The Pilgrimage Begins BY BISHOP NEAL J. BUCKON
THE VANDENBERG AFB CONFIRMATION CLASS WITH FATHER ARTHUR NAJERA, FAR LEFT; BISHOP BUCKON, CENTER; FATHER KHOI TRAN, FAR RIGHT.
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very September, I begin a ten-month-long pilgrimage that takes me to the Catholic communities of faith located in our chapels on Department of Defense installations in the Western Region of the Archdiocese for the Military Services. Port Hueneme, CA, was the first stop on this 19-day road trip. The West Coast Naval Construction Battalion Center (CBC) is home to over 20 active and reserve Seabee Battalions. Father Antony Berchmanz is a contract priest who singlehandedly serves as the Pastor, the Catholic Parish Life Coordinator (CPLC), and Coordinator of Religious Education (CRE). The highlight of the pastoral visit was the celebration of a ritual Mass for the sacrament of confirmation. For seven members of the CBC’s Catholic community, it was a personal Pentecost. The following day I traveled north to Vandenberg AFB to spend the weekend with the Catholic community. The congregation now has members that are Airmen from the Air Force and Guardians from the Space Force and their families. Chaplain (Captain) Khoi V. Tran and Father Arthur Najera
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