The Harvest Continues

(ARCH)DIOCESE/RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY:

Lansing, MI.

ARMED FORCES BRANCH: Navy

COLLEGE(S) / UNIVERSITY(IES) / SEMINARY(IES) ATTENDED (DEGREES AWARDED):

St. John Vianney College Seminary (Bachelor of Arts from the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN). The Pontifical North American College, Rome, Italy.

HIGH SCHOOL(S) ATTENDED:

Seton Home Study

HOBBIES: Hunting, fishing, and sports.

TEAM SPORTS: Baseball, football, and hockey.

WHEN WAS THE FIRST TIME YOU THOUGHT ABOUT A VOCATION TO THE PRIESTHOOD?

I started thinking seriously about the priesthood during my sophomore year of high school.

WHO OR WHAT EVENTS INFLUENCED YOUR DISCERNMENT JOURNEY?

Prayer, small groups, and the Eucharist were three very important parts of my discernment. Prayer helped me grow deeper in my relationship with God, it opened my heart to God’s voice and will. Small groups helped me grow in chastity and provided the support I needed to make bold decisions in following the Lord. The Eucharist fulfilled Christ’s promise that He would be with me always.

WHAT WOULD PEOPLE BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU?

People are usually surprised to meet a seminarian who loves hunting and fishing.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SCRIPTURE PASSAGE, WHY?

My favorite Scripture passage is 1 Cor. 15:19: “If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all men most to be pitied.” I love this verse because it helps me hold on to the anchor of hope provided by the Resurrection.

HOW DID YOU COME TO KNOW JESUS CHRIST PERSONALLY?

I came to know Jesus Christ personally through prayer. Growing up in a charismatic community helped me avoid the trap of turning Jesus into an idea instead of a person.

WHAT SPIRITUAL EVENTS OR ACTIVITIES HELPED YOU DEVELOP AND SHARE YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST AND HIS CHURCH?

I find tremendous joy in serving others. My high school youth group provided many opportunities for service in leadership and on mission trips. My relationship with Christ grew tremendously through retreats—some silent and some charismatic!

WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY READING?

I am currently reading Miracles Do Happen by Sister Briege McKenna.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SPIRITUAL BOOK?

My favorite spiritual book so far is He Leadeth Me by Father Walter Ciszek.

WHO ARE YOUR HEROES OR PEOPLE YOU SIGNIFICANTLY ADMIRE?

I admire my parents for their openness to life and for their many sacrifices in raising 11 children. I also admire any Christian who is brave enough to preach the Truth in kindness and love.

HOW WOULD YOU CHARACTERIZE YOUR PRAYER LIFE?

I would compare my prayer life to faithfulness in any relationship. In life, there are moments of joy and sadness, victory, and failure. In prayer, I share these life moments with the Lord. Silence is essential to hearing God clearly. Sharing my life and listening in silence comprises the bulk of my prayer times. Adoration, contrition, thanksgiving, and supplication are also very important parts of prayer. V

The Mission Continues

BY MARY LAVIN

“Military chaplains have been there for my entire family in the best and worst of times. I am so grateful for their service, compassion, and example. They drop anything and everything to answer the call at any time. They have been wonderful counselors, confessors, and friends. As a commanding officer who relied greatly on the chaplains corps for the well-being of not just my own family, but my crews & their families, I am deeply indebted to the AMS.” -CAPT Paul Flynn, USCG (Ret)

The AMS mission, “Serving Those Who Serve,” and its goals of preaching the Gospel, having enough ministers to do so, and having enough funds for both, are transparent and continue to generate a strong spirit of generosity for which the Archdiocese remains grateful. In the last year, just a few of the programs and services made possible as a result of gifts received include:

An increased number of pastoral visits to military installations by Archbishop Broglio and Auxiliary Bishops Spencer, Buckon, Muhm and Coffey. Pastoral visits provide that much needed personal presence for military leaders, service members, veterans, and their families, for which travel costs are a significant expense.

Twelve men attended the first Annual Discernment Retreat in over a year organized by the Office for Vocations. There are currently 38 co-sponsored seminarians studying in 19 seminaries from 32 (arch) dioceses and one congregation.

A record number of ordinations for a given year took place in 2021 – ten ordinations to the priesthood and eight to the transitional diaconate. Three co-sponsored priests began active-duty ministry this year, with more to follow - three in 2022, and eight in 2023.

Several virtual high-tech opportunities were implemented by the Office of Evangelization, including a virtual Lenten retreat for Catholic leaders, and monthly Young Adult Ministry webinars to prepare for the re-scheduled Young Adult Ministry Symposium now planned for January 2022. A coordinator for Young Adult Missionary Outreach will also soon be hired.

The first in-person catechetical leader training was held in more than a year, and Lay Leader training resources and Forming Disciples for

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LEFT: THE AMS COAT OF ARMS LAPEL PIN IS DISPLAYED ON THE HAT OF LTC DOUGLAS C. ELY, USA (RETIRED).

the New Evangelization: Archdiocesan Religion Curriculum Guide were reviewed and are being revised.

The AMS continued to upgrade its information technology infrastructure to manage communications while maintaining and enhancing relationships with AMS faithful, clergy, active-duty and retired military chaplains, co-sponsored seminarians, and benefactors. It has been a significant and necessary investment, both financially and in terms of the commitment of staff time. Once completed, the enhancements will provide improved service to all AMS constituents, and security for all AMS records will be maximized.

Catholic Military Life, the official podcast of the AMS, continued to feature bi-monthly conversations with chaplains and others involved with pastoral care. New this year, sponsorships are available for each podcast. Please email mlavin@milarch.org or call (440) 2236482 for more information.

The list goes on as will the AMS mission. And, yes, donations help make it possible to maintain and to expand the aforementioned programs. For ways to give, visit www.milarch.org/ways-to-support. For the most current AMS updates, visit www.milarch.org/category/ news-and-events. To listen to past or future recordings of Catholic Military Life, visit www.milarch.org/podcast. If you have a personal AMS story you would like to share, or photos of the mission in action, please email them to MyAMSStory @milarch.org. V

Save the Date

Young Adult Ministry Symposium

20-23 January 2022

Washington, D.C. Purpose: To renew the spirit of pastoral care provided by the AMS to young adults For more information, contact Ms. Casey Lee at youngadultministry@milarch.org

All events are subject to change based on governmental mandates.

Disheartened with the direction of today’s society?

Feel like more can be done for our military, our veterans, and their families?

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Come experience the Catholic War Veterans & Auxiliary – help us to make a difference NOW!

Membership is open to all US Active Duty, veterans and their family members. For information on joining or starting a Post in your Parish or at your duty station:

Web – cwv.org Email – admin@cwv.org Call – 703-549-3622