“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin

CHRISTMAS 2014
T H E M AG A Z I N E O F T H E A R C H D I O C E S E F O R T H E M I L I T A R Y S E RV I C E S , U S A
“Therefore the Lord Himself
will give you a sign:
Behold, the virgin shall conceive
and bear a Son, and shall call
His name Immanuel.”
— [Isaiah 7:14]
Dear Friends of the Archdiocese
for the Military Services,
“
S
he wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in
the manger, because there was no room in the inn.”
The beauty of hundreds of Christmas crèches comes to
mind immediately, but the reality consisted in doors closed
to Mary and Joseph in their need. Doors are still closed to those in
need, be they immigrants, poor, or merely confused. We should all
find confidence in the immense love of Almighty God Who sent
His only Son to offer us the unreachable gift of salvation. As a
Church and a people, we gather to celebrate such great love and we pray that the
joyful announcement by the angels might reach all women and men of good will.
O
ur prayer also compels us to remember all of those who find the figurative “doors
of the inn” closed to them in their moment of need. Jesus Christ is at the center
of Christmas and He assures us that we can always find Him in those most in need.
D
ecember brings many people together to celebrate the mystery of divine love.
For the Bishops of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, it also means
that rather than decorating trees, we continue to walk with the pilgrim’s staff to visit
the faithful at different installations. Bishops Higgins, Spencer, Buckon, and Coyle,
and I plan to visit the faithful in different corners of the world in order to proclaim
the ever-new message of the Savior’s presence in our midst. God willing, I will
celebrate the Savior’s Nativity in Japan! Your prayers for the successful completion
of our pastoral wanderings are deeply appreciated.
T
his issue of the AMS quarterly publication Salute will recount many of the
activities in the Archdiocese over the last few months. The first national collection to benefit the Archdiocese was a smashing success. While the funds help to ease
the financial crunch, they also make us even more careful about how this generosity
is responsibly overseen in the service of a global mission.
E
njoy the following pages of Salute. Invoking abundant blessings from the
Christ Child upon all of you now and throughout 2015, I wish you and all your
loved ones the experience of that divine love and the lasting peace that only Christ
can give!
Sincerely in Christ,
Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio
Archbishop
2 christmas 2014 |
THE MAGAZINE OF THE
ARCHDIOCESE FOR THE
MILITARY SERVICES, USA
VOLUME 8. NUMBER 4 CHRISTMAS 2014
TA B L E
CONTENTS
of
4 Serving Those Who Serve
Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio
8 Christmas 2014 — You Can Make a Difference
Bishop Richard B. Higgins
10 Christmas in Letnica!
Bishop F. Richard Spencer
12 Gift from God
Bishop Neal J. Buckon
14 Honoring a Local Son on Staten Island
Bishop Robert J. Coyle
22 - 25 The Harvest Continues
Meet our New Seminarians
26 New Judical Vicar Appointed
for the Archdiocese for the Military Services, U.S.A.
Taylor Henry
28 Veteran Helps Formally Establish Campus Organization
at Catholic University
Ellen N. Woods
32 Pope Francis Denounces War in Visit to WWI Cemetery
Ann Schneible
34 Role of the Family in Cathechesis
José Amaya
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.
CHRISTMAS 2014
T H E M AG A Z I N E O F T H E A R C H D I O C E S E F O R T H E M I L I T A R Y S E RV I C E S , U S A
ADDRESS CHANGES AND NEW SUBSCRIPTIONS:
Please send title, name, address, and phone number to: [email protected]
or call: 202.719.3600 or write: Development Office, Archdiocese for
the Military Services, P.O. Box 4469, Washington, D.C. 20017-0469
Feedback, letters to the editor, & advertising inquiries: [email protected]
— [Isaiah 7:14]
Website: www.milarch.org
ARCHBISHOP TIMOTHY P. BROGLIO
President
“Therefore the Lord Himself
will give you a sign:
Behold, the virgin shall conceive
and bear a Son, and shall call
His name Immanuel.”
MONSIGNOR JOHN J.M. FOSTER
Editorial Director
JO ANN REDMOND
Editor
ERIC NEUNER | RPISTUDIOS
Design Director
© 2014 - A PUBLICATION OF THE ARCHDIOCESE FOR THE MILITARY SERVICES, USA - SERVING CATHOLICS IN THE ARMY, NAVY, AIR FORCE, MARINE CORPS, COAST GUARD,VA MEDICAL CENTERS, AND GOVERNMENT SERVICES OVERSEAS.
By ARCHBISHOP TIMOTHY P. BROGLIO
SERVING THOSE
WHO SERVE
FATHER THOMAS HOAR, SSE, THE CONTRACT PRIEST AT THE SUBMARINE BASE IN GROTON, CONNECTICUT AND THE DIRECTOR OF
ST.EDMUND’S RETREAT HOUSE ON ENDER’S ISLAND, PRESENTING ARCHBISHOP TIMOTHY P. BROGLIO WITH THE ST. EDMUND’S MEDAL
4
christmas 2014 |
verywhere the arrival of the Advent
and Christmas Seasons always means
a heightened level of activity. At the
Archdiocese for the Military Services, U.S.A.,
individuals prepare themselves and their
families for these important seasons, but the
AMS must also consider celebrations on a
global scale.
E
I
n my office Sister Lisa Marie Drover
diligently prepares envelopes for Christmas cards to the many priests who serve
as chaplains to the men and women in
the Armed Forces and at the VA Medical
Centers. Have there been changes? Are the
correct addresses available?
O
ther events must be scheduled. I make
my way out to Annapolis at the beginning of Advent to celebrate the sacrament
of penance with the midshipmen, families,
and others who take advantage of the
opportunity. Advent and Christmas homilies
must be prepared. Eventually bags have to
be packed for the traditional Christmas visit
to the men and women and their families
stationed overseas.
U
ntil I came to the Archdiocese for the
Military Services, travel at Christmastime had not really been a part of my experience for several decades. Christmas in Rome
or in Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic)
was usually celebrated there on site. There
were frequent visitors, but at least I did not
move very far. Now motion is very much a
part of the Christmas experience.
O
f course, it is also part of the rest of the
year. By October 12th, I will have been
out of Washington 161 nights in 2014. That
number will increase before the year ends.
The AMS is certainly a ministry on the move.
T
here are even some travels that cannot be
made. On 13 September the Holy Father
commemorated the “pointless slaughter,” as
Pope Benedict XV called World War I. He
went to the military cemetery of Redipuglia
near Gorizia. The advance notice was too
short for me to attend, but the AMS was well
represented by Father Paul Amaliri and over
two hundred pilgrims from Aviano Air Base
(see Pope Francis Denounces War in Visit to
WWI Cemetery page 32).
S
eptember did offer me the opportunity
to represent the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops at an international
congress on canonical penal law held at the
Catholic University in Washington. The presentations were quite interesting and a good
blend between very theoretical papers and
more practical applications. I was pleased
to see two of my former professors and some
fellow students, as well. (continued on page 6)
christmas 2014 |
5
SERVING THOSE WHO SERVE
F
or my generation of canonists, penal law
was something we expected to use
sparingly, but it has, unfortunately, become
very crucial in the canonical response to
cases of sexual abuse. Consequently, the
congress offered important considerations on
a very timely topic.
F
ather Thomas Hoar, SSE, the contract
priest at the Submarine Base in Groton,
Connecticut and the Director of St. Edmund’s Retreat House on Ender’s Island,
presented me with the St. Edmund’s Medal
at their annual benefit on September 19th.
I
n my remarks to thank those gathered for
granting me an unmerited distinction, I
pointed out that a cleric receives accolades
on behalf of those he is privileged to serve.
Certainly, the men and women in uniform
and their families give me many reasons to
be inspired and to strive to give them the
best that I can.
I
t was a pleasure to see many officers and
sailors from the Sub Base at the banquet.
Many of them were familiar from my
many visits to the base, which is generally
included in my annual visit to the Coast
Guard Academy.
T
he end of September found me in Lincolnshire, Illinois (suburban Chicago)
for the Mission Bishops’ Conference conducted by Catholic Extension. As you know,
the Catholic Extension Society is very
generous to the AMS. Every other year they
invite all the bishops whose dioceses benefit
from Extension’s generosity to gather, study
6
christmas 2014 |
(continued from page 5)
approaches to evangelization, and learn
about new opportunities for assistance.
T
his year’s conference was centered
around Evangelii Gaudium, the Apostolic
Exhortation prepared by Pope Francis. The
presentations and the discussions were quite
good. In particular Bishop Daniel Flores
of Brownsville, Texas, gave an excellent
application of the Holy Father’s message in
his diocese. We were also privileged to hear
Archbishop Rino Fisichella offer a careful
theological analysis of the exhortation.
C
ardinal George joined us for the closing
banquet and it was good to see him and
to thank him again for the many priests
he has released for the chaplaincy during
his seventeen-year tenure as Archbishop of
Chicago.
T
he days were well-spent and I also
enjoyed a walk in the surrounding area
after lunch each day. Ninety minutes of free
time in the middle of the day were a new
dimension in the conference and all of the
bishops welcomed them!
I
finish these lines in the airport, my second
home, as I head to the Eternal City both
to represent the AMS at the diaconal ordinations of Ryan Boyle and Alec Scott and
to join Father Logan and the recruiters in
making a presentation on the chaplaincy
to the seminarians at the North American
College. On the weekend I will also participate with many couples from installations
in Europe who will gather for a marriage
retreat. As the Synod Fathers gather to
“
September did offer me the opportunity to represent the United States
Conference of Catholic Bishops at an international congress on
canonical penal law held at the Catholic University in Washington.
L-R: ARCHBISHOP TIMOTHY P. BROGLIO, MOST REVEREND LEONARD P. BLAIR, ARCHBISHOP OF HARTFORD,
REVEREND RICHARD D. WILSON, AND FATHER THOMAS HOAR, SSE.
consider the family, it is good for the AMS to
offer an opportunity for prayer and reflection
to the families served by the Archdiocese.
H
oly Matrimony, where a man and a
woman represent Christ and the
Church is an essential unit in society. The
families served by the AMS have been
so tried by these long years of war. It is
important to offer them an opportunity to
be nourished in their commitment and to
offer them an occasion for growth in their
relationship, which has been blessed by the
Lord.
B
efore boarding the plane for Rome, I
celebrated the final Spanish Mass at Fort
Belvoir. Financial constraints obliged the
installation to eliminate the Mass, which has
enjoyed a good following from several of the
local parishes. Of course, the community was
reluctant to see the tradition discontinued,
but none of us had a role in making the
decision. Fortunately, there are a number of
Spanish Masses in the local community.
Change is never easy!
I
ndeed Advent announces the immediate
preparations for Christmas. As the chief
Shepherd of a global Archdiocese, part of my
preparations will include packing for distant
lands. It is a privilege to announce the good
news of the birth of the Savior of the World
to those who serve our Nation every day. ✞
christmas 2014 |
7
By BISHOP RICHARD B. HIGGINS
Christmas Gift 2014
You Can Make a Difference
The call came a couple of years ago…
“
Bishop, we would like to do something for
veterans. Can you give us some ideas?
”
The call was from the Diocese of Metuchen, New Jersey,
and they were anxious to establish a diocesan apostolate
for Military and Veteran Families. They were willing to
create a department dedicated solely to meeting the needs
of veterans within their jurisdiction. Wow! Where to
begin?
8 christmas 2014 |
S
ince our nation went to war in Iraq and
Afghanistan, the military has occupied
the headlines. The plight of returning
veterans, scarred by their experiences on
the battlefield, has become a lightning rod for all
and sundry. Scandals associated with homelessness,
delayed access to medical care, insufficient caregivers, inadequate funding, and outdated facilities
complicate the veteran issue. Despite these challenges, there is a genuine desire on the part of the
citizenry to “care for him who shall have borne
the battle and for his widow and his orphan.”
The Department of Veterans Affairs is the primary “go to” resource in support of veterans,
and its website, www.va.gov, provides links to a host of services available to veterans and
their families. The Department operates 157 Medical Centers and more than 850
Community Based Clinics throughout the Continental United States (CONUS), Alaska,
Hawaii, Guam, and Puerto Rico. A visit to the website of any VA Medical Center will reveal
the vast network of services available to veterans in that specific location. In addition to the
services available through the Department of Veterans Affairs, an internet search reveals at
least 47 different civilian/fraternal organizations dedicated to veterans and their families.
But the Diocese of Metuchen realized the value and benefits a faith-based organization
brings to those whose spirits have been wounded by their time in service. I knew the
VA National Chaplain Center in Hampton, Virginia, provided a resource kit to parishes
and churches wishing to reach out to veterans in their congregations and surrounding
communities. A quick call to the chaplains in Hampton (www.va.gov/chaplain), and
several kits were on their way to Metuchen. In May, 2013, building upon this and other
resources, the diocese of Metuchen established the Apostolate for Military and Veteran
Families (AMVF). For additional information on this dynamic apostolate, visit their website
http://diometuchen.org (in search box type Apostolate for Military and Veteran Families)
or call (732) 562-2478.
Many of us veterans are your neighbors. We sit next to you in church. Sometimes we
celebrate your liturgies. We sing in your choirs and teach in your CCD classes. A few of
us might be classified as “wounded warriors,” but the majority of us are just fellow parishioners.
Frequently our military service and skill sets are unknown to you. Our collective calling to
service resonates with us and we are anxious to help, to heal, to provide. What a Christmas
gift it would be if we could follow the example of the good people of Metuchen and establish
apostolates for Military and Veteran Families in our dioceses.
This Christmas I hope to concelebrate Midnight Mass in St. Mel’s Cathedral in Longford,
Ireland, where I first heard the “whisper” of a call to the priesthood. Following the Christmas
Eve Midnight Mass of 24 December 2009 the iconic Cathedral was engulfed in flames.
When the flames were finally extinguished “all that was standing was the exterior walls,
portico, and campanile.” Built between 1840 and 1856, St. Mel’s is being restored to its
historic configuration and I shall remember each and every one of you during my Christmas
Masses in my “home” church. May God Bless you and yours in this wonderful season. ✞
christmas 2014 |
9
By BISHOP F. RICHARD SPENCER
CHRISTMAS IN LETNICA!
LETNICA, MOTHER TERESA and
“PRIEST, PROPHET, KING”
CONFIRMATION MASS FOR THE U.S. ARMY AND NATO TROOPS IN THE CHURCH OF ST. MARY IN KOSOVO, LETNICA
R
ecently, I enjoyed celebrating the Confirmation Mass
in Kosovo for our U.S. Army and NATO troops in the
Church of St. Mary, which overlooks the village of Letnica,
often visited by Blessed Mother Teresa and her family during her
childhood. It is said that Mother Teresa received the inspiration
for her life’s work in this church while venerating the figures
and the words above the Nativity set: “Priest, Prophet, King”.
The Nativity set remains on permanent display.
10 christmas 2014 |
N
estled in the Karadaku Mountains,
the village Letnica is scattered
over a territory consisting of three
hills with dense vegetation. It is borderd by
the Republics of Macedonia and Kosovo.
During the Fourth Week of Advent, the
village becomes the host to many Christians from around the world, including our
U.S. SOULdiers, who come as pilgrims.
The pilgrims pitch their tents next to the
church, and stay awake through the night
on Christmas Eve. The tents are illuminated by candles, which are also spread
throughout the village. People pray at the
Masses celebrated throughout the night
and on Christmas Day.
D
uring my ministry travels, I have
noticed that in several of our
military chapels here in Europe
the Nativity sets are permanently displayed. As noted at the beginning of this
article how Saint Mary’s Church in
Kosovo, with its Nativity set that influenced the life of Mother Teresa, may,
we, the members of this global Archdiocese
“
It is said
that Mother
Teresa received
inspiration for
her life’s work
in the church
of St. Mary in
Kosovo, Letnica
“
D
uring the weeks since publication
of the Fall edition of Salute
in October, my ministry travels
have included visits to Japan and parts of
Europe and also included sharing time
with Father Pat Dolan (recently retired
ARNG Brigadier General Chaplain) during
the Vienna Institute for Peace Program.
During this four-day conference, religious
leaders from throughout Europe gathered
to reflect upon the causes of World Wars
I and II and what can be done today to
prevent a repetition of those factors which
brought the world to armed conflict.
for the Military Services, USA, also keep
the Light of Christ burning brightly in
our hearts and lives as we celebrate this
Christmas Season, 2014, and honor our
Lord as the true “Priest, Prophet, and
King” of our world. ✞
christmas 2014 |
11
By BISHOP NEAL J. BUCKON
GIFT
FROM GOD
L-R: DEACON GREGORY HALAMICEK, FATHER CHRISTOPHER SORENSON, BISHOP NEAL J. BUCKON (CENTER),
FATHER PHILIP LLANOS, OFM, AND BROTHER CHRISTOPHER SILVA OFM CAP
O
ur military services are well represented in the
high desert of California. The Army has Fort
Irwin; the Navy is situated at China Lake; the
Air Force utilizes the ground and the air space
of Edwards Air Force Base; and the Marine
Corps is always busy at Twenty Nine Palms Base. It is my
honor and privilege to travel to each base every year to visit
the Catholic faithful of the Archdiocese for the Military
Services; to discuss the Catholic program with the priests,
deacons, and leaders on base; and to celebrate the sacrament
of Confirmation for those who are prepared to be confirmed
in their faith.
12
christmas 2014 |
I
meet with the candidates for Confirmation prior to Mass. We discuss their
preparation for the sacrament. The candidates tell me their Confirmation
names and why they chose them. We talk about their Confirmation Retreat
and I ask them to not let this retreat be their last retreat; encouraging them
to find the time to retreat from the commotion and noise of the world to
a place where God can speak to their hearts. The candidates also tell me of the
service hours they performed as a part of their preparation. In our meeting, I always
tell the candidates that God loves them so much He is giving them the gift of the
Holy Spirit and the seven gifts of the spirit.
I compare Confirmation with Christmas by asking the Confirmation Candidates, “On what day of the year might you receive seven gifts?” I invite them to
open their hearts, their minds, and their souls and receive these gifts with joy and
gratitude. The candidates will hear me praying to God the Father during the Rite
of Confirmation. I will be asking God to send the Holy Spirit upon them and to give
them the gifts of wisdom, understanding, right judgment, courage, knowledge,
reverence, and wonder and awe in His presence. God wants us to have these gifts
because God loves us and He wants us to have the best in life. God loves us so
much that He wants to spend eternity with us, and with the Holy Spirit as our
helper, and guide, we will find our way to our true home in heaven. ✞
AMS WISHES
YOU A VERY
HAPPY, HEALTHY
AND BLESSED
HOLIDAY!
Merry Christmas!
christmas 2014 |
13
By BISHOP ROBERT J. COYLE
Honoring
a local son
on staten island
FATHER VINCENT CAPODANNO
F
ather Vincent Capodanno Memorial Chapel
located at Fort Wadsworth Staten Island, New
York, honors a local son who gave his life in
service to Our Lord. The Coast Guard facility
located here is a fitting tribute to a man of God who
served his God and country in a heroic manner. I am
always grateful to return to this location.
14 christmas 2014 |
O
n a Sunday in September I joined
with several military and veteran
groups to honor the life, sacrifice,
and legacy of Father Vincent Capodanno,
recipient of the Medal of Honor. I was humbled to join people of all faiths who came to
this special Mass to honor an American
hero. Many of the attendees were veterans
of the Vietnam War. They proudly wore
different uniforms and insignia to recall their
service. They returned to this chapel to
honor one of their own.
The chapel was standing room only.
I looked up to see those gathered in the choir
loft. Members of the Jewish War Veterans
and people of many religious denominations
were in attendance. They all attended this
Mass and the military honors ceremonies
that followed. At the Mass, members of the
Capodanno Family were in attendance.
They are so grateful for the annual Mass in
Washington, D.C., that prays for him every
year. This Mass was an opportunity for the
local community also to join in prayer for the
Servant of God Father Vincent Capodanno.
Visiting with the dedicated chapel
community includes time spent with their
well-loved and respected priest, Monsignor
James Dorney. I first met Monsignor Dorney
in 1996. As a Naval Reserve chaplain, I was
asked to close the Catholic Chapel Program
on Governors Island Coast Guard Base and
move it to Fort Wadsworth. I recall transporting the tabernacle and sacred vessels and
statues in my car. Setting up the Catholic
program and chapel was a challenge at that
time, but the transition was made much
easier because of Monsignor Dorney and his
dedication to the people he would serve.
Several priests concelebrated the Mass
including Monsignor Peter Finn who is the
Co-Dean of Staten Island. I have joined
Monsignor Finn at many events around
New York since my days as a young priest
and Naval Reserve chaplain. Seminarian
Mark Bristol, a co-sponsored seminarian
and future Navy chaplain studying for the
Diocese of Brooklyn, served as the Master
of Ceremonies at the Mass. The local chapel
community and many volunteers gave a fitting tribute to Father Capodanno, a native
son of Staten Island.
May I briefly comment on one aspect
of the day that was very moving? The
attending Veterans represent what is best
about our country; love of God, love of
country and devotion to our brothers and
sisters. They go out of their way to assist their
fellow veterans. They volunteer for hospital
visits and assist our wounded warriors. They
deserve our deepest respect and admiration.
A group of motorcycle enthusiasts were
among the veterans and they asked me to
bless them and their many motorcycles
after Mass. They proudly adorn these bikes
with symbols of their military service and
the American Flag. They go to many events
such as the Mass celebrated on Staten
Island.
This Christmas season we give thanks
for the Prince of Peace who was born into
the world. May all wars cease. May the world
be at peace. Jesus Christ was made present
to the Marines and Sailors that Father
Capodanno ministered to in Vietnam. Two
members of that unit were at the Mass.
They will never forget the faith, love and
service of a true servant of God. He touched
their lives, in the midst of war. He devoted
himself to the Prince of Peace. May each
of us be about the same mission. Merry
Christmas! ✞
christmas 2014 |
15
By FATHER GREGORY CAIAZZO
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
AT TRAVIS
RETIRED CHIEF MASTER SERGEANT ROGER OLAES AND COL. MARK WEBER SPEND TIME WITH SOME OF OUR 8TH GRADE CONFIRMATION STUDENTS
I
t has been a year since the promulgation of the Archdiocesan
Religion Curriculum Guide and its implementation through
the military services. Most of us welcomed it but initially we
found ourselves scratching our heads trying to figure out
how we could reasonably implement it. On one side, it looked
overwhelming, insurmountable, painful, and too much work. “Just
give me a text and let me teach” we found many of our teachers
saying. On the other hand, it made incredible sense, would bring
organization to our curricula, would ensure that when our young
people moved from one base to another they would be on the same
page, and would guarantee the critical elements of our faith were
covered.
16 christmas 2014 |
LEFT: TWO EAGER 3RD GRADERS BEGIN THEIR FIRST DAY OF RE AT TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE. RIGHT: JOHN EVALLE EXPLAINS THE KEY ELEMENTS THAT HIS CLASS WILL COVER.
B
ut… it was agonizing trying to convince volunteers that creating their own lesson plans
was worthwhile and beneficial to both students and teachers.
After a year we have changed our tune. Not only does it make sense but it works. It caused
us to rethink completely how we bring religious education to our community of faith. It helped
us to focus on how religious education integrates into the sacramental life of our community
and to provide the important support for parents who are the first educators of their children
in the faith. It also gave us an opportunity to educate these same parents who in most cases had
not had any ongoing religious education since they received the sacrament of Confirmation
which for many was eons ago. We are far from perfect in our execution but are well on our way.
Here are three things that are working for us here at Travis Air Force Base:
yearly organization: We have 26 weeks of religious education throughout the year
where our children are in class. Taking the curriculum’s six major elements, we divided the year
into four-week segments. This left two additional weeks; one during Advent and the other
during Lent to focus on these important church seasons. We are supporting this with bulletin
announcements, e-mails to parents, prayers of the faithful and references in our homilies.
This involves the entire parish in our ongoing religious education. This is inspiring a whole
parish catechesis.
teachers: Traditionally, we recruited teachers in August and September, just prior to
the start of the Religious Education year. There was always a scramble finding volunteers and
we found ourselves begging for teachers at the last moment. It just wasn’t working. Through
the efforts of our Knights of Columbus and other parish organizations, we began recruiting
teachers in May and used the summer months to train and prepare them for the upcoming
year. As we approach Fall, all our classes are fully manned with a teacher and teaching
assistant and they have all received training and ongoing education. With end of year money
we also contracted with the Institute for Pastoral Initiative to provide ten slots for teachers for
ongoing education online when they were available.
parent education: Our students receive the Sacraments of Penance and Reconciliation and Eucharist in the second grade and the Sacrament of Confirmation in eighth grade.
These are critical sacramental moments for our children and their parents. To support them
we required at least one parent to meet once a month during the time their children were in
class and provided catechesis to explore their own relationship with these sacraments, their
faith commitment and how they could reinforce the sacramental understanding at home.
(continued on page 38)
christmas 2014 |
17
By FATHER AIDAN LOGAN
CHRISTMAS
DEPLOYED
18 christmas 2014 |
O
ne of the first lessons a chaplain learns is that the military
does not follow the liturgical calendar of the Catholic Church,
or, for that matter, any other religion. War and military operations respect only one thing, the mission at hand. Of course
the major holidays are acknowledged and every effort is made to stand
down on days like Thanksgiving and Christmas. If possible, special meals
are served. The troops or crew usually manage to produce Christmas
decorations and organize the singing of carols. But, no matter how elaborate the festivities, it’s not the same – especially for those away from home
for Christmas for the first.
T
here you are in a chow hall in Kandahar or at sea on the hangar deck of an aircraft
carrier, a group of overwhelmingly young men (the least likely demographic to be
involved in religion at all) holding “chemlights” in place of candles. It doesn’t look like
Christmas and certainly doesn’t smell like it. But, remarkably, for many of them this is the first
time they will realize what Christmas is really all about.
I
n our popular culture, fed by the sentimentality of Hollywood, Christmas is tied up with all
sorts of things except the birth of our Savior. Many of this these things are very good in
themselves. Who could be against the warmth and love of the family, the joy and innocence
of children, the unselfish giving of gifts, food and drink with friends, the celebration of life
itself? But what happens when none of these things are there on Christmas Day? What is
there to celebrate?
A
nd yet, in some forsaken corner of the world the grace of God will touch the heart of a
warrior far from home at Christmas. His situation is not really that different from that
of the shepherds in the fields near Bethlehem one night long ago. On deployment and in the
midst of war it is not the choirs of angels who announce the “good news of great joy.” This
is the great privilege and vocation of a priest-chaplain. I have experienced this time and time
again. To this day I receive Christmas cards from Marines and old shipmates telling me that
the Christmas far from home was the best one ever.
P
erhaps they might not put it this way but I think it was the best because it was so very much
like the first Christmas, away from home, among strangers, cold and dark and dirty. And
into this world, the real, messy, chaotic world came the Love of God.
T
he life of a military chaplain is full of such moments of grace. But this Christmas many of
our troops will be without a priest to celebrate Mass. May prayer during these holy days of
Advent and Christmastide is that God will touch the hearts of many young men to answer His
call to the priesthood and the vocation of a military chaplain. Please join me in that prayer. ✞
Father Aidan Logan, a 20 year veteran of the Navy Chaplain Corps, is Director of Vocations for the AMS.
www.milarch.org/vocations
christmas 2014 |
19
By MARY LAVIN
Gratitude and Hope
20
christmas 2014 |
B
enefactors make financial donations in support
of the mission and ministry of the AMS for many
reasons, and each reason is personal. What Jesus said
in Luke 12:48 has been quoted more than once when asked
what motivated a first-time or most recent gift: “To whom
much is given, much shall be required.” Recently, when
asked why she had included the AMS in her will, one
benefactor simply stated, “In gratitude and in hope.”
T
o honor and thank AMS benefactors
who generously and consistently support the mission, serving those who serve,
the AMS recently expanded its Donor
Recognition Societies. The first AMS Donor
Recognition Society, St. George’s Circle,
was established several years ago for military
chaplains. The additional societies have
been established to recognize levels of giving
(one-time gifts of $2,500 or more), consecutive
years of giving (starting with 5 years of consecutive donations), and for cumulative giving
($1 million or more). For all societies, membership will be determined by gifts received in
a given calendar year.
The newest society will be a planned
giving society named after Saint Lawrence
of Brindisi. Saint Lawrence was canonized
by Pope Leo XIII in 1881 and declared a
Doctor of the Church by Saint John XXIII
in 1959. Born Giulio Cesare Russo in 1559
in Brindisi, a city located on the Adriatic
coast of the heel of Italy, Saint Lawrence is
the only Capuchin Franciscan to be honored
as a Doctor of the Church. During his years
of ministry Saint Lawrence served as a chaplain to the forces at Lepanto and a papal
emissary and peacemaker. He is considered
the greatest linguist among the Doctors of
the Church. Beginning in December 2014,
those who notify the AMS that they have
included the AMS in their will or estate
plans will be lifetime members of the Saint
Lawrence of Brindisi Donor Recognition
Society. Archbishop Broglio is the first member. For more information about any of the
Donor Recognition Societies, or to notify
the AMS that you have included it as a beneficiary in your will, please contact Mary
Lavin, Director of Major Gifts/Development
at [email protected] or (440) 223-6482.
The confidentiality of donor information continues to be a high priority for the
AMS. Individual names and donations will
not be made public in an annual report or
on the AMS web site. The AMS does not
sell or rent donor information, a standard
practice of many non-profit organizations.
A complete list of the AMS Donor
Recognition Societies may be found at
www.milarch.org/development.
While many non-profit organizations
provide programs and services for activeduty military and their families, veterans,
and the Catholic Church, there is no other
non-profit organization or Archdiocese like
the Archdiocese for the Military Services,
USA (AMS). With gratitude for your continued support, and with hope and prayers
for peace, thank you. ✞
christmas 2014 |
21
The Harvest
Thomas Jay Jones
DIOCESE: Fort Worth, Texas
RANK / BRANCH OF SERVICE: Air Force. Separated as a
SSgt (E-5)
NAME OF SEMINARY: Holy Trinity Seminary in Irving,
Texas
HIGH SCHOOL ATTENDED: The Colony High School,
Texas
HOBBIES: Exercise (weights, running), watching movies,
hiking/camping, rock climbing; I played hockey in the past.
WHEN WAS THE FIRST TIME YOU THOUGHT YOU MIGHT HAVE A VOCATION
TO THE PRIESTHOOD? I considered a vocation to the priesthood in high school but at that
time the diocese had seminarians carry their own student loans. I decided to join the Air Force
to get money for college. I found that the military tested my call and strengthened it.
WHO OR WHAT EVENTS INFLUENCED OR INSPIRED YOU IN YOUR DISCERNMENT
JOURNEY? Daily Mass influenced me the most. That was my home and I did not want to
leave.
WHAT WOULD PEOPLE BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU? Most people are
surprised to hear that I was in the Air Force; they usually say I look too young to have served
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SCRIPTURE PASSAGE, WHY? I usually focus on a whole
book rather than a specific passage. Jonah, Jeremiah, and Isaiah would be my diary while the
Gospels and Psalms would be my bread.
HOW DID YOU COME TO KNOW JESUS CHRIST PERSONALLY? In the Mass. All my
life it has been a peaceful retreat from a chaotic world.
WHAT WERE SOME OF THE SPIRITUAL EVENTS OR ACTIVITIES THAT HELPED
YOU DEVELOP AND SHARE YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST AND HIS
CHURCH? This past semester we have been visiting the sick in hospitals and I have found
Christ in their suffering.
22
christmas 2014 |
Continues...
HAVE ANY SAINTS OR CHURCH LEADERS PARTICULARLY INSPIRED YOUR
DISCERNMENT JOURNEY? My Bishop was my rector up to his ordination and his example
of love for God’s people is an inspiration to me. Of course, various other figures in the church
inspire me: the Archangel Michael, St. John, St. Stephen, St. John of the Cross, St. Teresa of
Avila, St. Therese of Lisieux, St. Augustine, and Thomas (Aquinas, Beckett, More).
WHAT WAS YOUR PROFESSIONAL AND/OR ACADEMIC AND/OR MILITARY
BACKGROUND BEFORE APPLYING TO BE A SEMINARIAN? I graduated from high
school and joined the Air Force for 8 ½ years before joining seminary.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SPIRITUAL BOOK? Dark Night of the Soul
WHO ARE YOUR HEROES OR PEOPLE YOU SIGNIFICANTLY ADMIRE? Aside from
the list of saints and church leaders, my dad handed on the faith to me so I admire him for that.
I also admire the Special Forces community. They take on the most dangerous missions while
their successes are most often secret and their failures are always public, similar to the
spiritual mission of the church.
HOW WOULD YOU CHARACTERIZE YOUR PRAYER LIFE? WHAT COMPRISES
YOUR DAILY PRAYER? DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN THE LITURGICAL LIFE OF THE
CHURCH? WHEN, WHERE, HOW? We meet for Morning Prayer, Mass and Evening Prayer
as a seminary. I set reminders to keep the other hours on my own. We have Adoration on
Thursdays and there is time set aside for mental prayer on weekdays but I usually do spiritual
reading during that time and visit the Blessed Sacrament in solitude to pray.
“Jonah, Jeremiah, and
Isaiah would be my diary
while the Gospels and
Psalms would be
my bread.”
christmas 2014 |
23
The Harvest
Timothy Gary Mergen
DIOCESE: Madison, Wisconsin
RANK / BRANCH OF SERVICE: 1Lt US Air Force
HIGH SCHOOL ATTENDED: Edgewood High School of the
Sacred Heart, Madison, Wisconsin
COLLEGE ATTENDED: U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado
Springs, Colorado
HOBBIES: Playing and watching all sports, golf, skiing,
aviation, reading, all things Catholic
WHO OR WHAT EVENTS INFLUENCED OR INSPIRED YOU IN YOUR DISCERNMENT
JOURNEY? My parents and a teacher, retired Army Colonel Lee Conner, stand as the most
influential people of my faith life. Lee Conner became my confirmation sponsor and provided
a wonderful example of the exemplary military Catholic officer. One of the most important events
in my life was to attend the Air Force Academy. It was witnessing the role of the military
chaplain during Basic Cadet Training that made a profound impact in my life.
WHAT WOULD PEOPLE BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU? Between the
professional success and the possibility of marriage to my girlfriend, people are surprised to know
I am joyfully giving up all that is going so well in my life to serve the Lord as a priest instead.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SCRIPTURE PASSAGE, WHY? Three that stand out are 2
Timothy 1: 1-14, Ephesians 5, and Matthew 13: 45-46. I love Paul’s letter to Timothy since I
feel as if Paul is writing to me in my life. I love Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. I love the Catholic
Church’s teaching on sex and marriage and consider it a call to share it with the rest of the
Church and secular world. Recently I have been enthralled with the parable of the pearl of
great price in Matthew. I know Jesus to be the one pearl of great price and I want to sell everything to follow faithfully the path God has chosen for me to attain His pearl.
HOW DID YOU COME TO KNOW JESUS CHRIST PERSONALLY? I came to know Jesus
personally through receiving the Eucharist and through Eucharistic Adoration. There is no
more personal relationship than to physically receive our Lord in the Eucharist.
24 christmas 2014 |
Continues...
WHAT WERE SOME OF THE SPIRITUAL EVENTS OR ACTIVITIES THAT HELPED
YOU DEVELOP AND SHARE YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST AND HIS
CHURCH? I would point to attending daily Mass at Cannon Air Force Base (AFB). Initially
I was shy about sharing the impact it had on my life. After inviting one of the men, Joe, to go to
Mass with me, he was enthused to go. I developed a great friendship with Joe and we began to go
to Mass together every day. Joe’s zeal and enthusiasm inspired me to be more open, and reawakened the call to evangelize others that I had been neglecting. Joe showed me the importance of
living and sharing my faith openly with others.
WHAT WAS YOUR PROFESSIONAL AND/OR ACADEMIC AND/OR MILITARY
BACKGROUND BEFORE APPLYING TO BE A SEMINARIAN? I graduated from the US Air
Force Academy in 2010 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Political Science. I was assigned to
Cannon AFB, N.M. I recently returned from my first deployment as a pilot in South East Asia,
the highlight of which included humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to the Philippines in
the wake of Typhoon Haiyan.
WHO ARE YOUR HEROES OR PEOPLE YOU SIGNIFICANTLY ADMIRE? One of my
biggest heroes is my grandfather, Nick Mergen. Nick served in the Army Air Corps during
WWII and was stationed on the island of Corregidor in the Philippines when it fell to Japan.
He survived three and a half years in captivity as a prisoner of war in the Philippines and
Osaka, Japan. He survived by risking his life to keep and pray a rosary every day. He died
when my father was just a young boy but he is one of the biggest reasons I am in the military
today and the biggest reason why I love the rosary.
HOW WOULD YOU CHARACTERIZE YOUR PRAYER LIFE? WHAT COMPRISES
YOUR DAILY PRAYER? DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN THE LITURGICAL LIFE OF THE
CHURCH? WHEN, WHERE, HOW? Throughout my life it has fluctuated but I have reached
a point where I refuse to take a step back in my prayer life and have committed to improve
and help it flourish. I participate in the liturgical life of the church in Mass as a Extraordinary
Minister of Holy Communion and lector at daily Mass.
“I know Jesus to be the one pearl of
great price and I want to sell everything
to follow faithfully the path God has
chosen for me to attain His pearl.”
christmas 2014 |
25
By TAYLOR HENRY
New Judicial Vicar
Appointed for
Archdiocese for the Military
Services, USA
FATHER CHRISTOPHER ARMSTRONG, S.T.D., J.C.D.,
NEWLY APPOINTED JUDICIAL VICAR
FOR THE ARCHDIOCESE FOR THE MILITARY SERVICES, USA.
T
he Archdiocese for the Military Services,
USA (AMS), has a new Judicial Vicar.
The Reverend Christopher Armstrong,
S.T.D., J.C.D., of Cincinnati, Ohio, assumed the
position on 1 October.
26
christmas 2014 |
I
n announcing the appointment, Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio,
J.C.D., said “Father Armstrong brings a wealth of knowledge and
experience to this important role in the pastoral ministry of the
Archdiocese for the Military Services. I am grateful to Archbishop
(Dennis M.) Schnurr for releasing him and to Father Armstrong for
accepting these new responsibilities.”
As Judicial Vicar, Father Armstrong is now responsible for overseeing the work of
the archdiocesan tribunal, which handles, among other matters, cases of nullity and
dissolution of marriage. He succeeds Msgr. Thomas Olszyk, J.C.L., who retired in July.
Father Armstrong said, “I look forward to this opportunity to serve our Church and
our country. I am grateful for Archbishop Broglio’s confidence in me and entrusting to me
one aspect of his pastoral care for the Archdiocese for the Military Services.”
Father Armstrong is a native of Kettering, Ohio. He graduated from St. Albert
the Great Parish School and Archbishop Alter High School in Kettering; St. Gregory
College Seminary in Cincinnati; and the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. He was
ordained a priest in 1980.
Father Armstrong has advanced degrees in canon law from The Catholic University
of America in Washington, D.C. and in Marian Studies from the International Marian
Research Institute at the University of Dayton. He has taught canon law for nearly 20 years
at Mount St. Mary Seminary at the Athenaeum of Ohio, and he taught for nine years at
Lehman Catholic High School in Sidney, Ohio.
Father Armstrong was parochial vicar at Holy Angels Catholic Church in Sidney and
at St. Michael Catholic Church in Fort Loramie, Ohio. He spent several years in central
administration of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, serving as the Administrative Assistant
to Archbishop Daniel E. Pilarczyk, Chancellor of the Archdiocese, and pastor of St. Louis
Catholic Church in Cincinnati.
Until moving to Washington in late September, Father Armstrong was pastor of St.
Antoninus Catholic Church in Cincinnati. In his new residence and office at the AMS
Pastoral Center, he finds himself in familiar surroundings. The five-story building, at 1025
Michigan Avenue Northeast, is a converted seminary, formerly owned by the Society of
the Divine Word, where Father Armstrong lived from 1990-92 and again from 1994-96
while pursuing studies across the street at Catholic U.
“I’ve been walking around saying ‘this is where this used to be,’ or ‘this was my
room,’” he laughed; “It’s almost like coming home, in some respects.” Even so, he expects
a period of adjustment in his new position. “It’s a learning curve,” he said. “I will be
spending several months just learning the system.”
In the meantime, Father Armstrong will have plenty of opportunity for professional
consultation. Both Archbishop Broglio and AMS Vicar General John J.M. Foster are
themselves canon lawyers, making his new priestly community as much “at home” with the
letter of the law of the Church, as with the spirit. ✞
christmas 2014 |
27
By ELLEN N. WOODS
REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF “AMERICA MAGAZINE”, EDITED SUMMER 2014 ARTICLE.
Veteran Helps Formally
Establish Campus Organization
at Catholic University
AFTER MULTIPLE COMBAT DEPLOYMENTS, ARMY MAJOR JOSEPH EVANS COMPLETES MASTER’S DEGREE, HELPS FOUND
“CARDINAL VETERANS ORGANIZATION” ON CAMPUS
n the decade that Army Major Joseph Evans served as an
infantry officer with the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum,
N.Y., he was deployed four times. He served in a peacekeeping
mission in Kosovo followed by three combat deployments: one
in Iraq, then two in Afghanistan. His last tour of duty in
Afghanistan was in the Nuristan province, where for 18 months in
2006 and 2007, he was the commander in charge of a valley about 20
miles long. “Our mission was to secure the area, make sure there were
no bombs planted on roads, support the local government and police,
develop the villages so they were safe for NGO’s,” explains Evans.
I
28 christmas 2014 |
MAJOR EVANS AT THE BASILICA OF THE NATIONAL SHRINE OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION DURING THE ASIA-PACIFIC CATHOLIC PILGRIMAGE
FOR MARY, IN MAY, READING A PETITION FOR PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL IN URDU.
A
nd he was in harm’s way every day.
“My best friend was killed in front
of me when his vehicle ran over an
IED [improvised explosive device]. I was in the
vehicle behind his and I knew instantly we
had lost him.” As an infantry commander in
charge of 200 soldiers, Evans says it was his
job to support his troops after the loss of
their comrade. “That helped me deal with
it—or maybe not deal with it.” The hardest
part was coming home and talking to his
wife and sons.
While stationed at the Pentagon with
the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Evans was directed
to continue graduate work, specifically in
the area of South Asia relations. A year ago,
he chose Catholic University, and he has
since completed a master’s degree there in
world politics. “My experience in Iraq,
Afghanistan, and Pakistan has left me with
the opinion that the U.S. military underestimates the importance of religion in that
part of the world. I wanted to incorporate
theology into my program.”
Evans, 37, is headed to Nepal next,
where he will be the chief of security
cooperation in Kathmandu. Despite three
long combat missions, he feels “blessed, fortunate, and grateful.” He has lots of friends
who have come home with lasting disabilities and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. “I
have the occasional bad dream. But for the
most part, I’m doing OK. War affects everyone in a different way. I went to a wedding
a few months ago and there were about 20 of
us who had been on those last three deployments and seven years later every one of us
has had a different experience. Some are
sucking down a bottle every night and can’t
hold a job and others are keeping it together.
“My life is pretty good every day.
There’s not much that bothers me. I don’t
mind waiting in lines, sitting in traffic, having too much work. Sometimes I see people
stressing over little things and I want to
shake them and say, ‘You don’t have anybody shooting at you, nobody is about to die.’
Of course I don’t do that because they would
think I’m crazy,” says Evans.
Instead, he has found productive ways to
express his gratitude. He worked with a few
other veterans at CUA to get the Cardinal
Veterans Organization (CVO) off the ground
as an official student organization. (There had
been an informal group for student veterans
previously.) “There are a lot of veterans at
CUA. Young guys who enlisted right out
of school, served in dangerous missions and
now are coming back to college with their
GI benefits. It’s not an easy transition. They
need a group where others understand what
they’ve been through,” says Evans. ✞
(Interview with Taylor Henry continued on page 31)
christmas 2014 |
29
30 christmas 2014 |
By TAYLOR HENRY
U.S. Army Maj. Joseph Evans talks to SALUTE about
joining other veterans to start the Cardinal Veterans
Organization (CVO) at Catholic University.
What motivated you to help start CVO at Catholic University?
I was looking for a way, here at school, just to be able to reach out to veterans, see what I
could do to interact with them, to help them, and also work with the ROTC students. Just
help them, as they start out.
How many veterans got involved with CVO its first year as an official
campus organization?
We ended up having pretty large numbers. I think probably month to month, there would
be ten to fifteen people who would come to the meetings, but overall, probably 40 or 50
people, 60 people, became involved, came to at least one or two of the meetings.
How did the organization spend its first year?
Probably most of the year was spent doing administrative stuff, trying to write a
constitution, trying to elect officers, figure out a schedule, that kind of stuff, and really
set up the guys who are going to run it this year, kind of set them up to be able to have a
functioning organization.
What sorts of service projects did CVO undertake?
We collected a bunch of food and other things to send over to deployed units.We had a
collection of food stuffs that we donated to a homeless shelter that serves veterans here in
D.C. We had guys attend Wounded Warrior dinners on campus.
Is this a legacy that you hope to leave?
Yeah, I hope so. I hope it's something that lasts and I hope that it's something that even as
I, as an alumnus, in other parts of the world, when I come back, I can still reach back to or
remain part of, the veterans that are here at CUA.
LEFT: U.S. ARMY MAJOR JOSEPH EVANS
Evans of his service in Afghanistan:
“I think we made a difference,” he says. “Was it lasting? I’m not sure.
But we gave it all we had.” Thinking back on that last deployment, Evans
says, “I was only able to go to Mass three times. Once the first week,
once the last week, and one time in between. So that was 17 ½ months
that I only went to Mass one time. Now I’m here on this college campus,
I can go to church any time. I’m pretty lucky.”
christmas 2014 |
31
By ANN SCHNEIBLE
POPE FRANCIS
Denounces War in Visit to WWI Cemetery
REPRINTED BY PERMISSION OF THE CATHOLIC NEWS AGENCY (CNA) / ETERNAL WORD TELEVISION NETWORK (EWTN)
32 christmas 2014 |
redipuglia, italy – Pope Francis warned against the destructive
indifference towards our brothers and sisters that arises from
ideologies of war during a Mass celebrated on Saturday, 13
September, for the victims of all wars.
“Whereas God carries forward the work of creation and we men and women are called to
participate in His work, war destroys. It also ruins the most beautiful work of His hands:
human beings. War ruins everything, even the bonds between brothers,” the Holy Father said.
“War is irrational; its only plan is to bring destruction: it seeks to grow by destroying.”
T
hese words came during the Pontiff's visit to Redipuglia to mark the 100th
anniversary of the beginning of World War I. Located in the northeast of Italy’s
Province of Friuli Venezia Giulia, it was the site of heavy fighting between Italian
forces and the Central Powers during that war.
The region holds particular significance for Pope Francis, in that his own grandfather
fought in Italy's 1915-17 offensive against the Austro-Hungarian empire, the battlefields of
which are commemorated at the Redipuglia memorial.
The Pope began the day with a visit to the Austro-Hungarian Cemetery of Fogliano
di Redipuglia, the site where some 14,000 soldiers are buried, and offered a silent prayer.
He then moved to the nearby Italian Military Memorial of Redipuglia, the final
resting place of 100,187 fallen soldiers in WWI, where he celebrated Mass for the victims
of all wars.
In his homily, Pope Francis reflected on the entrance of the cemetery, where “hangs in
the air those ironic words of war, ‘What does it matter to me?’ Each one of the dead buried
here had his own plans, his own dreams… but their lives were cut short. Humanity said,
‘What does it matter to me?’”
“Greed, intolerance, the lust for power…. These motives underlie the decision to go
to war, and they are too often justified by an ideology; but first there is a distorted passion or
impulse. Ideology is presented as a justification and when there is no ideology, there is the
response of Cain: ‘What does it matter to me? Am I my brother’s keeper?’”
“After experiencing the beauty of traveling throughout this region,” he continued,
“where men and women work and raise their families, where children play and the elderly
dream… I now find myself here, in this place, able to say only one thing: War is madness.”
He added that the prevailing attitude of indifference – “Am I my brother’s keeper?” – is
in complete contradiction to the Gospel message, which teaches that Jesus is in the least of
our brothers. We are therefore called to care for all those who hunger, thirst, are strangers,
sick, or in prison. “The one who cares for his brother or sister enters into the joy of the Lord;
the one who does not do so, however, who by his omissions says, ‘What does it matter to
me?’, remains excluded.”
(continued on page 38)
LEFT: POPE FRANCIS VISITS THE AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN CEMETERY IN FOGLIANO SEPT. 13, 2014
TO PRAY AND PAY A TRIBUTE TO THE FALLEN ON THE BATTLEFIELD DURING WWI.
christmas 2014 |
33
By JOSE AMAYA
The Role of the
Family in Catechesis
T
he family is the core institution of every society. It is through
the family that values, traditions and the faith are passed
down from generation to generation. Church documents
refer to the family as the ‘domestic church’ where children
learn to love God and discover a life of prayer. Parents bear witness to
the Good News of Jesus Christ in the hearth of the family. Catholic
parents have the duty to educate and form their children in the faith.
The natural role of the family in shaping children’s faith is complemented, not replaced, by the religious education program. In light of
the Synod on the Family, the Archdiocese for the Military Services,
U.S.A., strives to support the institution of the family to fulfill its duty
to teach the Catholic faith to their children.
34
christmas 2014 |
I
n his ‘Letter to Families’ on the occasion
of the Extraordinary General Assembly of
the Synod of Bishops (October 5-19,
2014), convened to discuss the theme of
‘pastoral challenges to the family in the context
of evangelization,’ Pope Francis highlights the
daily life of families. The Holy Father wrote,
“In your journey as a family, you share
so many beautiful moments: meals, rest,housework, leisure, prayer, trips and pilgrimages,
and times of mutual support…Nevertheless, if
there is no love then there is no joy, and authentic love comes to us from Jesus. He offers
us his word, which illuminates our path; he
gives us the Bread of life which sustains us on
our journey.” (2 February 2014) These very
moments, in the life of the family, ought to be
infused with the joy of the Gospel.
Whether catechists receive training about
the AMS Curriculum Guide online or in person,
there is always a focus on the necessity to
support active-duty families in their primary role
to teach the faith to their children. Parents
are always with their children. Catechists are
lucky to have one hour a week with youth and
children for about nine months out of the
calendar year. The Forming Disciples for the
New Evangelization: Archdiocesan Religion
Curriculum Guide emphasizes the unique role
of the family in catechesis. The family precedes
the religious education program in this glorious
task of teaching the faith to youth and children.
Active-duty families in the archdiocese
have online access to the “parent segments” of
Forming Disciples for the New Evangelization.
These segments contain the same age-appropriate standards and indicators being taught in
religious education. Families work hand in hand
with the religious education process to develop a
partnership that strives to form children in the
faith (Introduction to the Curriculum Guide,
p. 12). The segments open with a Q&A introduction about the Curriculum Guide. They
provide concrete ideas that parents can employ
to encourage faith learning with their children
at home. Coordinators of religious education and
catechists need to inform parents what standards
and indicators are being taught throughout the
years so that they may reinforce these at home,
in the everyday settings of family life. Since the
segments are online, all catechetical leaders need
to do is to provide the link to parents so they can
download the materials to their personal digital
devices.
The continuous collaboration, communication, and consultation among these partners in
the faith formation enterprise will yield households of faith, love, and service. Catechetical
leaders and catechists should expect families to
grow in faith over the year. Families will continue
to pray and share faith at home, over dinner, or
on the way to and from Mass.
Together, all of us can pray for military
families and catechetical teams as these suporting
tools are implemented. May they be used within
family life as another way to strengthen both
knowledge and witness to the Catholic faith
throughout this global archdiocese. ✞
he AMS Family Faith Assessment is a digital tool that has recently been introduced to
assist active-duty families to engage in faith learning through fun, dynamic “question and
answer” games. Assessment is used here loosely as process rather than a one-time event. A test
is designed for pass or fail. This Assessment is designed to help families grow in faith and to
strengthen their role to form their children in the Catholic faith. The stay-at-home parent and
the deployed parent can schedule specific times to engage with their children and challenge
one another with the questions and games. Each question, whether it was answered correctly
or not, has a look-up feature that allows the family to learn more about the topic together.
Additionally, the AMS Family Faith Passport is a digital tool that is easily accessible as families transition. The
assessment results follow families and can easily fit into the new religious education program, whenever the family
participates in the military Catholic faith community religious education programs. Learn more about both of these
resources online, www.milarch.org/formingdisciples.
T
christmas 2014 |
35
By MARK MOITOZA, D.MIN.
A Net of Relationships
P
eople value relationships and seek to share their
experiences with those they care about. With the
increasing presence of screen time on laptops, tablets,
and mobile devices a multiplicity of options enable
instant connections with family and friends. Jim Gaffigan,
a comedian making fun of the digital age, remarked how
difficult it was just ten years ago not to be able to take a lowquality photo of my dessert to share with all of my contacts.
Critics have often remarked that there is a certain divide
between real life and online life. At a recent conference on
Theology and Communications, however, it was argued that
the virtual world is not a parallel world but rather part of the
daily experience of the world that reshapes the dynamic of
relationships.
36 christmas 2014 |
T
his past June TheoCom14,
hosted by the Pontifical
Council for Social Communications, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops,
the Greek Orthodox Church
of America, and Santa Clara
University, gathered a cohort of theologians
and those utilizing digital media for evangelization to reflect upon community, presence,
and authority in the digital age. One of
the presenters, Father Antonio Spadaro, SJ,
editor of La Civilta Cattolica – well known
for his interview of Pope Francis, encouraged
those gathered to reflect upon the reality that
today the internet gives shape to something
that humanity has been engaged with for
a very long time; search, knowledge, and
relationships. The digital environment is not
a separate place but rather a more integrated
way to interconnect with physical relationships. We cannot have a digital self and a real
self. We are called to live our Christian life
consistently through these interconnections
evangelizing by the way we live our lives.
This includes the choices, comments, and
discussions we engage with online.
There is a connection between technology and spirituality that longs for deeper
meaning. In the technological age the search
for God has changed. Religion, as Father
Spadaro noted, used to be the needle of the
compass pointing to the north of our life,
i.e., God. After World War II,
however, the analogy switched
to that of a radar as many in the
19th and 20th century questioned
‘God, where are you?’ The search
moved from looking for a direction
to find God to instead seeking
God’s presence in a world dealing with
so much tragedy. Today, the analogy has
changed once again as we search for access.
Think of those on a train trying to access
a wireless signal on their phone to obtain
information. Once connected answers are
everywhere.
What has become important now are
not the answers but rather the questions.
Most pastoral work is oriented toward giving answers. The spiritual environment,
however, is a place to bring our moral questioning. A question creates community and
deepens authentic community whether it is
asked in person or online. A question shared
allows for the possibility of discernment
and prayer. The Church must be online not
just to do things or to offer answers but
to listen to people. The Church encourages
the gift of relationships by discovering where
people are conversing and trying to understand the voice of the Holy Spirit. The
disciples gathered around a different type
of ‘net’ but like them our focus remains
on Jesus. Where and with whom do you share
your questions? ✞
christmas 2014 |
37
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION AT TRAVIS
(continued from page 17)
where we need to go: We have just scratched the surface. Ideally, we would love to
have a required class for parents of all grades each month. This again would catechize our adult
community, bringing the catechesis back to the home and help the parents grow in the faith.
This is all part of helping our community to see themselves not as customers or consumers of a
product, but sharing in the mission of Christ and the Church. This mission, growing from our
Eucharistic commitment reaches beyond the classroom and beyond the doors of the chapel.
It’s a beginning and there is a lot more that we need to learn and places where we will
continue to grow. ✞
Pope Francis Denounces War in Visit to WWI Cemetery
(continued from page 33)
Reflecting on the wars that continue to
rage throughout the world, the Pope said that
“perhaps one can speak of a third war, one
fought piecemeal, with crimes, massacres,
destruction.”
Pope Francis said these wars are driven
by “interests, geopolitical strategies, lust for
money and power, and there is the manufacture and sale of arms.”
“The merchants of war perhaps have
made a great deal of money,” he said, “but
their corrupted hearts” engraved with the
words “What does it matter to me?” – “have
lost the capacity to cry.” “It is the task of
the wise to recognize errors, to feel pain, to
repent, to beg for pardon and to cry,” he said.
38
Referring again to the question posed in
Genesis, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”, the
Pope reflected on the “shadow of Cain”
which “hangs over us today in this cemetery.”
This shadow “is seen here. It is seen from
1914 right up to our own time. It is seen even
in the present.”
Pope Francis concluded his homily by
appealing for “a conversion of heart,” one
which changes from the apathetic attitude
represented by the words “What does it matter to me?” to tears “for each one of the fallen
of this ‘senseless massacre’, for all the victims
of the mindless wars, in every age.”
“Humanity needs to weep,” he said,
“and this is the time to weep.” ✞
christmas 2014 |
Save the Date
21ST Annual Memorial Mass
18 MAY 2015
at 4:30pm
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception|Washington, D.C.
“The angel answered,
‘The Holy Spirit will
come upon you, and the
power of the Most High
will overshadow you.
So the holy one to be
born will be called the
Son of God.’”
— [Luke 1:35]
— Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio
“Invoking abundant blessings from the Christ Child upon all of you, I wish you and all
your loved ones the experience of that divine love and the lasting peace that only Christ can give!”
“Serving Those Who Serve”
P.O. Box 4469
Washington, DC 20017-0469
Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA

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