FALL 2020
THE MAGAZINE OF THE ARCHDIOCESE FOR THE MILITARY SERVICES, USA
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Dear Friends of the Archdiocese, The torrid days of summer in Washington, D.C., keep me happily inside as I write to you. It is probably overworked to say that these are very interesting times, but it certainly is true. Even so, summer has been a time of transition here at the Edwin Cardinal O’Brien Pastoral Center. Father Christopher Armstrong, who served as the Judicial Vicar, returned home to Cincinnati and the seminary, where he will serve as the Spiritual Director. Thanks to the generosity of the Most Reverend Earl Boyea, his successor, the Very Reverend Mark Rutherford, is already at work in the Tribunal. He is most welcome. The pandemic has limited activities for my Auxiliary Bishops and myself. However, Bishop Muhm has been able to move around Europe, and Bishop Coffey is learning more about the VA every day as he visits medical centers. Bishop Spencer will tell you about his incredible rhythm of activity during these months. He managed to complete all of his scheduled pastoral visits—even if he had to adjust the schedule to meet ever changing demands. Bishop Buckon was kind enough to represent the AMS at co-sponsored seminarians’ ordinations. The issue will reach you as we mark the beginning of autumn, a time of changing leaves, cooler temperatures, and—most importantly—a new pastoral year in the Catholic communities of the military. It will be a time of discovery, because we are still not certain what will be permitted and how we can best keep the flame of faith burning brightly. No doubt all of us pray for those suffering the effects of COVID-19, the brave health care workers who care for them, and the poor who experience exceptional difficulty in this time. As an archdiocese, we are also aware of the additional restrictions and requirements imposed on the men and women who strive to assure our defense. So many events this fall will be virtual, but it is still hoped that the sacraments can be assured to those entrusted to the pastoral care of this archdiocese. That, of course, presumes the ability to be present physically to the faithful. These pages will illustrate pastoral activity in the pandemic and one of the co-sponsored seminarians, Reverend Mr. Andrew Sanchez. I hope that you will enjoy this issue of Salute. Thanking you for your continued support, I wish you abundant blessings.
Sincerely in Christ,
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The Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, Archbishop
THE MAGAZINE OF THE ARCHDIOCESE FOR THE MILITARY SERVICES, USA
VOLUME 14 NUMBER 3 FALL 2020
TA B L E o f C O N T E N T S 4 A People of Hope
Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio
Bishop F. Richard Spencer
Bishop Richard B. Higgins
Bishop Neal J. Buckon
Bishop Bill Muhm
Bishop Joseph L. Coffey
Father Christopher Armstrong
Meet the Reverend Mr. Andrew Sanchez
Taylor Henry
Taylor Henry
12 Extraordinary Times in Ordinary Time 14 Come, Follow Me!
18 Slow and Steady Wins the Day 25 Perspective
30 The Road Less Most Traveled 34 Farewell 2020
36 Harvest Continues
40 Father Mark Rutherford, J.C.L., Mulls New Role as Judicial Vicar
42 Catholic Chaplain in Illinois National Guard Praised for COVID 19 Service COVER: KEVLAR HELMET FILLED WITH PRAYER INTENTIONS FROM THE AMS FAITHFUL. THIS HELMET WAS PRESENTED TO ARCHBISHOP BROGLIO DURING THE COMBINED 26TH ANNUAL MEMORIAL AND FATHER VINCENT CAPODDANO MASS HELD AT THE EDWIN CARDINAL O’BRIEN PASTORAL CENTER, 6 SEPTEMBER 2020. FALL 2020
The Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, publishes SALUTE for the nation’s Bishops, active and retired military chaplains, and financial supporters of the Archdiocese.
THE MAGAZINE OF THE ARCHDIOCESE FOR THE MILITARY SERVICES, USA
ADDRESS CHANGES AND NEW SUBSCRIPTIONS: Please send title, name, address, and phone number to: support@milarch.org call 202.719.3600 or write: Advancement Office, Archdiocese for the
Military Services, P.O. Box 4469, Washington, D.C., USA 20017-0469
Feedback, letters to the editor: editor@milarch.org | Website: www.milarch.org
Fall 2020
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PEOPLE OF HOPE BY ARCHBISHOP TIMOTHY P. BROGLIO
ARCHBISHOP GREGORY AYMOND ORDAINS THE REVEREND MR. ANDREW SANCHEZ A TRANSITIONAL DEACON IN NEW ORLEANS ON 16 MAY 2020. PHOTO COURTESY OF FRANK METHE | CLARION HERALD.
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y articles in Salute usually follow my extensive travels, which, until last March, were the steady diet of the chief Shepherd of this global archdiocese. Despite the pandemic, there have been some travels basically to the ordinations of our fine co-sponsored seminarians. These included the diaconate ordination of Andrew Sanchez (Army), see the Harvest Continues page 6, in the beautiful and somewhat empty Cathedral of Saint Louis in New Orleans. He was ordained with eleven others from several dioceses. Father Joseph Baltz’s (Army) ordination to the priesthood took me to another historic Cathedral in Santa Fe, New Mexico. It was also a privilege to say a prayer at the tomb of the first Archbishop, Jean-Baptiste Lamy, who came to the United States as a missionary with the first Bishop of Cleveland. He is the main character in Willa Cather’s wellknown Death Comes for the Archbishop. The Diocese of Fall River welcomed me for Father Steven Booth’s (Navy) ordination in their neo-Gothic Cathedral. A retired West-Point graduate was ordained a transitional deacon at the same celebration. His call was a good reminder that the military is still an abundant source of vocations in our Country. The next priesthood ordination was that of Father Timothy Mergen (Air Force) in a parish church in his home diocese of Madison, Wisconsin. Even though the airlines almost frustrated my arrival, another prior Air Force seminarian, Tom Pressley, came to the rescue. In fact, there were many familiar faces at his celebrations. Some very brief pastoral visitations filled the final week of July. Normally that is the one month that there are no visits, but this year is not normal. Offutt and McConnell Air Force Bases welcomed me, as did Fort Riley. Basically, I went to confirm those who had been prepared, but it was good to see the priests, greet some of the faithful, and experience the tranquility of the Midwest. While everyone is trying to respect the most current guidelines, that part of the Nation is a bit more open than others. That trip ended in Orlando, but not to see Mickey Mouse. Father Adam Marchese (Army) was ordained a priest on the Feast of St. James continued on page 6 Fall 2020
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(25 July) in the Cathedral dedicated to him. The transfer of the ordination from May to July allowed me to participate, and it was a joy to be there. I began this article as I headed west for the ordination of Father Tyler Harris (Air Force) and his companion in the smoky Monterey Diocese. It was truly moving to see him ordained—we first met in Kuwait in 2011 where he was deployed as a religious affairs Airman. These fine men bring many gifts and talents to their ministry. It will be a joy to see them in the chaplaincy, and I give thanks to Almighty God who has called them, to their parents and seminary faculties that have nurtured and formed their vocation, and to them for their “yes” to His will. That ordination gave me the opportunity to pay my first ARCHBISHOP JOHN C. WESTER ORDAINS THE visit to Vandenberg Air Force REVEREND MR. JOSEPH BALTZ A TRANSITIONAL Base, home to many launches DEACON ON 6 JUNE 2019, IN RIO RANCHO, NM. and other space activities. It was good to celebrate Mass with that community (indoors, because of the smoke!), to confirm three, and learn about their interesting and unique mission. The setting for the installation is dramatically beautiful. You and I look for signs of hope in these challenging times. Most of us have never experienced a situation similar to the one caused by the pandemic. We are not accustomed to masks, restricted movements, making reservations to go to Mass, spending so much time at home, and the constant concern about health and loved ones. I have appreciated the extra
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time for prayer and fewer flights! However, the constant contact with the committed faithful who form this archdiocese is greatly missed. We look for signs of hope and, opening our eyes, we see many. I just remarked at the commitment of the co-sponsored. Think also about the commitment of so many people in the healthcare professions: doctors, nurses, aides, BISHOP EDGAR M. DA CUNHA, S.D.V., janitors, technicians, and housekeepers. ORDAINS FATHER STEVEN A. BOOTH 13 JUNE 2020. PHOTO COURTESY Consider the fidelity of postal workers, OF FALL RIVER DIOCESE. garbage collectors, clerks in stores, those who stock shelves, first-responders, and persons charged with repairs. Think of hospital chaplains who are striving to bring the sacraments to those afflicted by COVID-19 and others. At the same time, they encourage their co-workers. On the way to a funeral on Long Island, I spoke to a policeman in the Jamaica Station. He was there with his colleagues to ensure our safety. He was concerned that no one would want to talk to them. I was eager to reassure him and to remind him that, in a crisis or in personal need, most of us would first turn to the police. Consider the story of a retired Air Force colonel and West Point graduate who some years ago donated a kidney to a classmate. During the pandemic he has been an active volunteer offering help, reaching out, and escaping the self-centering which can be a by-product of a crisis. There are countless other people who have continued to meet the needs of others—often at their own risk. They are signs of hope and encourage each one of us in our commitments. continued on page 8 Fall 2020
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Bishop Michael Burbidge of Arlington has offered thoughtful and up-lifting reflections on a local radio station. His positive commentary, gentle invitations to look to the Lord, and words of encouragement urge all to hope. The staff of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, has also continued to minister during these months. Initially, with the exception of a small number of people, most people worked remotely. Now the city of Washington, D.C. has permitted a larger work force on-site and it is good to see them in the building. My thoughts have often turned to the contemplative communities who support us with their prayers. They have continued to be faithful to both mission and charism despite the changes in our world. My thoughts turn especially to the Carmelites in Flemington, BISHOP DONALD J. HYING ORDAINS New Jersey, who have adopted FATHER TIMOTHY G. MERGEN, 2LT, USAFR, the AMS—forging a special link IN MADISON, WI, ON 26 JUNE 2020. with all of those who serve in the military or are cared for in the VA. Their accompaniment is a special gift always and particularly in these days. In mid-August I was able to host the confirmation for those from Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling and Joint Base Andrews. They would have participated in the joint confirmation that is usually held in the lovely crypt of the National Shrine of the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. The catechists and coordinators of both communities did a fine job of preparing the candidates and helping them celebrate. The completion of Christian initiation for members of the faithful is another sign of hope. The Lord still sends His Spirit and still showers us with His love.
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We rejoice in the Lord’s presence. Even in the midst of suffering, distress, and inconvenience, the Lord is still with us. He has not abandoned the boat. Facing the unknown, we do not lose heart, because we are certain that He has a plan for us. Of course, we have to learn the lessons He teaches us. Perhaps this time of isolation has also taught us to imitate the Lord Jesus a bit more. He tells us to love others as we love ourselves and to do for others what we would like to have others do to us.
L-R: FATHER ADAM D. MARCHESE, ARCHBISHOP TIMOTHY P. BROGLIO, AND BISHOP JOHN NOONAN AT THE PRIESTLY ORDINATION OF FATHER MARCHESE IN ORLANDO, FL, ON 25 JULY 2020. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF ORLANDO.
One of those is consideration for others. The pandemic has opened our eyes to our interdependence. More primitive societies were more aware and attentive to nature and the contributions of others. It has also reminded us that we are not completely in charge. So often in our advanced, contemporary society, there was a subtle notion that we are omnipotent. The pandemic has shot down that idea and obliged us to pray a bit more. Think about those researchers who are striving to discover a vaccine to render us immune or at least better positioned to face the pandemic. We are counting on them and wait to hear about the results of their efforts and take advantage of the help they will offer. They also represent a source of hope. The AMS looks forward to welcoming some of the co-sponsored seminarians for the annual Labor Day gathering and Father Capodanno Memorial Mass. It is always good to see them, to be electrified by their enthusiasm, and to be filled with hope by their commitment and pledge of continued on page 10
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future service. Many will not be able to join us, because of the restrictions and prudence of their seminaries. However, many of the events will be live streamed for their participation. Postponements and cancellations have been frequent in these months. The long-planned and longawaited young adult summit will take place in the summer of 2021. The same is true of the marriage enrichment retreats. We learn to accept disappointment even as we prepare for the future.
L-R: BISHOP DANIEL GARCIA, FATHER TYLER HARRIS, AND ARCHBISHOP TIMOTHY BROGLIO AT FATHER HARRIS’S ORDINATION IN SEASIDE, CA, ON 22 AUGUST 2020
However, the outreach to young adults through the “Reach More” initiative continues on several military installations. It represents grass-roots evangelization designed to bring the Gospel to the periphery.
As a new pastoral year begins, family and distance-learning catechesis will become the way forward on many installations. It is not the best solution, but necessity dictates that faith formation continue. I am grateful for the creativity and the persistence both of the staff here in Washington and the catechetical leaders throughout the world. Again, signs of hope are not lacking. Needless to write, the shortage of priests in the military continues to be a problem. However, there are places where priests are available, but the military is denying the funds to meet the needs of the contracts. It is a tremendous pastoral problem, which could easily be solved, if the Navy Southwest Region were willing to meet those expenditures.
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A non-Catholic Navy Command Chaplain suggested to a Catholic priest who has one of the cancelled contracts that he (the priest) could volunteer. Of course, who would pay the priest’s health insurance, his room and board, his vehicle expenses, and so forth? Is the same Navy Captain willing to volunteer and give up his salary?
L –R TAYLOR KRAMER – PASTORAL COORDINATOR AND RELIGIOUS EDUCATION COORDINATOR; FATHER ARTHUR NAJERA – GS11 PRIEST, VANDENBERG AFB; ARCHBISHOP TIMOTHY BROGLIO; FATHER MARIO T. CATUNGAL, CH, MAJ. USAF; DEACON (2LT. ADAM WOODWARD (CHAPLAIN CANDIDATE)
Despite the challenges and the setbacks, the Gospel is still being preached. Generous men and women have not turned back from the plow. The Lord still walks with the Church, or, to use the image of Pope Francis, Jesus remains in the boat with us. We can go forward. V
CONFIRMATION MASS HELD 15 AUGUST 2020 AT THE EDWIN CARDINAL O’BRIEN PASTORAL CENTER FOR JOINT BASE ANACOSTIA-BOLLING (JBAB), WASHINGTON, DC. AND JOINT BASE ANDREWS (JBA), MD. L-R: DEACON TIMOTHY WOLFKILL, MICHAEL CELESTINE (JBA), LOUIS LAMBERT (JBAB — LOUIS ALSO RECEIVED HIS FIRST COMMUNION), ARCHBISHOP TIMOTHY P. BROGLIO, LAURA ALTWIES (JBAB), LUCY ALTWIES (JBAB), AND FATHER LARRY SMITH, S.J.
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EXTRAORDINARY TIMES IN ORDINARY TIME
BY BISHOP F. RICHARD SPENCER
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h, experiencing the extraordinary summer months of COVID during this year 2020 while the universal Church celebrates the liturgical season of “Ordinary Time”. Yet we continue to live in extraordinary circumstances during this pandemic. The Holy Spirit window (pictured above) in the USAF Ellsworth AFB Chapel in Rapid City, South Dakota, is a welcome joy to the eyes, hearts, and the many souls. The window depicts the essence of our gathering for confirmation Masses, even during a pandemic. If there were ever a time for the Holy Spirit to be manifest and relied upon, it is now. This very large window – extending between the two exterior walls of the chapel – covers the entire back wall. The
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radiant South Dakota sunshine really makes this window come alive and delights all who walk the aisles of the chapel. These past spring and summer months demanded a fast sprint in efforts to accommodate all of the chapel communities who desired the celebration of confirmation Masses. Usually we are able to cluster the chapels into a nice pattern of visits, but due to the pandemic, there were many changes in dates resulting in zigzagging across the USA. But by God’s Grace and the patience of the chapel staffs, we were able to accommodate everyone’s desires. Several chapels conducted outdoor Masses in order to allow the gathering of many families along
with relatives and friends. The largest gathering was at Fort Bragg, where 39 young adults received the sacrament of confirmation. We all were very thankful that there were no evening thunderstorms to ruin the splendid sunset during the outdoor Mass.
next cycle of confirmation Masses and pastoral visits, I am already excited to go and visit all of you in the Eastern Vicariate of this global Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA. V
First Holy Communion Masses were also very popular during these spring and summer pastoral visits. At Grand Forks AFB and Minot AFB chapels, I was thrilled to pray with the young folks receiving their First Holy Communion. So, as you have just read, nothing is ordinary about the liturgical Ordinary Time, during our experience of these pandemic moments in our history, which also touches the military chapels. As we begin preparations for the
ABOVE: BISHOP F. RICHARD SPENCER CELEBRATING FIRST HOLY COMMUNION MASS AT MINOT AFB, ND. BELOW: BISHOP F. RICHARD SPENCER CELEBRATING CONFIRMATION MASS AT FORT BRAGG, NC.
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COME, FOLLOW ME! BY BISHOP RICHARD B. HIGGINS
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eet Peter Esterka, Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of Brno (Chaplain, Lt. Col. USAF, retired) and “Pepek” (Monsignor Joseph Supa, Chaplain, Col, USAF, Retired), United States Air Force Chaplain Orientation Course 74-B. There were 25 of us in the Air Force Chaplain Basic Orientation Course 74-B, and as we settled into the classroom that November morning at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama I looked around the room. Seated directly across from me was none other than “Pepek” from my days at the Lateran University, in Rome. The Communists arrived in 1948. They reformed the educational system and promptly closed the Bishop’s School, which Peter had been attending, and removed the Jesuits. All children were obliged to attend school
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through the 9th grade. Advancing beyond 9th grade was not automatic. Membership in the Communist Youth Movement Ceskoslovensky Svaz Mladeze (C.S.M) was a requirement to attend a gymnasium (high school). The authorities maintained a cadre card on everyone, and the contents of this “card” would determine which gymnasium you would attend. Your cadre card usually contained negative information such as anticommunist attitude, church attendance, questionable social contacts, etc. Non-selection to attend a gymnasium meant you went to work in a factory, a coal mine, a collective farm or, if you were fortunate, a local winery. Attendance at a university was determined by the results of your final exam at the gymnasium, a review of your cadre card and an “interview” by representatives of the local Communist party. If you were lucky enough to get selected, the Party decided your career path. Because he consistently refused to join the C.S.M. “Pepek” was denied his choice of university. The seminaries had been closed so answering the call to the priesthood he had heard years before was not an option. Instead, he was offered a choice…. collective farm or coal mine. “I took the coal mine, you got paid there.” “Pepek” was all of 18 years old, working in a coal mine and eking out a living. He had enough. It was time to get out. Peter Esterka and “Pepek” had worked a summer in the same factory, and “Pepek” was aware Peter was anxious to continue his studies towards the priesthood. Together, they hatched a plan to escape. They approached a “broker” who appeared to know how to penetrate the forbidden zone and get across the border. Yes, he could get them across, but there was a price, and he demanded money up front. They paid. Months passed with no sign of an escape plan. The “broker” demanded more money. There were “complications,” and Peter and “Pepek” grew suspicious. “Pepek” discovered the “broker” worked for the Statni bezpecnost (StB), the equivalent of the East German STAZI. They were about to be betrayed! There was no time to lose, they would have to leave tonight! Both Peter and “Pepek” were accomplished athletes, and they were eligible to represent their regions at a competition in Budejovice, some 400 kilometers distant. The train would take them through Mikulov in the “forbidden” zone. The station was only 600 yards from the Austrian continued on page 16 Fall 2020
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border. Hurrying to their local station, they bought tickets to Budejovice and caught the last train. As the train approached Mikulov, border guards entered the carriage and began to check identification papers. It was time to move. So, as the train slowed approaching the station, Peter and “Pepek” made their way to the back of the carriage, opened the door, and jumped into the night! Dusting themselves off, they were thankful they were not injured. They had not been seen. In his book Never Say Comrade Peter Esterka describes what happened next…. “I raised my head to see what was beyond (the railroad tracks) thinking all the while that the top of my head could be blown off as it cleared the summit. But I was not prepared for what I did see. My heart stopped beating at the sight of a machine-gun tower that loomed in front of us….I could see the soldiers as they moved around….I could see that just beyond the tower were three rows of wire obstacle fences….In the shadows, we checked the gloves and wire cutters for the last time. Since we had only two cutters, “Pepek” took one and I kept the other and the rubber gloves....There were three separate fences. The first one held four rows of electric wires….on the Austrian side were plaited barbed wires that crisscrossed back and forth many times….”Pepek” and I crawled to the first fence and put our cutters to the electric wires. A shower of sparks erupted. We waited for some movement from the tower…all quiet. We cut the wires in the second fence…no electricity! We cut the third fence. Just a moment later “Pepek” and I stood beyond the three fences. From the tower there was nothing—no search lights, no rockets, no shots, no dogs barking—only silence. We were free!” Making their way to the closest village, they turned themselves in to the local authorities and found themselves imprisoned in Vienna. As asylum seekers, they were transferred to Camp Glasenbach, a detention facility for displaced persons. Following his release from Camp Glasenbach, Peter traveled to Rome, continued his seminary formation at the Pontifical College Nepomucenum and was ordained to the priesthood in 1963. After
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18 months of detention, “Pepek” was granted a visa to the United States and took a job in a glass factory in Bethpage, Long Island. Six months to the day he received his draft notice from the United States Army! Basic training at Fort Dix, New Jersey, was followed by “surveyor” school at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and a permanent assignment to Fort Lewis, Washington. It was here that, once again, “Pepek” heard the call to the priesthood. But this time it was different; he could answer it. Using his G.I. Bill, he joined Peter at the Pontifical College Nepomucenum, studied at the Pontifical Lateran University and was ordained in 1967 for the Diocese of Brno, Czechoslovakia. Unable to serve in Brno, he was sent to the Diocese of Baker, Oregon. A year later, Pepek returned to Rome where he earned a doctorate in Systematic Theology. A one-year teaching assignment at the Pontifical College Josephinum grew into a six-year stint and, at age 39, an opportunity to join the United States Air Force and pursue a career as an Air Force chaplain. Reflecting on his Air Force career, Monsignor Supa will tell you his greatest contribution to the Air Force was his assignment to the Joint Contact Team at EUCOM (European Command, Stuttgart, Germany) assisting some eleven former Eastern Bloc countries in establishing chaplaincy departments throughout their armed forces. To some, the invitation to “Come, follow me” might seem to be a simple request, but it can lead to a terrifying night crawling through a minefield, cutting through electrified fences and evading border guards with orders to “shoot to kill.” For Peter Esterka and “Pepek” it meant extraordinary adventures, intense relationships with the Lord and truly remarkable lives. Their response to the call might best be summarized by “Who would have thought?” Monsignor Supa retired from the Air Force in 1997 and settled in Arizona where he became a contract chaplain at Luke AFB. He recently “pulled up stakes” and moved back to join his family in Slovakia. Bishop Peter Esterka is retired and lives in Southern California. V Fall 2020
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SLOW AND STEADY WINS THE DAY BY BISHOP NEAL JAMES BUCKON
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n Saturday, 11 July 2020, the Feast Day of Saint Benedict, I climbed Mount Whitney. The mountain is 14,505 feet in elevation, and it is the tallest mountain in the lower 48 States. Mount Whitney is in east-central California and situated in the Sierra Nevada, the last wilderness found in the lower contiguous United States. I parked my car in the parking lot of the Mount Whitney Portal (8,374’) and began the ascent at 3 AM. I had the permit for a ‘Day Hiker’ and would return to the car at 10 PM, 19 hours later. The light of the moon lit most of the switchback trail, and the flashlight was rarely used before sunrise. The hike to the summit is 11 miles, and the round-trip journey is 22 miles. As you can imagine the 6,000 feet ascent through nature’s wilderness was a bit of a puff, especially since I was carrying enough water and food for the day. However, on this particular day the weather was perfect with blue skies and sunshine; the sunrise and sunset were spectacular; the panoramic views of the mountains, waterfalls, glaciers and glacial lakes were magnificent; and the spirit of fellow trekkers was always upbeat and convivial even when fatigued. As I hiked upwards, I noticed that the higher the elevation, the slower I walk; and the older I get the slower I go. As I approached the summit of Mount Whitney, a hiker who is half my age and had passed me earlier in the day and was now descending smiled and said to me as he passed by, “Slow and steady wins the day!” I returned the smile, nodded, and replied, “Right you are!” It is always a joy to meet a challenge and succeed. I certainly savored my time atop the pinnacle that glorious day in July. It is a great place to count one’s blessings with a spirit of gratitude. On the return trip
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BISHOP BUCKON ON THE PEAK OF MOUNT WHITNEY.
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FATHER BRIAN M. REEDY AFTER CELEBRATING THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM.
to the Portal, I thought about the reality existing in the valley below. The country we love is currently facing three problems: 1) a global pandemic, 2) civic unrest, and 3) an economic depression. I realize that finding solutions to our problems will not be quick and easy. Much like climbing a mountain, it is important for us to stay on the right path and have the mindset that “Slow and steady wins the day!” As Catholics we know that Jesus is the “Way;” we
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are to be slow to anger; and we are also called to be steadfast in our faith. We should be praying to God every day for the courageous and steadfast faith with which we will transform our society and renew our world. America has long been a beacon of light in the world because it is one place where people from different races and creeds have been able to live in relative peace with one another under one law. If the American people embrace this as their vision, then with God’s love and grace we will slowly and steadily change to having sound public health, employment opportunities with a just wage, and a sense of being under God with liberty and justice for all. Slow and steady wins the day! Perhaps my next trip up a mountain will be with a Mass kit and a group of Catholic Veterans. The next day, 12 July, a fire broke out aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) at the pier at Naval Base San Diego. Father Brian M. Reedy, S.J., had just finished celebrating FATHER BRIAN M. REEDY SJ WITH THE USS the 0800 Sunday Mass at the 32nd BONHOMME RICHARD, NAVAL BASE SAN DIEGO. Street Chapel when he smelled smoke and learned of the fire on Pier 2. Lieutenant Reedy is a United States Navy Reserve Chaplain, and he rushed to the burning ship to comfort the injured and administer anointing of the sick. Fortunately, all of the sailors were in good health, and many were busy fighting the fire. Father Reedy returned to the chapel and celebrated the 0930 Mass; he then returned to the pier where he dutifully ministered to sailors from 1030 to 1530. continued on page 22 Fall 2020
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Father Reedy said that he was simply amazed at the dauntless courage of the Fire Teams (Damage Control Sailors) when they faced the horrific fire aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard. Sailors with a Damage Control (DC) rating fight fires, and DCs from other ships rallied to help their mates assigned to the ill-fated ship. Father Reedy cited personal experience in seeing his own home and possessions go up in smoke; and from this experience he could tell which sailors were assigned to LHD-6. Father Reedy said, “The sailors of the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) had the look of someone whose home was on fire.� His empathy helps him to minister effectively. Finally, Father Reedy said that the U.S. flag was singed and charred, but it was still flying! The sailors spoke about it throughout the day. They took consolation in the fact that the Stars and Stripes was still flying on their ship. The Navy has three core values: Honor, Courage, and Commitment. For the sailors of the USS Bonhomme Richard, the presence of the flag symbolized that the values of the crew were still intact! The Navy accessioned Father Reedy into the Chaplain Corps in 2016 while he was studying in Rome as a member of the Society of Jesus. His first assignment was to the USS Mount Whitney of the 6th Fleet based in Naples, Italy. As a Reserve Officer, he was called to active-duty this summer for 4 months of ministry to Destroyer Squadron 21 based in San Diego. He finished his reserve duty on 4 August and returned to Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, where he teaches philosophy and theology. He finds ministry in the Navy Reserve rewarding! On Friday 7 August, I visited Naval Medical Center San Diego. Father John Bosco Musinguzi is the contract priest. He works zealously and effectively at the large campus a.k.a. Balboa Hospital Monday through Fridays. Father John arranged for me to meet with Captain Bradford L. Smith, the Commander. We spoke about contracting a priest for the weekends, and the Catholic-specific ministry aboard the USNS Mercy, a hospital ship that was
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deployed to the city of Los Angeles in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Captain Bradford is proud of his Religious Support Team and is grateful for their efforts to keep the morale of the 6,500 member staff strong during this lengthy fight against the Coronavirus. I especially enjoyed visiting the medical staff caring for patients with the Coronavirus on Ward 5 North. After a few words of encouragement, I extended my arms to pray over them and bless them. Our GS health care professionals and Navy Corpsmen remain stouthearted in this fight. I then went to the chapel and joined Father John in celebrating a daily Mass with a masked congregation. continued on page 24 L-R: FATHER JUDE SERAFINO AND BISHOP BUCKON AT MCAS MIRAMAR.
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THE WARD 5 NORTH HEALTH CARE TEAM FROM BALBOA HOSPITAL (BALBOA HOSPITAL IS TASKED WITH STAFFING THE USNS MERCY), BISHOP NEAL BUCKON, AND FATHER JOHN BOSCO.
On 25 July, I visited Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar. During the celebration of the Mass I baptized one sailor and conferred the sacrament of confirmation on nine enthusiastic and well-prepared candidates. On 30 August, I returned for the final Mass. It is heartbreaking to witness the piecemeal deconstruction of Catholic-specific ministry in the U.S. Armed Forces. My brothers and sisters in Christ, our vocations situation is an “uphill struggle.” Let us remember that “Slow and steady wins the day.” So, in addition to praying for a courageous, steadfast apostolic faith, we also need to be praying every day and at every Mass for an increase of vocations to the priesthood and the military chaplaincy. Thank you for your prayers for vocations and your financial support for our co-sponsored seminarians! V
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perspective BY BISHOP BILL MUHM
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he ongoing COVID crisis limited my travels in summer and early fall. I was able to visit our Catholic communities, celebrate Sunday Mass, confirm, and shepherd our priests in Baumholder, Landstuhl, Daenner Kaserne, Vogelweh, Ramstein, Wiesbaden, Grafenwoehr, Vilseck, Stuttgart, Ansbach, Hohenfels, Garmisch, Spangdahlem, and Geilenkirchen, Germany; in Vicenza, Aviano, and Naples, Italy; and in Lakenheath, Alconbury, and Croughton, England. I was disappointed that I was unable to visit our AMS priests and Catholic communities in other locations. However, in times of disappointment, seeing things in perspective helps. St. Teresa of Calcutta pointed out that many developing nations endure material poverty but enjoy spiritual richness: intact nuclear families, strong faith, and strong cultural traditions. On the other hand, she said, many developed nations on earth enjoy material wealth but endure spiritual poverty. One cause of our wealthy society’s spiritual poverty is that we cannot just walk outside on any night and see a sky full of stars. Our ancestors could easily do that, but most of us today have to travel long distances to escape city lights in order to see the night sky in all its splendor. Seeing the night sky has no practical benefit—it will not pay the rent or mortgage, nor will it put food on the table. But seeing the beauty and majesty of the night sky is good for the soul. It puts things into perspective! continued on page 26 Fall 2020
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Many of those Catholics whom the AMS serves have an advantage in this regard. Sometimes they are sent to places they do not want to go, but once they arrive, they can see stars at night. I remember this experience aboard ships at sea, in Iraq, and at Twentynine Palms, California. This is one of the ways our AMS faithful become enriched spiritually. Their spiritual richness becomes a gift to their families, to their units, to their chapel communities, to our country, our world, and to our Church. We can think of AMS as a supernatural version of seeing the night sky. Almost anywhere our Catholics go, they can be confident that the Church will be there to provide Mass, sacraments, religious education, and pastoral care. Some of our people go to places so remote that a lay Catholic must lead them in Sunday prayers, but even in those extreme situations, Christ and His Church are present (Mt. 18:20) to put things into perspective. All of this happens through the ministry of the AMS. The spiritual richness of our AMS Catholics becomes a gift to the world. Thank you for your prayers and support for us at the AMS. V BISHOP MUHM CONFIRMS SOPHIA AT U.S. ARMY GARRISON WIESBADEN ON 12 JUNE 2020.  AT RIGHT IS FATHER STEPHEN MCDERMOTT, USA. PHOTO BY BRIAN BARNES.
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Archbishop Broglio Celebrates Combined Memorial/Father Capodanno Mass
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Combined Mass
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n Sunday, 6 September 2020, His Excellency, the Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, Archbishop for the Military Services, USA, celebrated in combination the annual Memorial Mass for all who serve or have served in the U.S. Military, and the Memorial Mass for Vietnam War hero Father Vincent R. Capodanno, M.M., Servant of God. The two Masses, normally celebrated separately in Washington, D.C., at the sprawling Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, were combined and moved across Michigan Avenue to the small main chapel of the Edwin Cardinal O’Brien Pastoral Center due to social distancing restrictions imposed by the City of Washington, D.C., over the COVID-19 pandemic. Concelebrating the 10:00 a.m. Mass were Auxiliary Bishops F. Richard Spencer, Joseph L. Coffey, and several other priests of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA. The sparse, socially distanced congregation included several AMS supporters and laypersons but consisted mainly of co-sponsored seminarians preparing to become U.S. Military chaplains,
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all of whom were gathered in Washington for their annual Labor Day weekend retreat. “Christians seek what is good for others,” Archbishop Broglio preached from his cathedra (Bishop’s chair), holding his crozier. “So often in our national history men and women have given of themselves to overturn totalitarian regimes, to free oppressed people, to stop looting in the face of a natural disaster, to distribute aid after a hurricane or flooding, and in so many other situations. Many have given their lives for these noble ends. Today we pause to honor their service, to pray for their eternal repose, and to beg for peace…. “We also pray for those who still serve in harm’s way and those who bear the marks of war or old age served by the medical centers of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Can we forget the spouses or families whose loved ones never returned? We are a community of faith and we hold all our members in a close embrace of prayerful solidarity. In this stressful time of a pandemic, we also pray for those who continually respond to the needs of others—even at the risk of their own health….
“Father Capodanno immediately comes to mind. Here is a true leader. He finds his way to the front— despite the desires of the Command, because his mission is to be with his Marines. The danger is not rejection, but death. He cannot step back from his mission as watchman. He must bring what he alone can provide: sacraments, intercessory prayer, and the Person of Jesus Christ to those in danger of death. Remember the unique dimension that a Catholic priest in the military offers. It is not generic. It is specific and necessary for salvation. Father Capodanno continues to teach us that undeniable truth.” Read the full text of Archbishop Broglio’s homily at www.milarch. org/archbishop-homilies. Originally this year, the Memorial Mass was scheduled for 31 May and the Mass for Father Capodanno, for 3 September. Normally, each Mass draws a congregation of hundreds or more, but beginning in mid-March, with the coronavirus spreading rapidly throughout the nation’s capital, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced a series of increasingly restrictive protective measures. She ordered the shutdown of public
schools, libraries, and nonessential businesses, and banned gatherings of ten or more people. With lingering uncertainty about how gatherings would be treated as the nation grappled with the pandemic, Archbishop Broglio decided it best for all concerned to celebrate both Masses at the same time and place with a scaled-down congregation. After the Mass, His Excellency hosted a brunch, that was socially distanced, for participants in the third floor dining room of the pastoral center. Archbishop Broglio expressed hope the annual Memorial Mass and the annual Memorial Mass for Father Capodanno will be held next year according to schedule. Those Masses are scheduled as follows: Twenty-Seventh Annual Pilgrimage and Memorial Mass Sunday, 16 May 2021 - 4:30 p.m. Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Great Upper Church Mass for the Servant of God Vincent Robert Capodanno Tuesday, 7 September 2021-6:30 p.m. Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Crypt Church. V Fall 2020
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t s o M
The Road Less Traveled BY BISHOP JOSEPH L. COFFEY
One of my duties as Vicar for Veterans Affairs for the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA is to make pastoral visits to the Catholic priest-chaplains at the 153 Veterans Affairs Medical Centers (VAMC) all over the U.S.A. Each of these fine Catholic priests, like the priests serving as Military Chaplains in the Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard and Air Force, have been endorsed by the Archbishop for the Military Services, The Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio.
My assignment involves a lot of travel by planes, trains, and automobiles. Like Archbishop Broglio and the three other Auxiliary Bishops for the AMS, Bishops Spencer, Buckon, and Muhm, we are very conscious of the generous donations of the benefactors of the AMS so we are frugal when we are traveling. There have been many changes brought on by the pandemic: you get used to wearing the masks, more driving (I do like to drive. It is a great way to see this beautiful country.) One benefit of the pandemic is the cost of flights have decreased. Recently, I flew to San Diego and drove from San Diego to San Francisco and back to visit the priest-chaplains and the veterans at the VAMCs in La Jolla, Loma Linda, Long Beach, Palo Alto, and San Francisco. You can be very proud of our priest-chaplains who care for the veterans, their families, and the staff members working at the VAMCs. They are ready, willing, and able to continue providing the sacraments. The pandemic has brought new challenges, but the priest-chaplains have fearlessly put on all the required personal protective equipment (PPE) – especially face masks, gloves, gowns, booties, hairnets, etc. – to give Viaticum (Latin for Food for the
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L-R: FATHER JEFFREY BLANGIARDI, BISHOP JOSEPH COFFEY, AND FATHER BENJAMIN CHINNAPPAN AFTER MASS AT THE VAMC LAJOLLA, CA
Journey, our last Holy Communion), confession, and the anointing of the sick to seriously ill COVID-19 patients. I am honored to be their Vicar and represent Archbishop Broglio and the AMS. The Vice Chancellor for Veterans Affairs at the AMS, Ms. Deborah Stevens, worked for many years at the VA and has become a great part of our team. Deborah is a Subject Matter Expert (SME) and takes care of much of the administration work involved with the endorsement of the priest-chaplains, freeing me for more pastoral duties. I think we make a great team. Thank you to all of the veterans and benefactors of the AMS. I look forward to meeting many of you in my travels. V
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PONTIFICAL COUNCIL FOR PROMOTING THE NEW EVANGELIZATION
The New Directory for Catechesis BY MARK MOITOZA, TH.D.
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he Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization released the English edition of the new Directory for Catechesis in July 2020. It is the third catechetical directory since the Second Vatican Council. The General Directory for Catechesis (1971), emphasized systematic teaching that emerged from the council. The General Directory for Catechesis (1997), stressed the pedagogical and formative requirements of catechesis. This new Directory for Catechesis calls attention to the necessity of kerygmatic catechesis as articulated in the Introduction: “Kerygmatic catechesis which goes to the very heart of the faith and grasps the essence of the Christian message, is a catechesis which manifests the action of the Holy Spirit, who communicates God’s saving love in Jesus Christ and continues to give Himself so that every human being may have the fullness of life” (no. 2). Catechesis is more than introducing content. The kerygma centers upon the person of Jesus Christ, enlivened by the Holy Spirit, which brings forth new life. The new Directory emphasizes the process of evangelization, recognizing catechesis as a part of that process, which is above all a spiritual action. It responds to the evolving digital culture along with the globalization of culture by highlighting the need for witness, mercy, and dialogue. There is a reaffirmation of the role of the Christian community as the natural setting for the generation and maturation of Christian life. Catechesis has a necessary dynamic of evangelization that leads toward missionary transformation, which drives conversion. “These encounters allow us to experience the presence of God in each one of us,” as articulated in the 25 June 2020 Vatican Press Conference introducing the new Directory.
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he Directory for Catechesis consists of three parts. Part One: Catechesis in the Church’s Mission of Evangelization emphasizes the foundation of the revelation of God and its transmission in the Church. The identity and ongoing formation of the vocation of catechist receives essential attention. Part Two: The Process of Catechesis explores the paradigm of God’s pedagogy in salvation history. The theological-catechetical significance points toward a methodology of relationships that builds upon the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the evolving experiences of human life at all ages. Part Three: Catechesis in the Particular Churches underscores the whole Christian community as participants in catechesis. Theological and pastoral principles provide guidelines and universal norms for the interactions found in the concreteness of ecclesial life today. Chapter eight: ‘Catechesis in the Lives of Persons’ warrants particular attention. Emphasis of catechesis in the family, with the family, and of the family provides a foundation that builds upon catechesis among varying age groups and unique needs. These include catechesis with children and teenagers, with young people, with adults, with the elderly, with persons with disabilities, with migrants, with emigrants, as well as with those living on the margins. Obtaining a copy of the new Directory for Catechesis enables rich opportunities to pray and reflect upon how the faith may be shared with others. V
A copy of the new Directory for Catechesis may be ordered through the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Publications store, https://store.usccb.org/directory-for-catechesis-p/7-669.htm
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The chaplains are my heroes.
Farewell 2020 BY FATHER CHRISTOPHER ARMSTRONG
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It has been an honor and a privilege to serve them as they serve our men and women in uniform. I am profoundly and deeply grateful to Archbishop Broglio for allowing me to share in this particular aspect of his ministry as the Archbishop for the Military Services and to my own Archbishop of Cincinnati, Dennis Schnurr, for releasing me for this service.
I
wanted to start with the end in view, my awe for our chaplains and my gratitude for the opportunity to serve our Church and country as the Judicial Vicar for Archbishop Broglio. Although I did not have previous military service, my father, a member of that greatest generation, served in the Army during the Second World War. My oldest brother served in Vietnam. My father worked as a civilian at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Logistics. My father was very patriotic, in the very best sense of the word, and loved our country and our Church. He died a week after my mother and was buried next to her. That was 6 June 2014. Although, as a parish priest, I had participated in the funerals of veterans, I have to say my father’s ceremony was one of the best, with a live bugler, a very crisp folding of the flag, and a twenty-one gun salute. Afterwards, I was wondering how I could honor my father with a kind of living memorial. I toyed with becoming a chaplain, but I was too old and too fat (!) and thought nothing would ever come of it. Exactly a week later, Archbishop Broglio called and asked me to be his Judicial Vicar. I said I was inclined to say yes but needed to seek permission from my own Archbishop. Archbishop Broglio said, “I already have.” It seemed to be a done deal so I accepted! And I am glad I did. The very nature of the Tribunal does not allow me to say much about the work it does. Almost everyone knows that the Tribunal oversees the trials for declarations of nullity for putative marriages. The AMS Tribunal oversees prenuptial matters as well. I could not have done my job without my two assistants, to whom I am and will be grateful for their expertise in running the office and managing the flow of paperwork associated with the individual cases. I am also grateful, more than I can say, to a volunteer whose considerable skills helped the Tribunal to locate and interview witnesses. And what can I say in regard to all of my colleagues who assist the Archbishop in his ministry except to say that I am proud to be counted among them. Above all, the chaplains are my heroes and will remain so long after I have finished my service as the Judicial Vicar. May Father Capodanno watch over them, keep them safe, and increase their number as they tend to sheep entrusted to their care! V Fall 2020
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THE HARVEST CONTINUES...
NAME: Rev. Mr. Andrew Sanchez (ARCH)DIOCESE/RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY: Archdiocese of New Orleans ARMED FORCES BRANCH: Army: Active 2011-2015, Reserve 2015-2019 RANK: MAJ COLLEGE(S) / UNIVERSITY(IES) / SEMINARY(IES) ATTENDED (DEGREES AWARDED): Louisiana State University School of Dentistry, Doctorate of Dental Surgery (DDS); Notre Dame Seminary, Bachelors of Arts in Philosophy. HIGH SCHOOL(S) ATTENDED: Brother Martin High School, New Orleans, LA HOBBIES: Reading, almost anything outside (running, walking, cycling, hiking, swimming...) TEAM SPORTS: I enjoy playing soccer. It is a beautiful game.
WHEN WAS THE FIRST TIME YOU THOUGHT ABOUT A VOCATION TO THE PRIESTHOOD? When I was in Fairbanks, Alaska with the U.S. Army. Being 4,000 miles away from home forced me to assess my relationship with Christ and the Church, and as a result I grew closer to Christ and lived my life more fully according to Catholic teaching than any other time in my life. At the same time, I grew close to a beautiful, loving, and caring young lady. However, as she and I began to discern marriage it slowly became evident to me that God was instead calling me to seminary to discern more thoroughly a life dedicated to Him as a priest. WHO OR WHAT EVENTS INFLUENCED YOUR DISCERNMENT JOURNEY? During my time at Fort Wainwright in Alaska I came to know two Army priests who were both very holy men, Father John Brocato and Father James Peak. In their own unique ways, they both helped me open my heart to the possibility of becoming a priest.
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WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SCRIPTURE PASSAGE, WHY? It’s really hard to pick a favorite, but I enjoy praying with John’s gospel account of the call of the first disciples (John 1:35-42) where Jesus asks Andrew and another disciple what they are seeking, they stay with Jesus all day, and then Andrew brings his brother Simon to Jesus. HAVE SAINTS OR CHURCH LEADERS INSPIRED YOUR DISCERNMENT JOURNEY? St. Ignatius of Loyola’s rules for discernment of spirits helped me when I began to discern priesthood, and they still help me today. I greatly appreciate and enjoy Ignatian spirituality. Archbishop Fulton Sheen’s book The Priest is not His Own is particularly inspiring to me. WHAT WAS YOUR BACKGROUND BEFORE APPLYING TO BE A SEMINARIAN? I was an active-duty Army Dentist. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SPIRITUAL BOOK? Abandonment to Divine Providence by Father Jean Pierre de Caussade WHO ARE YOUR HEROES OR PEOPLE YOU SIGNIFICANTLY ADMIRE? I greatly admire my brother for his ability to persist and overcome hardship. I also admire two elder resident priests at my seminary for their faithful commitment to serving God and His Church. DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN THE LITURGICAL LIFE OF THE CHURCH? Yes, through daily Mass and by praying the Liturgy of the Hours. This is a collection of psalms and readings that are prayed at different times throughout the day (morning, daytime, evening, and night). It helps me make it through my day holy and constantly turns me back to God. V
CORRECTION FROM SUMMER ISSUE Error in caption on page 9. The deacon’s name is Waller and not Walter. It is the same person captioned correctly on the photo on page 8. Fall 2020
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What is Your AMS Story? BY MARY LAVIN
Storytelling creates a shared sense of community. Stories educate, provide history and context, create meaning and connection, heal, and often evoke a sense of purpose and response. Each quarterly issue of Salute includes stories that serve to give readers an inside look at the mission, “Serving Those Who Serve.� Stories include pastoral visits to military installations by Archbishop Broglio, and Auxiliary Bishops Spencer, Buckon, Muhm, and Coffey; the ministry of its chaplains, be it at home or abroad, on a ship, at an outpost location or military academy, or in a Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center; the personal discernment or recent ordination of a co-sponsored seminarian; highlights from a particular celebration of the sacraments; the continued growth of Faith Formation and Young Adult Ministry initiatives; or the impact of a recent donation. There is a story for everyone in each issue of Salute. Unfortunately, with recent pastoral visits, a number of scheduled AMS events and initiatives; and individual visits with benefactors postponed due to travel restrictions and social distancing requirements since March, fewer AMS stories have been able to be captured in recent months. I invite you as a member of the AMS faith community to consider sharing your story of awareness, support, and engagement with the Archdiocese in a letter or email (or if preferred, a phone call!). For example, if you are currently active-duty, or retired, how does or did the ministry of the AMS benefit you and your family? Do or did you have a special connection to a chaplain or bishop, and what do you want those who support the AMS to know about the importance of their continued generosity? If you are a retired chaplain, how
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CHRISTMAS 2018
FALL 2018
THE MAGAZINE
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THE MAGAZINE OF THE ARCHDIOCESE FOR THE MILITARY SERVICES, US
SUMMER
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SUMMER 2019
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“Madonna in the Chair
did the AMS support you your ministry, and do you stay in touch with other retired military chaplains? If you have never served in the military, how did you first learn about the AMS? Have you attended an AMS event or program, and if so, which one? If you support the AMS financially, what has and continues to motivate your giving? THO
USA
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THE MAGAZINE OF THE ARCHDIOCESE FOR THE MILITARY SERVICES, USA
CHRISTMAS 2018
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BISHOP FRANCIS X. ROQUE 90th Birthday & 65Vietnam’s Years a Priest Quế Sơn Battlefield
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Without your explicit permission, stories received will not be copied, printed, or shared with other than Archbishop Broglio and AMS clergy and staff. That said, perhaps your story will provide an opportunity to inspire others if included in a future issue of Salute, e-TTENTION, or other AMS communication. Much like our faith, stories connect and ground us, especially during times of uncertainty. V TO SHARE YOUR AMS STORY U.S. Mail:
P.O. Box 4469 Washington, D.C. 20017 ATTN: Office of Advancement/My Story
Email:
MyAMSStory@milarch.org Fall 2020
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Father Mark Rutherford, J.C.L., Mulls New Role as Judicial Vicar BY TAYLOR HENRY
L-R: FATHER MARK RUTHERFORD, FATHER CHRISTOPHER ARMSTRONG, AND ARCHBISHOP TIMOTHY P. BROGLIO.
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n 15 July 2020, Father Mark Rutherford, J.C.L., a priest of the Diocese of Lansing, MI, took office as Judicial Vicar of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS). Father Rutherford, 37, sat down with SALUTE to share thoughts on his new role and how he hopes to serve those serve.
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SALUTE: What does a Judicial Vicar do?
Father Rutherford: The Archbishop has three categories of authority:
executive, legislative, and judicial. So the Judicial Vicar assists the Archbishop in exercising and carrying out his judicial responsibilities. The Judicial Vicar oversees the Tribunal, which is a court established by the law of the Church in the Code of Canon Law. Among its other judicial functions, the Tribunal rules on the invalidity of marriages.
SALUTE: You acquired your Licentiate of Canon Law (J.C.L.) in the summer
program at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., while at the same time serving full time as pastor of Saint Mary Catholic Church and School in Williamston, MI. How did you manage?
Father Rutherford: By God’s grace and an amazing staff. They really stepped up. We had an amazing team there, where everybody chipped in and looked out for each other, and they looked out for their poor pastor who was also studying (laughs)….
SALUTE: Did you find that studying the law of the church enhanced your faith?
Father Rutherford: Absolutely. You know, a lot of people joke that canon
law is the dark side of the Gospel, but my prayer entering into it is, “Jesus, show me your face.” Because the Code of Canon Law is really an extension of the Good News of Jesus Christ, so that the people of God and the ministers and officials in the Church can proclaim the Gospel with the order and truth and justice that God has designed it to be proclaimed in. And so, canon law, I have discovered, is a wonderful order of norms and laws that allow for the free proclamation of the Gospel, not its restriction.
SALUTE: Before joining the AMS, you served the Tribunal of the Diocese of Lansing as Defender of the Bond in marriage cases. You have been engaged in the practice of canon law for some time now. Do you see any patterns in marriages that go bad? continued on page 45 Fall 2020
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Catholic Chaplain in Illinois National Guard Praised for COVID-19 Service BY TAYLOR HENRY PHOTOS COURTESY SPC BRIAN NEICE.
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Catholic chaplain in the Illinois National Guard (ILNG) has received a U.S. Air Force Commendation Medal for his role in the fight against COVID-19. Father Ryan L. McDaniel (Ch, Capt), ILNG, and his Religious Affairs Specialist, Specialist (SPC) Brian Neice, were commended earlier this year for their service to troops supporting multi-agency operations at a 330-thousandsquare-foot warehouse in Rochelle, IL, where the state stores emergency supplies related to the COVID-19 response and other Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) related resources. In a 10 July email to senior Illinois National Guard chaplains and Father McDaniel’s military superiors, First Sergeant (1SG) Erik Royer (1644th Transportation Company), ILARNG, the Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) of Team (TM) Rochelle, wrote he was “very impressed” with the duo because they “didn’t just show up, look around, ask some questions, and leave.” “I have been in the service for 30 years,” 1SG Royer wrote, “and it is very rare to see the Chaplain mingle with the troops, play some games, and administer services in the workplace on a weekly basis. He (Father McDaniel) and a fellow chaplain conducted a forum at our hotel concerning the riots and how it was affecting individual Soldiers. They became a part of the team and established a trust with my Soldiers. I truly think that would not have been possible without the leg work that was done.” 1SG Royer concluded, “Sirs, the point to this email is to say that this is a great example of how it should be done…. Without that bonding you won’t reach nearly as many Soldiers nor have their trust.” TM Rochelle is a joint operation involving both the Illinois Army and Air National Guard. Father McDaniel, who serves in the Air National Guard, was “humbled and honored” by the accolade. “As an Air Force Chaplain Corps,” he said, “our vision includes caring CONTINUED ON PAGE 44 Fall 2020 |
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Chaplain Praised CONTINUED FROM PAGE 43
for Airmen better than anyone thinks possible. This is what we strive for. That this feedback comes not from an Airman but from a Soldier reflects the truly Joint nature of our integrated Army and Air response to the pandemic in the National Guard…. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to serve our nation’s finest during this nationwide emergency response mission.” Father McDaniel is a priest of the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh, which, like other Eastern Catholic Churches, exists in communion with the Catholic Church. Father McDaniel, whose COVID-19 deployment stretched from on 18 May to 28 July, serves with AMS endorsement and faculties. Catholic U.S. Military chaplains are legendary for going beyond the call of duty. Some of the most outstanding examples include Father Emil J. Kapaun, CH (CPT), USA, who died in 1951 in a North Korean Prisoner of War (POW) camp; Maryknoll Father Vincent R. Capodanno, CHC, LT, USN, killed in combat in 1967 in Vietnam; and Father Henry T. (Tim) Vakoc, CH (MAJ), USA, who died in 2009 from injuries suffered from a roadside bomb attack in Iraq. Since the Civil War, only five U.S. Military chaplains have received the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military decoration; all five were Catholic priests. Lesser known are the unsung Catholic priest-chaplains who go out of their way, day in and day out, to serve those who serve. Chaplains like Father Ryan L. McDaniel. V
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Father Mark Rutherford, J.C.L., Mulls New Role as Judicial Vicar
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Father Rutherford: Two things come to mind immediately. One is the
relationship with Jesus Christ. Because if a person has a relation with Jesus Christ, they care about what Jesus has to say about their marriage, their life, their future, and so Jesus becomes the center of the discernment process of “who am I supposed to marry?” Not just, “am I supposed to get married someday,” but “WHO am I supposed to marry?” We don’t want to treat the other person as an arbitrary decision of my own universe, but we want Jesus Christ to be the center of that decision. And so one thing that is a pattern in troubled marriages is a lack of attentiveness to the voice of Christ, calling me to the vocation of marriage to this particular person. You do not need God to fall in love. Pagan Bob and pagan Jenny can fall in love and get married, right? And Christ is not the center of that relationship. But if you want to know the mind of Christ for your future, then it behooves us to get to know Him, and the more we get to know Him, the more we get to know His voice, and the clearer His voice is when He says, “over here, over there, marry this person or that person.” The second pattern is going too fast. A lot of couples treat the preparation process as hoops to jump through instead of opportunities to allow the Lord to shape and prepare them for the rest of their lives together.
SALUTE: Do you have a military background?
Father Rutherford: I personally do not. All three of my brothers served
in the Navy. My mom was an Air Force “brat” growing up. And so we were surrounded by a culture of appreciation, love, and respect for our military men and women.
SALUTE: What are your hopes for your new position as Judicial Vicar?
Father Rutherford: Just that we serve truth and justice with integrity
without undue delay and with love. And in a way that honors the judicial authority of the Archbishop. V Fall 2020
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Catechists Are Essential BY JOSE M. AMAYA, DIRECTOR OF FAITH FORMATION
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ho would have thought that this catechetical year was going to be filled with opportunities to deliver the content of the Catholic faith to families in creative ways and to re-imagine faith formation in a time of pandemic! The great pause caused by COVID-19 provides lessons to consider when planning for the upcoming catechetical year in a new normal. These four points are offered for consideration: 1) the role of the catechist 2) re-discovering the domestic church 3) the priority of equipping and forming parents (adults) in the Catholic faith 4) embracing new methods of delivery. In May 2020, the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership offered an event called Witness. This virtual event helped catechetical leaders recognize the role of the catechist (teacher of the faith) as essential to the mission of proclaiming Jesus Christ. Catechists are essential witnesses to the evangelizing and catechizing mission of the Church (Acts 1:8). In the 2013 virtual orientation to the AMS Forming Disciples for the New Evangelization, Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio exhorted teachers of the Catholic faith, to “never believe that you are just a catechist.” He continued to remark that “a catechist shares the message of life, a catechist opens the door of faith, and a catechist illumines the path to truth and life.” Therefore, “the role of the catechist is vital to the life of the Church.”
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Shelter-in-place (SIP) has helped us to realize the importance and vitality of the domestic church for the edification of the Body of Christ. The homes of families have become households of prayer and worship. Many Catholic families have built a prayer altar to enthrone the Word of God, to pray the Holy Rosary, and share stories of faith as they participate in live-stream Sunday Mass. As Father Patrick Payton famously claimed “the family that prays together stays together.” Catechists rooted in their faith with an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ are needed to animate and accompany families. The re-discovery of the domestic church pivots a renewed commitment to prioritize the faith formation of adults. Do you hear Jesus’ command “give them something to eat” (Mark 6:37). In the words of Saint John Paul II, “evangelization cannot be new in its content since its very theme is always the one gospel given in Jesus Christ. Evangelization can be new in its ardor, methods, and expression. It must be adapted to the people of our day.” If the claim that “parents are the primary educators in the faith of their children” is true, then it is necessary to seize this moment. We are strengthening the course of faith formation by investing with renewed enthusiasm; availing the digital opportunities to propose Jesus Christ and the beauty of the Church to parents and all adults. Imagine what catechesis would look like if catechists were trained to form parents in the Catholic faith. In the mode of apprentices, parents need to learn how use the Bible and pray the Scriptures using the method of Lectio Divina. Parents need to learn how to pray the Holy Rosary with their children and tell the stories of the saints as models and witnesses who, imitated Christ. Catechists are needed to equip parents with the skills and knowledge of the faith to be able to share that gift of faith with their children. Finally, the U.S. Bishops state that “in order for the Church to be faithful to her mission, the Church should employ all modern means of communication technology as effectively as possible to bring others to Christ” (National Directory for Catechesis, p. 26). The time of pandemic forced religious education initiatives to realize that the content of the Catholic faith does not change but the method of delivery can change. The Catholic prayers and the truths of the Catholic faith can be shared through new and creative methods. Catechists must be equipped and trained to activate the mission of the Church to proclaim Jesus Christ to all with renewed enthusiasm and ardor through new methods and methodologies (Matthew 28:19-20). Catechetical leaders and catechists must embrace with courage and confidence the opportunities afforded by the new normal. V Fall 2020
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We rejoice in the Lord’s presence. Even in the midst of suffering, distress, and inconvenience, the Lord is still with us. He has not abandoned the boat. Facing the unknown, we do not lose heart, because we are certain that He has a plan for us. – Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio
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