CHRISTMAS 2020
THE MAGAZINE OF THE ARCHDIOCESE FOR THE MILITARY SERVICES, USA
“Let There Be Peace On Earth!”
Christmas 2020
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Dear Friends of the Archdiocese, “Rise, take the Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you.� The pandemic has made us more attentive to the fragility of the human condition and perhaps opened us even more to the presence of God. At times we might dream of fleeing somewhere, but the flight of the Lord Jesus with Mary and Joseph was an attempt to save the Divine Child from a premature death. In a helpless, new born Child we see the hope of humanity and we celebrate the love of God for us. We recognize that such love is universal and so we try to see in every person someone created in the image and likeness of God, a fellow pilgrim, and a brother or sister. The Christmas holidays inspire what is best in us as we remember loved ones, reach out to care for the poor, desire and pray for lasting peace, and work for a 2021 virus free and more stable for all. The month of December will be quite different this year as Bishops Spencer, Buckon, Muhm, Coffey, and I determine what we can do and where we might best serve those entrusted to our pastoral care. Your prayers for the successful completion of our pastoral wanderings are deeply appreciated. As always, this issue of Salute offers a glimpse of recent activities, some new initiatives, an interview of a co-sponsored deacon, and a glimpse at some events very important to the Church in the United States. There is no doubt that all of us are joined in prayer for the renewal of hearts, the development of an ethical vaccine, and a New Year characterized by men and women who dialogue rather than go to war, a diminishing of racial tensions, better opportunities for the coming generations, and the spread of the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Enjoy the following pages of Salute. Invoking abundant blessings from the Christ Child upon all of you, I wish you and all your loved ones the joy and peace proclaimed by the Angels at Bethlehem and longed for by all men and women of good will!
Sincerely in Christ,
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The Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, Archbishop
THE MAGAZINE OF THE ARCHDIOCESE FOR THE MILITARY SERVICES, USA
VOLUME 14 NUMBER 4 CHRISTMAS 2020
TA B L E o f C O N T E N T S 4 Look for the Lord in Our Midst Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio 12 Just In Time for Christmas: Marian Shrines Bishop F. Richard Spencer 16 Graced Moments Bishop Neal J. Buckon 20 The Journey Continues Bishop Joseph Coffey 26 Meet the AMS Co-Sponsored Seminarians 28 Priest Feels Blessed to Serve in a Parish and as a Chaplain in Army Reserves Reprint: The Catholic Advocate 31 Man Proposes, God Disposes Bishop Bill Muhm 38 Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio Accepts Saint Luke Award on Behalf of Catholic Chaplains Taylor Henry 44 The New AMS Family Witness to Christ José Amaya 46 Preparing for the Young Adult Ministry Symposium Cassandra (Casey) Lee 50 The Military Council of Catholic Women Hosts... Elizabeth Tomlin COVER: THE NATIVITY BY LORENZO LOTTO, CIRCA 1523 CHRISTMAS 2020
The Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, publishes SALUTE for the nation’s Bishops, active and retired military chaplains, and financial supporters of the Archdiocese.
THE MAGAZINE OF THE ARCHDIOCESE FOR THE MILITARY SERVICES, USA
“Let There Be Peace On Earth!”
ADDRESS CHANGES AND NEW SUBSCRIPTIONS: Please send title, name, address, and phone number to: support@milarch.org call 202.719.3600 or write: Advancement Office, Archdiocese for the
Military Services, P.O. Box 4469, Washington, D.C., USA 20017-0469
Feedback, letters to the editor: editor@milarch.org | Website: www.milarch.org
Christmas 2020
Christmas 2020
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LOOK FOR THE
LORD IN OUR MIDST BY ARCHBISHOP TIMOTHY P. BROGLIO
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ARIAL VIEW OF ABIDJAN, CÔTE D’IVOIRE. FEATURED IN THE FOREGROUND IS THE CATHEDRAL OF ST. PAUL, DEDICATED BY ST. JOHN PAUL II IN AUGUST, 1985.
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hristmas 1983 found me in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. I had arrived at the Apostolic Nunciature in the first days of July for my initial assignment as a diplomat of the Holy See. The country defied categories. Abidjan looked a bit like a small Manhattan with tall buildings, smart shops, and traffic. Not too far away was the “brus”, the rural areas with a more tribal society. In some places they had only discovered the wheel over the last two hundred years. It was a country of vivid contrasts. Some weeks before Christmas an Italian missionary came to see me and invited me to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in his parish, which consisted in some ten mission stations. “If you come to the mission, between the two of us every mission station will have the possibility of Mass at Christmas.” continued on page 6
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Some apostolic fervor poured into my veins. The idea of providing confessions and Mass to people, being useful to a hard-working missionary appealed to me. I had to convince the Nuncio, my boss, to let me go. It was worth it. The third Mass of Christmas was in a little village, and a religious woman came with MR. ANDREW LANE, CO-SPONSORED SEMINARIAN FROM THE me. After Mass, she told me ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA; ARCHBISHOP TIMOTHY that we had been invited to P. BROGLIO, BISHOP TIMOTHY C. SENIOR, AUXILIARY OF lunch and that we had to PHILADELPHIA AND RECTOR OF ST. CHARLES BORROMEO accept. “This village never SEMINARY; MR. CALEB MAGOWAN, CO-SPONSORED SEMINARIAN FROM THE DIOCESE OF ARLINGTON. makes an effort. This is the first time.” I still remember the tough piece of chicken breast and the yam. It was, by far the simplest Christmas dinner I have ever had. It was, however, wonderful to bring Christ to those good people on Christmas Day. Now thirty-seven years, later I am preparing with all of you for another unique Christmas. I hope to be in Alaska in order to minister to our men and women in uniform and their families in that vast state. It is a way to show how important the Eucharist is. It is a way to minister to a portion of the people entrusted to my pastoral care. The pandemic continues to reshape the everyday activities of the archdiocese. By the time I leave for the Christmas pastoral visits I will only have been out of Washington for 83 days in 2020. That fact alone illustrates how different this year has been.
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You have already read about the combined Memorial and Capodanno Mass in the main chapel of the Edwin Cardinal O’Brien Pastoral Center on the Sunday of the Labor Day weekend. It was good to have about half of the co-sponsored seminarians present, but the presence of the usual large congregation filled with so many familiar faces was lacking. It was one more pandemic adjustment. We have all been learning to meet via Zoom or through some other system. It does make meetings shorter and more efficient, but the human contact, the exchange of a few words over coffee, and the spontaneity are all missed. Most of my confirmations were local in this period with the exception of a few for a good priest friend in the Diocese of Cleveland. He is the Pastor of a largely Hispanic parish there that invited me to confirm his parishioners. Due to the restrictions imposed by the pandemic, four Masses were necessary, and I was able to do three of them. I enjoyed the excuse to visit Cleveland and, even more, the opportunity to impart the gift of the fullness of the Holy Spirit. It was also good to be able to be home—even for brief visits. The Cleveland Seminary did welcome me for Mass and dinner ARCHBISHOP TIMOTHY P. BROGLIO (CENTER) CELEBRATING MASS WITH BISHOP TIMOTHY C. SENIOR (SEATED AT THE RIGHT).
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with the seminarians in September. That is normally a moment to gather supporters in the Cleveland area with the families of the seminarians. This year, however, large gatherings were not recommended. Fort Detrick, Fort Belvoir, and Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall all welcomed me to their chapels for confirmation at different moments this fall. Saint Luke Institute honored the chaplains and me at their annual benefit. The event was virtual and only lasted 45 minutes. {See photo page 11 and article on page 39.) The postponement of the Young Adult Symposium has opened up the opportunity to engage in a year-long period of preparation and reflection on the recent General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on youth and vocation. The on-line sessions have been interesting and allow an addition avenue of contact with our young adults.
MCCW MASS HELD IN THE EDWIN CARDINAL O’BRIEN PASTORAL CENTER. L-R: MONSIGNOR JOHN J.M. FOSTER, REVEREND MR. JASON ALLAN, ARCHBISHOP TIMOTHY P. BROGLIO, FATHER MARK J. RUTHERFORD, AND FATHER ROBERT R. CANNON.
The annual meeting of the Canon Law Society of America was also virtual, but Monsignor Foster organized a small gathering to follow the proceedings on line here at the pastoral center. We had the benefit of exchanging some thoughts about the presentations and discussion of other canonical topics.
Some of the parishes in the Arlington Diocese were able to organize confirmations, and I am always pleased to lend a hand there. Since I missed my annual Palm Sunday Mass at Joint Base Andrews, I did have Mass there in late October and also visited Annapolis for the annual celebration of the “Navy Birthday”.
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The high point of the autumn season was the Beatification of Father Michael McGivney, a priest of the then Diocese of Hartford and the founder of the Knights of Columbus. An impressive vigil for priests was held on 30 October in St. Mary’s Parish of New Haven where the priest is buried. Several speakers addressed the virtues of this new blessed. The evening was prayerful and extremely thought-provoking. It was a superb preparation for the events the next day. Daniel Schachle, from the Diocese of Nashville, spoke about the miracle attributed to Father McGivney’s intercession. It was in favor of his yet-to-be-born son who had been diagnosed with a fatal condition. The lad, Michael, was at the beatification Mass and stole the hearts of all present. Unaware, he preached a wonderful pro-life message! The beatification Mass on Saturday morning in the Hartford Cathedral was limited to two hundred people due to the COVID-19 virus. The huge structure seemed almost empty, but the beautiful music provided by some members of the choir of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception animated the liturgy and contributed to the prayerful atmosphere. Given the expansion of the Knights of Columbus across the globe; the magnificent efforts that characterize their service to the poor, to the cause of life, to formation of men, to vocations, and more; and their irreplaceable support to the AMS, I was delighted to concelebrate this Mass. It was worth the over nine hours that the train took to bring me back to Washington. Seldom in my life have I welcomed the time change more than I did on All Saints’ Day! The month of November has been filled with meetings for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops—all virtual and the official beginning of the MCCW worldwide gathering. Planned for April and rescheduled for continued on page 10 Christmas 2020
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November, it finally became a virtual event. We did begin with a livestreamed Mass in the main chapel of the Edwin Cardinal O’Brien Pastoral Center with the presence of the MCCW President Kim Miller and two very faithful women from Quantico, Denise Hummel and Mariana Dionne. There were more concelebrants than faithful! The slower schedule also allowed me to visit the two AMS co-sponsored seminarians at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia. Both men are doing well, and the welcome at the seminary was delightful. It was over Veterans Day, and so Father Brian Kane, a National Guard chaplain and the Dean of Men at the seminary, gave an excellent presentation about his deployments to Iraq. When he finished, I was almost ready to sign up!
MCCW MEMBERS PRESENT FOR THE MASS L-R: MS. DENISE HUMMEL, MS. MARIANNA DIONNE, ARCHBISHOP TIMOTHY P. BROGLIO, AND MS. KIM MILLER, MCCW PRESIDENT.
Thanksgiving this year reminds us to look around for the blessings received. It is more challenging this year, because the pandemic has locked us in and kept us separated from extended families. However, we give thanks, because the Lord is with us. He is here, even if we fail to look for Him. We have learned that we are not always in charge. Perhaps also, we have remembered to look out for our neighbor. I finish these lines as Advent is about to begin. It will be a different Christmas this year. The pandemic will keep me in the States, but I do hope to make a pastoral visitation to some of the installations in Alaska. It will be good to visit the flock there, encourage the priests, and fill in for those in the Fairbanks area who will be deployed.
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As we reflect on the love of Almighty God for us manifested in the sending of His only begotten Son born to the Virgin Mary, we recognize that we are loved. The isolation, lock-down, and the violence to our routine that have occurred this year do invite us to some reflection. We ask what is truly important. Are we attuned to eternal life? Is that truly the goal that motivates the direction of my life and the decisions to be made? We are certainly more mindful of the sacrifices made by healthcare workers, grocery store employees, garbage collectors, police and fire personnel, and those priests who still anoint the sick, hear confessions, and bring the sacraments to those most in need. At the AMS our ministry to the men and women in uniform, the VA, and their families has continued. At times, it has been necessary to be more creative and more responsive. The times do oblige us to be more reflective and to appreciate what is so precious and so easily lost, our good health. While I was soaking wet at the Christmas lunch thirty-seven years ago in tropical Côte d’Ivoire, I would imagine that heat will not be a problem, but a sought-after commodity in Fairbanks this coming Christmas. I imagine that the menu will also be different. However, the mystery of divine love celebrated will be the same regardless of the place. V
L-R: RETIRED REAR ADMIRAL AND MRS. JAMES HINKLE, ARCHBISHOP TIMOTHY BROGLIO, FATHER DAVID SONGY, AND BOARD CHAIRMAN DAVID S.J. BROWN AT VIRTUAL BENEFIT FOR SAINT LUKE INSTITUTE.
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JUST IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS: MARIAN SHRINES BY BISHOP F. RICHARD SPENCER
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ven in the midst of a pandemic these past months, three of the military chapels in the Eastern Vicariate of the AMS have initiated building projects to honor the life of our Blessed Mother and her role as Patroness of U.S. military families. Members of the local Catholic military community undertook financing and constructing each project. Many hours of coordination and discussion with senior chapel leaders and representatives of the base Commander were necessary in order to obtain approval. Each of the three
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projects is very different in scope and design, but each has yielded a wonderful tribute to our Lady. Mary, Queen of Peace Catholic Community at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania. Initially begun as an Eagle Scout project, this Marian Garden (photo below) has been enhanced over several months. A stone path in the shape of the Rosary surrounds the garden and the statue of Mary. The flowers planted in the Mary Garden were selected based on their
historical significance, color, shape, and size. The African marigolds were chosen for their beautiful large flowering heads --in both orange and yellow. They are referred to as “Mary’s Gold”. The choice of the iris was determined, because the leaves represent the swords of the seven sorrows of Mary. This flower also represents the Trinity. The orange zinnias were chosen to represent the Holy Spirit and join roses, alyssum, and carnations planted along the stone walking path. Nestled in the serene landscape outside of the Blessed Sacrament Chapel lie the grounds of the Marian Garden gifted to the USAG-Lee by the Saint Martin of Tours Catholic Women of the Chapel (CWOC). The CWOC Board has been passionate about sharing the beauty and traditions of the Catholic faith and provided a sanctuary for prayer, reflection, and contemplation for all those visiting and working at the installation. Anyone seeking a peaceful refuge will find the garden a quiet place at all times of the day or night. The Fort Lee project was born in October 2019 as the CWOC board members considered a legacy project. The Marian Garden quickly
soared to the top of the list when all embraced the idea of dedicating an outdoor space for praying the Rosary and moments of reflection. The 5.5-foot statue of Our Lady of Grace is centerpiece of the garden. Prayer benches and additional flowers will complete the project.
FORT LEE MARIAN SHRINE
The Fort Stewart Catholic Community chose the title of “Our Lady of Victory” to honor of the 24th Infantry Division stationed at Fort Stewart at the time, also known as “The Victory Division”. The Catholic community wanted continued on page 14 Christmas 2020
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to be placed under the patronage of Our Lady of Victory, established by Pope Saint Pius V after the Battle of Lepanto (7 October 1571). Pope Gregory XIII inserted the memorial into the liturgical calendar on that day in 1573 under the title of Our Lady of the Rosary. Although an image of Our Lady of Victory hangs in the Louvre Museum in Paris, after it was looted by the troops of Napoleon, the Fort Stewart Catholic Community has commissioned iconographer Beverly (Bev) Layton of Lawton, OK, to “write” (paint) their own “Our Lady of Victory” icon. This community is fervently supporting Bev in prayer as she writes the icon and has also given generously to bring the project to fruition. The members can almost be considered co-authors of the image. The icon will be affixed to a custom-made icon board approximately 30”x48” and weighing about 40 pounds. Current plans are that the icon will be displayed in the Blessed Sacrament chapel during the week and then in the main chapel for Sunday and Holy Day Masses.
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This global Archdiocese rejoices with these three Catholic chapel communities who have dedicated space for the veneration of Our Lady. May the Lord bless the good work that has begun and bring it to fulfillment!
“OUR LADY OF VICTORY” ICON.
(Contributing to this featured article were Father James Peak, Carlisle Barracks; Mrs. Patti Ramos, Fort Lee; and Father Gerry Sherbourne, Fort Stewart. Thanks to them for their time and leadership in these Marian projects.) V
The Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA
Pathway of Honor Show your support for service members, veterans, chaplains, military families, and all who have served or continue to serve by reserving a commemorative brick today. Your brick will join hundreds of others lining the pathways of the Edwin Cardinal O’Brien Pastoral Center in Washington, D.C. A suggested donation of $150 will ensure that the brick you order, in memory of your loved one, will be placed in the “Pathway of Honor”. To order a brick, visit
https://www.milarch.org/bricks/
You can donate online or print a donation form.
If you have any questions, please contact the Advancement Office at: (202) 719-3622 or support@milarch.org
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Graced Moments BY BISHOP NEAL J. BUCKON
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very Christmas we commemorate the travel of Mary and Joseph, a recently married couple, to Bethlehem where Jesus, our Savior, was born. On the Sunday following Christmas Day, the Universal Church celebrates the Feast of the Holy Family. Marriage, childbearing, and family life were very much a part of God’s plan in the history of our salvation; and they remain prominent priorities in the Church today. I like to think of the celebrations of the sacrament of holy matrimony and the sacrament of baptism as “Graced Moments.” God blesses the bride and the groom with a special grace on their wedding day. But this wedding day is also a graced moment for the family and friends who pray as the man and woman join together for life. In a similar way, during an infant baptism the child is
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MR. BRYCE AND MRS. MARIE JONES DECLARE THEIR CONSENT AS BISHOP BUCKON OFFICIATES THE CELEBRATION OF MATRIMONY.
cleansed of original sin and blessed with sanctifying grace as the light of eternal life shines on this person for the very first time. The celebration of baptism is a graced moment for all who prayerfully witness the baptism. During the past few months, I had the honor of presiding over the celebration of two weddings and one baptism. The first wedding took place on Saturday, 15 August 2020. The bride, Marie Hokenson, asked me to officiate her wedding. I met Marie in 2004 in the USAG-Heidelberg, Germany. Marie is the daughter of LTC Michael and Michelle Hokenson, USA (retired). Michelle currently works at the AMS as the Associated Director, Evangelization Resources. Marie was a sophomore in the DoDEA (formerly DODDS) High School and her mother, Michelle Hokenson, was the Catholic Coordinator. Marie subsequently graduated from West Point in 2011 and is currently a Captain in the Army Reserve. I met the PHILIP AND DANIELLE MACFARLAND groom, Mr. Bryce Jones, for the WITH JONATHAN first time at the wedding rehearsal. The wedding Mass was celebrated at St. John the Apostle Catholic Church in Leesburg, Virginia. During the homily I spoke of the importance of deciding to commit oneself to family life in the years to come. I asked them, “Are you ready to commit to a communion of kinship that makes God’s love present in the world”? When husbands and wives decide to bring love to the life of their family, then God’s love will be visible to the family and to the continued on page 18 Christmas 2020
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entire society. Due to the global pandemic, invited guests were limited to members of the immediate family. The Mass was live streamed to other family members and friends who will be invited to a reception when the health and safety of all can be guaranteed. It was a joy for me to reunite with the Hokenson Family and to gain the acquaintance of the great Americans in the Jones family. On 4 October 2020, I baptized an infant, Jonathan “Jack” MacFarland, at the main post chapel of Fort Irwin, California. The sacraments of baptism and confirmation were celebrated during the Sunday morning Mass in the midst of a worshipping faith community. Jonathan is the son of Captain Philip and Danielle (nee’ Brown) MacFarland. I met Philip in 2004, when he was in 9th Grade in the DoDEA (formerly DODDS) school of USAG-Heidelberg, Germany. Philip is the son of LTG Sean and Lynda MacFarland, USA (retired). He is a graduate of West Point, Class of 2012; and he is currently serving as an Observer / Controller at the National Training Center. As I was preparing for the annual pastoral visit to Fort Irwin, the MacFarlands asked me to baptize Jonathan. I was elated. In baptism we enter into a covenant with God and become members of the Church. I always emphasize that becoming an adopted child of God, a child of the light, is a graced moment in the life of every Christian. At Jack’s baptism it was obvious to see that it was also a graced moment for his parents and grandparents. Every priest is blessed to be the celebrant of a graced moment. Ms. Jennifer Quintero asked me to be the celebrant and homilist for the wedding Mass she and her fiancé, Deandra Stevenson, were planning for 7 November 2020. Her father, LTC Gary Quintero, USA (retired), and I served together on the 3rd ID, DIVARTY staff at Fort Stewart, Georgia 1999-2002. I told her that I was honored by her invitation, especially since I was her “pastor” 20 years ago when she made her first holy communion. I eagerly flew to Huntsville, Alabama to celebrate the wedding Mass at St. Mary of the Visitation Catholic Church.
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The wedding weekend was very special for another reason. In the Spring of 2000, the Archdiocese for the Military Services had contracted a media company to produce a video promoting vocations to the military chaplaincy. This short film was 22 minutes in length and it was called “Never Far from Home.” In the making of the film, the filming crew arrived FRONT ROW: L-R: MS. NIKKI QUINTERO, MS. PATRICE to Fort Stewart to capture QUINTERO, BISHOP NEAL BUCKON, MS. JENNIFER my ministry to soldiers (QUINTERO) STEVENSON, MR. DRA STEVENSON, MS. EMILY QUINTERO, MS. STEPHANIE (QUINTERO) CLARK in the field and families AND MR. COREY CLARK. BACK ROW: L-R: LTC GARY in the chapel. Gary and QUINTERO (USA-RET), CAPT AUSTIN QUINTERO (USMC), MS. Patrice Quintero's daughter, SAMANTHA QUINTERO, AND MS. VICTORIA QUINTERO. Samantha, was born on 6 April 2000 and with the chapel decorated for Easter, and the supporting cast of the Quinteros, I baptized Samantha as the cameras were rolling! Jennifer’s wedding was for me both a celebration of marriage and a cast reunion. It was a graced moment for me! During the wedding homily I spoke about grace. I said, “The grace communicated in the sacrament of marriage is not a one-time infusion, but an ongoing source of strength and power for couples in living out their vocations as spouses and parents. This grace is received and extended through the life of a family by regular practices of love, prayer, reconciliation, acknowledgment, and service. God’s grace is always operative, always at work, in the relationships and expressions of love, generosity, and forgiveness of the family! Grace is received and extended throughout families every Christmas. This is what makes Christmas extra special for marriage and family life. V Christmas 2020
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The Journey Continues BY BISHOP JOSEPH COFFEY
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s readers of the Salute magazine know, one of my responsibilities as the Vicar for Veterans Affairs for the Archdiocese for the Military Services (AMS) is to make pastoral visits to the Catholic priestchaplains who staff the over 150 VAMCs (Veterans Affairs Medical Centers) around our great country. In late September, I was able to visit the priests who serve our Veterans in the western New York and Finger Lakes regions in Buffalo, Batavia, Canandaigua, and Bath. It is a beautiful area of the country, and I was fortunate to have blue skies with sunny and warm weather; perfect for late summer. At the Buffalo, New York VAMC, I concelebrated Mass with priest-chaplains Father Jim Bastian and Father Joe Porpiglia, as well as members of the medical staff. I then had the great privilege of attending the grand opening of a new VA Cemetery in Corfu, New York,
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along with clergy members of different denominations including: Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Orthodox, and a Native American spiritual leader. We each said prayers from our faith traditions. I blessed the ground with Father Jim Bastian and Father Dan Serbicki, a local priest from the Diocese of Buffalo, the Vicar of Genesee and Wyoming Counties.
L-R: FATHER JIM BASTIAN, BISHOP JOSEPH COFFEY, FATHER DAN SERBICKI AT THE NEW NATIONAL CEMETERY IN CORFU, NEW YORK.
The Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration maintains 151 National Cemeteries in 43 States and Puerto Rico. There are some 96,000 Veterans in the Buffalo area. Before this new cemetery was established, the nearest National Cemetery was in Bath, New York, which is 100 miles away. For many Veterans, their preference is to be laid to rest with their buddies in a National continued on page 22 BISHOP COFFEY (SECOND FROM RIGHT) WITH LOCAL CLERGY BLESSING A NEW NATIONAL CEMETERY IN CORFU, NY ON 24 SEPTEMBER 2020.
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ARCHITECTURAL RENDITION FOR NEW NATIONAL CEMETERY, BY LA GROUP LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN.
Cemetery and now with the new one just opened in Corfu, New York, it will be much closer for them and their families. A cemetery is holy ground for all faiths. Being able to represent Archbishop Broglio and the AMS by participating in the blessing, at this rare event, was very special for me. On 23 September, I visited the VAMC in Bath, New York with Father Jim Jaeger, a part-time VA Chaplain and pastor at the local parish of St. John Vianney. Providentially, on the same day as my visit to the VAMC in Bath, Father Jaeger invited me to join him and his parishioners for an evening prayer service honoring St. Pius of Pietrelcina aka St. Padre Pio.
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Traveling can be tiring sometimes, but one of the benefits is seeing our beautiful country. On this trip, I was able to see the majestic Niagara Falls. On my way to Bath, I drove by the Bully Hill Winery overlooking one of the famous Finger Lakes of upstate New York. I had visited that winery with my brother Tom 40 years ago when he was a student at Cornell University. I never thought I would come back one day as a Bishop. V
TOP PHOTO: L-R: FATHER JIM BASTIAN, BISHOP JOSEPH COFFEY, FATHER JOE PORPIGLIA AFTER MASS AT THE VAMC BUFFALO, NY 22 SEPTEMBER 2020. BOTTOM PHOTO: BISHOP JOSEPH COFFEY WITH MEMBERS OF THE AMERICAN LEGION FROM BUFFALO, NY.
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Year-End Thanks and Gratitude BY MARY LAVIN
Year-end giving campaigns are the focus of most non-profit organizations at this time of year. On behalf of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, instead I want to take this opportunity to express heartfelt year-end thanks and gratitude. Knowing that it relies on private donations to continue and expand its ministries, a SPECIAL THANKS goes to the individuals, couples, families, foundations, and organizations who made a one-time gift or grant to the AMS this year. To the almost 800 monthly donors, and others who made multiple donations throughout the year, THANK YOU for providing a sustained source of funding for the AMS, especially given the uncertainty of the last nine months. To those who returned a card with personal intentions to be remembered by Archbishop Broglio, or as a way to participate in the combined Annual Memorial Mass and Mass for Father Capodanno, THANK YOU for trusting the AMS with your needs or struggles, and of those you love. To those who remembered AMS clergy and co-sponsored seminarians in their prayers, THANK YOU for recognizing the importance of their strength and well-being so as to be able to provide much needed pastoral care and a personal presence to the men, women, and families they serve or will serve.
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A SPECIAL THANKS is also extended to those who forwarded a copy of Salute, monthly issue of e-TTENTION, or an AMS news release to a friend or neighbor not familiar with the ministry of the AMS provided to Catholic military families. The AMS is grateful to those who requested Honor/Memorial envelopes as a personalized way to remember a loved one or celebrate a special occasion. Even after 35 years, in many ways the AMS is still a best kept secret that desperately needs to be shared! To those who took the time to listen to one or more of the AMS podcasts produced this year, THANK YOU for your interest in continuing to learn about the unique and varied aspects of the mission of the Archdiocese through interviews and conversation with members of the AMS faithful, clergy, and staff. And, for those who may have missed them, you still have the opportunity at www. milarch.org/podcast. Finally, THANK YOU to those who have established a charitable gift annuity or AMS Donor Advised Fund, or have named the AMS as a beneficiary of a will, life insurance policy, IRA, or retirement account for the AMS. THANK YOU for choosing to make a legacy. As the year comes to a close, a year like no other in our history, there is a great deal for which to be thankful and many blessings to be remembered. Looking ahead to 2021, THANK YOU for your continued prayers, generosity, and participation in the only mission and ministry of its kind. V
Merry Christmas!
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The Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA
Rev. Mr. Jason Allan Fort Worth Navy
Darren Balkey Charlotte Navy
Rev. Mr. Anthony Davis Denver Navy
Patrick DiLoreto Colorado Springs Army
Alexander Houston Knoxville Army
Stephen Hughes Cincinnati Air Force
Colin Patrick Atlanta Army
Freddy Rodriguez New Orleans Navy
Kazimir Biesaida Oklahoma City Navy
Rev. Mr. Garrett Braun Evansville Air Force
Rev. Mr. David Campo Boston Navy
Erin Donlon Portland Navy
Bradley Easterbrooks San Diego Navy
Zachary Glick Gary Air Force
Brian Jacobson Kansas City Air Force
Jeffrey Jones Austin Army
Rev. Mr. Michael Kapolka Cincinnati Air Force
Michael Sampson Arlington Navy
Rev. Mr. Andrew Sanchez New Orleans Army
Paul Sizemore Charleston Air Force
Peter St. George Arlington Navy
Co-Sponsored Priests
Rev. Joseph Baltz Santa Fe Army
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Rev. Stephen Booth Fall River Navy
Rev. Daniel Duplantis Houma-Thibodaux Air Force
Rev. James Dvorak Victoria Navy
Rev. Matthew Faucett Green Bay Army
Rev. Miguel Flores-Perez Austin Army
Rev. Vincent Gillmore Indianapolis Air Force
Rev. Tyler Harris Monterey Air Force
Co-Sponsored Seminarians
David Chacko San Antonio Army
Paul Collins Los Angeles Navy
Ray Goins Arlington Army
Jacob Gwynn Venice Navy
Matthew Kurt Detroit Army
Rev. Mr. Callan Sweeney Austin Army
Brent Thayer Nashville Air Force
Rev. Sean Koehr Arlington Navy
Rev. Mr. Patrick Costello Green Bay Navy
James Craig Corpus Christi Army
Rev. Mr. Madison Hayes Armando Herrera-DosReis Rev. Mr. Edward Hoffmann Anchorage Richmond Cincinnati Air Force Army Army
Andrew Lane Philadelphia Navy
Ordained in 2018-20
Rev. Jay Horning Fort Wayne-South Bend Army
Will Cook Savannah Navy
Caleb Magowan Arlington Army
Br. Matthew Tomeny, MIC Congregation of Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception Navy
Rev. Adam Marchese Orlando Army
Rev. Timothy Mergen Madison Air Force
Joshua Miller Fairbanks Army
Michael Nugent Arlington Navy
Carlos Warfield Monterey Army
Charles Wilton Arlington Navy
Rev. John Michael Metz Atlanta Army
Rev. Benjamin Pitre Lafayette Navy
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Rev. Christopher Yakkel Columbus Air Force
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Priest Feels ‘Blessed’ to Serve in a Parish and as Chaplain in Army Reserves REPRINTED WITH PERMISSIONS FROM THE CATHOLIC ADVOCATE, CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
FATHER ANDREW DE SILVA, A U.S. ARMY CHAPLAIN IN THE RESERVES, LEFT, MINISTERS TO SOLDIERS TRAINING IN THE FIELD AT FORT KNOX IN KENTUCKY, IN THIS UNDATED PHOTO. FATHER DE SILVA IS A PRIEST OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF NEWARK, N.J. (CNS PHOTO/THE CATHOLIC ADVOCATE)
NEWARK, N.J. (CNS) — Father Andrew De Silva, a priest of the Archdiocese of Newark, serves God and country, and he says one ministry influences the other.
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He is parochial vicar at St. Agnes Parish in Clark, New Jersey, and is a captain in the U.S. Army Reserves, serving in the Chaplain Corps. For the Reserves, the priest is required
to report for duty twice a month and for two weeks during the summer. Sharing his time between these two ministries doesn’t feel like a conflict, he said. “I feel blessed to be able to be a parish priest, but at the same time, to be there when I’m needed for that community that is ready to put everything on the line for their country,” he explained. “My ministry in the parish impacts or benefits my ministry to soldiers and vice versa: My parish ministry helps me bring spirituality to soldiers; my (time in the Army) brings leadership and professionalism to the parish ministry,” he said. Father De Silva added, “It’s a rewarding ministry. I love serving soldiers and their families.” Currently, he’s the head chaplain for the 8th Medical Brigade on the Staten Island borough of New York City. Part of his responsibilities include supervising the other chaplain teams in the brigade and providing spiritual support and guidance for the soldiers.
Due to the pandemic, this year has proven to be much more challenging. “We’ve been busy setting up or preparing teams to set up field hospitals. A lot of our work has been to train soldiers to set up field hospitals,” Father De Silva said. In April, when hospitals were nearing capacity and fear of COVID-19 was high, Father De Silva was on the road in New York and Pennsylvania tending to two different teams of soldiers preparing to be mobilized. “There was a lot of stress and a lot of fear — fear for the future, fear for their families. The main difficulty was the uncertainty. I was there for celebrating Mass, hearing confessions, and counseling soldiers,” Father De Silva said. “As a chaplain, you’re also the goto person when things get tough. I conducted a few classes on suicide prevention and stress management during the training,” he said. “I was there as a confidential person who people could talk to when things were going badly.” continued on page 30 Christmas 2020
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Priest Feels ‘Blessed’ Father De Silva noted that the timing of his absence from the parish worked out well since public celebrations of Mass in the Archdiocese of Newark had been canceled at the time. “I was able to celebrate the Triduum with soldiers who were away from families. But because of our online nature at the parish, I was still able to be somewhat present to St. Agnes.” It also was his first Triduum as a priest — he was ordained in May 2019. He and St. Agnes’ pastor, Father William Sheridan, recorded a small retreat for parishioners before he left for duty. Father De Silva also was able to livestream a few Masses from his location in New York back to the parish. Joking that it was like being in two places at the same time, he said he was grateful for the sense of support St. Agnes provided. “It was good to have Father Bill and the parish there praying for this other flock that I was ministering
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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29
to,” he admitted. “They were incredibly supportive. That was really beautiful to see. They’re a great community at St. Agnes.” V The Catholic Advocate is the newspaper of the Archdiocese of Newark.
MAN PROPOSES, GOD DISPOSES BY BISHOP BILL MUHM
USAF CHAPLAIN FATHER ERIC SZYDA (LEFT) AND BISHOP BILL MUHM (RIGHT) STAND AT THE SITE OF TYBURN TREE IN LONDON.
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MAN PROPOSES...
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31
COVID began its European “second wave� in October, but I was still able to visit Alconbury, Croughton, Lakenheath, England, as well as Naples and Rome, Italy. I planned the dates, but the Lord providentially made the visits possible. Man proposes, God disposes.
MOTHER THOMASINA OF THE BENEDICTINE ADORERS OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS OF MONTMARTRE SHOWS BISHOP BILL MUHM RELICS OF PRIESTS MARTYRED AT TYBURN TREE.
I celebrated Sunday Masses, led prayers to Our Lady, visited Catholic communities, and shepherded our AMS priests at the military installations. I also visited some important holy sites in England and spoke to some important young men in Rome.
Two members of MCCW in Lakenheath, Jen Brennan and Kitty Eisenbeil, generously took the priestchaplain at Lakenheath, Father Eric Szyda, and me on guided tours of several English Catholic pilgrimage sites, including Tyburn, where 150 young English priests offered their lives as martyrs during the late 1500s and 1600s. Today the Benedictine Adorers of the Sacred Heart of Jesus of Montmartre adore the Blessed Sacrament 24/7 in Tyburn Convent in London, just yards from the site of Tyburn Tree, where the executions took place. I celebrated Mass in the beautiful Convent chapel. Mother Thomasina showed us relics of the many saint martyrs. The sacrifice and example of these heroic young priest martyrs inspired all of us and left us pondering when the seeds of witness, which they planted, will generate new life in the soil of the English Church. Man proposes, God disposes.
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After a weekend visit to Naval Support Activity Naples, including Saturday Vigil and Sunday Masses, the priest-chaplain in Naples, Father Lito Tiongson, AMS Co-sponsored priest Father Timothy Mergen, AMS Co-sponsored transitional Deacon Madison Hayes, and I all spoke to first-year seminarians at the Pontifical North American College, in Rome, about priestly ministry as a military chaplain. These important American Catholic young men have declared their intent to discern seriously whether the Lord is calling them to priesthood. Their witness of faith inspired us and left us pondering how Christ will generate new life in the Church through their holy lives in the future. Man proposes, God disposes. At Christmas, when we celebrate the gracious way in which God disposed His love upon the world in the person of Jesus Christ, we reflect that much of the work of the AMS involves planting seeds of faith in the minds and hearts of thousands of young service members, family members, and other young adults. Lord only knows how and when these seeds will generate new life within the Church. Man proposes, God disposes. Thank you for your prayers and support for all of us at AMS. V BISHOP BILL MUHM TALKS ABOUT PRIESTLY MINISTRY AS A MILITARY CHAPLAIN TO FIRST-YEAR SEMINARIANS AT THE PONTIFICAL NORTH AMERICAN COLLEGE IN ROME.
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THE HARVEST CONTINUES...
NAME: Deacon Anthony Davis (ARCH)DIOCESE/RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY: Archdiocese of Denver ARMED FORCES BRANCH: Navy RANK: ENSIGN COLLEGE(S) / UNIVERSITY(IES) / SEMINARY(IES) ATTENDED (DEGREES AWARDED): Colorado State University (CSU), undergraduate studies.St. John Vianney Theological Seminary, Denver, CO: Bachelors in Philosophy 2017, currently working to complete a Master of Divinity and Bachelors in Sacred Theology. HIGH SCHOOL(S) ATTENDED: Belleville Township High School East, Belleville, IL HOBBIES: Fly Fishing, backcountry skiing, and music. TEAM SPORTS: Cross Country
WHEN WAS THE FIRST TIME YOU THOUGHT ABOUT A VOCATION TO THE PRIESTHOOD? Sophomore year of College while studying at CSU. WHO OR WHAT EVENTS INFLUENCED OR INSPIRED YOU IN YOUR DISCERNMENT JOURNEY? I had a huge conversion back to the Catholic faith during the spring semester of my freshman year of college. Through the help of a Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) missionary, the example of a great priest, and the support of a great Catholic community, I left behind an empty life pursuing worldly pleasures and began to pursue a relationship with God. WHAT WOULD PEOPLE BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU? I entered seminary with little to no desire to actually become a priest. I entered the seminary thinking I would do the first year, a spirituality year, and then leave to pursue the married life.
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WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SCRIPTURE PASSAGE, WHY? Judges 6-7 is one of my favorite stories in the Bible. Gideon continually doubts the Lord, and the Lord continues to manifest His power through such a lowly and unfaithful man. Gideon receives sign after sign and continues to doubt, and yet the Lord still uses Gideon to manifest His glory. HOW DID YOU COME TO KNOW JESUS CHRIST PERSONALLY? I first encountered Jesus Christ personally on a FOCUS retreat. WHAT WERE SOME OF THE SPIRITUAL EVENTS OR ACTIVITIES THAT HELPED YOU DEVELOP AND SHARE YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST AND HIS CHURCH? Involvement with FOCUS helped me to understand that God was in my day-today activities, so I could share my passion and love for Him in the day-to-day moments of my life. HAVE ANY SAINTS OR CHURCH LEADERS PARTICULARLY INSPIRED YOUR DISCERNMENT JOURNEY? The intensity and vigor in spiritual combat of St. Anthony of the desert has always pushed me and guided me in my vocation. Archbishop Fulton Sheen has also had a huge impact on my discernment journey. WHAT WAS YOUR PROFESSIONAL AND/OR ACADEMIC AND/ OR MILITARY BACKGROUND BEFORE APPLYING TO BE A SEMINARIAN APPLICANT? I grew up as an Air Force BRAT and entered seminary after two years of undergraduate studies. WHAT WAS THE NEXT TO LAST BOOK YOU READ, AND WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY READING? The Man Who Got Even With God by M. Raymond O.S.C.O., and I am currently reading The Priest in Union with Christ by the Reverend Garrigou-Lagrange, O.P. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SPIRITUAL BOOK? Uniformity with God’s Will by St. Alphonsus Liguori. WHO ARE YOUR HEROES OR PEOPLE YOU SIGNIFICANTLY ADMIRE? My mom and dad. HOW WOULD YOU CHARACTERIZE YOUR PRAYER LIFE?
I like to think of my prayer life as pretty simple. I am a son of God who desires to serve and follow Him wherever He may lead. Seminary life is very structured, so much of my formal prayer consists of a daily Holy Hour, the sacrifice of the Mass, and the Liturgy of the Hours. V Christmas 2020
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Archbishop Broglio Concelebrates Beatification Mass for Father Michael J. McGivney BY TAYLOR HENRY
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is Excellency, the Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, Archbishop for the Military Services, USA (AMS) was among distinguished prelates concelebrating the beatification Mass for Knights of Columbus (K of C) founder Blessed Father Michael J. McGivney (18521890) on 31 October in Hartford, Connecticut. Archbishop Broglio, himself a Fourth Degree Knight, joined main celebrant Joseph Cardinal Tobin of Newark at the altar, along with K of C Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore, Timothy Cardinal Dolan of New York, Seán Cardinal O’Malley of Boston, and Archbishop Leonard P. Blair of Father McGivney’s home Archdiocese of Hartford. Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson was among dignitaries in attendance.
At the Mass, Cardinal Tobin read a decree from the Holy See, crediting Blessed Father McGivney for his “zeal for the PHOTO CREDIT: JEFF BRUNO, COURTESY proclamation of the Gospel and OF KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS. generous concern for his brothers and sisters,” making him “an outstanding witness of Christian solidarity and fraternal assistance.” Church bells rang out and the small, sociallydistanced congregation erupted in applause upon the announcement of the beatification. Archbishop Broglio and his brother bishops celebrated the beatification Mass five months after the Holy See affirmed on 27 May that Pope Francis had approved a miracle attributed to Blessed Father McGivney’s intercession: the in-utero cure of an unborn child with fetal hydrops, a lifethreatening condition causing an abnormal buildup of fluid around vital organs in the body. Blessed Father McGivney’s Cause for Canonization,
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opened in 1997, has since moved to the final stage of consideration by the Holy See’s Congregation for the Causes of Saints. One more miracle attributed to his intercession will be required for Blessed Father McGivney to be declared a saint. In response to the Holy Father’s recognition of the first miracle, Archbishop Broglio issued the following statement: “Recently the Bishop of Rome recognized a miracle attributed to the intercession of the Venerable Father Michael McGivney, founder of the Knights of Columbus. This news, which also gives the green light to his beatification offers a propitious occasion to consider the magnificent work still accomplished by the Knights of Columbus. “The Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, is particularly aware of the good work done by the Knights on the U.S. military installations spread throughout the world. Faithful to their tradition dating to the First World War, the Knights promote many initiatives to support those far from home. The Round Tables in war zones, the catechesis, and the much sought “Armed with the Faith” collection of prayers, Catholic teaching, and tips on the faithful life are among the countless examples of the Knights’ apostolate. “This Archdiocese also recognizes the tremendous support given to the vocations program, the co-sponsored seminarians, and the annual International Military Pilgrimage for peace to Lourdes every year. “Not to limit myself to parochial concerns, our brother Knights offer substantial support to the USCCB Committees on the Defense of Marriage and Religious Freedom, as well as, the Ad Hoc Committee on Racism. All of these represent important concerns of today. With no pretense of exhausting the list of activities, let us also not forget the generous contributions of the Knights of Columbus to the construction and completion of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. “Indeed the seeds sown by the Venerable Father McGivney continue to bear abundant fruit and we give thanks that he will soon be raised to the glory of the altars.” V Christmas 2020
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Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio Accepts Saint Luke Award on Behalf of Catholic Chaplains BY TAYLOR HENRY
ARCHBISHOP TIMOTHY BROGLIO (L) ACCEPTS SAINT LUKE AWARD FROM FATHER DAVID SONGY (R), PRESIDENT AND CEO OF SAINT LUKE INSTITUTE.
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atholic U.S. Military chaplains serving in all branches of the Armed Forces were honored as a group on 20 October 2020 when the Saint Luke Institute presented them its Saint Luke Award during an extraordinary virtual benefit. The Saint Luke Institute is an independent, non-profit Catholic treatment center based in Silver Spring, MD. It provides psychological screening for candidates to the priesthood and religious life, as well as outpatient, residential, and continuing care programs for Catholic clergy and members of religious communities. The Saint Luke Award is presented each year on or around the Feast of Saint Luke—18 October—to a person or persons whose professional life or charitable works embody the ideals of the Institute: the rebuilding of the spiritual, physical, emotional, and intellectual life of those in need.
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His Excellency, the Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, Archbishop for the Military Services, USA, accepted the crystalline plaque on behalf of the chaplains who serve on his watch. He said, “I am grateful for all Saint Luke Institute does to restore priests and religious to their ministry, to help men and women resolve difficulties, fill lacunae in their development, and address challenges that have surfaced. In more than one instance, the intervention of the Institute staff has enabled a priest serving in the Archdiocese to be able to return to his ministry. That intervention was priceless and enabled effective ministry to hundreds of others.” Saint Luke President and CEO Father David Songy, O.F.M. Cap., S.T.D., Psy.D., spoke of Archbishop Broglio’s many accomplishments and the long thread of service to others that has marked his priestly and episcopal vocation. He remarked, “Archbishop Broglio knows his chaplains and cares about their well-being. He understands the sacrifices they make for God and for this country. As priests, we are called to this deep service. But military chaplains put it all on the line, so he gives all he can to support them.” The Saint Luke Institute normally holds its annual benefit in a face-to-face gathering at the Apostolic Nunciature in Washington, D.C. This year, though, because of social distancing guidelines mandated by the City of Washington over the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was held virtually on the Institute’s website. Retired Rear Admiral and Mrs. James B. Hinkle served as emcees. Their son, Father James C. Hinkle, CHC, LT, USN, is a Navy chaplain at Naval Station Great Lakes in Illinois. During the 45-minute ceremony, the Most Reverend Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, welcomed participants, offered an opening prayer, and shared the spotlight with bishops, clergy, and others involved in the psychological screening and treatment of priests, brothers, sisters, nuns, and others active throughout the institutional Church. The Saint Luke Institute has served Catholics in the vineyard for more than 40 years. Its annual Benefit raises funds and invites prayers to support its special ministry. This year’s virtual benefit remains posted on the Saint Luke Institute’s website at: sli.org, where it can be viewed by the public. V Christmas 2020
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Special: A Christmas Eve Mass for the Living BY CHARLES M. FUSS JR.
THE USS BATAAN (CVL-29) RETURNING HOME AFTER SEVEN MONTHS IN KOREAN WATERS, 25 JUNE 1951.
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hristmas Eve 1950 was more than a joyous occasion on board the light aircraft carrier USS Bataan (CVL-29). We were the living, with hopes for tomorrow. Hungnam lay behind us; the sea the terminus of a winding bloodstained road from the Chosin Reservoir. In northeast Korea, neat rows of white wooden crosses marked the cemetery of the First Marine Division. The voices of 1,700 sinners and a few saints rose in praise as the Bataan forged through the black night and the frigid waters of the Sea of Japan. Father John Coffey held the host aloft while the bells rang. Kids wearing navy blue and forest green knelt on the hangar deck to give thanks for an uncertain future. Corsair fighter-bombers of Marine Fighter Squadron (VMF) 212 stood in the dark nave of the
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steel cathedral. Red and green wing lights adorned the branches of a stunted Christmas tree that had been delivered by the faithful fleet oiler Cimarron (AO-22). Lieutenant Commander David Hill played the small pump organ. He was a hard-drinking agnostic. Despite his Jewish faith, D. R. Milstein sang lustily in the choir. He was a plane pusher on the flight deck. Father Coffey would hold a service for the Protestant members of the crew and the Marine squadron on Christmas Day, but everyone came to the Midnight Mass. It was our Christmas. The Hungnam evacuation was complete. I have attended Masses in many great churches and cathedrals since the Bataan’s Midnight Mass in that bleak winter of 1950, but none have been as moving or as inspiring.
Morning on 24 December had arrived cold and gray, with snow flurries and biting winds. It was just another day of endless flight operations. Our gallant Marine pilots in their dark blue Corsairs were trying desperately to hold back the hordes of Chinese attempting to annihilate our troops. We had been at this routine since 17 December, with little time to do more than steal a few hours of exhausted sleep.
for a chaplain. The sun was shining, but the seas were acting up. Our orders to rejoin Task Force 77 did not permit us to slow or stop. The only way our 53-year-old chaplain could reach the rolling destroyers was to be lowered from our helicopter. The Bataan commanding officer, Captain
We had not yet received any Arctic gear. I remember vividly the bonechilling cold. An uncommon act of charity made my life a bit more bearable: A crusty Marine sergeant had accompanied one of the last helicopters off the beach. As we tied down his machine, this fiercelooking man with a handlebar CAPTION IN PHOTO: USS BATAAN CVL29: mustache saw me shivering violently. 25 DECEMBER 1950 AT THE CONCLUSION OF Marines are not notoriously kind to MASS WITH FATHER COFFEY, SEA OF JAPAN. sailors and vice versa, but he took PICTURE WAS TAKEN ON THE HANGER DECK WITH PLANES OF VMF 212 SHOWING. NOTE off his bloodstained parka and, CHRISTMAS TREE ON THE LEFT. without a word, wrapped it around me. That act of kindness left an indelible mark on my memory. Edgar Neal, asked Father Coffey if he wanted to volunteer for the hazardous On Christmas Day, we sailed mission. Father John immediately south for Pusan. Father Coffey agreed, saying: “Those sailors need was still hard at work when our me today.” two destroyer escorts—the USS continued on page 42 Brinkley Bass (DD-887) and USS Arnold J. Isbell (DD-869)—asked Christmas 2020
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Special: A Christmas Eve Mass for the Living CONTINUED FROM PAGE 41
He was gone for the better part of Christmas Day. The metal shop fashioned a large set of naval aviator wings with the inscription “Sky Pilot.” Commander Reginald Rutherford, our executive officer, presented Father Coffey with the wings when he landed on the flight deck. The whole flight deck crew and many of the Marine pilots were there to cheer. A few weeks later, two of those pilots, Captain A. H. Agan and First Lieutenant A. J. Ward, were killed in action. The Bataan, with its Marine squadrons, made two more extended deployments to the Korean conflict and earned seven battle stars. After the war, Father Coffey’s shipboard congregation went on to do good things with little fanfare, typical of the survivors of the “forgotten war.” Father John left the Bataan in 1953, after serving his sailors and Marines in all of the ship’s combat
cruises. Everyone remembered how he dragged liberty-bound kids to help out at an orphanage in Japan. He was known for taking groups of enlisted men to dinner and on tours of the atom bomb site in Nagasaki, to keep them out of the bars. Many of us remember him standing alone on the flight deck in the cold wind, his purple stole flapping, as he gave conditional absolution to the sea for those who did not return. Father Coffey was released from active-duty on 24 June 1953. In 1959, he was named a monsignor. On 23 June 1964, he went to join the saints he had transformed from sinners in the shadow of battle. Mr. Fuss served on board the USS Bataan as a flight deck plane director. He subsequently completed college under the Korean GI Bill and worked 31 years for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. He is the author of two books and numerous maritime articles. V
Reprint U.S. Naval Institute, appeared December 2018.
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Save the Dates
Rite of Election for U.S. Military-affiliated catechumens completing the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) 21 February 2021 - 3 p.m. Edwin Cardinal O’Brien Pastoral Center Washington, D.C. 20017
Spring Discernment Retreat for Prospective Priests and Military Chaplains
All events are subject to change based on governmental mandates.
11-14 March 2021 Saint Patrick’s Seminary Menlo Park, CA 94025 Archbishop Broglio will participate. Young men interested in participating may contact vocations@milarch.org
Chrism Mass
23 March 2021 - 6 p.m. Crypt Church Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception Washington, D.C. 20017 Archbishop Broglio will be the principal celebrant and homilist.
Warriors to Lourdes - Spiritual journey for current and former U.S. Military personnel 18-25 May 2021 Lourdes, France For more information go to: warriorstolourdes.com
27th Annual Memorial Mass
16 May 2021 - 4:30 p.m. Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception 400 Michigan Avenue N.E., Washington, D.C. 20017 Archbishop Broglio will be the principal celebrant and homilist.
For God and Country Discernment Retreat for priests discerning military chaplaincy
28 June - 2 July 2021 Washington, D.C. 20017 Archbishop Broglio will participate. Interested priests may register on the AMS website or contact AMS Chancellor Father Robert Cannon at chancellor@milarch.org
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The Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA
The New AMS Family Witness to Christ BY JOSÉ AMAYA, DIRECTOR OF FAITH FORMATION
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n the fall of 2020, military Catholic families throughout the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS), received the gift of a new platform to support family faith growth at home. Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio named this new platform AMS Family Witness to Christ, powered by CatholicBrain.com. This is a resource for military Catholic families to know Jesus Christ, live a life in Christ rooted in prayer, and be witnesses of Christ as missionary disciples nurtured by the Word of God and the Holy Eucharist in community. Thanks to the generous donation of an anonymous family, the AMS Family Witness to Christ is free to active-duty Catholic military families and DOD families working outside the borders of the United States. This tool does not replace the religious education program at the Chapel. It serves to strengthen the teaching of the Catholic faith as established in the AMS Forming Disciples for the New Evangelization: Archdiocesan Religion Curriculum Guide. By virtue of their baptism parents are the primary catechists of their children. The new Directory for Catechesis affirms that “catechesis for adults… must be considered the chief form of catechesis” (DC, n. 77). How can parents effectively accompany their children in their faith journey unless they too are accompanied with tools they need to share this precious gift of faith? The new platform will equip parents with digital resources and lessons to share the gift of faith with their children and to learn the beauty of faith together as a family. Just as the Archdiocesan Religion Curriculum Guide calls the catechists and catechetical leaders to make disciples for the new evangelization, this new platform invites families to be witnesses of Jesus Christ in the world today. Parents are invited to set aside faith time with their children in grades PreK to 12. As families login to the AMS Family Witness to Christ, they are welcome to click on the Challenges tab to access the AMS
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Family Moment. This moment will give both parents and young disciples an understanding of where they are in the knowledge of the Catholic faith. Growth will become evident as parents and young disciples engage with video lessons, songs, games, bible challenges and saint stories: supplemental sacramental prep resources, family prayer, and faith exploration with the Sacred Scriptures and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. This growth will see its summit when the young disciples take the AMS Disciple Challenge in April and May each year. Parents are encouraged to reach out to the Catholic priest and/ or Coordinator of Religious Education at the Chapel to obtain the information to sign up. The AMS Office of Faith Formation can be reached at: FaithFormation@milarch.org
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BY CASSANDRA (CASEY) LEE ASSOCIATED DIRECTOR, YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY
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ue to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS) decided to postpone the Young Adult Ministry (YAM) Symposium to next year, 12 – 15 August 2021. This postponement of the AMS YAM Symposium stirred an idea to refocus the Symposium’s goal to “renew the vision of young adult ministry” as a process of discernment through virtual webinars over the next year leading up to August 2021. The webinars will be facilitated with Zoom, a video conferencing tool that has the capability of oscillating between a large group and smaller breakout groups. To reach multiple time zones, each webinar presentation will have one live session (the last Tuesday of each month) and two recorded sessions (the Thursday following). Keynote presentations are being recorded and made available on the website to view later, as well. The discussions will not be recorded so that an exchange of ideas may be less inhibited among those who connect to either the live webinar sessions or the recorded sessions. The Office of Evangelization hosted the first two webinars in this series, one in September and the other in October. The first webinar introduced the inspiration for the YAM Symposium, which was the Holy Father’s invitation in his Apostolic Exhortation Christus Vivit for (arch)dioceses to explore renewing young adult ministry as a way of “journeying together” (Christus Vivit, 203). The journey helps “young people use their insight, ingenuity, and knowledge to address the issues and concerns of other young people in their own language.” This document was the result of the Synod on
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Young People, Faith, and Vocational Discernment. It sought “to provide a Catholic response to the reality of young people in connection to faith, the community of the Church, and each one’s vocational calling” (USCCB.org, Christus Vivit). The webinar shared this context as a way to invite the young adult participants to share their voice in these discussions. The second webinar discussed “Challenges in the Military Environment,” which is part one of a two-part series sharing the results of a recent survey the Office of Evangelization developed to capture the experience of being a Catholic military young adult (ages 18-39). As of late October, the survey received 115 responses from active-duty military members, military spouses, veterans, reservists, and National Guardsmen. The survey questions covered both the opportunities and challenges of being Catholic in the military. As mentioned, the theme of challenges was covered first in the second webinar, which highlighted a sense of belonging, mental illness/mental health, isolation/social exclusion, and community as some of the major issues faced by military members. It is hoped, through continued discussion in the webinars, that new pastoral approaches may develop to help combat these matters. I ask for your prayers as the Office of Evangelization continues to accompany military young adults in the preparation for next year’s YAM Symposium. I also encourage you to consider inviting active-duty military young adults and spouses to join the webinars. The dates for the next two webinars are as follows: Evangelization
Discipleship
Tues, 29 Dec 2020 8 pm ET - LIVE with discussion
Tues, 26 Jan 2021 8 pm ET - LIVE with discussion
Thurs, 31 Dec 2020 7am ET – recorded with discussion & 2pm ET – recorded with discussion
Thurs, 28 Jan 2021 7am ET – recorded with discussion & 2pm ET – recorded with discussion
Registration and additional information is available on the website at milarch.org/symposium/ Christmas 2020
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A Pilgrim Path in Assisi BY MARK MOITOZA, TH.D.
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ast December I had the privilege of visiting Assisi for the first time. I arrived in Italy to prepare to facilitate an AMS Marriage Enrichment Retreat that would be held at a nearby diocesan retreat center. Anticipating the arrival of couples from U.S. military installations in Europe, I took a day to embark upon the pilgrim’s path. Walking from the train station I followed the way to the walled city that Saint Francis called home. The gradual uphill climb became steeper as the buildings and many churches came into view. Upon entering the Porta San Pietro, I crossed into this medieval village confronted with both the ancient and the new. Stone buildings evoked a beautiful and sturdy sense of time gone by while many tourist shops touted that convenience was never far off. Turning left I continued up the cobblestone streets to the Basilica di S. Francesco. Having spent most of this journey climbing up I suddenly found myself descending downstairs into the crypt. As I arrived at the tomb of Saint Francis I sat in a pew and prayed, surrounded by the silent prayers of pilgrims over time. Ten months later on 3 October 2020, in that same crypt, the Holy Father signed his new encyclical letter Fratelli Tutti: On Fraternity and Social Friendship (https://www.usccb.org/fratelli-tutti). There is much to digest throughout this encyclical. A number of recent webinars and articles have highlighted important insights in each of the eight chapters. The best advice I heard, however, was to read through the letter slowly and prayerfully. That encouragement reminded me of walking around Assisi. Through many turns and paths, the pilgrim is led toward embracing new perspectives. Frequent pauses finds one considering where one came from and where one is heading. The pilgrim way is neither direct nor convenient. Sometimes, the one thing we are looking for is not revealed in the way we expect. That happened to me as I anticipated seeing the bronze statue of Saint Francis the Warrior on his horse, but I could not find it. In fact, I passed
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right by it without realizing that the statue was covered up with branches as a life-size outdoor nativity scene was being assembled. It was not until I had walked through the entire village and returned again to the basilica that I suddenly caught a glimpse of what I was looking for, through the small gaps amongst the branches. Pope Francis highlights the impact of Saint Francis at the beginning of Fratelli Tutti (all brothers). The Saint evoked a spirit of fraternal love, simplicity, humility, and joy. He crossed boundaries to accompany the poor, the sick, and the outcast. He recognized Christ in others while sharing the love of God in those moments of unanticipated interruption. As we prepare for the Christmas season it is a good time to read slowly and prayerfully through this new encyclical, which calls us to recognize love in the human dignity of each person. To cultivate a daily pilgrim path that finds us peering through the unexpected is to recognize the love of Christ. V
Christmas 2020
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The Military Council of Catholic Women Hosts First-Ever Digital Forum and Raises Nearly Eighteen Thousand Dollars for the MCCW Endowed Co-Sponsored Seminarian Scholarship BY ELIZABETH TOMLIN, GENERAL COUNSEL
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he Military Council of Catholic Women kicked off its first-ever digital Worldwide Forum from 8-22 November. The Forum was to take place in San Antonio, Texas, during the city’s annual Fiesta in April. However, as with most events in 2020, the MCCW transitioned the event to a digital gathering. Citing the leadership of MCCW President Kim Miller, and Director of Forum Aly Tugaoen, Bishop Neal J. Buckon praised the MCCW for showing “great tenacity and great resilience” during the pandemic.
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MCCW’s mission is to connect, unite, and inspire U.S. military-affiliated women to grow in their faith. While past Worldwide Forums have garnered about 250 participants at the in-person event, this year’s Forum had over 12,000 views on social media and united women across the globe. “Faux Fiesta Forum,” as the board dubbed it, offered the cornerstones of an in-person Forum but with an extra dose of creativity. Archbishop Broglio celebrated Mass from the Edwin Cardinal O’Brien Pastoral Center to begin the gathering. Forum included keynote talks centered on the theme of Mary’s fiat, her “yes” to God. Speakers included well-known Catholic authors, Lisa Hendey, the founder of CatholicMom.com; Emily Jaminet, author of Secrets of the Sacred Heart: Twelve Ways to Claim Jesus’ Promises in Your Life; Mary Lenaburg author of Be Brave in the Scared; and Meg Hunter Kilmer, known by reputation as the “Hobo for Christ.” The Forum included a series of chats with each of the AMS’s four auxiliary bishops and co-sponsored seminarian David Chacko. David Chacko shared about coming to his vocation to the priesthood while he was a cadet at the U.S. Military Academy. The keynote talks, bishop chats, and seminarian interview are available on MCCW’s YouTube Channel. An MCCW event wouldn’t be complete without a silent auction to benefit the co-sponsored seminarian scholarship that the MCCW endowed in 2018. Spearheaded by Directors at Large Denise Hummel and Eleanor Gentilini, the digital silent auction raised nearly $18,000 for the AMS co-sponsored seminarians. Overall, the digital Faux Fiesta Forum was a great success. All women of the AMS are welcome to participate in MCCW’s many offerings, which include retreats, days of reflection, and book clubs. Visit www.mccw.org to connect and learn more. V
Christmas 2020
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Invoking abundant blessings from the Christ Child upon all of you, I wish you and all your loved ones the joy and peace proclaimed by the Angels at Bethlehem and longed for by all men and women of good will! – Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio
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