Slowly But Surely A Regular Routine Returns

BY ARCHBISHOP TIMOTHY P. BROGLIO

From the relative calm that the pandemic restrictions imposed upon the usual hyperactive travel schedule of the Archbishop for the Military Services, USA, things are moving toward a regular pattern. That is a source of consolation. Consequently, as I write, three of the four biennial convocations have been celebrated in San Diego, Washington, D.C., and San Antonio. The opportunity to meet with the chaplains and priests, hear some of their concerns, and talk about the importance of evangelization has been precious. The gatherings have been well-attended.

ARCHBISHOP TIMOTHY P. BROGLIO GATHERED WITH AMS PRIEST-CHAPLAINS AFTER MASS AT THE SAN ANTONIO CONVOCATION.

Dr. Mark Moitoza and José Amaya put together an excellent presentation about reaching out to those for whom this archdiocese was erected: young people between the ages of 18 and 39. The notion is not to exclude anyone but to look for ways to tell this large group of the AMS population about Jesus Christ and His message of salvation for all. It is not enough to continue to do the comfortable. Like the Lord, we must reach out to those on the margins and invite them to meet the Savior. The presentations have been well-received, and the conversations have been rich. Of course, we also had the opportunity to pray together, to talk about some canonical issues concerning the membership of the AMS, and to offer an update about the staff of the AMS. As I mentioned in the last issue of Salute, my calendar has been filled with the ordinations of some of the AMS co-sponsored seminarians. The last two were particularly significant, especially because they completed

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the 2021 cycle. Father Madison Hayes was ordained a priest in Anchorage, Alaska on the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord. The Archdiocese of Anchorage-Juneau rejoiced in this new priest, and the participation of so many certainly encouraged him. The hospitality was spectacular. Even the Bishop of Fairbanks descended and prepared salmon for the guests! The second ordination was to the diaconate. The Reverend Mr. Brad Easterbrooks was ordained at the Altar of the Chair in the Basilica of St. Peter by Wilton Cardinal Gregory, the Archbishop of Washington. It was wonderful to participate in this joyful moment with 20 new deacons, the community of the North American College, and the friends and family of the ordinands. Of course, I do not need much encouragement to travel to the Eternal City, where I spent 19 years of my life. However, the Roman days were quite warm and hardly long enough to see all the old friends. The Naval Academy at Annapolis launched a Holy Year of the Eucharist, and I was privileged to open the year with a well-attended solemn Mass. The initiative is well-inscribed in the pastoral theme of the USCCB for the 20212024 period: “Created Anew by the Body and Blood of Christ: Source of Our Healing and Hope.” We all hope that the community at the Academy will take advantage of the opportunities afforded by this significant time of grace. Sadly, a few seminary classmates ended their earthly pilgrimage this year. One of them, Monsignor Paul Langsfeld was a priest of Washington, D.C. It was a grace to celebrate the vigil Mass for him (as is the custom of the Archdiocese of Washington) and to concelebrate his funeral Mass. It was also a grace to be with Bishop Buckon at the funeral Mass for his mother on 2 September. May they rest in peace. On a much happier note, the AMS welcomed some thirty Co-Sponsored Seminarians to Washington over the Labor Day weekend. These enthusiastic young men met their new Vocation Director, Father Matthew Gray, the new Vicar General, Monsignor Jeffrey Laible, and of course the seminarians who are new to the program. Once again, the Knights of Columbus ensured an excellent welcome and fed all of us on Saturday at midday. No one went hungry. The Catholic community at Joint Base Anacostia Bolling welcomed us at Sunday Mass

ARCHBISHOP TIMOTHY BROGLIO SPEAKS TO CO-SPONSORED SEMINARIANS AND PROSPECTIVE CATHOLIC U.S. MILITARY CHAPLAINS IN WASHINGTON, D.C. ON 4 SEPTEMBER, 2021.

and also ensured an abundant Sunday brunch. Food for the soul was coupled with food for the body. Hope surges at the thought of the future ministry of these fine young men. The Young Adult Catholic Advisory Board has continued its virtual meetings to surface concerns and strengths among these members of the Catholic faith community in the military. I must admit that meetings beginning at 8 p.m. (Washington time) are a bit of a challenge, but the discussion and interchange are always enriching. We would have used this technology whether or not the pandemic had occurred because board members are spread throughout the Archdiocese!

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Another challenging moment was the closing of the Catholic community at Naval Station San Diego (32nd Street). In an attempt to use resources to meet the needs of sailors who do not often frequent the chapel, the U.S. Navy wants to concentrate its resources on a deck-plate ministry from Monday to Friday. While it is certain that the AMS was erected to meet the needs of the active-duty military and their families, it would still be helpful to be able to make available Sunday services because the celebration of the Eucharist is the source and summit of our lives as Catholics. Certainly, the parishes in the Diocese of San Diego will welcome those who used to attend Mass at the 32nd Street Chapel, and I am grateful for that pastoral attention. If indeed the argument is that the civilian community can provide for the religious needs of the base community, should we not expect stores, medical facilities, golf courses, theaters, and the like to close in the near future? There was one amusing note to my visit to San Diego to celebrate the final Sunday Masses in the chapel. The date was coordinated with the installation, the Navy region, and the Chief of Chaplains Office. However, arriving at the gate on Sunday morning, the guard informed Father Britanico that his identification did not allow him to bring a guest on base! In the end, all was resolved, but after traveling several thousand miles, I thought that it would have been somewhat disconcerting not to be able to access the chapel! The faithful who filled the chapel for the two final Sunday Masses were respectful but very sad to lose their community. Even though masked, they made both their welcome and their sorrow evident. Most of the faithful thanked me for coming. As members of the Body of Christ, we do share the joys and sorrows of the community of faith. I began the month of October by participating in the oft-postponed marriage enrichment retreat due to being held in Atlanta. These have been grace-filled moments to celebrate the beauty of marriage, to offer couples an opportunity to fortify and renew the gifts received when they gave each other this sacrament, and finally, one more opportunity for Chief Shepherd and a portion of the flock to gather together.

ARCHBISHOP TIMOTHY BROGLIO WITH PARTICIPANTS IN THE MARRIAGE ENRICHMENT RETREAT ON 3 OCTOBER 2021, IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA.

The interchanges at this gathering were very rich. The couples evaluated the time together very positively. I enjoyed chatting with the participants and discovered that I had confirmed all four children of one couple!

At the Atlanta airport, I ran into a sailor who stopped me and reminded me that we had been together at Mass at the Naval Station in Rota last April. I was glad that he stopped me to talk. Another gentleman later in the evening recognized me, as well. They are altering my conception that I can be fairly anonymous wherever I find myself! The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is looking forward to its first in-person meeting since November 2019. It will be good to gather once again in Baltimore. It will also be a very good opportunity to meet the many new bishops appointed over the last almost two years. Travel is increasing, and something akin to “normal” is emerging once again. We must still be cautious, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. As a people of hope, we should rejoice in each small step forward. V Fall 2021 | 9