Bishop Neal J. Buckon

BISHOP MUHM PREACHES TO CONFIRMANDI DURING CONFIRMATION MASS AT ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, GUAM ON 13 MARCH 2020.

THERE IS A BALM IN GILEAD

BY BISHOP BILL MUHM

During January and February, I was able to visit our AMS Catholic communities and priests in Naples, Vicenza, and Aviano, Italy; Ankara and Incirlik, Turkey; Mons, Netherlands; Landstuhl, Daenner Kaserne, Hohenfels, and Wiesbaden, Germany; and Croughton, the United Kingdom. My spring confirmation visits to Korea, Germany, and United Kingdom all had to be postponed. By the time Salute readers read this article, I hope to have completed at least this year’s confirmations in Germany.

As you might remember, the public health crisis unfolded quickly during Lent. This coincidence made me think of a wonderful African American spiritual, which is very appropriate for sickness during Lent: “There is a Balm in Gilead”: “There is a balm in Gilead, To make the wounded whole, There is a balm in Gilead, 20 To heal the sin-sick soul.”

As the virus began killing and sickening people worldwide, I was grateful that I could visit Guam from 11 – 17 March. I was able to celebrate Mass at both Andersen AFB and Naval Station Guam, confirm young adults at both installations, and spend some time with Fathers Ruben Covos, USAF, and Bill Brunner, USN. My follow-on visit to Japan had to be cancelled. I made it back to Germany just as most international flights were ending and just as many countries, including Germany, were imposing restrictions on travel and public life. (USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN-71)) arrived in Guam a few days later for her much-publicized visit.)

Those suffering from COVID-19 did and do need the balm of healing. Those whose confirmations were postponed did and do need the balm of hope that the Holy Spirit actively works within them through their baptism, even as they await the grace of confirmation. Those whose lives have been turned upside down by the public crisis continue to need the balm of Christ’s peace, which this world cannot give and cannot take away.

Yet, neither virus, nor physical sickness, nor public crisis is our greatest problem; sin remains our greatest problem. Our sin-sick souls need the balm of Jesus Christ crucified and risen. That balm flows from Him through the sacraments of His Church, through His disciples who receive those sacraments, into a sin-sick world. The sacrament of confirmation amplifies and strengthens the graces of baptism. Those who have been confirmed—

continued on page 22

BISHOP MUHM CONFIRMS SOPHIE PURYEAR AT NAVAL STATION GUAM ON 15 MARCH 2020. TO THE BISHOP’S RIGHT IS FATHER BILL BRUNNER.

THERE IS A BALM IN GILEAD

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21

whether many years ago or just this spring—receive the healing balm of Jesus Christ as disciples who are, or soon will be, confronted with adultsize problems and challenges. The balm of confirmation carries the power to heal them—and through them those with whom they soon will be interconnected in providential ways.

Throughout April and May, I was able to visit various installations in Germany to celebrate Mass livestreamed. The unstoppable natural flowering of spring has occurred, even as the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit progresses according to His own timetable. The deathdefying and healing balm of Jesus Christ will flow eternally through the holy lives of those recently confirmed and those soon to be confirmed. Thanks be to God, there is a Balm in Gilead—and He is Risen! Thank you for your prayers and support for all of us at AMS. V

BISHOP MUHM BLESSES FATHER STEPHEN MCDERMOTT, USA, BEFORE HE PROCLAIMS THE GOSPEL DURING A LIVE-STREAMED MASS AT U.S. ARMY GARRISON WIESBADEN, GERMANY, ON PALM SUNDAY 2020.

COVID-19 Can’t Stop the Holy Spirit

BY MIKE PANLILIO, COORDINATOR OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION, MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO

Ayear’s preparation for sacraments began with a 3-day AMS Catechetical Training and formation to prepare catechists. In addition, catechists attended the Mid-Atlantic Congress in Baltimore, MD., at the end of January for additional faith and skills development. The children and youth started the catechetical year with in-person sessions and finished the last few months with online Zoom gatherings, the AMS Family Faith Assessment, and parents sharing the faith at home.

After the year’s preparation, on Sunday, 3 May 2020, the Marine Corps Base (MCB) Chapel in Quantico, Virginia, celebrated First Communion for 2nd graders and older. The day was joyful with everyone in good spirits. In compliance with COVID-19 safety guidelines, everything went smoothly. Understandably, the children forgot social distancing as it is unnatural, so volunteer leaders were spread out to help ensure the children maintained proper distances.

The rehearsal was a big help to manage any logistical concerns for the children and their families. From processing into the chapel, receiving the sacraments, to placing markings

continued on page 46

FATHER GERRY KASULE (REAR, CENTER) WITH FIRST COMMUNION CLASS, MCB QUANTICO, 2020.

26 th Annual Memorial Mass and Father Capodanno Mass Both Rescheduled for 6 September

BY TAYLOR HENRY

Sunday, 6 September, promises to be a glorious day of celebration for the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS). On that day, government mandates permitting, Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio will celebrate—at the same time and place—two of the AMS calendar year’s Masses. Both the 26th Annual Memorial Mass, normally celebrated in the spring, and the Annual Memorial Mass for Vietnam War hero and U.S. Navy Chaplain Father Vincent R. Capodanno, M.M., are now rescheduled for 6 September at noon in the Great Upper Church of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, 400 Michigan Avenue Northeast, Washington, D.C.

The rescheduling of the two Masses into one combined celebration is due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Originally this year, the 26th Annual Memorial Mass, normally held just before or just after Memorial Day, was scheduled for 31 May. In March, though, with the coronavirus spreading rapidly in the nation’s capital, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser imposed protective measures to promote social distancing. She ordered, among other things, the shutdown of public schools, libraries, and nonessential businesses, and banned gatherings of ten or more people.

With lingering uncertainty over how gatherings would be treated going forward, Archbishop Broglio decided it best for all concerned to reschedule the 26th Annual Memorial Mass to coincide with the period set for the annual Memorial Mass for Father Capodanno. The Capodanno Mass, held each year around 4 September—the date in 1967 when Father Capodanno died of gunshots rushing, unarmed, to the aid of embattled U.S. Marines under ambush—had been originally scheduled for Thursday, 3 September.

In announcing that the two Masses will now be celebrated contemporaneously at noon on 6 September in the Basilica, Archbishop Broglio said, “In the unchartered waters navigated since mid-March all of us have learned to adjust and to be more flexible. While I earnestly hope that we will soon be able to welcome the faithful to scheduled Masses, I think that prudence dictates postponing major large gatherings until there is more certainty.”

Archbishop Broglio said he will continue to monitor developments as the nation gradually reopens from the coronavirus shutdown. Any possible further adjustments in schedule will be announced as warranted. V

On The Front Lines

BY MARY LAVIN

For weeks there were banging pots, loud cheers, and countless acts of kindness and generosity bestowed on those serving on the front lines where needed most –and rightly so. Along with first responders, hospital workers, grocery and pharmacy employees, truck drivers, and others, let us also always remember the military men and women at home and abroad and the AMS chaplains who serve with and minister to them.

As I write this, the Edwin Cardinal O’Brien Pastoral Center remains closed in accordance with the extended stay-at-home order issued by the Mayor of Washington, D.C. The AMS mission continues as Archbishop Broglio, his Auxiliary Bishops, clergy and staff continue to respond, adapt and pivot as needed while focused on familiar goals – to preach the Gospel, to have enough ministers to do so, and to have the means necessary to support both efforts.

More than ninety percent of gifts to the AMS received each year are from individuals – active-duty, retired, civilian, and clergy. Each gift has a personal story, and every gift matters. With recent statewide shutdowns, the loss of millions of jobs and lingering economic uncertainty, it is unknown how many may not be able to contribute at the same level, or at all this year. If you are fortunate to be in a financial position to do so, please consider becoming an AMS frontline supporter in one or more of the following ways to help short-term or long-term: 26

While not required to receive a sacramental record, consider a small donation.

Become a monthly donor with a gift of $10, $25, $50 or more.

Order a commemorative brick to recognize the service of a first responder or veteran.

Establish an AMS Donor Advised Fund managed by Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors.

Explore the financial benefit of a Charitable Gift Annuity managed by the National Catholic Community Foundation.

Establish a partial or full named and endowed co-sponsored seminarian scholarship.

Consider naming the AMS as a beneficiary of a will, trust, donor advised fund, IRA, or life insurance policy.

Learn more about the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) enacted by Congress that allows for a charitable deduction “above the line” up to $300 per year if you do not itemize your taxes.

Information about these opportunities and more may be found at www.milarch.org/ways-to-support, by emailing mlavin@milarch.org, or calling (440) 223-6482.

Thank you for helping to ensure the continued formation of priests to serve the Church and the military chaplaincy, and answer the need for spiritual care for those who were on the front lines before the pandemic as they continue to respond whenever, however, and for as long as needed, to defend our country from all threats, visible or invisible, known or unknown - U.S. Marines, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, U.S. Coast Guard, and activated members of the National Guard. V