Chapel Volunteers

The definition of volunteer by Merriam-Webster is a person who voluntarily undertakes or expresses a willingness to undertake a service. People volunteer in our military chapels for various reasons.

For some, it offers the chance to give something back to the community or make a difference to the people around them.

For others, it provides an opportunity to develop a deeper faith or build on existing religious experiences and knowledge. What makes a good military chapel volunteer? Volunteering obliges you to be selfless and focus only on how you can create a meaningful impact. Great volunteers understand this and are eager to do everything possible to bring about a positive change. There are many benefits to volunteering in our military chapels. It can help you build confidence and grow in your faith. It might be the chance to try something new and build a real sense of Church family. Chapel volunteering can help you feel part of something beyond your friends and family.

Volunteers possess some valuable skills: commitment, compassion, leadership, teamwork, time management, communication, and a strong desire to serve others and serve the Lord.

No doubt, our military chapels are dependent upon dedicated volunteers. One of the many ways that we express our thanks to our volunteers is by public recognition for those who go beyond what might be expected of every confirmed Catholic. Indeed all of the baptized form the Church and are charged to build her into an ever-more vibrant community.

The Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, has established a Medal of the Archdiocese which is granted only to five nominees each year. On Sunday, 7 March 2021, along with Father Jerry Sherbourne, senior Priest at Fort Stewart, we had the joy, in representation of Archbishop Broglio, to honor one of these extraordinary volunteers, Mr. Miguel A. Cruz-Lopez.

Mr. Cruz-Lopez has served the Catholic Chapel community of Fort Stewart as a volunteer for the past 31 years. Throughout his time of exceptional

service, he has provided stability, continuity, and support to the many priests who have served this chapel community. In addition to serving the pastoral needs of Soldiers, family members, and retirees of Fort Stewart, Mr. Cruz-Lopez gives active witness by his fidelity to the teachings of the Catholic Church. Therefore, the AMS was pleased to recognize his long service as a chapel volunteer with this extraordinary award.

Also this past spring season of 2021, the Archdiocese was delighted to recognize Mrs. Dorothy Ling, Fort Leavenworth Chapel, with a Certificate of Distinguished Catholic Service for serving 23 years as an Army DRE, Fort Leavenworth. During her years of service, she supervised the religious education of over 9,000 students to include the training and assisting hundreds of catechists and volunteers. Our heartfelt gratitude and sentiments of esteem for her service given to the Catholic community.

To all of our chapel volunteers, we say THANK YOU. You are key to the activities within our military chapels. You fill an important need and we look forward to sharing your commitment to the faith throughout this global Archdiocese for the Military Services. V

L-R: BISHOP F. RICHARD SPENCER, MR. MIGUEL CRUZ-LOPEZ AND FATHER JERRY SHERBOURNE AFTER PRESENTING THE ARCHDIOCESAN MEDAL TO MR. CRUZ-LOPEZ. FATHER JASON HESSELING, MRS. DOROTHY LING, RECEIVING THE CERTIFICATE OF DISTINGUISHED CATHOLIC SERVICE, FROM BISHOP SPENCER.