My AMS Story
M
y AMS story began in 2012, at age 60, serving as a civilian employee of the U.S. Department of Transportation. Having received notice of a 365-day assignment at the U.S. Embassy, Kabul, Afghanistan, my first concern was providing for my spiritual needs while in country. Thankfully, the Embassy was adjacent to International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) Base. With the proper credentials, Common Access Card (CAC), U.S. civilian employees could pass freely between the Embassy and the ISAF Base. The ISAF Multi-denominational Chapel conducted Catholic Mass most Saturday evenings. The Military-assigned AMS Priests provided for the spiritual needs for the International Military personal, and for the U.S. Embassy civilians as well. Security protocols escalated at one point and Foreign Nationals assigned duties at the U.S. Embassy were denied access to the ISAF Base, and thus the ability to attend Mass. Witnessing the disappointment of the Foreign Nationals denied the opportunity to attend Mass, several of us approached the assigned AMS Priest, Father Paul-Anthony Halladay, and informed him of the issue. He immediately volunteered to come into the Embassy one evening a week to celebrate Mass. We found an open classroom and converted it to a makeshift Chapel. The Embassy Mass provided for the spiritual needs for an additional group of Catholics who could not participate in Mass at the ISAF Base, as well as providing additional spiritual interaction for the rest of us. The ability to participate Mass regularly during my tour enriched my spiritual life immensely. Attending the Mass with military men and women from several different countries was precious. During the 2012 Christmas Mass, an AMS Priest asked everyone in the packed chapel to sing ‘Silent Night’ in their native language. Still today when I sing Silent Night, I get goose bumps on my arms and tears in my eyes recalling that Mass. That rendition, while a
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