting happenings since I first wrote to you in the summer issue of Salute.

O

ver the Labor Day weekend, Archbishop Broglio hosted our annual gathering of co-sponsored seminarians in Washington, DC. Twenty-one of our thirty-two men were able to attend and gathered for a time of prayer, fraternity and celebration (unfortunately most of our men at the Pontifical North American College were already in Rome, and some others were on their respective annual diocesan or seminary retreats). Highlights of the weekend included a banquet at the

14 christmas 2011 /

AMS Friday night, a barbeque hosted by the Knights of Columbus prior to attending a Washington Nationals baseball game Saturday (the Nationals won…perhaps because the Archbishop stayed to cheer them on to victory when they had been losing), and the celebration of Eucharist at both the Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and at the Memorial Chapel, Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall (JBMHH) with Archbishop Broglio presiding. Father (COL) David Kenehan, OSFS and the JBMHH Catholic community not only christmas 2011 /

LEFT TO RIGHT: CHRISTOPHER CHRISTENSEN, FATHER KERRY ABBOTT AND MATTHEW SOTO DURING BANQUET HELD FOR SEMINARIANS AT THE ARCHDIOCESAN HEADQUARTERS IN WASHINGTON, DC.

provided a magnificent post-liturgy reception, but hosted the Archbishop, chaplains from all branches of the military, and seminarians for a wonderful Sunday brunch at the Officers’ Club before they all headed off to the airport or highway and back to their studies.

O

ver the course of the weekend I found myself stepping back and giving thanks for the many manifestations of prayer and support that made the presence of these men (and their future priest-chaplain ministry) possible. I listened to their stories of family, friends, and priests who had encouraged them along the way. Just three years ago the number of co-sponsored seminarians was less than a quarter of what it is now, and just this year we have seen those prayers, encouragement and financial support begin to bear sacramental fruit; three co-sponsored seminarians were ordained to the transitional diaconate, and two to the presbyterate! As I contemplate the fact that some Marines, Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen face the dangers of

battle without the presence of a priestchaplain and the sacramental grace he can offer, I am encouraged by the increasing number of men who are saying concretely, “Here I am Lord, send me.”

T

his brings me to my time here in the Pacific Northwest. Two of our newest co-sponsored seminarians (Mr. Gary Bass [see page 26], Diocese of Monterey, CA and Mr. John Crutchfield [see page 30], Diocese of Helena, MT) and I gathered for Evening Prayer and dinner one evening near their seminary, Mt. Angel in St. Benedict, OR. I listened to Gary recall his experiences as a Navy Religious Program Specialist, and John’s as an Army National Guard Combat Engineer and how these experiences shaped them as men and helped them to gain clarity with regard to their priestly vocations. A few days before I had shared Evening Prayer and dinner with Mr. Anthony Lezcano, a Navy Chaplain Candidate and co-sponsored seminarian for the Archdiocese of Seattle who is ministering during a pastoral (continued on page 16) christmas 2011 /

15

Cultivating Vocations

(continued from page 15)

aware that what I am blessed to witness and reflect on is that we have an increasing number of men who, like Gary, John and Anthony are saying yes to the Lord, and yes to the service of our sisters and brothers in our Armed Forces who are often so far from home and certainly comforted by the presence of their priestchaplains.

G CO-SPONSORED SEMINARIANS ATTENDING MASS IN THE AMS HEADQUARTERS CHAPEL

od willing, these men, their brothers (whom you are invited to meet in this issue, pages 25 through 27) and others who will hopefully join them, will like our most recent ordinands, help to fill the sacramental void at some of the furthest outposts of our Archdiocese. Please continue to keep our co-sponsored seminarians in your prayers, and those women and men who are striving to discern and respond to the voice of God calling them to lives of service and sacrifice in religious life and the priesthood.

year at St. Charles Borromeo parish in Tacoma, WA. Anthony comes from a y the time you read this article large family with a history of service to we will have hosted our most God and the Nation; he is living his legacy recent AMS Vocation Discernof the Gospel in action in a parish where ment Retreat Weekend at St. many parishioners hail from Joint Base Mary’s Seminary, Houston, TX. We will Lewis-McChord, WA. welcome 15 men from our military service academies, active duty in each branch ach of these men is keenly aware of the service, civilians contemplating of the support he enjoys through priesthood and military ministry, and a the generous prayers and financial civilian attorney who has worked with the support of our benefactors (with- US Department of the Army. From among out whose support we could not fund the AMS them we pray will come the successors to Co-Sponsorship Program; our portion of their Gary, John and Anthony… men who will seminary education expenses). I am keenly also say, “Here I am Lord, send me.”

B

E

16 christmas 2011 /

christmas 2011 /

From the Chancellor

By DEACON MICHAEL YAKIR

W

henever I visit a base chapel and assist and preach at Mass it is inevitable that someone will approach me about what it takes to become a permanent deacon. Because the AMS does not have an established permanent deacon formation program I have to tell the person that he must contact the local diocesan vocations office or permanent deacon formation director. Each diocese has its own requirements though I believe all follow the USCCB’s National Directory Guidelines on the Permanent Diaconate. In short, most programs last about five years and an aspirant must remember that there is no guarantee that he will be ordained. Besides the formal training there is great deal of testing and discernment.

Also, plan on up to an additional year for enrollment and acceptance into a program.

S

ome dioceses start a new program every year. Others every other year and still others complete an entire training cycle, five years, before they start another class. Many have upper age limits. A common limit is that if you will be over 60 before completing the training you won’t even be able to enroll. Each diocese is different so if you are interested you should contact the deacon formation office as soon as possible if you are concerned about an upper limit. You could be 51 and another class may not start for

five years. Thus you could be ineligible to enroll in the next class.

T

here is also a minimum age limit for ordination; thirtyfive. Some dioceses will let a man enroll if he is under thirty-five but will be thirtyfive when the training is complete. Others will not enroll any man until he has reached thirty-five. Again, each diocese has its own procedures so it is best to contact them for guidance. (continued on page 18) christmas 2011 /

17

From the Chancellor

y the way the diaconate, like to serve them but servant leaders lead by all religious vocations, is a serving those entrusted to their care. calling from God. It is not a or well over a decade I was reward for being a good person invited by the dean of the busior being a great reader, which ness school at my alma mater to is why all formation programs include give a lecture to the capstone discernment and spiritual direction. class for the upcoming business here are approximately 60 grads. I talked a lot about business ethics, permanent deacons working leadership and how to define success. at a variety of locations I told them a story about an executive at around the country with a large business. He was nearing ordinafaculties from the AMS. tion to the diaconate when the CEO Many work at military installations while of the company walked into his office others minister at VA Medical Centers. and demanded that he sign the document Most of them are veterans which should that he held in his hand. It was a short come as no surprise to anyone. If you are document and stated that as a Deacon he or know of a deacon interested in serving would not allow his Christian values to get at a military installation or VA Medical in the way of sound business decisions.

Center go to the AMS website and look Think about it; this CEO thought that under Offices / Chancellor / Permanent a value system that has stood the test of Deacons. There is a lot of information time would only hinder his business. there and if you still have questions feel relate this story because of a recent free to call me.

Sunday gospel from Matthew in which Jesus told a parable about a eacon is derived from the landowner who planted a vineyard, Greek word ‘diakonia’ which built a wine press and then leased means ‘service’.Deacons bridge the gap between the clerical the land to tenants. When he sent his world (deacons are clergy) and servants to gather his share of the harvest the laity. Most deacons work in positions the tenants killed the servants and the in the lay world and for the Church after man’s son. The Pharisees and elders to work and on weekends as I did for 25 whom Jesus was telling the story agreed years before I came to the AMS two years that the land owner would put the people ago. I believe strongly in servant leader- to death and replace them with others. ship which means that I believe that we The story ends with Jesus’ summary of the all serve. People in a leadership position, story and of the behavior of his listeners, whether in the Church, in government or “The kingdom of God will be taken away in business, have an obligation to demon- from you and given to a people that strate diakonia, service, to the people they will produce its fruit.” The parable and lead. Servant leaders do not expect others Jesus’ warning reminded me of the exec’s

D

18 christmas 2011 /

F

I

christmas 2011 /

experience. A few years later that company, business decisions! Christian values help a a large utility, went out of business. So much legislator craft better law. Proclaiming and defending the Catholic faith helps religious for Christian values getting in the way. leaders give direction and purpose to the very day each of us is confronted people they shepherd. with a similar experience, that is, we are given opportunities o say, “I am Christian but…” to live differently, to set an ex(you complete the sentence) is ample, to choose from right and the equivalent of the parable wrong, and to live out our Christian values.

I discussed earlier. In Pope We are fortunate in that in this country we Benedict XVI’s noon address can proclaim and on October 2nd he told the faithful live out our faith gathered in St. Peter’s Square, the without fear of gospel “makes us think of the great I believe strongly in servant death, though that responsibility of those who, in all leadership which is not to say that we ages, are called to work in the means that I believe that are free of criticism. vineyard of the Lord, especially we all serve.

As I write this artithose in positions of authority.”

People in a cle there is a Chrisleadership position, whether tian preacher in uring this Advent in the church, in a country in the Season perhaps it government or in business, have Middle East who would be good for an obligation to has been convicted all of us to reflect demonstrate of apostasy and has on Christ’s words, diakonia, service, to the people been sentenced to “The kingdom of God will be they lead. death, all because taken away from you and given he will not reject to a people that will produce its his Christian faith. fruit.” Perhaps it is time to ask We are not faced with that threat in this ourselves whether or not we are at risk of country. We are free to bring our Catholic having the kingdom taken away. Do we values to the work place, to our leadership say, “I am Catholic but…” or do we say, “I roles and the worst that can happen to us is am Catholic and proud of it!” Servant that we may have to endure public criti- leadership, diakonia, is in season all year cism. Which leads me to ask why are peo- round and in all walks of life. ple, especially leaders in all realms, afraid to allow the Catholic faith to shine in all they Merry Christmas! do? What are they afraid of; losing a proPAX motion? Losing an election? Losing people Deacon Mike from the pews? Christian values do not get in the way of sound business decisions; Christian values help a person make better

E

T

“

“

B T

(continued from page 17)

D

christmas 2011 /

19

PROFILES IN COURAGE: Military Chaplains Serve the Spiritual Needs of Those in Uniform

By JIM GRAVES | REGISTER CORRESPONDENT

T

he Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA reported a sharp jump this year in the number of seminarians interested in serving as military chaplains. As the 2011-2012 academic year begins, there are 31 military-affiliated seminarians nationwide, up from three just three years ago.

T

he seminarians are participating in the Co-Sponsorship Program for one of the branches of the armed forces and must be co-sponsored by a diocesan bishop. Once ordained, the priest must serve three years in a civilian parish and return to his diocese of sponsorship when he retires from active military service.

Conventual Franciscan Father Kerry Abbott, Director of Vocations for the archdiocese, remarked, “This is one of the untold stories of the blessings of the Holy Spirit upon the Church and those faithful fervently seeking to respond to the voice of God.” He added that seminaries were struggling to find room for all the new seminarians and the funding to pay their expenses. The need for new chaplains for the service is critical, as the number has fallen from 400 ten years ago to 274 today.

Pope Benedict XVI himself has noted the important work military chaplains do in promoting holiness in the midst of modern challenges.

In 2010, he said he hoped military chaplains will bring about a “renewed

20 christmas 2011 /

adhesion to Christ,” setting the bar of “holiness as the high measure of Christian life in response to the new pastoral challenges.”

four military chaplains spoke about their service.

Father Karl-Albert Lindblad

F

ather Karl-Albert Lindblad, 52, is an active-duty chaplain currently serving at the U.S. Coast Guard Training Center in Yorktown, VA. He is a native FATHER KARL-ALBERT of New York City and reLINDBLAD members watching Navy ships come and go from the harbor as a child. After entering the seminary, he contacted the Navy and asked if they had chaplains.

He recalled (laughing), “They said, ‘Don’t move! We’re coming for you now!’”

The military has long had a shortage of chaplains, he added: “We’re lucky to christmas 2011 /

have the priests that we do.”

Compounding the problem is that the military seeks younger, fit men who can meet the challenges of military life, the same kind of new priests bishops seek for their own parishes.

Father Lindblad was ordained for the Archdiocese of New York in 1987. After spending several years in a parish — as regulations require — he became a Navy chaplain. He has since risen to the rank of lieutenant commander.

While the duties of a military priest are often similar to a civilian priest, Father Lindblad said, there are some important differences: “We travel a lot, we can get shot at, and we’re asked to live in small spaces.”

Unlike a civilian priest, a military priest lives with his congregation: “It can be both exhilarating and challenging.

While you’re trying to be a role model and witness Christ to them, some days they see your worst side.”

Military and emergency service personnel typically have “very immediate concerns,” he noted, whether they’re going into combat or daily working with military equipment that can be dangerous. Being away from home six months or more at a time can be a burden, too. Those who are forced to kill others in battle approach him with moral concerns about their actions.

Father Lindblad has been assigned to military bases throughout the world and was even part of a mission to capture Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean. But the assignment that was most profoundly memorable to him was in 2001, when he was working at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy on Long Island, just outside New York City. The academy was just 20 miles

from the World Trade Center, and he witnessed the 9/11 attacks in progress.

Father Lindblad was the first Navy chaplain on the scene and played a key role in securing the services of a Navy hospital ship, the USNS Comfort. As a teenager, he had worked as a messenger in the World Trade Center and knew its buildings well. He recalled, “I looked at the pile of steel ruins, and thought, We’re going to need more help.”

One of his most vivid memories was of the many shoes of the victims strewn about Ground Zero. The pressure of the collapse of the buildings had vaporized the bodies of most of the 2,600 victims, he said, leaving behind only their shoes: “I came to realize just how many had died.”

‘Fell in Love’

F

ranciscan Father Robert Bruno, a colonel in the U.S. Air Force, has served as a military chaplain for 31 of his 34 years as a priest.

Originally from Ohio, he FATHER ROBERT was attracted to military BRUNO service because he wanted to work with young adults and their families. He has spent much of his career in the United States and Europe and is currently stationed at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. CO. Father Bruno was initially planning to serve several years and then return to civilian life, but he changed his mind.

He said, “I fell in love with the ministry.”

The lifestyle continues to appeal to him, Father Bruno explained, because it (continued on page 22) christmas 2011 /

21

PROFILES IN COURAGE: is both “dynamic and global” and has left him with a lifetime of memorable experiences.

Once, for example, in 2000, while stationed in Germany, he led a delegation of 700 airmen for a Jubilee Year gathering at the Vatican. During an evening prayer service to a multi-national crowd of more than 100,000 in St. Peter’s Square, he was unexpectedly asked to read the English translation of intercessory prayers. Pope John Paul II was in the papal apartment above looking down on him.

He remarked, “I have a whole lifetime of experiences like that that I never would have had in civilian ministry.”

Like the other branches of the service, the Air Force needs priests. Of the minimum 120 required, there are currently only 65.

The chaplains serve airmen who suffer from increasingly lengthy separations from home. Hence, there is a disturbing rise in the incidence of suicide among service personnel. Father Bruno is frequently called upon to help people contemplating suicide: “My focus is not on the newest and latest military aircraft, but on the human dimension of being in the service.”

Less Reluctant

Philip Hannan, 98, who was a paratroop chaplain, Monsignor Sommer was the second oldest.

Monsignor Sommer was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of St. Louis in 1940. In 1945, his bishop approved his transfer into the military. After six weeks of basic training, he was sent to the Pacific.

He spent a total of 29 years in the Army, rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel, and serving at bases all over the world. Today, despite his advanced age, Monsignor Sommer’s mind is sharp and he celebrates Mass daily in the retirement community where he lives in St. Louis.

He also still attends military-related events. He was recently pleased to attend a memorial Mass in Washington, D.C., for Father Vincent Capodanno, a military chaplain killed on a battlefield in Vietnam while assisting wounded and dying U.S. Marines. Father Capodanno is one of four military chaplains — all Catholic — who received the Medal of Honor for his service. Catholic chaplains may have less reluctance to minister in a combat situation, Monsignor Sommer opined, because of the urgency of administering the sacraments to the dying and the fact that they are unmarried and don’t have to worry about dependents back home.

M MONSIGNOR JEROME SOMMER

onsignor Jerome Sommer, 96, is one of just a handful of surviving retired U.S. Army chaplains who served during World War II. In fact, until the death Sept. 29 of retired New Orleans Archbishop

22 christmas 2011 /

‘Father Lucky’

H FATHER CLEMENT DAVENPORT

eavy combat is something Father Clement Davenport, 87, saw many times in his years serving as an Army chaplain in

christmas 2011 /

Military Chaplains Serve the Spiritual Needs of Those in Uniform the wars in Korea and Vietnam.

Father Davenport was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of San Francisco in 1948. He volunteered to join the Army after the outbreak of the Korean War. The infantry units in which he served, both in Korea and Vietnam, often found themselves in the thick of the fighting. He was repeatedly advised to return to the safer rear areas, but he wanted to be on the front lines with the troops.

He explained, “That’s how we serve as priests. It’s part of our nature. We have to go where the suffering and dying is.”

The strains of war can be tremendous, Father Davenport said, but God’s grace can help you endure. He recalled one time while serving with soldiers who were protecting a water plant in Saigon. He was suffering from food poisoning, but since his unit was expecting an artillery attack that night, he opted to stay rather than go to the hospital.

At 3 am, the North Vietnamese barrage hit (“All hell broke loose,” he said).

Casualties were high, and Father Davenport went about ministering to the wounded and dying, pausing from time to time to vomit because of his illness. The next day, he celebrated nine Masses. His only “food” for the day was a can of Coke, which it took him eight hours to get down.

He reflected, “I don’t know how I did it, but God takes care of you.”

Despite his many times in combat, Father Davenport made it through unscathed. Once on the battlefield, an artillery shell exploded nearby, sending a piece of shrapnel tearing through his fatigues. But he was left uninjured. The

experience helped earn him the title of “Father Lucky.”

Another incident he recalled was when his driver, who had not yet experienced combat, took him to the front lines.

While speaking to some tank crews, some artillery rounds came in. Father asked his driver, “Are you scared?” He replied, “Not when I’m with Father Lucky.” Father responded, “Well, I am. Let’s get the hell out of here!”

Father Davenport believes in the saying “There are no atheists in foxholes.”

Soldiers fighting and dying were often receptive to his ministry; some wore rosaries he had given them around their necks into battle.

The Catholic chaplain shortage was always a problem; seven Protestant chaplains ministered to the same number of men he did. He had spent enough time in combat to earn a ticket home but opted to stay with the troops until the end of both wars because “there was no one to replace me.”

Father Davenport, who is pastor emeritus of the Church of the Nativity in Menlo Park, CA, has fond memories of his time in the service. He says that while war is “terrible and stupid,” the work of a military chaplain is “beautiful.”

“You hold wounded and dying kids in your arms, 18 or 19 years old, some calling out for their mothers,” he explained.

“I told them not to be afraid and talked to them about Jesus and Mary. My time in the military was the most important part of my priesthood.”

Jim Graves writes from Newport Beach, California.

christmas 2011 /

23

The Harvest Continues On...

24 christmas 2011 /

christmas 2011 /

christmas 2011 /

25

The Harvest Continues On...

Gary Lamar Bass DIOCESE: Diocese of Monterey, CA RANK / BRANCH OF SERVICE: E6 / Navy (ret) HIGH SCHOOL ATTENDED: Kecoughtan High School, Hampton, VA COLLEGE ATTENDED: Mount Angel Abbey, Saint Benedict, OR HOBBIES: Listening and performing music, bicycle rides, walks on the beach, photography, and talks over coffee.

WHEN WAS THE FIRST TIME YOU THOUGHT OF PRIESTHOOD?

Shortly after I converted to Catholicism in 2003.

WHO INFLUENCED OR INSPIRED YOU? In the Navy, my job was a

Religious Program Specialist. I worked alongside chaplains of various denominations. It was working with Catholic priests and being around the parish community that drew me into our faith.

WHAT WOULD PEOPLE BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU?

I just completed 20 years of honorable service in the Navy and I am now a full-time seminarian with the Diocese of Monterey.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SCRIPTURE PASSAGE? PROVERBS 3:5

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.”

HOW DID YOU COME TO KNOW JESUS? I grew up in a Baptist home. My

dad was a Deacon in the church and a choir member. He used to talk to me about Jesus.

“I think understanding the Pope’s position in the Church, what he represented, opened my mind and my heart to accepting more of what it is to be Catholic today.”

26 christmas 2011 /

christmas 2011 /

WHAT WERE SOME OF THE SPIRITUAL EVENTS OR ACTIVITIES THAT HELPED YOU DEVELOP AND SHARE YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST AND HIS CHURCH? In short, two specific spiritual events

happened to me prior to becoming a Catholic Christian: One evening I was preparing to go to dinner and there was a sign of a cross on the front window of my car. It was raining that day and the rain water was tracing an outline of a cross directly in my view on the driver’s side that turned out to be tree sap that dripped from a branch just above. Later, after arriving to a restaurant, a stranger noticed me praying over my food and asked if I had thought of becoming a priest. A few minutes later he walked over to my table, gave a sign of blessing before me and left. I went after him to question who he was but he was nowhere to be seen. These two events happening one after the other on the same night made a lasting impact on my life.

WHAT INFLUENCE DID POPE JOHN PAUL II HAVE ON YOUR VOCATION? I remember when he was shot and just feeling my heart go

heavy for him. At the time, I did not know why because I was not Catholic but a Christian in heart. Sometime later, I had heard his voice on TV. I cannot remember what he was speaking about but I can recall being in awe of his presence. By this time I had just converted to Catholicism and those spiritual events happened to me. I think understanding the Pope’s position in the Church, what he represented, opened my mind and my heart to accepting more of what it is to be Catholic today.

WHAT WAS YOUR BACKGROUND BEFORE THE SEMINARY?

Active duty in the US Navy.

WHAT WAS THE LAST BOOK YOU READ? Currently reading “To Save a

Thousand Souls” by Father Brett A. Brannen WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SPIRITUAL BOOK? Don’t have one yet.

WHO IS A HERO TO YOU? My parents who have instilled in me good

morals and values to live by.

christmas 2011 /

27

The Harvest Continues On...

Mark C. Bristol DIOCESE: Diocese of Brooklyn, NY RANK / BRANCH OF SERVICE: O-1 Ensign / NAVY HIGH SCHOOL ATTENDED: Atlantic Community High School, Delray Beach, FL COLLEGE ATTENDED: Franciscan University of Steubenville, Steubenville, OH HOBBIES: Swimming, traveling, singing, playing the bass guitar, going to concerts, seeing Broadway musicals, watching movies, visiting museums and historical sites.

WHEN WAS THE FIRST TIME YOU THOUGHT OF PRIESTHOOD? When I attended a Life Teen Mass at my parish, a young priest who had been recently ordained celebrated the Mass. When I heard him preach and celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass I could relate to him and picture myself being up there one day.

WHO INFLUENCED OR INSPIRED YOU? My father, the chaplains who served me while I was stationed in Gaeta, Italy, and the lives of Servant of God Father Vincent R. Capodanno and Monsignor Bernard J. Quinn.

WHAT WOULD PEOPLE BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU? I converted to Catholic faith when I was 16 years old.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SCRIPTURE PASSAGE? 2 Timothy 2:4 RSV

“No soldier on service gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to satisfy the one who enlisted him.”

HOW DID YOU COME TO KNOW JESUS? When I was eight years old, I went to a Protestant summer camp and asked Jesus to come into my life. Since that day, my relationship with Him has been a constant journey of me falling in love with Him, me running away from Him, Jesus running after me and me returning back to Him who is my first love.

28 christmas 2011 /

christmas 2011 /

WHAT WERE SOME OF THE SPIRITUAL EVENTS OR ACTIVITIES THAT HELPED YOU DEVELOP AND SHARE YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST AND HIS CHURCH? World Youth Day 2005, Catholics Seeking Christ and the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius.

WHAT INFLUENCE DID POPE JOHN PAUL II HAVE ON YOUR VOCATION? When Pope John Paul II died, I was present in Rome at his funeral and at that time I was still running away from God. While I was standing there shoulder to shoulder in the midst of over a million people from all over world, I heard the Lord say in my heart, “What happened to that fire that was in your heart for me and my Church when you first became Catholic?” I repented that day and made a promise to myself to go on a pilgrimage to World Youth Day in hopes to rekindle that flame. When I went to World Youth Day, that flame was rekindled and I realized that God was still calling me to priesthood.

WHAT WAS YOUR BACKGROUND BEFORE THE SEMINARY? I enlisted in the Navy right after High School as an Information Systems Technician and was stationed onboard the USS Mount Whitney in Gaeta, Italy. I spent 5 years on active duty and 4 years in the Navy Reserves. While I was in the Navy Reserves and attending college, I was recalled back to active duty service and deployed to the Horn of Africa (Djibouti, Africa) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

WHAT WAS THE LAST BOOK YOU READ? “Theology of His / Her Body”

by Jason Evert.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SPIRITUAL BOOK? “Imitation of Christ” by Thomas à Kempis.

WHO IS A HERO TO YOU? Pope John Paul II, because he survived the loss of both of his parents, the perils of war, persecution because of his faith and an assassination attempt. Despite all of the tragedies and suffering in his life, he was still full of joy and love for God, life and humanity.

“When I went to World Youth Day, that flame was rekindled and I realized that God was still calling me to priesthood.” christmas 2011 /

29

The Harvest Continues On...

John Crutchfield DIOCESE: Diocese of Helena, Helena MT RANK / BRANCH OF SERVICE: N/A HIGH SCHOOL ATTENDED: Coeur d’Alene High School, ID COLLEGE ATTENDED: North Idaho College and Mount Angel Seminary HOBBIES: Soccer, football, basketball and going to the movies

WHAT INFLUENCE DID POPE JOHN PAUL II HAVE ON YOUR VOCATION? At the outset he was not an influence on my vocation, how-

ever, he has grown to become an influence in solidifying my vocation.

WHAT WAS YOUR BACKGROUND BEFORE THE SEMINARY? I worked primarily in the lumber and construction fields.

WHAT WAS THE LAST BOOK YOU READ?

“Against All Enemies” by Tom Clancy.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SPIRITUAL BOOK?

WHEN WAS THE FIRST TIME YOU THOUGHT OF PRIESTHOOD?

“Life of Christ” by Archbishop Fulton Sheen.

I first thought about the priesthood when I was thirteen years old.

WHO IS A HERO TO YOU?

George Washington and Walter Payton.

WHO INFLUENCED OR INSPIRED YOU?

St. Alphonsus Liguori and Bishop Fulton Sheen.

WHAT WOULD PEOPLE BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU?

I am a convert to Catholicism.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SCRIPTURE PASSAGE? JOHN 3:30

“He must increase, but I must decrease.”

HOW DID YOU COME TO KNOW JESUS? I was raised in a good Christian family, as well as reading the Scriptures and through prayer.

“I was raised in a good Christian family, as well as reading the Scriptures and through prayer.”

WHAT WERE SOME OF THE SPIRITUAL EVENTS OR ACTIVITIES THAT HELPED YOU DEVELOP AND SHARE YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST AND HIS CHURCH?

Teaching RCIA, leading Bible studies and visiting the homebound.

30 christmas 2011 /

christmas 2011 /

christmas 2011 /

31

The Harvest Continues On...

Callan D. Davis DIOCESE: Archdiocese of Boston, MA RANK / BRANCH OF SERVICE: 2nd Lt / Air Force HIGH SCHOOL ATTENDED: Deer Park High School, Deer Park, TX COLLEGE ATTENDED: St. John’s Seminary, Boston, MA. HOBBIES: Tennis, volleyball, playing the guitar, swimming, hanging out at the beach and reading

WHEN WAS THE FIRST TIME YOU THOUGHT OF PRIESTHOOD? My first time thinking about priesthood happened around the time of my conversion, which was during my junior year at Baylor University. Yes, ironically I converted to Catholicism at the world’s largest Baptist University! My time there was instrumental in my spiritual maturity and discernment.

WHO INFLUENCED OR INSPIRED YOU? There have been many who have influenced me and mentored me throughout my life so I cannot just pick one or maybe just a few. Father Anthony Odiong, Deacons Frank Jasek and Jeff Heipel, Father Kerry Abbott, Father John McLaughlin, Father Wayne Belschner, Father Mario Origo, Father Kevin Cody and so many more have truly been instruments of God in my life. They have been constant in their support and unfailing in their ministries to living out a holy and Christ-centered life. Their examples, with the help of God, have put me on the path I am on today.

WHAT WOULD PEOPLE BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU? That I speak Russian and that I had a pilot slot to fly in the Air Force and turned it down to go to seminary.

WHAT WERE SOME OF THE SPIRITUAL EVENTS OR ACTIVITIES THAT HELPED YOU DEVELOP AND SHARE YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST AND HIS CHURCH? In my early years I was fairly active in the church choir and Sunday School but it was not until my conversion that I truly found a direction to focus my passion for Christ and His Church.

The mysterious and captivating presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist had, what I can only call, a gravitational pull on my soul. I could not spend enough time reading or being with Him. Whether I was an altar server, an EMHC or helping out with RCIA, I had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge of Christ. This passion has been developed by spiritual direction and daily interaction with Christ through prayer, the Eucharist and here I am; studying to become pleasing to our Lord as a priest, loving and leading his people to full communion with Him. WHAT INFLUENCE DID POPE JOHN PAUL II HAVE ON YOUR VOCATION? In college, I was a Slavic and East European Studies undergrad, which focused on communism and the effects it had on former Soviet bloc countries. The tireless efforts of Blessed Pope John Paul II to put an end to communism were felt around the world. He was able to cross denominational lines and speak for Christians everywhere; no easy feat. He is the perfect example of a holy, loving, faith-filled priest who lived a Christ-centered life and gave the world a model to live by. His life is an example to people everywhere, especially those discerning a vocation to the priesthood.

WHAT WAS YOUR BACKGROUND BEFORE THE SEMINARY? Before seminary I was an active duty Second Lieutenant in the US Air Force, serving at Goodfellow AFB, San Angelo, TX. I spent a little over eight months there in support of Chapel Operations on the base under Wing Chaplain, Father, Lt Col, Kevin Cody. The experience and direction I received from him and the staff at Goodfellow has helped me see just how Christ can work in the military when he is met with such dedicated Christian men and women.

WHAT WAS THE LAST BOOK YOU READ? “The Game of Thrones” series

by George R.R. Martin.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SCRIPTURE PASSAGE? Cannot pick just one.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SPIRITUAL BOOK? I am currently reading “Jesus of Nazareth: I and II” by Pope Benedict XVI but being a Slavic studies guy, “With God in Russia” by Walter J. Ciszek is one of my favorites.

HOW DID YOU COME TO KNOW JESUS? I was raised in the Bible belt and thus was raised Baptist, but you could say it was the hard work of my mother that first introduced me to Jesus. Some of my earliest memories revolve around Vacation Bible School, Sunday School, and Church. It is this foundation I have to thank for my early experiences with Christ.

WHO IS A HERO TO YOU? Undoubtedly, my hero is my mom. She has been a constant source of love and support in my life and it is without a doubt that I can say I am who I am because of her. She raised me in church and helped foster an early and loving relationship with Christ. It is through her example and with her passion that I entered into seminary.

32 christmas 2011 /

christmas 2011 /

christmas 2011 /

33

The Harvest Continues On...

Vincent “Vinny” Gillmore DIOCESE: Archdiocese of Indianapolis, IN RANK / BRANCH OF SERVICE: Cadet 1st Class / U.S. Air Force HIGH SCHOOL ATTENDED: Warner Robins High School, Warner Robins, GA COLLEGE ATTENDED: US Air Force Academy HOBBIES: Time with family and friends, running, choir, outdoors stuff, sports, movies, and books.

WHAT WERE SOME OF THE SPIRITUAL EVENTS OR ACTIVITIES THAT HELPED YOU DEVELOP AND SHARE YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST AND HIS CHURCH? My family, my high school youth group,

the Catholic ministry at the Air Force Academy, and my two-year sabbatical to Guatemala.

WHAT INFLUENCE DID POPE JOHN PAUL II HAVE ON YOUR VOCATION? I do not think I am in a position to fully answer that question

right now. The Church and the whole world are still in Blessed Pope John Paul II’s wake. For now, I will just say that he was a very inspiring priest to me and Saint Maximilian Kolbe was a very inspiring priest to both of us.

WHEN WAS THE FIRST TIME YOU THOUGHT OF PRIESTHOOD?

WHAT WAS YOUR BACKGROUND BEFORE THE SEMINARY?

When I was about 9 years old, but the first time I seriously thought of it was about two years ago.

I grew up as the third oldest of what is now eleven siblings. I did home school up until high school, finished high school a little early, and went to the Air Force Academy, taking a two–year sabbatical in Guatemala.

WHO INFLUENCED OR INSPIRED YOU? Father Brett Brannen, my brother Nathan, my parents and Father Paul Waddell were the main ones.

Of course there were many others who have had some kind of influence.

Father Bob Bruno was the one who helped me convince myself to finally give this a shot.

WHAT WAS THE LAST BOOK YOU READ? “Moral Courage” by Rushworth Kidder—perhaps a bit too expected, I know. I would like to read more novels but people keep adding more spiritual and intellectual books to my list than I can keep up with.

WHAT WOULD PEOPLE BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU?

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SPIRITUAL BOOK? “Abandonment to Divine

Up until a couple of years ago, I had almost always thought that I would get married and have about as many children as my parents have.

Providence” by Father Jean-Pierre de Caussade.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SCRIPTURE PASSAGE? JOHN 3:30

WHO IS A HERO TO YOU? Saint Maximilian Kolbe. His story is absolutely incredible and well captured in “A Man for Others” by Patricia Treece.

“He must increase, I must decrease.”

“...I do remember wishing that I could know

HOW DID YOU COME TO KNOW JESUS?

From the time I was born, my family is very Catholic. I do remember wishing that I could know Jesus more personally and dramatically. Now, I do not ever have to wish that or include that in my intentions. Jesus has plenty of drama and personality.

34 christmas 2011 /

christmas 2011 /

Jesus more personally and dramatically.

Now, I do not ever have to wish that or include that in my intentions....” christmas 2011 /

35

The Harvest Continues On...

Jacob Valle DIOCESE: Diocese of Peoria, IL RANK / BRANCH OF SERVICE: N/A HIGH SCHOOL ATTENDED: Marian Central Catholic High School,Woodstock, IL COLLEGE ATTENDED: Illinois State University (1 yr.) and St. Mary’s University of Minnesota (3 yrs.)

WHAT INFLUENCE DID POPE JOHN PAUL II HAVE ON YOUR VOCATION? The witness to Jesus Christ that Pope John Paul II has served internationally, through health and sickness, has struck me and has been encouraging to me to continue to be faithful to Christ in my spiritual journey.

WHAT WAS YOUR BACKGROUND BEFORE THE SEMINARY? After high school, I went directly to college. After my freshman year of college, I entered seminary.

WHAT WAS THE LAST BOOK YOU READ? “Boys to Men: The Transforming Power of Virtue” by Tim Gray and Curtis Martin.

HOBBIES: Water skiing, playing basketball, hiking.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SPIRITUAL BOOK? “The Spirit of the Liturgy”

by Cardinal Ratzinger.

WHEN WAS THE FIRST TIME YOU THOUGHT OF PRIESTHOOD? I was probably about seven years old: I remember standing in the choir loft at Mass, struck with awe at the sight of the priest bearing the Eucharist in his holy hands before the whole congregation.

WHO IS A HERO TO YOU? My heroes are all those who have died for what they believe in—the martyrs of the Catholic faith and our fallen US soldiers— as well as all those who have availed themselves of the possibility of dying for their beliefs.

WHO INFLUENCED OR INSPIRED YOU? The witness of the priests who have been assigned to my home parish, as well as my Catholic school has always inspired me.

WHAT WOULD PEOPLE BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU? I’m half Cuban.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SCRIPTURE PASSAGE? Mark 10:21 And Jesus looking upon him loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing; go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”

HOW DID YOU COME TO KNOW JESUS? My mother planted the seed in me to desire to know Jesus. It was my freshman year of college when I finally came to know Him, through Eucharistic adoration.

WHAT WERE SOME OF THE SPIRITUAL EVENTS OR ACTIVITIES THAT HELPED YOU DEVELOP AND SHARE YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST AND HIS CHURCH? The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, volunteering at homeless shelters and soup kitchens, and the Koinonia retreats.

36 christmas 2011 /

christmas 2011 /

“...I remember standing in the choir loft at Mass, struck with awe at the sight of the priest bearing the Eucharist in his holy hands before the whole congregation.” christmas 2011 /

37

Capodanno Memorial Mass Celebrated in Serene Setting

By TAYLOR HENRY, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND MEDIA RELATIONS, AMS

LEFT TO RIGHT: BISHOP RICHARD B. HIGGINS, ARCHBISHOP TIMOTHY P. BROGLIO AND MONSIGNOR FRANK A. PUGLIESE

B

athed in soft light from overhead fixtures and altar candles, the earth-toned walls and vaulted ceilings look pleasing and comfortable enough to match the late summer dress of those gathered in the pews. The Crypt Church in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. takes on an intimate feel despite its hard tile interior and massive stone foundation or the circumstances of the occasion: an evening memorial Mass for a U.S. military chaplain slain in combat.

38 christmas 2011 /

christmas 2011 /

W

ith the blare of opening chords on the Schudi pipe organ, the cantor leads the congregation in singing the processional hymn: “O praise ye the Lord!” Leading the entrance procession are Knights of Columbus—members of the 4th Degree— sporting their chapeaus (ornamental hats) and baldrics (sashes) as they walk steadily from a rear side entrance into the center aisle and move toward the altar, each taking his place in the pews as they proceed, opening the memorial Mass for Father Vincent Capodanno, LT, CHC, USNR. Many of the Knights are from Assembly #3167 of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, one of eight K of C assemblies in the United States named after the legendary priest.

The Knights are followed by a cortege of more than 60 priests and deacons, all dressed in white vestments. Many of the priests are themselves military chaplains— this particular group based mainly along the eastern seaboard—who happen to be gathered in Washington on this day, September 6, 2011, for their annual convocation. Others include 96-year-old retired Monsignor Jerome Sommer of Jefferson City, MO, destined to become, by month’s end, the nation’s oldest living military chaplain, following the death of New Orleans Archbishop Philip Hannan on September 29 at the age of 98.

The first of several altar attendants walks in front of the priests, swinging a silver thurible, leaving trails of incense smoke wafting over the sanctuary, filling the mild air with a sweet pungency. His Excellency, the Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, J.C.D., Archbishop for the Military Services, brings up the rear of the procession, wearing his miter and clutching his gold crosier while stepping slowly up the aisle.

The peace and pageantry of Mass in the Crypt Church stand in sharp contrast to the circumstances surrounding Father Capodanno’s death in Vietnam at the age of 38. On September 4th, 1967, according to witnesses, the Maryknoll priest from Staten Island, NY was moving fearlessly around an active battlefield on a hillside in the Thang Binh district of Vietnam’s Que Son Valley, helping and anointing wounded or dying Marines pinned down by North Vietnamese gunfire, when he was himself fatally shot.

Retired U.S. Marine Corps Captain George Phillips, a native of Brooklyn, NY, recalls that Father Capodanno had stopped to help a wounded Marine not far from an enemy machine gunner when the priest was struck down in a blast of gunfire. Having earned his third Purple Heart that day, Father Capodanno was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

“Everyone knew he was something special,” Captain Phillips says. Phillips, who was wounded in the right leg by mortar fire during the battle, says Father Capodanno was truly a Marine’s priest. “He was only focused on the person he was talking to,” Phillips says. “He was the only chaplain I saw who walked the lines” that protectively surrounded the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, in a tense and volatile combat zone, “especially at night.”

His concern for the troops or “grunts” in the trenches earned Father Capodanno the affectionate nickname, “the grunt padre.” In his biography, The Grunt Padre, Father Daniel L. Mode explains that Father Capodanno “was not a religious leader who did his job and then returned to the comfort of his own circle. He lived as a Grunt Marine. Wherever they went, he went. Whatever burdens they had to carry, he shared the load. No problem was too (continued on page 40) christmas 2011 /

39

Capodanno Memorial Mass Celebrated in Serene Setting large or too small to take to Father Vincent – he was available to them day and night."

Phillips says Father Capodanno had no orders to accompany the “grunts” into combat that day on the search and destroy mission they called “Operation Swift,” but the priest volunteered out of concern for those headed to the front lines in what was, by all accounts, a high-risk mission— coming to the aid of a vastly outnumbered Marine platoon already engaged in a firefight with the North Vietnamese. Phillips says fellow Marines told him he was among those who helped retrieve Father Capodanno’s body from the battlefield, but in the “fog of war,” he remembers no details.

In 2006, at a televised Memorial Day Mass at the National Shrine celebrated by His Excellency, the Most Reverend Edwin F. O’Brien, then Archbishop for the Military Services, Father Capodanno was publicly declared Servant of God, the first step in the process for canonization. The 2011 memorial Mass is the third annual held at the Shrine for the repose of his immortal soul.

40 christmas 2011 /

(continued from page39)

The Mass is attended by some who knew Father Capodanno even before his career as a military chaplain. Tom Losgar was 12 when he met the tall young priest at Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Arlington, VA. Losgar says that when he expressed interest in the priesthood, Father Capodanno encouraged him, telling him “how great it was to be a priest,” and how “exciting.” Losgar ended up not going into the priesthood, but by twist of fate, landed in Vietnam as an Army paratrooper only a couple of weeks after Father Capodanno was killed.

Others in attendance at the Mass actually served side-by-side with Father Capodanno, like Tom Forgas of Lake Ridge, VA and Mike Johnson of Shelbyville, IN, retired Marines who bring up the offertory gifts, and Phillips, now a defense consultant, who drove about 45 miles from Aldie, VA to the Shrine on Michigan Avenue in Northeast Washington, just for the service. Phillips delivers the first reading, Colossians 2:6-15— “Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him… ” christmas 2011 /

LEFT PAGE: RETIRED MARINES TOM FORGAS AND MIKE JOHNSON BRINGING UP THE OFFERTORY GIFTS. | ABOVE: CAPTAIN GEORGE PHILLIPS, USMC (RET.), PROCLAIMING THE FIRST READING, COLOSSIANS 2:6-15—“THEREFORE AS YOU HAVE RECEIVED CHRIST JESUS THE LORD, SO WALK IN HIM… ”

The congregation also includes highranking military officials, such as Assistant Secretary of the Navy Juan Garcia and the Chief of Navy Chaplains, Rear Admiral Mark L. Tidd. Among other VIPs in attendance is Joan Alger, widow of the late Captain Richard Alger, a Marine intelligence officer deployed to Vietnam at the time of the firefight that left Father Capodanno dead.

Deacon Michael Yakir, Chancellor of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, proclaims the Gospel, Luke 6:12-19—“He called his disciples, and chose from them twelve, whom He named apostles…”

Archbishop Broglio gives the homily, inviting the congregation to reflect on the life of Father Capodanno and follow his example: “He knew that as a Catholic priest he brought something to his troops that a chaplain of another denomination could not. He ministered to them “in persona Christi,” celebrating the sacraments, nourishing them with the Body and Blood of the Lord, and reconciling them to the Lord

in the sacrament of Penance. His was a very specific service and it energized his commitment to his Marines. If he refused to fall back it was because he knew he offered those dying Marines in Vietnam something no one else was capable of bringing.

“At the same time he brought consolation, encouragement, and even physical support to all of the Marines, regardless of their faith group. He was there for all of them, even in the moments of the most intense fighting and the greatest danger.

“Yet, I am certain that he was convinced that he was only doing his duty, realizing his apostolate, and serving those most in need. We honor him so as to cultivate within ourselves that same spirit of devotion and fidelity. Putting into practice his example would be the highest form of praise.”

Archbishop Broglio addressed the process of canonization now underway, clarifying what it means: “Indeed, the process for his canonization continues, but not because it will do something for him, but because it will (continued on page 44) christmas 2011 /

41

Convocations A for Priests 2011

By MARK T. MOITOZA, D.MIN.

rchbishop Broglio addressed the priests providing an update on the state of the archdiocese and expressions of gratitude for their ministry and the many sacrifices that they make.

The fraternity of priests was genuine and the opportunity to share the experiences of their priesthood was met with great joy, especially for those assigned in remote locations.

T

he new Vocation Director, Father Kerry Abbot, OFM, Conv. spoke about co-sponsored seminarians and the need to continue to encourage young men and women discerning vocations to the priesthood and religious life. There is much good news in the constantly increasing numbers of co-sponsored seminarians and chaplain candidates, but the work of encouraging vocations continues to be one in which all priests share.

ARCHBISHOP BROGLIO AND PRIESTS CELEBRATING MASS DURING THE CONVOCATION AT THE WASHINGTON RETREAT HOUSE, WASHINGTON, DC.

C

onvocations are an opportunity for a bishop to call his priests together for a time of prayer, study and fraternity.

This year, all military priest-chaplains who were not deployed gathered at one of four locations to meet with Archbishop Broglio. The gatherings took place in San Diego, Washington, D.C., San Antonio and Rome, Italy.

42 christmas 2011 /

christmas 2011 /

T

he study for the priests took up two timely topics. In the first, Archbishop Broglio and Monsignor Pugliese spoke about the revised translation of the Roman Missal. In the past several months, the priests received materials and suggestions for teaching the faithful about the translation. During the convocation, the presentation was specifically for the priests, highlighting the changes along with the reasons for the changes, and most importantly, what remained the same – the meaning and structure of the Mass itself.

T

he second topic was ‘Young Adult Ministry,’ which all agreed was important since the faithful in the Archdiocese for the Military Services,

USA are mainly young adults. The hope is that by understanding the culture of young adults that priest-chaplains may be more effective in reaching out to them as preachers and teachers. The Vice-Chancellor for Evangelization, Mark Moitoza, offered presentations noting the dominant cultural themes of the millennial generation, specifically those 18-23 years old.

This included a discussion on some of the best practices in young adult ministry around the country and how some of those practices could be applied to military settings through all involved in the Catholic Faith Communities.

T

he following comments came from priests that attended the convocations:

‘This convocation has helped me to realize that within our Military Archdiocese and through the Military Chaplains present at this gathering that there is much hope for the future. Learning that the number of co-sponsored seminarians has grown so much in the past three years and hearing that the Knights of Columbus have donated so much to support their education gives me great hope.

I have greater confidence that those we serve in the military and their families will have the presence of a priest-chaplain to carry on the ministry that we have done for so long.’

What a great convocation this has been. It has provided us good encouragement on how we can do things better. It is obvious that you (continued on page 44) christmas 2011 /

43

Convocations for Priests 2011 considered our thoughts and recommendations and adapted the presentations to speak to our particular needs and ministry.’

“Learning about the young adult generation gap has made me better understand that the train has left the station. Their reality is very different. These presentations were a real awakening that helped me to discover how to better connect with the young adult generation. While it is a bit overwhelming the ideas and resources provided offer helpful starting points.”

M

any of the priests expressed their thanks for the opportunity to spend this time on what they termed as ‘bread and butter issues’ to help them with their day-to-day pastoral issues. They felt that this really was a time to be reminded of how important it is to enter into the mystery of the priesthood. One priest expressed his gratitude with the following comment:

(continued from page 43)

“Learning and experiencing from among ourselves at this gathering from the variety of ages and generational experiences have provided a sense of resiliency. These opportunities to gather and meet do a lot to help us to encourage one another.”

B

esides being a time for study and fraternity, the convocation provides priests with time for prayer.

Each day, the participants gather together with their bishop for Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer. Most importantly, they concelebrate Mass each day with their bishop. In addition, the priests have the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Penance. During these convocations, the priests constantly pray for those whom they have been called to serve. Please keep the priests in the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA in your prayers and continue to pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life.

All of these prayers do much to support the priests who serve so many all over the world.

Capodanno Memorial Mass Celebrated in Serene Setting do something for us. Sometimes I fear thatcanonization is viewed as an honor, a Meritorious Service Medal or a campaign badge. It is nothing like that. It does nothing for him. It is merely the determination that the Servant of God Vincent Capodanno enjoys the homeland for

44 christmas 2011 /

(continued from page 41)

which we are all on a pilgrimage. It is a declaration by the Church to say that this man is indeed worthy of imitation.

He will show the path to life everlasting as he did while he walked this earth.

The canonization is for us.” christmas 2011 /

Remembering ARCHBISHOP HANNAN the Nation’s Oldest Military Chaplain

By TAYLOR HENRY

O

n September 29, the nation lost its oldest military chaplain. Retired Archbishop Philip M. Hannan died in New Orleans following months of declining health. He was 98.

Born May 20, 1913, in Washington, D.C., Hannan was ordained in Rome in 1938 and served two years at a parish in Baltimore before volunteering as a paratroop chaplain in World War II, earning him the nickname “The Jumping Padre.”

In his 2010 autobiography, The Archbishop Wore Combat ARCHBISHOP PHILIP M. HANNAN Boots, Hannan recounted his experiences jumping out of airplanes with the 505th Parachute Regiment of the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division.

“Gripping the door's rim for leverage,” Hannan wrote, “I hurled myself into the air, doing a half-turn. The propeller instantly ripped open my chute, followed by a terrific body wrench courtesy of my skin-tight harness. In seconds, my entire body was reacting to a forced sudden stop after going 120 miles an hour in a plane.”

Hannan recalled what it was like to free Jews from Nazi concentration camps in Germany: “Walking into the barracks, we were immediately assailed by a suffocating stench, leading to the shocking panorama of hundreds of half-alive, emaciated prisoners, dressed in tattered, utterly soiled uniforms, shuffling amongst clumps of corpses as if they were not there....

Never in my life had I experienced nor will I ever again such an incomprehensibly barbaric insult to the human spirit.”

Ordained an Auxiliary Bishop of Washington in 1956, Hannan attended all four sessions of the Second Vatican Council (1962-65), where he served as a press officer.

A confidante to the Kennedy family, Hannan gave eulogies for both JFK and RFK following their assassinations, and he presided at Jacqueline Kennedy’s burial service.

Assigned to New Orleans from Washington in 1965, Hannan earned a reputation as a staunch defender of civil rights and the unborn. He was also a fervent anti-Communist, joining a moderate minority of bishops who opposed the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ May 3, 1983 pastoral letter, The Challenge of Peace: God’s Promise and Our Response, which came out strongly against the notion of deterrence and advocated a nuclear freeze with the Soviet Union. In 1987, Hannan hosted Blessed Pope John Paul II on his visit to New Orleans.

In 2005, “the jumping padre” once again put his courage and spirit of adventure into action by riding out Hurricane Katrina alone at age 92 in the fortress-like studios of Focus Worldwide, an offshoot of the television network he created in the 1980s. christmas 2011 /

45

RENEW, Why Catholic? and the Military

By SR. MAUREEN COLLEARY, FSP

THE WHY CATHOLIC? PARTICIPANTS AT JBLM TRAINING IN WA – SEPT. 2011

I

SR. MAUREEN (CENTER HOLDLING BOOK) WITH A WHY CATHOLIC? FAITH SHARING COMMUNITY IN SOUTH KOREA.

ENEW International fosters spiritual renewal in the Catholic tradition by empowering individuals and communities to encounter God in everyday life, deepen and share faith, and connect faith with action.

This is the mission statement of the organization that I have been privileged to minister with for the past 14 years. I am a member of the Pastoral Services Team at RENEW and am committed to collaborating with military communities, parishes, dioceses, and campuses around the world to help them revitalize the faith of their people through processes of evangelization, spiritual renewal and adult faith formation.

R

46 christmas 2011 /

christmas 2011 /

am particularly excited to bring the process Why Catholic? Journey through the Catechism to our Catholic brothers and sisters on military bases and to see with my own eyes how their investment in faith sharing and connecting their faith with action is strengthening these communities.

Why Catholic? Journey through the Catechism challenges participants to see the world through a Catholic lens. From the first book on Christian Prayer through explorations of the creed, the sacraments, morality and Catholic Social Teaching everything about this process is designed to bring the teachings of our faith into focus.

Through the vehicle of small communities and using faith sharing as a means of prayer we move through four books each based on a pillar of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. With the eyes of the heart enlightened, participants are able to clearly see the opportunities to live a richer, more authentic Christian life: praying more deeply, participating in the sacramental life of the Church, sharing their faith with family and friends, reaching out to those in need, making faith-filled decisions in daily life.

I

have been blessed to bring this process to the Catholic faithful living on military bases and installations around the world since January of 2006. RENEW serves all branches of the military – Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and the Coast Guard.

Since I could never travel to every base/ xinstallation, I do a “Training of Trainers” – inviting lay leaders and their chaplains to attend a weekend of workshops pertaining to a specific book within the Why Catholic? series. They receive information, training and strategies about how to promote and implement the Why Catholic? process.

W

e do two weekends in a year covering the four books in a two year period. For bases in the continental United States, we meet at Joint Base Lewis McChord–next training here is Jan. 6-7, 2012. I have completed the two year cycle in the United Kingdom, South Korea, and Hawaii. In addition to an on-going effort here in the US, we are in the middle of trainings in Germany being hosted at Wiesbaden — next training here is Jan 20-21, 2012. (continued from page 50) christmas 2011 /

47

...It is more blessed to give than to receive... —Acts 20:35

RENEW, Why Catholic? and the Military

SR. MAUREEN WITH WHY CATHOLIC? GROUP IN HAWAII.

T

o date we have touched over 40 different military communities. I work closely with three of the Auxiliary Bishops of the Archdiocese for the Military Services: Joseph Estabrook, Rick Spencer and Neal Buckon who support the process and when possible, help me present during the training weekends.

S

ome tangible results that have been witnessed are a growth in the number and variation of lay involvements within the military communities. Many share that the process is helping their communities evangelize better and become more involved in living out their faith.

At the most recent training (Sept. 9-10,

(continued rom page 47)

2011), many of the bases seemed to have similar stories about whenever there is something to be done around the base – it is the Why Catholic? members who are responding. The Why Catholic? group at USMC Pendleton decided to “spruce up” a historical site called Christianitos where the first Franciscans baptized two Indian babies in 1769 when Southern CA was still part of Mexico. They built a railing leading down to the river and a platform where Bishop Neal Buckon recently visited and celebrated the baptism of two children.

By FATHER MICHAEL R. DUESTERHAUS

Reprinted with permission from ON★PATROL Magazine, USO P H O T O S P R O V I D E D B Y FAT H E R D U E S T E R H A U S

T

he faith-sharing and action-oriented responses based on Scripture and the sound theological input of Why Catholic? have truly renewed and enhanced the lives of the members of the military Catholic communities. A quote from a recent weekend sums it all up: “Before Why Catholic? life was good, after Why Catholic? life is very good!”

For more information, please email: maureenc@renewintl.org

...And this shall be a sign unto you; You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger...

—luke 2:12

50 christmas 2011 /

Pastor to Warriors

christmas 2011 /

FATHER (LCDR) MICHAEL R. DUSTERHAUS PARTICIPATES IN A PATROL IN BAHARIA, IRAQ

W

hen I was approached to write about the care of our wounded warriors, I had in mind an article about resources, organizations, and materials for those in need. (continued on page 52) christmas 2011 /

51

Pastor to Warriors

FATHER (LCDR) MICHAEL R. DUESTERHAUS LEADS A MARINE FROM REGIMENTAL COMBAT TEAM 6 IN PRAYER AT FORWARD OPERATING BASE BETWEEN RAMADI AND FALUJAH, IRAQ, IN 2009.

U

pon further reflection I decided that these points can, and will, be made by many other people.

What I would like to offer is the reflections of one priest who has served as a chaplain to Marines, Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen, National Guardsmen, foreign military, and civilians who have served in combat during this past decade.

There are many clinicians who can diagnose and parse conditions of those suffering from the negative effects of being in combat.

I am not one of those.

Rather, I am the pastor who cares for the individual and hopefully assists them in going forward. I refer to medical and clinical staff when necessary, but it is my major contention that few combat veterans need medical assistance. All veterans of combat need support and how they find that support is critical as we continue our ongoing operations around the world, to combat those who threaten our nation, our livelihood, and our liberty.

Combat and its aftermath can cause

52 christmas 2011 /

trauma. Trauma has always existed in the human condition, and sadly in the modern era it has been horrific on a scale that our ancestors could hardly imagine. But being in a war zone and engaging in combat is not always traumatic. Demanding, yes, but not always a negative outcome.

People should not equate serving in uniform, then deploying overseas, and then being in a war as automatically creating a debilitating situation. So many misunderstandings about the veterans from Vietnam, coupled with only a small fraction of the population ever serving in any capacity in the military, has led to a false assumption that everyone who goes to war ends up mentally or spiritually wounded. This is not so.

We combat veterans are definitely changed by our experience. Most of us treasure life much more now. We truly appreciate time with our family and friends. A good warm shower, a hot meal, a clean bed, and relative quiet are as good as gold to us. It is hard to stress about being the 15th person in line at the post office when you did not have to wear body armor and convoy through a hazardous area to get there. christmas 2011 /

Combat veterans usually come home a bit wound up, but with some good preparation and follow through, the transition home does settle in.

It’s a very common occurrence for combat veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan to be asked, “So, have you deployed?” or “How many times have you deployed?”

And when you reply, “I came home last year from my third deployment,” the response is to pity the service member.

I cannot tell you the number of Marines and sailors who have confided in me how annoying these encounters are. We are not speaking of being put in jail nor are we a draftee dragged off to fight in something we don’t believe in. We volunteered to serve our nation, knowing full well the price, and we proudly know that the world is a little bit better off with evil men, such as Saddam Hussein, no longer around to harm others.

To use an extreme example, at the end of World War II, when the death camps were discovered, more than 1 million people were liberated from Auschwitz or Treblinka or the many other places. These survivors did not enter into group therapy. No, these survivors of the worst of the last century banded together with the family, friends, and compatriots they could find and made a future for themselves.

Medical professionals have a critical role in assisting the physically and mentally wounded, but they are only part of the healing process.

Ever since coming back from my second deployment in 2006, I have counseled a large number of men from all branches of the military. Most were senior enlisted or senior officers—men who had begun their careers just after the First Gulf War and for whom

(continued from page 52)

going ‘down range’ is something that was happening toward the end of their careers.

Why did these men seek me out?

Because all contact with the chaplain is confidential. Even the fact that we were meeting was confidential. And with no paper trail and no fear of being immediately diagnosed this or that, these warriors chose to speak to someone about the difficulties of adjusting back into what passes for the real world.

As a chaplain I am a commissioned officer, but my job is to advise, not command. I have access, but not control. In my relationship with the command I have influence, not power. I am expected to focus on morals and morale. I am organically part of the military and am the only one with absolute confidentiality.

In this unique role I can have a master sergeant sit in my office and cry about the corporal who did not come home. A colonel with more than 23 years of service can talk about the fear he had in just walking to the shower trailer because the day before one of the trailers was hit by a stray mortar.

Warriors who want to show to all they are strong don’t have to worry that I will think less of them when we recall all the good people we have lost and are saddened by it.

Among all the hundreds I have counseled over these past six years, there have been some who truly were burdened. I thought they most likely were suffering from PTS, and these I continued to support. But I also took them to medical so they could receive the full range of assistance they needed.

And I have never encountered any resistance from any clinical staff. There was never a question why I was bringing someone (continued on page 55) christmas 2011 /

53

Pastor to Warriors

MARINES PREP FOR OPERATIONS IN IRAQ.

54 christmas 2011 /

christmas 2011 /

(continued from page 53)

to them. They knew I was not dumping someone off, but bringing them to medical, because the need was for care I could not provide.

If there is something I could put on a large billboard and post it by the busiest road, it would say, “YOU ARE NOT ALONE.” There are so many offices, departments, organizations, and groups out there who just want to help. All a soldier need do is ask.

Most people need a trusted ear, a supportive friend. As a pastor to warriors I try not just to be that but also to remind my hard-chargers that the Lord is there for them. In the Gospel of St. Matthew (8:4-13) Jesus identifies the man with the greatest faith he has seen in Israel— it was not one of the apostles. No, it was the centurion, and Jesus did not tell him to stop being a soldier.

This leader of troops demonstrated his faith by accepting that the Lord could heal by just ‘saying the word.’ I believe the Lord has a special place in his heart for warriors and our warriors need to know that.

The profession of arms is an honorable one, and it is a profession that has inherent risks. But we all knew that coming in. No one who has joined the Armed Forces after 9/11, or reenlisted since then, has any illusions as to what is expected of us.

And when these professionals come home from battle, it is my hope and effort that those who are wounded, whether in heart, mind, or body, will be cared for.

As I was telling a group of Marines recently, in the history of the Marine Corps, no man has ever been left behind in battle. With that being true, why would we leave them behind now that we are home?

The officers and staff non-commissioned officers, the psychiatrists and psychologists, the nurses and corpsmen, the counselors and therapists, along with the chaplains are there for all who serve and their families, but especially for those whose burdens are weighing them down.

If you know someone in need, someone hurting because adjusting to the real world is not working, be that trustful ear. If they refuse medical help because they don’t want a mark on their record, then send them to a good chaplain. If they say that they are not a religious person, then say the chaplain is not worried about that. (Do I want people to have a relationship with our Lord? Yes. Will I force it on anyone? No.) Let them know they are not alone and we will not leave them behind. It is a hard thing for a warrior to ask for help. Tell them to be strong and raise that hand.

And trust me, we will be there for them. christmas 2011 /

55

By ANDREA SOK Reprinted with permission from ON★PATROL Magazine, USO

H FATHER RICK CURRY

H

aving one arm is my “gift,” said Father Rick Curry, Jesuit Priest and executive director of the Veterans Academy at Georgetown University.

e was born without a right arm and has turned this “gift” into a lifetime of service to God and the disabled.

Father Curry formally began this journey in 1977 with the establishment of the National Theater Workshop of the Handicapped (NTWH) founded on the belief that combining performing arts with spirituality would empower those with disabilities.

Through his work with the NTWH, he has helped countless individuals with disabilities develop their voice and create a sense of community.

An encounter with a young soldier inspired Father Curry to bring the success of NTWH to the wounded warrior community.

“I was attending a reception for the Achilles organization in New York City,” said Father Curry. “The day was just off. The event mixed the civilian disabled with wounded warriors.You

56 christmas 2011 /

could tell that the veterans didn’t want to be there,” he added. “They didn’t see themselves as disabled.”

Father Curry believes his gift gave him credibility with the audience and his collar made him approachable.

“A young man began confiding in me,” he said.

“He said he was no longer a husband to his wife, a father to his children, an employee to his employer. He had not only lost his leg, he lost a part of himself.”

Throughout the subway ride home Father Curry agonized about the wounded warriors he had met — their stories, their feelings of loss and disorientation. He knew theater could help these men and women identify their emotions and show them that there is life after disability. So, he invited a small group to a Wounded Warriors Writers Workshop. christmas 2011 /

The workshop focused on writing and performing dramatic monologues. Working in small groups, the men and women composed their stories in a format that was later performed on stage. It was during the performances that Father Curry recognized he had created a successful outlet to help disabled veterans.

“They all wanted to tell their story,” he said. “Of course they all began with ‘the incident,’ but eventually we got them to talk about what ‘the incident’ means.” As barriers broke down, the veterans began to look beyond their disability and address the emotions that accompanied their wounds, because the need was for care I could not provide.

“We had one young Marine who admitted that he had joined the service to get the attention of his father,” Father Curry said. “He returned from war blind, having lost both of his eyes in combat. That strained relationship with his father weighed so heavy on him and through his monologue he was finally able to speak about it.”

As the popularity of the writers workshop grew, Father Curry relocated the program to Washington, D.C., to be closer to the heart of the wounded warrior community. That workshop, now known as the Veterans Academy, currently operates out of Georgetown University and receives participant recommendations from Walter Reed Army Medical Center and the National Military Medical Center at Bethesda, Maryland. The goal of the Academy is not only to help America’s wounded warriors heal, but aid them in their transition back into civilian society armed with practical job skills.

“They are trying to reclaim the use of their body in a new state. We help them do that in a totally accessible environment,” Father Curry said. “They become business operators.”

“

The goal of the Academy is not only to help America’s wounded warriors heal, but aid them in their transition back into civilian society armed with practical job skills.

“

Jesuit Priest Shares Lesson With Veterans

Veterans Academy participants learn practical skills through baking, packing, and selling all-natural dog treats and various types of breads. The bakery, fittingly named Dog Tag Bakery is in Washington’s Georgetown neighborhood. Curry hopes to open their doors to the public Easter weekend 2012. The staff, comprised entirely of disabled veterans, is paid minimum wage and learns all aspects of the business. At the conclusion of the three-month program, participants are provided additional recommendations and resources for continued development such as counseling, financial management or continued education.

Father Curry’s gift has presented him with many challenges throughout his life, but he is determined to show the wounded warrior community that life goes on after disability.

“I want these men and women to know that there is joy after disability. There is productivity after disability,” he said. “I believe in the light of the human spirit. We need to enhance that light in each of these men and women.” christmas 2011 /

57

Answering the call: chaplain serves alongside brothers in arms

By CPL. KENNETH JASIK, 1ST MARINE LOGISTICS GROUP

1ST MARINE LOGISTICS GROUP: NAVY CAPTAIN MICHAEL A. MIKSTAY, THE NEW GROUP CHAPLAIN FOR 1ST MARINE LOGISTICS GROUP, 56, FROM CANTON, OHIO, WAS A CIVILIAN PRIEST UNTIL HE JOINED THE NAVY IN REACTION TO THE GULF WAR, WHEN MANY OF HIS PARISHIONERS WHO WERE RESERVISTS AND NATIONAL GUARD SOLDIERS WERE BEING MOBILIZED.

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, CA. Navy Captain Michael A. Mikstay was just a small boy when he first heard the calling to become a priest. He wanted to have a positive effect on the lives of others.

“

I

began to be interested in priesthood in second grade,” said Mikstay.“I went to Catholic school, and I saw the priests very involved in the lives of people. At that point, I thought that would be a wonderful thing to do, and I believe as I got older, that calling and attraction got stronger and was affirmed by numerous people.”

58 christmas 2011 /

christmas 2011 /

M

ikstay, 56, from Canton, Ohio, realized his dream of becoming a priest and served for several years out of uniform, until the Gulf War broke out in 1991.

“I had been a priest in the town of Poland, Ohio, and we had a number of parishioners whose family members were being activated in reserve and guard units,” said Mikstay. “It became a very difficult time, so I felt a need to respond to the crisis that the nation and the world was experiencing.”

At 37 years old, Mikstay then answered a different call to serve – by joining the U.S. Navy Chaplain Corps.

After joining in 1992, Mikstay was too late for Operation Desert Storm, but he found himself in the middle of a different fight just a few months later.

“My first unit was with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit; we went to Somalia,” said Mikstay. “Six months out of Chaplain school, in downtown Mogadishu, I found myself praying, ‘Oh God, what did I do.’”

In Somalia, Mikstay traveled between ship and forward operating bases in the region to provide religious services, along with religious and spiritual guidance and counseling.

“I had a whole lot of opportunity to get around,” said Mikstay. “I went around with all aspects of the MEU.” In addition to providing religious services, Mikstay helped distribute food and water to residents of Somalia.

After the 24th MEU and Somalia, Mikstay served with 5th Battalion, 10th Marines, at Camp Lejeune, N.C.; 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point; and I Marine Expeditionary Force.

Serving in the military, especially with the MEU, has helped him grow as a priest, he said.

“[My service in Somalia] set the stage for my life in the military,” said Mikstay.

“Being at the MEU level was a great experience, and it allowed me to be involved in many of the operations that the Marine Corps is involved in. Civilian ministry and military ministry are different in many ways.

Civilian ministry is geared toward a denomination, church or parish. Military chaplains serve people of all faiths.”

Mikstay is a Catholic priest, but as a chaplain he facilitates religious services for troops of all beliefs.

“When you get down to it, the primary reason we have military chaplains in any of the services is because our nation is adamant about the fact that we provide for the free exercise of religion,” said Mikstay. “It’s one of our constitutional rights to be able to exercise our religion, and chaplains are here to guarantee that, regardless of what faith you believe in, or even if you have no faith whatsoever.”

Mikstay feels becoming a Navy chaplain is a calling, much like priesthood, and said he enjoys sharing his experiences with younger sailors.

“It’s a response to your faith,” said Mikstay. “At this point, I’ve been promoted to a position that is supervisory, so I now have a opportunity to pass on to younger chaplains and [Religious Program Specialists] my experiences and knowledge.”

As the head chaplain of 1st MLG, Mikstay ensures that all the chaplains within the Group are available to their Marines and families whenever spiritual guidance is needed or requested.

Nearly 20 years after joining the Navy, Mikstay continues to answer the call, in any clime and place.

christmas 2011 /

59

By JULIE CARROLL Reprinted with permission from The Catholic Spirit

TO HELL AND BACK:

Priest describes life as an Army combat chaplain

line of young men and women clad in Army fatigues poured out of the plane into the sweltering, black night.

Still groggy after crossing several time zones, the soldiers boarded windowless buses waiting to transport them to their camp.

A

PHOTO COURTESY OF LT. CMDR. JOHN BURNETTE

“

I

n the bus I sensed a very eerie silence,” said Father Jerome Fehn, a priest of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis who was one of the passengers that night in 2006. “I felt it was more than the fact that all of us were dog-tired, almost like, oh, gosh, we’re really here now. . . .

The fact that anything could happen was already starting to hit us.”

After six months of training at Mississippi’s Camp Shelby, the “Red Bulls” of the 1st Brigade Combat Team of the 34th Infantry Division finally had touched down in Kuwait, where they would remain for a short time before proceeding to their permanent base in southern Iraq.

As the caravan of buses rolled through the desert that first night, Father Fehn remembers praying for the soldiers’ safety.

“That was my constant prayer,” he said.

Providing spiritual support

F

ather Fehn joined the Army National Guard in 1998. Now a major, he served six months in Bosnia and Herzegovina, 17 months in Iraq, and, in June, two weeks in Croatia for a training exercise.

FATHER JEROME FEHN

60 christmas 2011 /

christmas 2011 /

As an Army chaplain, Father Fehn’s mission is to provide spiritual and emotional support to the soldiers. Although he is a Catholic priest, in the Army he serves soldiers of all faiths, ensuring that their religious and spiritual needs are met.

“A chaplain’s motto is: ‘Nurture the living, care for the wounded, honor the dead,’” he said. “That’s our mantra.”

In 2006, Father Fehn’s battalion received notice that it would soon be deployed to Iraq. At 54, Father Fehn was three decades older than many of his fellow soldiers. Nevertheless, he completed the Army’s grueling training regimen — climbing over and under obstacles, running, learning how to march and salute properly.

In Iraq, Father Fehn wore everything the other soldiers wore: 40-pound body armor, a helmet, glasses, gloves — everything except a weapon. An armed soldier protected him during dangerous missions.

At times the mercury would soar to 120 degrees. “But it’s a dry heat,” the priest added in all seriousness.

Days were long. At 5 a.m. he would rise for prayer. Sometimes his work wouldn’t be finished until after midnight. (continued on page 62) christmas 2011 /

61

TO HELL AND BACK:

Priest describes life as an Army combat chaplain In addition to celebrating Mass and the sacraments, Father Fehn attended meetings, conducted suicide awareness workshops, and counseled the soldiers wherever they were stationed — in the motor pool, the supply room, the garbage dump.

“You can’t sit in the office in a rocking chair waiting for them to come,” Father Fehn said. “As a chaplain at the battalion level, you’ve got to go to them and present yourself.”

That often meant putting himself in harm’s way.

“It’s always a scary thing to be out there because you never know what can happen,” Father Fehn said. “Even when I was in the base, we would get occasional rocket fire and mortar attacks. You’d hear ‘Ba-boom!’ and you’d immediately put on your equipment.”

During Father Fehn’s time in Iraq, three members of his battalion died. One soldier was killed when a roadside bomb exploded near his vehicle, another died in a vehicle accident, and the third suffered a medical condition. Father Fehn presided at memorial ceremonies for all three.

After a loss, he would make himself present to any soldier who wanted to talk.

“They ask questions like all of us do,” he said. “‘Where is God in all of this? How does this fit with my faith? Why this person? Why now?’”

Father Fehn also wrestles with tough questions. “You’ve got war, but we are a church of peace. You’ve got evil, but we are a church of forgiveness. How does one rectify and help the soldiers who do battle and who may have to kill and who have killed with [spiritual laws like]: ‘Do not kill.

62 christmas 2011 /

(continued from page 61)

Turn the other cheek. If your enemy makes you walk one mile, walk two. If he wants your coat, hand him your shirt as well.’”

“You can understand defense,” he added, “but how do you make that jump to doing battle with another country, another people? That’s probably the hardest thing.”

Thirty-year training

W

hen he is not on active duty, Father Fehn serves as a hospital chaplain at Fairview-Southdale Hospital in Edina and Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park.

Nearly 30 years of hospital chaplaincy work prepared him well for the Army, he said. He has learned to accept people wherever they are in their faith journeys without judgment.

“All those years of hospital ministry converted like hand in glove because when I see soldiers, I don’t know if they have faith or don’t have faith,” Father Fehn said. “But they are a child of God, and I try to do my best to respect that, to honor that, to give witness to my faith if the opportunity should present itself, but always making sure that the person knows that they are important.”

As a hospital chaplain, Father Fehn has dealt with death and dying countless times.

While that work helped to prepare him for the battlefield, still he hasn’t grown accustomed to it.

“The day that I get used to it, the day that I can’t cry with a family or shed tears with a soldier because of a tragedy is the day that I have to quit doing hospital work, quit being an Army chaplain,” Father Fehn said. “If it doesn’t make you pause christmas 2011 /

and think and feel sad inside, then something is wrong, something has happened to you. Somehow you encased yourself.

“You have to have some type of [emotional] cushion,” he added, “but it should never be a hard, steel cushion. You’ve still got to feel for what you’re doing.”

Father Fehn said he realized long ago the importance of having someone in his life to talk with, to provide spiritual and emotional support when his work begins to weigh on him. “You can’t keep getting all this dumped on you and expect to carry it yourself,” he said.

Prayer and a close relationship with Jesus Christ are vital, he said. “But even Christ himself ran up to the mountain a couple of times and got away from his apostles, got away from the crowds. He knew the importance of regrouping in his own heart and mind with his relationship to God. He also had Lazarus, Martha and Mary, a close relationship with the three of them.”

Challenges and rewards

D

espite its many challenges, chaplaincy work also has its rewards.

In Iraq, Father Fehn welcomed several new Catholics into the church, validated the wedding of two soldiers, and celebrated Christmas Eve Mass at the traditional birthplace of Abraham, the father of our faith.

At 58, Father Fehn is approaching the Army’s retirement age of 60; however, he hopes the Army will allow him to serve for several more years.

“In the Apostles’ Creed, I like the phrase that the church uses — Jesus

descended into hell,” he said, slapping the table for emphasis. “And on the third day, he rose again.

“If not me, then who would bring the word of God to people who are seemingly living in hell?”

Army to priests: We want you

G

en. George Washington established the Chaplain Corps in 1775 — a year before the United States officially became a nation — making it the second oldest branch of the U.S. Army.

Today about 270 active duty Catholic priests serve 1.5 million Catholics in all branches of the armed services, according to Deacon Michael Yakir, chancellor for the Archdiocese for the Military Services in Washington, D.C. The dwindling number of priests in recent years has led to a severe shortage of Catholic military chaplains, Deacon Yakir said. He has heard stories of priest chaplains serving as many as 20 bases, meaning some Catholic soldiers have access to Mass only about once every six weeks. Another 400 priests are needed to meet the demand, the deacon said.

Reprinted with permission from The Catholic Spirit, official newspaper of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

For even more articles please vist:

www.milarch.org christmas 2011 /

63

Air Force Chaplain Has Traveled the World

By PAULA KATINAS Reprinted with permission of Bay Ridge Eagle

T

he Reverend Kenneth Beale, a major in the U.S. Air Force, has never fired a gun in battle. But he has seen plenty of action in his 23-year military career.

REVEREND KENNETH BEALE

F

ather Beale, 49, is a Catholic priest who has served as a chaplain in Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, Kosovo, and several other hot spots over the years, advising and praying with troops.

“You do all of the duties a priest anywhere does; celebrating Mass, hearing confessions. You also counsel and advise the troops. Their dedication to duty is amazing. What I’m always struck by is how young our troops are. I meet guys who are 18, 19 years old and they are already hardened combat veterans,” the Bay Ridge native said.

“I’am also in awe by the deep faith I see in our military men and women. They have a

64 christmas 2011 /

tremendous amount of faith,” Father Beale said.

His proud father, John Beale, a U.S. Navy veteran who served in the Korean War, marched in the 144th Annual Brooklyn Memorial Day Parade in Bay Ridge on May 30, holding a placard with his son’s picture.

Father Beale returns the admiration his father has for him in full measure. “I cannot be there for the parade. But if I were, I would have marched with his picture,” he said.

Father Beale, who was seriously injured on Jan. 1 while serving in Afghanistan, is currently stationed at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida while he recuperates. “It is hard getting christmas 2011 /

used to being the one needing help. I like to help people,” he said during a phone interview.

Lots of memories come flooding back for Father Beale when he is asked about his years of military service. One of the saddest took place in 2004. “Another priest and I were leaving the compound at the same time on Pentecost Sunday. We went our separate ways because we were going to celebrate Mass at different places.

After I celebrated Mass, I got word that I was needed to anoint someone who had been injured,” Father Beale said, referring to the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick. When Father Beale arrived at the dying patient’s bedside, he was shocked. “It was the other priest,” he recalled.

The priest was Father Tim Vakoc who went to his eternal rest on June 20, 2009.

Father Beale has seen a lot of history.

He was in Iraq in 2003 right after the U.S. drove Saddam Hussein out of power. He worked under Ambassador Paul Bremer and the Coalition Provisional Authority, the temporary government the U.S. set up in the

immediate aftermath of the conflict.

Father Beale was serving in Saudi Arabia on Sept. 11, 2001. He has also been in Saudi Arabia when the Khobar Towers in the city of the same name were bombed in a terrorist attack in 1996.

Kenneth Beale grew up in Bay Ridge and attended church at the Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help on Fifth Avenue and 60th Street. He was ordained 20 years ago.

He was studying to become a priest in 1988 when he joined the U.S. Air Force reserves. “It was part of the R.O.T.C. program in the seminary. I grew up in a military family,” he said. His father and grandfather served in the military. Father Beale went from being a reservist to being on active duty in 1994.

“My parents have always been very supportive,” he said.

He loves being a chaplain. “You are there for all of the meaningful moments,” he said.

“Of course, you are also there when a rocket gets too close, or if a bomb goes off, too.”

WHAT’S OUT THERE? and concentrate the energy and the grace we may succeed in eliminating some of this garbage.

What do you think?” Most heads nod in agreement.

“So what do you say? “How about each of you here takes just one of these evils and you devote the rest of your life to countering it, perhaps even eliminating it from your environment?”

A profound silence descends on the space as the young people scan the board and select the target of their mission for the Kingdom. I close with a prayer and dismiss the young people.

(continued from page 9)

As the last of the teens shuffles out of the room a “helicopter” mom dashes up to inquire about the content of the session. She had to know! I explained to her that I had assured the young people that we would respect their confidence. But this was a persistent mom and I agreed to allow her to look at the board. She dashed to the head of the room and I can still see her jaw dropping as she perused the “evil” her teen was dealing with! Sometimes we have to see it to believe it. There is a lot of “stuff” out there and our young people need our prayers. christmas 2011 /

65

For decades, He Served Those Who Serve

By ED LANGLOIS Photos and Article Reprinted with permission from Catholic Sentinel, Portland, OR

NATIONAL GUARD PHOTO BY MSG ROBERT HASKELL, FATHER SIRIANNI VISITS AN INJURED SOLDIER IN LANDSTUHL, GERMANY.

I

n an small World War II era chapel at the Portland Air National Guard Base, a lengthy line of airmen waits to receive Communion or a blessing from Father Richard Sirianni. Donning liturgical vestments, it can be easy to forget that he’s also a lieutenant colonel who often wears fatigues.

I

t was the priest's final Mass before retirement from the Air National Guard.

The 23-year career took him from counseling airmen in Portland to praying with family over Marines who’d been grievously wounded in Iraq.

“This is a bitter-sweet day,” said Col. Michael Bieniewicz, Vice-Wing Commander of the 142nd Fighter Wing. “Father Rick has

66 christmas 2011 /

touched every single one of us individually and as in a larger sense the entire Oregon National Guard.”

Young Rick Sirianni’s fascination with airplanes began when he could hear and see aircraft buzzing into the Portland Air Base over his Mount Tabor home. But it was not until his mid 30s that he discerned the calling to serve as a military chaplain. In 1987, he christmas 2011 /

joined the Oregon Air National Guard with full support from the Archdiocese of Portland.

After an officer orientation course and chaplain service training, he began serving as the 142nd Fighter Wing base priest.

“The training I have received in my 23 years of military service has been outstanding and typically one hundred percent applicable as to what I do as a parish priest too,” says Father Sirianni, pastor of St. Thomas More Parish in Portland.

The early training through the two schools allowed Father Sirianni to deploy.

From late 2003 to spring 2004, he served as staff chaplain for 1st Air Force at Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida.

“I turned down the job twice because I was afraid that I was not ready,” Father Sirianni says.

Eventually it was 142nd Fighter Wing commander Bradley Applegate who finally convinced the priest he “needed to get out of his comfort zone” and take the deployment.

Building on this first deployment, it was three subsequent deployments to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany where Sirianni found he could draw upon his years both as a parish priest and a military chaplain. Landstuhl is where wounded soldiers are sent from the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan.

The first few times in Landstuhl, Father Sirianni worked mainly in the intensive care unit. In 2004, he was there after the Battle of Fallujah, where almost all of the U.S. causalities were Marines.

“It happened to be that most of those Marines were Catholic and I worked with their families coming to Germany,” Father Sirianni.

For his last deployment to Landstuhl in 2008, the priest requested to work in the psychiatric department primarily with military members suffering from post traumatic

U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTOGRAPH BY TECH. SGT. JOHN HUGHEL FATHER RICK SIRIANNI DELIVERS A HOMILY DURING HIS FINAL MASS AT THE PORTLAND AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE

stress and depression.

“I chose it specially to work more as a counselor and because I knew that the skills I learned would be helpful to the Airmen back home here,” he says.

Major Gen. Garry Dean, former 142nd Fighter Wing Commander and now Commander at 1st Air Force, paid tribute to Father Sirianni at a retirement ceremony at the Portland Air Base.

“He has been a mentor to me personally but a cushion and support to all the Airmen in the Guard, as we have gone from a strategic reserve to operations around the globe,” Major Gen. Dean said.

“He had an outstanding military career serving the State of Oregon, the United States of America and serving several tours in Germany ministering to wounded military personnel and their families,” says Bernie Verbout, a former Air force officer and member of Holy Cross Parish in Portland who helped convince the priest to join the military. “I think he deserves a lot of recognition.”

The priest has not left the Air National Guard completely. He has committed to helping members suffering from the stress of deployments to the everyday issues that come with being a citizen airman.

“The Air Force has just given me too much to take that part away,” the priest says. “I still feel that need to help those that serve.” christmas 2011 /

67

GETTING THE WORD OUT

By FATHER JAMES “JIM” JOSLYN

I

n my Navy career I was frequently asked by people back home in Chicago what they could do to help our service men and women. The usual answer was cookies and rosaries. I now have a third answer, recruiting.

T

hroughout the history of the US military, the Church’s mission has been to bring priests on active duty. Over the course of 200 plus FATHER JAMES JOSLYN years, thousands of diocesan and religious order priests have proudly served our Nation in uniform.

Today there are fewer priests available to fill the needs of the uniformed services.

Age and physical requirements dramatically limit the pool of potential active duty chaplains. But the needs of the Catholics in the military and their families remain just as strong as in the past. As a priest wrote in a recent email, his sacramental help is being requested by a number of ships facing deployments without their own priest.

Based on Catholic needs, he could easily find himself deployed for the rest of his career as a chaplain.

Contract priests are taking the place of the traditional active duty priests in CONUS (continental United States) and OCONUS (overseas) installations. Who are these priests? In many cases, they are retired military chaplains. In other cases, they are civilian priests who for a number of

68 christmas 2011 /

reasons are not able to serve in the military but still feel called to help Catholics in uniform. The number of requests for contract priests is growing year by year.

The AMS has a very robust Vocation program reaching out to those priests and seminarians interested in active duty ministry. The current contract priest challenge requires a new recruiting approach.

Ways have to be found to reach out to potential contract priests as well. The word has to get out to bishops, religious superiors and priests that contracting is a way to serve without committing to a twenty year military career and without having to meet the rigorous age and physical requirements for active duty service.

In addition, the AMS is looking into ways to get the word out that contracts are available. The normal federal government process for advertising contract positions is the website Federal Business Opportunities.

Government (fedbizopps.gov). This is not exactly daily reading material for a busy parish priest. Contracts are advertised by the government for a brief period and must be acted on by a strict deadline. Many contracts are not awarded because priests do not know they are available. That means an installation goes without a priest. (continued on page 71) christmas 2011 /

Veteran Reporter Joins Archdiocese as Public Affairs Director

T

he Archdiocese for the Military Services has a new communications specialist. Taylor Henry came on board August 1 as Director of Public Affairs and Media Relations.

TAYLOR HENRY

Henry is responsible for spreading the word about what’s going on in the archdiocese. That includes writing and distributing news releases, fielding inquiries from reporters and coordinating coverage with media organizations.

Prior to joining the archdiocese, Henry was Communications Director for U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA). Before that, he served as Communications Director for U.S. Congressman and former Jesuit seminarian Anh “Joseph” Cao (R-LA).

Henry, 54, came to Capitol Hill following a 30-year career in the television news industry as an on-camera reporter, producer, news director and freelance writer.

As a CNN correspondent from 1986 to 1992, he covered the first Gulf War from Israel, Jordan, Syria and Iraq and worked extensively with the U.S. military in the Persian Gulf, Japan, California and other locations.

In 2008, Columbia University awarded Henry its coveted national Alfred I. duPont Award for his investigative series on Louisiana National Guard troops who looted New Orleans area homes and businesses that they were deployed to protect during Hurricane Katrina. Columbia University considers the duPont the broadcast news equivalent of the Pulitzer Prize, which it also administers.

Although born and raised in heavily protestant Mississippi, Henry is a lifelong Catholic and the product of a Catholic education. In the 1960s, he was a member of the first class to complete grades 1-6 at St. Mary’s Elementary in Columbus, the first Catholic school ever established in north Mississippi.

In 1979, Henry graduated summa cum laude from Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama, the third oldest of the nation’s 28 Jesuit colleges and universities, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy and English. He later earned a Master of Arts degree from the University of Alabama in Mass Communication.

Henry is the father of four children: Emily, 24, and Natalie, 18, both of New Orleans; Mary, 22, of Vicksburg, Mississippi; and Taylor, Jr., 21, of Hattiesburg, Mississippi. christmas 2011 /

69

By FATHER DAVID REINHART

Military Chaplaincy Has Some Similarities To Parish Priests

I FATHER DAVID REINHART

n March of 2009 Bishop Blair gave me permission to apply to the Archdiocese for the Military Services and the United States Air Force for service as an active duty chaplain. Since then, many people have asked me what I do as a priest in the Air Force. Allow me a few words to capture what is the same and what is different in my new ministry.

What’s different? physical fitness.

This is the part that has been the biggest shift in my daily life. There are exact expectations that the Air Force has of me in terms of my weight, run time, and how many push-ups and sit-ups I can do. More than that, within the military there is a culture of health and fitness. I have rarely been asked out to eat, but I have been invited to hike, bike, ride and run on a regular basis.

I now suit up in “ABUs” (Airmen Battle Uniform, aka camouflage or fatigues) nearly every day. I own and wear on occasion dress blues and a tuxedo referred to as “Mess Dress.” On Sundays, around the parish, and when I get called out, I wear my black clerics. It always feels good to put my “blacks” on!

counseling.

There is a culture in the military in which individuals are encouraged to talk their problems out with a chaplain. On a normal day I expect two to four airmen or their spouses to come by to talk. The how i dress. office of the chaplain provides confidenThis also takes a little getting used to. tiality and a place to pray about their After 12 years of wearing clerics every day, problems.

70 christmas 2011 /

christmas 2011 /

rotating door at the parish.

My parishioners are coming and going all the time. Between deployments (between six months and a year), some people moving to their next base and others arriving at our base, I have had a 50 percent turnover on my pastoral council and probably 25 percent within the community in just one year. Every time I ask, “How did you do that last year?” people just look at me strangely. In a military Catholic community there is no “we’ve always done it that way” because the people are always changing.

to learn. I am expected to do many hours of study as a part of my ministry. I take online courses, travel to classes and workshops and am given time every week to study my faith and pursue professional development.

people.

People are people and all need a sense of purpose and belonging. The people I spend much of my day with desire a deeper relationship with the Lord and each other.

They are sincere in their faith and are deeply committed to it.

What’s the same?

I certainly miss all of you and many things about ministry in the Diocese of Toledo. prayer and the sacraments. At the same time, it is a great honor to Thank goodness our Catholic faith pro- serve our country and walk with this vides a way to pray in union with others wonderful young people. regardless of where we are in life. I celebrate Mass and pray Liturgy of the Hours Father David Reinhart is serving as a daily, pray the rosary with Airmen and Chaplain in the U.S. Air Force at live within and lead a community.

Ellsworth Air Force Base,

ongoing learning.

The Air Force, just like the Catholic Church, emphasizes the need to continue

GETTING THE WORD OUT The AMS website is beginning to advertise available contracts, but this is not reaching most of the civilian priest population. This is where you come in.

You have this issue of Salute in your hand.

That makes you an AMS contract priest recruiter. Tell a civilian priest you know about contracting needs and show him where to look for contracts being

South Dakota, with the 28 Bomb Wing.

He may be contacted at david.reinhart@ellsworth.af.mil.

(continued from page 68)

offered, both the AMS website and fedbizopps.gov. I urge you to encourage priests you know to go to the websites and find out about the need for contract priests.

They can contact me at 202.719.3617 and jjoslyn@milarch.org for more information. Together we can meet the needs of our Catholic servicemen and women and their families. christmas 2011 /

71

PHOTO BY: BECKY BERRETH

At long last, Father Zandri recognized for ‘going the extra mile’

LEFT: FATHER WILLIAM A. ZANDRI HOLDING DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS SECRETARY'S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCY IN CHAPLAINCY. INSET: CLOSE UP OF PLAQUE.

By LAURIE HALLSTROM Printed with permissions from Diocese of Rapid City

I

n May the Department of Veteran Affairs informed Father William Zandri of Rapid City that he had been selected to receive a national award. A. Keith Ethridge, director of the National Chaplain Center in Hampton, Virginia, wrote a letter stating, “It is my pleasure to notify you of your selection as a Department of Veterans Affairs award winner for the 2009 Secretary’s Awards for Excellence in Chaplaincy in the category of ‘intermittent Chaplain (including Contract or Fee Basis).’” The award will be presented in Washington, D. C. Father Zandri is pastor of St. Therese the Little Flower Church, Rapid City, and a mission parish, St. John the Evangelist Church, New Underwood. Since 2001, he has served as a “Fee Basis Chaplain” at Ft. Meade VA Medical Center, Sturgis. He was nominated for the award by the Chaplain Staff at Ft. Meade, as “the one who goes the extra mile to serve the veterans who come to Ft. Meade for spiritual care and support.” Father Zandri is a veteran himself. He served as a U.S. Army Medic.

72 christmas 2011 /

christmas 2011 /

A

mong his duties, he was the personal medic assigned to Rudolf Hess, the last surviving Nazi War Criminal held at Spandau Prison, West Berlin, Germany. The United States, (former) Soviet Union, Britain and France alternated control of the prison in three month shifts and Spc. 5 Zandri was assigned to Hess during the United State’s rotation in 1972. Hess was the deputy Nazi Party Leader under Fuhrer Adolf Hitler. Father Zandri was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Rapid City, January 3, 1984.

He has served in Rapid City, Lead, New Underwood, Lakeside, and Lead. He currently serves as chaplain for the state Catholic Daughters of the Americas. Previously, he was the mascot of the St. Thomas More High School Cavaliers in Rapid City. He attended games in the cavalier regalia to cheer on the teams. He has taught religion at St. Martin’s Academy (which is now closed), St. Elizabeth Seton School, and St. Thomas More High School.

In 2002 he was on the honor roll of outstanding educators for Today’s Catholic Teacher magazine. In 1998 he was recognized by Rapid City Regional Hospital and Black Hills Rehab for 1,500 hours of volunteer service.” christmas 2011 /

73

New Military Chaplain Scholarship Announced REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION COLUMBIA MAGAZINE, “MILITARY KNIGHTS IN ACTION” VOL. 6, ISSUE 9, SEPTEMBER 2011 PHOTO COURTESY OF KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS, NEW HAVEN

L-R BACK ROW: C2C JT PLOSCHNITZNIG, C2C SEAN ZOUFALY, C3C JAMES GREGORY , C3C MARK HUNKINS, C3C MIKE KAPOLKA, C3C ROED MEJIA, C2C DAN JONES (OUR LADY OF THE SKIES COUNCIL 8200 USAF ACADEMY COLOR GUARD FOR THE 129TH SUPREME CONVENTION’S OPENING BUSINESS SESSION. CENTER: ARCHBISHOP TIMOTHY P. BROGLIO OF THE ARCHDIOCESE FOR THE MILITARY SERVICES, USA, SUPREME KNIGHT CARL A. ANDERSON AND BRIGADIER GEN. FATHER PATRICK J. DOLAN.

T

he Knights of Columbus has established a new scholarship program to help fund the education of seminarians preparing to become Catholic chaplains in the U.S. Armed Forces.

T

he program will distribute $1 million in scholarship money to the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, over a period of five years at a rate of $200,000 per year. These funds, in turn, will help produce a new generation of muchneeded Catholic chaplains to minister to

74 christmas 2011 /

U.S. military personnel and their families.

Fundraising for the Orderwide project will be led by the Fourth Degree, the patriotic degree of the Knights.

The idea for the scholarship developed during Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson’s recent visit to the aircraft carrier USS christmas 2011 /

Dwight D. Eisenhower. While watching flight-qualifier tests with an assistant secretary of the U.S. Navy, the Supreme Knight had the opportunity to think about Catholics in uniform and the hardship they face of having to go weeks — and sometimes months — without being able to attend Mass or receive spiritual guidance from a priest.

“It can be very difficult for Catholic members of the armed forces when they’re on forward deployments,” Anderson said.

“The U.S. military archdiocese, which supplies Catholic chaplains, estimates that it needs 800 priests to fully serve all of the Catholic men and women in uniform today, but they are only able to supply 280 — barely a third of the number needed.”

The military chaplain scholarship aims to provide a solution to this problem.

According to Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, the scholarship money will be dedicated to the archdiocese’s “Co-Sponsored Seminarian Program,” which was initiated to recruit priestly vocations for the military for the benefit of the armed forces as well as participating dioceses and religious orders throughout the country.

Through this program, the military archdiocese contracts with each participating diocese to fund 50 percent of the cost of a seminarian’s five-year education — typically $12,500 per year. In return, the candidate agrees that, following ordination and three years of service at a parish, he will commit to serve as a military chaplain under the auspices of the military archdiocese for a minimum of three to five years.

So far, the Co-Sponsored Seminarian Program has seen impressive results. Since its inception, the initiative has garnered an increase in co-sponsored seminarians,

from seven in 2008 to 30 in 2010.

“These results, while extraordinary, place a large financial burden on the archdiocese, which annually generates only enough funds — 95 percent from donations — to cover its operating costs,” said Archbishop Broglio, who joined the Order in 2007 while serving as the Apostolic Nuncio of the Dominican Republic. “The archdiocese has no funds on hand to meet the longterm contractual commitments of the Co-Sponsored Seminarian Program, especially if, as it is hoped, the numbers continue to grow.” Through this new scholarship, the Order, too, hopes to ensure the future development of the Co-Sponsored Seminarian Program.

“Thanks to the generosity of the Knights of Columbus, this military chaplain scholarship will help fill this need for years to come,” Broglio added. “The Knights of Columbus, over many years, has been most generous in providing much-needed financial support to this archdiocese....[this] is but the latest instance of the organization’s generosity.

For that, I am most grateful.”

SIDE NOTE: Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson announced during his annual report at the 129th Supreme Convention that the Order will also be donating an additional 100,000 copies of its military prayer book, Armed with the Faith, to the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA. There are more than 500,000 copies of the prayer book — which is designed to withstand the rigors of the battlefield — in print. A “civilian” copy of the prayer book (#364) is available through the Knights of Columbus Catholic Information Service.

christmas 2011 /

75

‘Shepherd One’ — The Holy Father’s Arrival in Spain

By FATHER TIM HIRTEN

O

n Tuesday, August 28, 2011 the Holy Father arrived at the Madrid Airport for the international celebration of World Youth Day. After ‘Shepherd One’ landed (the plane carrying the Holy Father) the King and Queen of Spain and the Cardinal Archbishop of Madrid Antonio Maria Rouco Varela welcomed Pope Benedict XVI.

The Holy Father greeted the people of Spain and all of the World Youth Day pilgrims by saying “I wish to recognize the hospitality of so many families, parishes, schools and other institutions which have welcomed young people from all over the world, first in various regions of Spain and now in Madrid.” He added, “I have come here to meet thousands of young people from all over the world, Catholics committed to Christ searching for the truth that will give real meaning to their existence.”

The Pope concluded asking the question, “Why has this multitude of people come to Madrid?”

He answered saying, “while they themselves should give the reply, it may be supposed that they wish to hear God’s word and the motto for WYD which proposed to them ‘to be rooted in and built upon Christ.’” Pope Benedict XVI concluded his address, entrusting his pilgrimages to the Blessed Virgin Mary and prayed for God’s blessing to the sons and daughters of Spain.

Joining the WYD events were official military delegations including Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, American military chaplains and military members from the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA as well as other military delegations from 23 countries. Many of the military pilgrims were hosted by the Archdiocese for the Military Services of Spain. This included simple housing at a nearby Spanish military installation, a flag reception ceremony in front of the Royal Palace and prayer services throughout the week.

One of the highlights for US Military Pilgrims was the Holy Hour presided over by Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio. Over 150 WYD pilgrims from US military installations in the United States, Asia and Europe gathered together at the Spanish Military Cathedral in Madrid to pray for vocations. Afterwards, all met in the Cathedral Hall to greet Archbishop Broglio and share their experiences of the pilgrimage thus far.

During the Papal welcome ceremony at the Madrid airport the Holy Father spoke about the motto for WYD 2011, namely ‘Planted and built up in Jesus Christ, firm in the faith’.

I immediately associated it with the United States Air Forces’ recent motto ‘Above All’ and the motto the Pope gave at his arrival in America at Andrews AFB just three years ago, ‘Christ Our Hope’. As Benedict XVI started off in Spain, I thought to myself if all three mottos are combined they could read: ‘ABOVE ALL, CHRIST OUR HOPE, PLANTED IN CHRISTFIRM IN FAITH.’ Madrid's Barajas airport, well known for planes from around the world, now claims and adds to that fleet for this visit ‘Shepherd One’, that is the call sign that the Pontiff uses to visit pastorally the 1.2 billions Catholics around the globe. WYD pilgrims encountered that Shepherd, our beloved Pope Benedict XVI, in intimate, prayerful and challenging ways.

These lived experiences of a pilgrimage planted in Christ helped all present to listen to The Word of God and reflect on the many ways that all of us are called to be disciples.

76 christmas 2011 /

christmas 2011 /

ABOVE: POPE BENEDICT XVI BEING GREETED BY THE WYD PILGRIMS. CENTER: YOUNG WOMAN PARTICIPATING IN PRAYER SERVICE DURING WYD. BELOW: USAF ACADEMY REPRESENTATIVES ATTENDING PRAYER SERVICE IN THE SPANISH MILITARY CATHEDRAL.

christmas 2011 /

77

Reflections on a Hero: The Chaplain Was A Sky Soldier

By LAWRENCE P. GRAYSON 1

3

1. FATHER WATTERS BAPTIZING CONVERTS IN VIETNAM 2. CONDUCTING A MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR RECON TROOPERS OF 2-503-173 KILLED JAN ‘67 3. FATHER WATTERS WITH HIS CHAPLAIN’S ASSISTANT SAYING MASS SHORTLY BEFORE HIS DEATH 4. CELEBRATING MASS IN VIETNAM, USING STACK OF C RATIONS CASES FOR ALTAR 2

4

I

n the early morning hours of November 9, 1967, as American artillery and aircraft pounded an 875-meter-high hill near Dak To, Vietnam, Father Charles Watters offered Mass at the base. Many Protestants joined the Catholics for the well-attended service. Soon, the chaplain would accompany these paratroopers of the 173rd Airborne Brigade as they moved against a North Vietnam Army (NVA) unit occupying the hill.

The commanding general of the 173rd thought the objective was held by a depleted enemy force that suffered heavy casualties in recent fighting. The occupiers, however, were a fresh NVA regiment of 2,000 soldiers.

A

t 9:43 am, 330 men in three companies moved out. Companies C and D advanced abreast, while Company A was behind to protect the rear. The weather was clear and warm. The advance was slow through the thick, tangled foliage of scrub brush, bamboo and tall trees. Unknown to the Americans, the enemy had been preparing the site for several months, constructing camouflaged bunkers interconnected with trenches and tunnels and storing extensive quantities of supplies.

At 10:30 am, with the first troopers a few hundred meters from the crest of the hill, a well-concealed NVA force opened fire with recoilless rifles, automatic weapons, small arms, rockets and hand grenade— Father Watters moved to the line of contact. When a wounded trooper was standing in shock in front of the assaulting forces, Father raced forward, picked the man up and carried him to safety.

Soon after, he ran through intense enemy fire to aid a fallen soldier. The chaplain moved wherever he was needed.

W

hen the fighting began, Company A, which was to the rear, began constructing a landing zone that could be used for resupply and evacuation of the wounded. The work was slow as the company was under occasional fire. Then, at 2:30 pm, enemy troops launched a massive assault from lower on the hill, driving the company upwards toward the other American units. The paratroopers had walked into a carefully prepared ambush, with enemy units above and below them.

W

ith their advance halted, the Americans formed a defensive perimeter, bringing in their injured. As the men pulled back, the chaplain went into “no man’s land,” between the two forces, exposing himself to friendly as well as enemy fire to recover two wounded soldiers.

T

he NVA were now striking from all sides in a well-coordinated attack. The paratroopers were firing intensely, but the NVA continued to come. When the American defensive zone was forced to contract, Father Watters saw several wounded men lying outside of it. Ignoring attempts to restrain him, he left the perimeter three times in the face of automatic weapons and mortar fire to carry and assist injured troopers to safety. Then he moved about, aiding the medics, distributing food and water, speaking words of encouragement, and giving last rites to the dying.

W

ith the three companies now in a common defensive area, the several command posts and the wounded were placed in the middle. For several hours, the Americans fought off the enemy. The high expenditure of ammunition and lack of water made resupply essential, but heavy enemy fire made it difficult. Six helicopters were hit and driven away before one finally dropped needed supplies at 5:50 pm.

A

s the enemy assault intensified, U.S. air strikes and artillery were called in, but they had little effect because of the dense foliage. Then, (continued on page 80)

78 christmas 2011 /

christmas 2011 /

christmas 2011 /

79

Reflections on a Hero: The Chaplain Was A Sky Soldier

C

harles Joseph Watters was born in Jersey City, NJ, on January 17, 1927. After attending Seton Hall University, he went to Immaculate Conception Seminary, and was ordained a priest in 1953. While serving in several parishes in New Jersey, he earned a commercial pilot’s license, and then in 1962 joined the Air Force National Guard.

Three years later, Father enlisted in the Army as a chaplain, successfully completed airborne training and was assigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade, nicknamed the Sky Soldiers.

I

n June 1966, Father Watters, now a major, began a twelve-month tour of duty in Vietnam. He believed his place was with the fighting men, and so when a unit he was attached to rotated to the rear, he would join another unit in combat.

He was constantly in motion, saying Mass, tending the wounded, joking with the men, giving spiritual guidance. In February 1967, he took part in Operation Junction City, which included the only

“

When a wounded trooper was standing in shock in front of the assaulting forces, Father raced forward, picked the man up and carried him to safety.

Soon after, he ran through intense enemy fire to aid a fallen soldier. The chaplain moved wherever he was needed.

U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY PROVIDES HISTORIC SETTING

Catholic Daughters Institute First Military Campus Court

By ANNE B. NELSON | NATIONAL REGENT-ELECT Photos by Lydia Carroll and Tom Panas

“

just after dark, at 6:58 pm, a Marine Corps fighter-bomber released two 500-pound bombs destined for the edge of the American perimeter. One of them struck the upper part of a tree located near the center of the American position and exploded.

Fragments of the bomb were showered over the area which contained the combined command group, the wounded, and the medics. It killed 42 men, including the chaplain, and wounded 45 others. This was one of the worst friendly-fire incidents of the Vietnam War.

(continued from page 79)

combat jump of the Vietnam War. This helped endear him to the men, who knew he would risk his life with them. During this tour of duty, he was awarded an Air Medal and a Bronze Star with a V for valor.

W

hen his tour ended, he extended for another six months.

After the friendly-fire incident in which Father Watters was killed, the Americans took Hill 875, and significantly crippled the fighting effectiveness of the North Vietnam units they fought.

Father Watters was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, and has had schools, a bridge, a Knights of Columbus council, and the Army Chaplain’s School named after him.

The author is a visiting scholar in The School of Philosophy at The Catholic University of America, and serves as State Director of Pro-Life Activities for the Knights of Columbus in Maryland

ARCHBISHOP BROGLIO ENJOYS THE WARMTH OF NEW CAMPUS COURT MEMBERS, NATIONAL OFFICERS AND CLERGY AFTER THE INSTITUTION MASS.

T

he sun was just setting over the harbor of Annapolis, Maryland. The bobbing boats at anchor told that the tide was coming in.

A wonderful evening for a wonderful event.... we were about to institute a new campus court. (continued on page 82)

80 christmas 2011 /

christmas 2011 /

christmas 2011 /

81

U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY PROVIDES HISTORIC SETTING

Catholic Daughters Institute First Military Campus Court

2

1. ARCHBISHOP BROGLIO SHARES A HAPPY MOMENT IN FRONT OF THE CHAPEL'S HISTORIC STAINED GLASS WINDOW ALONG WITH COURT CHAPLAIN REVEREND BILL MUHM.

4

2.THE DAY WAS MARKED BY A SENSE OF TRADITION, PATRIOTISM AND COMMITMENT TO EXPRESSING FAITH IN THE MILITARY ENVIRONMENT. 1

3. WITH THE HELP OF SEVERAL MIDSHIPMEN, KRISTEN THOMAS EXPRESSES HER THANKS TO JOANNE TOMASSI AND ANNE NELSON.

3

6

4. SCENE FROM THE CEREMONY REFLECT SOLEMNITY AND JOY. 5. TOP RIGHT: MARYLAND STATE TREASURER DELEASE RYCE (LEFT) WATCHES WHILE MIDSHIPMAN ELIZABETH ZICK (CENTER), COURT TREASURER, LIGHTS THE WHITE CANDLE AND MARYLAND FIRST VICE STATE REGENT NINA LINDSEY LOOKS ON. 6. HAPPY SMILES MARKED THE DAY. 7. LEFT TO RIGHT: NATIONAL REGENT JOANNE TOMASSI, REGENT KRISTEN THOMAS AND SECOND VICE NATIONAL REGENT LETTY CALVETTI.

5

7

8

(continued from page 81)

I

t has been my privilege to be part of the team that works with college students, and this day we would add to our numbers. The United States Naval Academy in Annapolis would be the site for the newest campus court—and the first Catholic Daughters’ military campus court.

It all began with a phone call asking for information about the Catholic Daughters.

Information was exchanged and a friendship developed over some really good food and conversation. The enthusiasm of Midshipman Kristen Thomas from Kansas, who is in her third year at the Academy, was inspiring. Her desire to start a Catholic Daughter court at the Naval Academy was also reflected by the chaplain for the midshipmen, Reverend Will Muhm. Father Muhm wanted an organization for the Catholic women midshipmen that would enable them to live and practice the Catholic faith in the military environment.

He thought the Catholic Daughters would fit the bill. Midshipman Thomas went to work, advertising, talking and inviting her fellow midshipmen to join the organization.

82 christmas 2011 /

So began our first military court. After a lot of red tape and scheduling difficulties, the day of institution was set. The number of applicants quickly grew. February 11, the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, was set for the institution. The court would also take this title of Mary as their court name.

The Naval Chapel, host to many historic celebrations and weddings, was to be the backdrop for the beginning of the new court. Most Reverend Timothy Broglio, Archbishop for the Archdiocese of the Military, added to the solemnity of the occasion by his celebration of the Institution and Installation Mass. He was assisted by Father Muhm and Deacon Henry Siarkowski, associate chaplain for the state of Maryland.

The archbishop, in his homily, spoke of his memories of Lourdes and the change it made in his life. He reminded the young women of changes that would come in their lives and that a strong faith would help in their chosen career. He asked them to lead the way by their expression of their faith in the military environment.

Thirty midshipmen took the pledge christmas 2011 /

and were received into the new court.

Women from across the country stood shoulder to shoulder and took the membership pledge to serve in Unity and Charity. Each midshipman received her charter membership pin from National Regent Joanne Tomassi, who was assisted by Second Vice National Regent Letty Calvetti. The midshipment’s eagerness and joy at joining was a wonder to experience.

After the installation of officers, Regent-Elect Kristin Thomas rose and addressed those in attendance. She expressed her thanks to all fellow midshipmen and to all who helped make this day possible and who came to share this day. But special thanks have to go to Kristen, as she spent many hours preparing for this event.

Present and assisting at the ceremony were Maryland State officers Nina Lindsey, first vice state regent, Rita Siarkowski, second vice state regent, and Delease Ryce, state treasurer, who guided the newlyelected officers though their installation.

Also present at the ceremony were fellow midshipmen who were members of the Knights of Columbus, also active on

8. NEW MEMBERS REPEAT THE MEMBERSHIP PLEDGE ADMINISTERED

BY ANNE NELSON.

the Academy grounds, as well as several sponsor parents.

In my words to the members I reminded them that they were part of a national organization with a long history of prayer and service. I also told them that the prayers and best wishes of the total membership would always be there for them, especially during exam time. Their pledge to me was that they would continue the Catholic Daughters’ traditions of unity and service into their military careers.

After a wonderful reception the evening came to a close. The story and history of Court Our Lady of Lourdes #2643 had begun and the future of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas in Maryland will be forged with the works of women like these CDA members. They will be forged as women of faith and vision who will soon assume leadership roles in our United States Navy. It has been a pleasure to work with these young women in preparing them for this special day. The energy and hardworking attitude can energize anyone.

Pray for our new Daughters as they are remembering you. christmas 2011 /

83

Leo F. Haley Installed as New National Commander of Catholic War Veterans

By TAYLOR HENRY

M

eet Leo F. Haley, the new National Commander of the Catholic War Veterans of the United States of America (CWV).

Haley, a 77-year-old public relations and advertising executive from Pottsville, Pennsylvania, was elected to a one-year-term on August 21 at the CWV’s annual national convention in Orlando, Florida. He will be eligible for reelection to another one-year term at the next convention in Albuquerque, New Mexico in August, 2012.

H

aley served on active duty in the U.S. Navy’s 6th Fleet from 1952-1955. He was assigned to the U.S.S. Canisteo (AO-99), a fuel supply ship that serviced naval vessels mainly in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean from its bases in Norfolk, Virginia and Naples, Italy. Following his honorable discharge at the rank of Quartermaster, Third Class, Haley spent an additional six years on inactive reserve before leaving the Navy to pursue his career in private business.

Pottsville’s Mayor and City Council recently awarded Haley a plaque, recognizing his 50 consecutive Christmas seasons as the city’s official Santa Claus, a role Haley says he started playing, complete with costume and fake beard, at the age of 12. Haley calls his election as National Commander of the CWV “the greatest individual honor I’ve ever received.”

He’s got his work cut out for him. CWV, which was founded in Astoria, New York in 1935 by a World War I Army Chaplain named Father Edward J. Higgins, has been steadily losing membership since its postWorld War II high of 50,000 in 1947. Since then, the number of members has dropped to 32,000 in 1960, fewer than 21,000 in

84 christmas 2011 /

christmas 2011 /

1990, and now, about 10,000.

Haley has a plan for reversing that trend. He is calling on every CWV member to “get a new member” by the close of the organization’s fiscal year on July 31, 2012.

“Just think,” he says, “if every member brings on just one new member, we will more than double our membership, bringing it to around 20,000 in less than one year. It’s not asking anyone to do a whole lot.”

Haley wants the public to know the CWV, with its focus on veterans, patriotism, volunteerism and youth programs including sponsored spelling bees and essay contests, is still a relevant, viable organization. “Our guiding principle,” he says, “is our faith. It’s our Catholicism that makes us unique.” Indeed, the CWV is one of only three Veterans Service Organizations chartered by Congress whose membership is decidedly religious, and it is the only Catholic organization to be granted an Official Congressional Charter.

You can join CWV for just the cost of annual dues, ranging from $20-$50 per year, depending which of the 200 posts you are applying to for membership.

For more information about the CWV, visit the organization’s homepage at http://www.cwv.org/homepage.aspx. christmas 2011 /

85

THE SAGA OF THE “DOUGHNUT PRIEST” As Recalled By PHIL; RYAN, RVAH71965-1968.

THE WORLD’S FIRST NUCLEAR-POWERED AIRCRAFT CARRIER, AND THE EIGHTH U.S. NAVY SHIP TO BEAR THIS HISTORIC NAME, USS ENTERPRISE IS THE NAVY’S MOST STORIED WARSHIP IN HISTORY. COMMISSIONED NOVEMBER 25, 1961, ENTERPRISE WAS ORIGINALLY DESIGNED FOR A 25-YEAR SERVICE LIFE, BUT DUE TO MAINTENANCE AND UPKEEP, ENTERPRISE HAS SERVED FOR NEARLY 50 YEARS AND HAS BEEN ENGAGED IN EVERY MAJOR COMBAT OPERATION OVER THE PAST FIVE DECADES. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT 250,000 SAILORS HAVE SERVED ABOARD THE ENTERPRISE.

T

o preserve the story of the building of the Catholic Chapel on the ENTERPRISE (CVN-65), I will attempt to lay down the story of the “Doughnut Priest.”

The story I will relate is as told by the Catholics on the ship when I went aboard after the round the world cruise.

I was in RVAH-7 and we went out for carrier quals with the Vigilantes in the summer of ‘65, and we remained assigned to the ENTERPRISE for the next two cruises to Vietnam.

The priest involved, Father Jim Killeen, had been transferred by this time, but the stories about him lingered on.

86 christmas 2011 /

christmas 2011 /

W

hile in the yard prior to going on the roundthe-world cruise, Father Killeen took it upon himself to get a chapel built on the ENTERPRISE. Many of the foreign ships had chapels, and he wanted to do the same on at least one of the American ships. He approached the XO of the ship, CAPT Forrest Peterson, and asked permission to build a chapel. Father Killeen asked, “XO, if I can find space on the ship that isn’t being used, may I proceed with the chapel program?”

The XO said, “Father, there is no space on board that isn’t currently being used.”

Father Killeen, a con man par excellence said, “If I can find one may I proceed?”

The XO said, “It’s a deal, if you can find space and show it to me.”

Father Killeen said, “Come with me.”

They proceeded down to the hangar bay and into one of the major storage voids under the angled deck and entered.

The XO said, “Padre, this is a major supply void, what do you mean this isn’t being used?”

Father Killeen replied, “As you know, XO, I have been on board since the ship was put in commission. As often as I have been in this space I have never seen the top portion of the storage space in use. All that I want is the top portion, the level just below the flight deck.”

The XO grimaced and conceded that he hadn’t seen the top part in use either.

However, he said, “How are you going to get it prepared to make the chapel? Where are we going to get the funds to do the work that you have in mind?”

Father Killeen responded, “That’s my problem.”

The XO reluctantly gave the tentative ‘go-ahead’. With his permission in hand, Father started conning the yard workers into closing off the top section of the void and cutting an entrance to it from the level just below the flight deck.

Now the serious part started. To build a chapel of the quality that Father Killeen wanted was going to take M-O-N-E-Y. The XO had also informed Father that there was no money in the budget to build the chapel.

After some serious thought, Father came up with his plan. Sailors consume lots of coffee, especially while in the yard, and they would certainly be interested in some fresh, still warm, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts for breakfast. Armed with this thought Father paid the Krispy Kreme Doughnuts people a visit to establish the cost of the doughnuts. He was told that they cost a dollar a dozen. When he asked what the price would be for a large order, he was told that if he got twelve dozen the cost would drop to sixty cents a dozen. With that information Father extrapolated a bit and figured that 500 dozen ought to go for about thirty cents. After the doughnut shop manager recovered his speech, he cried a lot about the unreasonableness of the proposal. Father told him that he was going to build a chapel on the ENTERPRISE with profits. After a minimum of groaning, the manager agreed that it was a good cause, and he would be willing to be a part of it.

Father Killeen then talked to the XO about selling doughnuts on the ship. The XO said that Father was out of his mind.

They had work to do on the ship, and the doughnut debris around the ship would make a mess beyond belief. It just wouldn’t (continued on page 88) christmas 2011 /

87

THE SAGA OF THE “DOUGHNUT PRIEST” (continued from page 87)

88 christmas 2011 /

christmas 2011 /

operations. Father climbed up the crane and said, “Good morning. Do you operate this huge machine all by yourself?”

The operator said, “Sure do Father.”

Father said, “Who schedules it?”

He responded, “You’re lookin’at him.”

Father said “How much can you lift?”

He responded, “I can lift a whole ship.”

Father said, “Really! How little?”

The Irishman said, “I can set a case of eggs on board and not crack a one.”

Father said, “Wow! How’d you like to help us build a chapel on the ENTERPRISE?” The operator said, “Sure thing Padre.

What can I do?”

Father Killeen said, “Be at the elevator each morning at 0725 and lift a pallet of doughnuts onto the elevator.”

The operator said “sure thing”, and for the rest of the time the ship was in the yard, every morning the huge crane would be seen arriving at the elevator at 0725.

Among his other duties on the ENTERPRISE, Father was the TV officer.

Thus he felt free to use the medium to move his products. The following morning he was on the TV just after the morning news with a steaming cup of coffee and a dozen of fresh Krispy Kreme Doughnuts. He greeted the crew and asked them to listen carefully to a good deal that he had for them “How would you like to have a fresh, warm, delicious Krispy Kreme Doughnut every morning while we are in the yard?” He paused to take a bite of a doughnut, drink some coffee, smack his lips in a very satisfied manner and said, “Mmmm, they’re good. All you have

“

After the doughnut shop manager recovered his speech, he cried a lot about the unreasonableness of the proposal.

Father told him that he was going to build a chapel on the ENTERPRISE with profits. After a minimum of groaning, the manager agreed that it was a good cause, and he would be willing to be a part of it.

“

TOP: BISHOP JAMES KILLEEN BOTTOM: THEN FATHER KILLEEN PRAYING WITH A SAILOR

work; amongst other things there just wouldn’t be time to do such a project.

Father Killeen countered with a proposal to sell them on the hangar deck for only one half hour each morning- before the shipyard workers began work at 0800.

The XO was still heavily against it “cuz it wouldn’t work.” Father asked him to just give it a try. The XO said OK, 30 minutes; no more. Not 31 minutes, not 30 ½ !

Now Father’s work was cut out for him. He had to get the doughnuts through the gate and into the yard. (The security for vehicles was tough. Squadron COs couldn’t get through the gate in their personal vehicles.) He had to get them hoisted on board. He had to get a selling program set up that would really move the doughnuts.

He had to get the word to the crew and emphasize the urgency for cooperation from all.

First he attacked the gate problem.

Wearing his clerical collar he visited the head of the Newport News Yard and asked him if he would like to help him build a chapel on the ENTERPRISE. The head of Newport News seeing ten grand going down the tubes said that he would really like to help him, but things were really tough right now. When Father told him all that he had to do was get the Krispy Kreme Doughnuts truck in the gate each morning at 0720, he jumped at the chance and provided the pass.

Now to get the doughnuts on board.

Again wearing his clerical collar, Father approached the Irishman who operated the huge crane that serviced the yard

to do is come down on the hangar deck at 0725 every morning. I’ll be there with the doughnuts- still warm- and have them for sale. Buy them by the dozen or by the tens of dozens. Then take them back to your coffee messes and make sure that you don’t make a mess around the ship. The XO will be all over us if we make a mess. Make sure all the debris goes in the trash. The cost of the doughnuts will be a dollar a dozen with the profits going to build a chapel on the ship. Also the dollar a dozen will speed up (continued on page 90) christmas 2011 /

89

THE SAGA OF THE “DOUGHNUT PRIEST”

CHAPEL ON BOARD THE USS ENTERPRISE

(continued from page 89)

the sales on the ship and we only have half an hour to move the merchandise. See you on the hangar deck tomorrow morning.”

Now Father was ready to roll and so informed the XO. The next morning at 0720, the XO found four mess deck tables in the center of the hangar deck in the form of a square. In the middle of the square were two new GI cans, and there was a forklift sitting on the elevator. As the XO and Padre were standing on the elevator they could hear the ding-ding-ding of the crane coming across they yard and could see the Krispy Kreme doughnut truck coming through the gate.

The crane came to a stop, the truck pulled up under it, the doughnuts were set on the elevator, the forklift picked up the pallet and wheeled it into the hangar bay inside

90 christmas 2011 /

the four tables, the crew suddenly began appearing out of all openings of the hangar bay and the doughnut sales began. The XO was standing by wide-eyed as Father sold the doughnuts in groups of five and ten dozens, throwing the money in the new GI cans.

Twenty seven minutes elapsed and the only things remaining on the hangar deck were Father Killeen, the four tables, two GI cans full of money and the XO. The XO just shook his head and walked off. The chapel building was underway at full speed. This continued for the rest of the yard period.

Now Father had to hassle with the mechanics of building the chapel. He wanted stained glass windows in the chapel.

The chapel was right in the vicinity of the catapults. When the cats fired the chapel shook more than a bit. While cogitating christmas 2011 /

what to do, Father took a trip and just by coincidence he sat by an elderly lady. Father had his clerical collar on again. In the course of the conversation, he learned that her son made STAINED GLASS WINDOWS! When she learned that Father was building a chapel on the ship, she told Father to stop by the window shop and tell Jimmy that his mother had sent him. Needless to say Father did. And Jimmy provided shock-proof magnificent church windows for a song.

The construction went like clockwork, and was finished before the end of the yard period. The Ship’s Chapel was just below the flight deck and a work of art–with a beautiful altar, pulpit and pews to match.

The stained glass windows with lights behind them made you think that you were in a little parish church somewhere in the country (until the catapult fired). All attending reverently bowed before entering (or banged their heads on the combing which was firmly poised for such an occasion).

The funds also enabled him to build a

folding altar for the hangar bay. It folded into a package about a foot thick that when folded could be moved back against the hangar bay bulkhead. The altar, the backing, the two pulpits, and the altar rail matched. Upon completion of the project, Father Killeen took great delight in presenting the XO with a check for $5,000 of unspent profits for the welfare and recreation fund.

As we went to Mass there on Sundays or days before a flight over North Vietnam, we often thought of “The Doughnut Priest.”

I later had the pleasure of a tour of duty with Father Killeen at the Naval Academy ’69’72. He was a great man, a real character, and still a great con-man. He was a legend in his own time for all who knew him.

Father was later consecrated a Bishop while he was the chaplain at NAS Bermuda. He was their chaplain as a Bishop for about a month. He then worked for Cardinal Cooke in the Military Ordinariate for a couple of years before he died unexpectedly.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, (14) “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

— Luke 2:13-14

christmas 2011 /

91

World Youth Day– A Pilgrimage of Faith

By MARK MOITOZA, D.MIN.

ARCHBISHOP BROGLIO WITH GROUP OF PILGRIMS AT WORLD YOUTH DAY IN MADRID, SPAIN

P

ilgrims from the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA traveled to Madrid, Spain this past August to join 1.5 million youth and young adults for the week-long celebration of World Youth Day. Despite temperatures in the upper 90’s, crowded Metro stations and miles of walking each day, the spirits of the pilgrims remained enthusiastic. Proof of this was found in groups’ singing and dancing, smiles and hospitality when language barriers made communication difficult, and deep prayer experienced in the silent spaces of churches throughout the city. (continued on page 94)

92 christmas 2011 /

christmas 2011 /

christmas 2011 /

93

World Youth Day – A Pilgrimage of Faith

M

ilitary-connected pilgrims came from U.S. military installations throughout the United States, Asia and Europe.

Many stayed at the simple housing provided by the Spanish Military Archdiocese at Getafe, a Spanish Air Force Base located near a regional train stop outside the city of Madrid. These barracks-style accommodations provided a familiar military setting which was secure. The base also afforded the opportunity to interact with military pilgrims from other countries.

A highlight for the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA was the Holy Hour for U.S. military-connected pilgrims at the Spanish Military Cathedral. Archbishop Timothy Broglio was the presider and thanked all of the participants for the sacrifices they made to journey to Spain.

Youth from Ramstein Air Base, Germany and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point served as readers. Archbishop Broglio said during his homily that baptized Christians should never lose their ability to listen and to respond to God’s call. He said, “Blessed Pope John Paul II proposes love as the parameter of a vocation…love perfects life and enlarges the experiences of the existence of a person. A vocation is my path to eternal life but also contributes to the journey of everyone else. We have to acknowledge each other to embrace the demands of loving service.”

94 christmas 2011 /

(continued from page 93)

In response to the need to pray for vocations in the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA and the Church in the United States, Archbishop Broglio led those gathered to prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.

After the Holy Hour the U.S. militaryconnected pilgrims from around the world met in the Cathedral Hall which enabled each group to speak with Archbishop Broglio and have photos taken. All of the pilgrims had a story to share about their pilgrimage to Spain. They were, in fact, practicing what it means to witness to one another the challenges and the joys of their Catholic faith. They also anticipated their long journey to the Papal Vigil and Mass with the Holy Father that would conclude the celebrations in Madrid.

For some the hike to Cuatros Vientos, the site of the Papal Vigil, took eleven hours. It was a long, hot Saturday filled with crowds and longer lines than had been experienced throughout the week.

Each pilgrim had a credential that allowed them access for a specific location to spend the night under the stars. While the day was terribly hot, the evening brought a summer storm of thunder, lightning, rain and wind. The storm interrupted the Holy Father’s talk, but the pilgrims seemed to welcome the cool relief of the wind and rain. As the storm ended the 1.5 million young people joined Pope Benedict XVI in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. The silence among the crowds was a stunning experience of entering into the Holy. This grace-filled moment will remain a profound memory for many of these pilgrims. christmas 2011 /

ARCHBISHOP TIMOTHY P. BROGLIO AT PARYER SERVICE IN THE SPANISH MILITARY CATHEDRAL DURING WYD, MADRID, SPAIN.

During the celebration of Mass on Sunday the Holy Father challenged the young pilgrims with these words, “Friendship with Jesus will also lead you to bear witness to the faith wherever you are, even when it meets with rejection or indifference. We cannot encounter Christ and not want to make him known to others. So do not keep Christ to yourselves! Share with others the joy of your faith. The world needs the witness of your faith, it surely needs God. I think that the presence here of so many young people, coming from all over the world, is a wonderful proof of the fruitfulness of Christ’s command to the Church: “Go into all the world and proclaim the Gospel to the whole creation” (Mk 16:15). You too have been given the extraordinary task of being disciples and missionaries of Christ in

other lands and countries filled with young people who are looking for something greater and, because their heart tells them that more authentic values do exist, they do not let themselves be seduced by the empty promises of a lifestyle which has no room for God.” The Mass ended with the announcement from the Holy Father that the next World Youth Day will be celebrated in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2013.

As plans for the next World Youth Day begin to materialize military communities are encouraged to invite young adults, especially those in uniform, to consider joining this pilgrimage of faith. While it is an intense journey, it is also a rare opportunity to gather with the global church, to be inspired, to share your faith. Photos and videos of WYD in Madrid may be found on the official World Youth Day website, http://www.madrid11.com/en. christmas 2011 /

95

Bishop Shares Insights on How to Reach Young Adults in the Military DELIVERS PRESENTATION AT INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS

By TAYLOR HENRY

BP SPENCER (SECOND FROM RIGHT) LISTENING TO TALKS AT THE CONFERENCE OF MILITARY BISHOPS AND CHAPLAINS IN VIENNA

H

ow to bring the Gospel to young adults who treat religion like life insurance—something good to have, especially in an emergency, but not a moral compass for daily living? That is one of the biggest challenges facing military chaplains the world over, according to His Excellency, the Most Reverend F. Richard Spencer, Episcopal Vicar for Europe and Asia of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS-USA).

O

n October 19, Bishop Spencer called attention to this challenge in a presentation to nearly three dozen bishops and other Catholic leaders from 26 countries throughout Europe, Asia and the Americas, all gathered in Vienna for the annual international Conference of the Institute for Religion and Peace. Headquartered at the Military Diocese of the Republic of Austria, the Institute was

96 christmas 2011 /

established in 1997 to promote social and scientific discussion of current developments in international security and politics.

Bishop Spencer noted that “emerging adults”—people between the ages of 18 and 23—comprise a substantial segment of the world’s armed forces, including the U.S. military. He said that ministry to this age group represents “the most significant challenge christmas 2011 /

to the practice of our Faith as Catholics within the military environment.” The question is: how to reach them?

The bishop cited recent extensive research by Dr. Christian Smith, a sociology professor at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana. The research found, among other things, that, due for the most part to postmodern relativism and skepticism, young adults tend not to believe in absolute authority or truth. The research also revealed that while religion is not a “threatening” topic to the millennial generation, young adults are largely “indifferent” toward their faith or what distinguishes it from other faiths.

Based on these findings, Bishop Spencer painted a disturbing picture of what he called “the dark side” of emerging adults today, characterized by confused moral reasoning, excessive consumerism and materialism, addiction and habitual intoxication, sexual promiscuity, and disengagement from civic and political life.

Bishop Spencer said a list of needs developed during a young adult roundtable, hosted in June by His Excellency, the Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, J.C.D., Archbishop for the Military Services, USA, provides a roadmap for how to develop effective pastoral care for emerging adults in the military. He said that a key element to remember is that young adults in the military are generally looking to get away from the installations where they are assigned, so offsite pilgrimages and other trips are an excellent way to bring them to Christ.

The bishop provided a number of other observations, including the following:

• Young adults in the military are looking for peers who want to learn more about the Faith. Since it is not a normal topic of conversation they are finding it difficult to meet peers who are willing to discuss faith.

• Due to the mission-focused, high tempo of military operations, young adults in the military are often distracted during Mass and when praying while thinking about long lists of tasks that are competing for their attention. They need help learning how to put these lists aside for a moment in order to hear God’s call.

• Young adults in the military find the early morning Sunday Mass times challenging.

Sunday is perceived as a catch-up day— catch up on sleep, catch up on errands, catch up on all the assigned tasks that did not get accomplished during the week.

• Young adults in the military find living in a military-industrial environment both challenging and depressing (especially while deployed for long stretches on warships).

• Young adults in the military want somebody to relate to; they want lay leaders who are well trained, who are similar in age, and who can talk to them about the faith.

B

ishop Spencer said the critical task for Catholic pastoral leaders is to answer the questions: Why belong to the Catholic Church?

Why believe? The bishop said that in developing their ministries, pastoral leaders should: • demonstrate the difference between authentic living and excessive consumerism;

• Young adults in the military are seeking mentors both for their military careers and • translate the Gospel in current cultural settings; in the area of faith. (continued on page 98) christmas 2011 /

97

Bishop Shares Insights on How to Reach Young Adults in the Military (continued from page 97)

• personally invite young adults to participate in Church activities—it’s not enough to post announcements or send email, text or Facebook messages or e-vites; • explain the “who, what, where, when” of the Catholic Faith; • remember that young adults in the military have lived life at its most extreme, and their questions about life and death, the meaning of life, and the intensity of war set them apart from their peers; • help emerging adults discover who they are and where they stand on a good moral map;

• make known the opportunity for the sacrament of penance.

B

ishop Spencer cautioned that everyone is different and young people are no exception, so care should be taken not to over-generalize these findings.

“Diversity in religious outlook,” he said, “calls attention to the importance that our priest chaplains have to be ready to adapt when approaching and ministering to this particular segment of the Catholic community…We must discover ways to go meet them in the “market place” as Jesus did when He walked the highways and byways during his lifetime here on earth.”

Archdiocese for the Military Services

tour of duty

brick campaign RESERVE YOUR BRICKS TODAY! TO SHOW YOUR MESSAGE OF SUPPORT TO veterans, military members, their families, and chaplains.

Your commemorative brick will join the thousands of others in adding that “personal touch” to the pathways of our new chancery building in Washington, DC. Order your bricks online at: www.milarch.org or complete and return the form below.

Each paver includes 18 characters per line (space included) and up to 4 lines per brick.

FATHER TIMOTHY VAKOC REST IN PEACE 1960 - 2009

Planning for the Future – Together with the Archdiocese

AMS Planned Giving Planning and preparation are inherent characteristics of those who have served in the military.

The AMS has prepared a Catholic Estate and Personal Planning Workbook that helps individuals or families to properly plan estate and personal affairs.

You may request a free copy of the workbook: www.milarch.org/index/planned-giving EMAIL: support@milarch.org PHONE: 202.719.3622