Salute - Summer 2025

Celebrating 40yrs Who

When the Most Reverend John J. O’Connor accepted his appointment as the 8th Archbishop of New York, he asked that he not be named Vicar of the Military Ordinariate. My guess is that he believed governing one archdiocese was enough. It meant that the first time a former military chaplain was named to the Archdiocese of New York, he would not have responsibility for the pastoral care of Catholics in the Military.

Consequently, Archbishop Joseph T. Ryan, originally a priest of Albany and a former Navy chaplain, continued in his role as Coadjutor Archbishop of the Military Vicariate (named in 1975) and in 1985 became the first Archbishop for the Military Services, USA. It must be noted that he was initially the first Archbishop of Anchorage when it was erected in 1966. He specialized in firsts!

In 1991 Archbishop Joseph Dimino, another Navy chaplain and a New York priest, was named as the second AMS Archbishop. I was privileged to be at his bedside when he ended his earthly pilgrimage on 25 November 2014.

He was succeeded by another New York priest and a former Army chaplain, the Most Reverend Edwin O’Brien in 1997. As you know, ten years later he was transferred to Baltimore and then as Grand Master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre, created cardinal in 2012.

Unlike my three predecessors, my only link to New York is through my father who was born in a tenement on East 42nd Street. However, it is an honor to celebrate the wonderful pastoral care that this Archdiocese has offered to the military, Veterans, and those serving the USA outside her borders for the last 40 years. The following pages will offer a taste of that ministry, remembrances from the past, hopes for the next 40 years, and a glimpse at a future chaplain.

Please enjoy this commemorative issue of Salute and thank you for the support that makes our ministry possible.

Sincerely in Christ,

The Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio,

Archbishop for the Military Services, USA

THE MAGAZINE OF THE ARCHDIOCESE FOR THE MILITARY SERVICES, USA VOL. 19 NO. SUMMER 2025

TABLE of CONTENTS

4Eternal Rest Grant Unto Him, O Lord

Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio

6 The Shepherd’s Path

Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio

12Celebrating Blessing Prayers

Bishop F. Richard Spencer

16Highlights in the Western Region

Bishop Neal J. Buckon

19Sharp Contrast

Bishop Bill Muhm

26 The Harvest Continues

Meet Holden Giefe

28Meet Our Seminarians and Recently Ordained Co-Sponsored Priests

30Archbishop Broglio Issues Pastoral Letter as the U.S. Army Eliminates all Religious Support Contracts

Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio

38Marriage: A Life to Live

Mark Moitoza, Th.D.

42Signs of Hope in Faith Formation

José Amaya

46Disciples of Hope on the Move: Reach More in the AMS

Madeline Stockman

Cover: Army Chaplain, Venerable Emil Kapaun, celebrated Mass on the hood of a jeep in Korea on 7 October 1950. Photo credit: Colonel Raymond Skeehan. In February 2025 US Navy Chaplain, Father Mark Bristol, celebrated Mass for Marines on Okinawa during a training exercise. Photo credit: Father Mark Bristol

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.

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

Eternal Rest grant Unto Him, O Lord

This is the most common prayer of the Catholic Church at the passing of one of her children. It expresses our most profound hope and best wish for the deceased. It came frequently to our lips in these days of the death and funeral of the Bishop of Rome, Pope Francis.

It was a privilege to pray beside Pope Francis’ mortal remains and to cocelebrate his funeral Mass. Despite living in Rome for nineteen years spread out over three periods of my life, I have never participated in a papal funeral. I was in the Eternal City when St. John Paul II ended his earthly pilgrimage, but had to rush back to be in the Dominican Republic where I represented the Holy See as the Apostolic Nuncio. It was important to be there to receive the condolences of the highest authorities of the Nation and to preside at various moments of prayer for his eternal soul.

Certainly, the presence of so many faithful, the College of Cardinals, and hundreds of bishops and priests offered a fitting tribute to a Pontiff, who even the last day of his life on Easter Sunday wanted to bless the people entrusted to his care and all men and women of good will. We must continue to pray for the repose of his immortal soul.

It was amazing to see the via Gregorio VII, a relatively wide avenue that runs behind the Basilica of St. Peter, without parked vehicles and closed to traffic. An old friend and I were able to drive down it, because he had credentials to be present at the funeral. The faithful filled the Piazza San Pietro and the Via della Conciliazione (the wide avenue extending from St. Peter’s Square down to the Tiber River). Estimates ranged from 100,000 to more.

By Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio

The masters of ceremonies organized the distribution of Holy Communion to that crowd at the funeral and the next day for the first of the memorial Masses to pray for the repose of the Holy Father.

It was amazing, even in that crowd, to see a number of U.S. Bishops and friends from other countries. At the same time, other bishops whom I knew were there escaped my vision. It reminded me of what I heard about the funeral of St. John Paul II, whose death in 2005, was the last of a reigning Bishop of Rome. Pope Benedict XVI passed away on 31 December 2022, but was no longer in office at that time.

After the funeral we even exited from the newest gate, Santa Rosa, which is under part of the Vatican Museums. That passageway also opened into a sea of people returning from the funeral Mass. V

The Shepherd’s Path

By Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio

What busy and interesting times are ours. In my last contribution to Salute I was headed into the Sacred Triduum, which was back to its usual rhythm. The Mass of the Lord’s Supper was splendid at Most Holy Trinity Parish at West Point. The choir was splendid and the devotion fervent as together we commemorated the Last Supper, the institution of the Eucharist, and the recommitment to service symbolized by the washing of feet.

The stark liturgical service of the Lord’s Passion was anticipated by a showing of the Passion of Christ. That movie always moves me even though I have read the “book” many times in the past. Given that the Superintendent gave the cadets Monday off, the congregation at the evening liturgy was a bit thinner than the night before.

Early in the morning Father Christopher Doering drove me to the train so that my wait time was only about five minutes. That was ideal for me. Arriving back in Washington, I had plenty of time to prepare for the Easter Vigil at the Naval Academy.

Father Halladay and I drove out to Annapolis in time for the celebration where some eleven midshipmen were baptized, three others made their profession of faith, and over forty were confirmed (including, of course, the sons and daughters of dependents who are assigned to the Academy). It seemed to me that there were more people than usual in the congregation for the vigil. The next morning the chapel was filled to overflowing for the 8:30 Easter Mass. That is always a beautiful celebration and the weather was perfect. A niece and two of their four children joined us for the Easter Mass and the brunch that followed. It was so good to see them and to share the Academy with them. I tried to do my nephew a favor and encourage my two grandnieces to apply to the school. They smiled sweetly, but I do not think that I convinced them.

An easy drive brought me back to the pastoral center in time to prepare for the Spanish Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. That has been my Easter routine for a decade now, and I really enjoy it.

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The Shepherd’s Path

Of course, the reader knows all about what happened the next day when the Lord called Pope Francis back home.

I have included my reflections about participating in the funeral of Pope Francis elsewhere in this issue of Salute, but it was a grace to be in Roma for those days. Given that my initial flight was through Newark, I had to make a last-minute change to fly out of Dulles—otherwise I would have missed my connection and the ordination of Archbishop Dellagiovanna, who had served as the Secretary of the Nunciature in the Dominican Republic at the time of my transfer to the AMS. It was a pleasure to impose hands on his head in Santa Maria in Trastevere (where I celebrated my “first” Mass) the evening before the funeral.

I returned from Roma on Sunday afternoon and on 1 May was able to celebrate the second annual Mass for the R.O.T.C. students in the Washington area who were going to be commissioned. There was even a strong representation from Annapolis. It is fitting that these young men and women receive a special blessing before they begin their service either on active duty or in the reserves.

The weekend offered a bit of a marathon: participation in a benefit in Stamford, CT at the Cardinal Kung Academy where a seminary classmate was honored, a confirmation in Culpepper, VA for the Diocese of Arlington, and then off to San Juan, Puerto Rico for confirmation and a visit to the Commander there. The flight back to Florida allowed me to spend two days with the Air Force priests at their retreat. Then it was back to D.C. and back to Florida for the ordination of Bishop Caggianelli in the chapel of Saint Vincent de Paul Seminary in Boynton Beach. That weekend ended with Mass at Patrick Space Force Base, where I had not visited in many years.

It is a great grace to have Bishop Caggianelli in episcopal service to this vast archdiocese. He and Bishop Spencer will allow us to be present more frequently in the various communities that make up the Eastern Vicariate.

The following Tuesday it was off to Paris for the annual International Military Pilgrimage (PMI). The schedule allowed me a day in the Nunciature in Paris and the Nuncio, an old friend, made sure that I was able to see the rebuilt Cathedral of Notre Dame. It was breath-taking to see the reconstruction. The church was filled with pilgrims and tourists.

17,000 pilgrims participated in the pilgrimage and it was good to be with the U.S. delegation, to see old friends from the international military community, and, of course, to beg our Blessed Mother for the gift of peace in our troubled world. Once again the Ukrainian delegation was welcomed with special warmth.

The AMS Memorial Mass was the same Sunday as the conclusion of the PMI. Therefore, I had an early flight out of Toulouse on Saturday morning. For the first time in my experience, the

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Archbishop Broglio celebrated Mass for the faithful on the annual Warriors to Lourdes pilgrimage. Bishop Scott McCaig, CC, Bishop for the Military Ordinariate of Canada, and several AMS priests concelebrated the Mass.

The Shepherd’s Path

Photo Credit: Tamino Petelinšek/KofC

driver from the French military failed to arrive. It was a fast and very expensive taxi ride to the airport, but I made it in plenty of time!

That Sunday was suddenly very full. It began with the Baccalaureate Mass at the Naval Academy. It was a pleasure to bless those men and women and send them off in service to our Nation. Would that they would be assured of the presence of a Catholic priest in their new assignments!

After greeting the people and posing for a few pictures, it was back to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception where a Mass to celebrate the solemn beginning of the Petrine Ministry of Pope Leo XIV had been planned. People responded enthusiastically to the opportunity to pray for our new Shepherd.

That afternoon in the same Basilica I celebrated the annual Memorial Mass to pray for the fallen with a particular intention in favor of the priests who had passed away since the same Mass in 2024. Now you know what I did on the long transatlantic flights: prepared three homilies for one day!

The following days included participation in the Path to Peace Benefit in New York with a visit to another seminary classmate, the installation of

the new Bishop of Providence who had been an Auxiliary in Baltimore, and a couple of confirmations. The AMS staff also sent me away for an overnight which allowed me to see James and Dolly Madison’s Montpelier and visit another priest friend.

The Lord is good and always watchful. I was due to attend the meeting of CELAM (the association that unites all of the Latin American Bishops) in Rio de Janeiro, but my visa did not arrive in time. While I was sorry not to be able to participate, the extra days in Washington allowed me to accomplish some other tasks.

The following weeks allowed me to finish the spring confirmation cycle, concelebrate three ordinations of co-sponsored priests, attend some board meetings, rededicate the Shrine of Our Lady in the prayer garden of the Basilica of the National Shrine donated by the National Council of Catholic Women (which at this writing has been vandalized again), participate in the special assembly of the USCCB (where Archbishop Michael Miller preached a splendid retreat), and celebrate Corpus Christi at both Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling and the Basilica.

The final detail of this period was the opening Mass for the Knights of Peter Claver and their Women’s Auxiliary. It was a joy to be with these fine people and to learn a bit more about their organization and ministry in the Church.

Archbishop Broglio prepares the thurible before Mass on Easter Morning at the United States Naval Academy.

Photo Credit: USNA Public Affairs

Busy and interesting times in service to the AMS and the pilgrim Church in the USA have made up the last months. There is probably more, but the highlights give you a picture of one Shepherd’s path. V

Celebrating Blessing Prayers

By Bishop F. Richard Spencer

Catholic faith and traditions have a long and strong history of celebrating blessing prayers. The Catechism of the Catholic Church describes multiple ways and forms of blessings that can be used in collective worship such as during the Mass, for baptism, first Holy Communion, confirmation, or marriage, and also in our individual prayers of blessings such as at meals and at bedtime.

In recent months, military chapels have enjoyed sharing multiple blessing ceremonies and prayers such as for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, first Holy Communions, and confirmation. During my pastoral visit to Ellsworth Air Base in South Dakota, I offered a blessing to all of the mothers present during the Mass on Mother’s Day. Of course, even an episcopal blessing is in one category, the immense gift of the sacraments is quite another.

Left: Bishop Spencer offers a blessing for mothers present during Mass on Mother’s Day at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota.

Right: Bishop Spencer with First Communicants at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota.

My ministry allowed me to bless the first communicants after giving them the “source and summit” of our lives for the first time at Minot AFB in North Dakota. After celebrating the sacrament of confirmation at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, the liturgy afforded another opportunity to bless the newly confirmed.

Why do we share these blessing prayers? The idea that God is the source of blessings is a common theme in Catholic theology. In the Old Testament, God is depicted as bestowing blessings on his people. For example, God blessed humanity at creation. “God blessed them and God said to them: Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and all living things that crawl on the earth” (Gen 1:28). God further invokes blessing in the Abrahamic covenant (see Genesis 12, 15, and 17). God promises to bless Abraham and make him a blessing to others (see Gen 12:3).

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Creative Pastoral Logistics

The New Testament reveals Jesus Christ as the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promise of blessing, and through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus becomes the conduit through which the Father’s blessings are fully realized. Through the Church and the sacraments this promise is fulfilled in an extraordinary and magnificent way. I think of the many times that I am privileged to confirm and fully initiate the confirmandi in the faith bestowing upon them the fullness of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Through the sacraments celebrated in military chapels, especially the sacrament of confirmation, we invoke abundant spiritual blessings upon those who receive them and we are blessed to administer these extraordinary gifts. These blessings are moments to be touched by the Holy and strengthened in the pilgrimage towards holiness. May we always be a joy and a source of blessing to each other, to our families and within military chapel communities! V

Above right: Bishop Spencer, Father Tom Kelly, and altar servers during a procession to the Altar of Repose on Holy Thursday at Fort Gordon, Georgia.

Bishop Spencer gathered with Father Lukasz Willenberg, First Communicants, and altar servers during a recent visit to Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

Highlights in the Western Region

By Bishop Neal J. Buckon

One of joys of ministering in the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS) is the encounter with people of faith who embrace a life of sacrifice and service for the sake of the common good. During my last visit to Hawaii, Father Victor Lanueva, USA-ret, arranged for me to have an office call with Admiral Samuel “Sam” Paparo. Admiral Paparo is the commander of the United States Indo – Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM). We met in his office on Camp Smith, where he has a commanding view of Honolulu and Pearl Harbor.

Admiral Paparo is a graduate of Villanova University, as is Pope Leo XIV. He and his wife, Maureen, have six children. During our discussion I shared with him that Bishop William Muhm visits Department of Defense Installations (DoD) on the “other side” of INDOPACOM in Japan, S. Korea, Guam, and Diego Garcia. I visit the bases in Alaska, Hawaii, Kwajalein and the West Coast on this side of his Area of Responsibility (AOR). We also spoke of our need to recruit priests to serve as chaplains and as contractors; the utilization of permanent deacons; and the First Amendment rights of Catholic

patients in our military hospitals. We were both optimistic about the zeal we are seeing in our youngest service members. I assured him that the AMS is committed to helping them set and accomplish their religious goals. The office call concluded with my thanking Admiral Paparo for his many years of service to the Country and the Navy.

Mr. Kelly McKeague, Director, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), saw that I was on the USINDOPACOM calendar and he sent me an email of invitation. We met before at several AMS Gala Benefits in Washington, D.C. He requested that I visit the Agency’s team and laboratory located on the Hickam AFB side of Joint Base Pearl Harbor –Hickam in Hawaii. Deacon Roy Mellon, USAF-ret, accompanied me to the largest skeletal forensic laboratory in the world. We were warmly greeted by the team and then Mr. John Figuerres, Deputy Director for Operations, gave us a first-class brief on their work to recover and identify the remains of missing Americans from past wars. This work is scientific and paired with legal authenticity for true verification. Dr. Dawn Berry

was able to provide some of the background on the identification of Father Emil Kapaun’s remains. After the briefing we were led through the corridors of the laboratory to see and learn about the various scientific methods being utilized in the identification process. The tour finished in the Family Viewing Room. This is where the team presents the remains to family. We were informed that in this Family Viewing Room, Ray Kapaun, the nephew of Father Emil Kapaun, and Bishop Carl A. Kemme, the Bishop of Wichita, received the relics of a future saint. The DPAA is setting a high standard for all countries in its meticulous effort to honor the dead and their ultimate sacrifice by returning the remains to the next of kin and answering questions for members of the family.

While I was in the INDOPACOM footprint I visited Tropical Lightning, the 25th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks. Father (LTC) Joel Panzer is the Garrison Chaplain at Schofield Barracks. He hosted my visit and arranged for us to visit Father (CPT) Matthew Compton, the 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, Chaplain. The Wolfhounds are a storied outfit. Father Compton

introduced me to his Battalion Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Teddy Borawski. LTC Borawski informed me that his Chaplain was “outstanding.” It is always music to my ears when our military leaders praise the ministry of our priests as they sustain the morale and the morals of the soldiers in the unit. LTC Borawski and Father Compton proudly shared their story of the Wolfhounds’ 67-yearold relationship with Holy Family Home Orphanage in Osaka, Japan. The Battalion hosts some of the orphans and their chaperones for two weeks each summer and sends several Soldiers with hundreds of Christmas gifts to the orphanage in December. You can read more about this charitable tradition at: https://wolfhoundpack.org/ wolfhounds-and-the-holy-familyhome/#anchor-history

I also attended the annual “Evening with a Hero” event at Fort Chadbourne, Texas. Mrs. Ann Pate, a Member of the Fort Chadbourne Foundation, invited me to the event that honors Medal of Honor recipients. SSG Ryan M. Pitts, USA, was the guest of honor and speaker at the dinner with over 400 people attending. I enjoyed sitting next to the affable combat

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veteran. He received his training as a Forward Observer at Fort Sill, OK. I was the Garrison Chaplain at Fort Sill, so we had plenty to talk about as we enjoyed the prime rib dinner. Service members from Goodfellow AFB and Dyess AFB were seated at nearby tables. Ryan was awarded the MOH for his actions on 13 July 2008 at the Battle of Wanat in Afghanistan. As

he recounted the worst day of his life, it became apparent that God must have favored his life for him to have survived. We train the best for the worst! He and his family are now flourishing in New Hampshire. Ryan recently received a degree in Engineering. The clergy of the AMS serve those who serve. We are blessed to be a part of the journey of these brave young Americans. V

Bishop Neal J. Buckon with Mrs. Ann Pate (right), a member of the Fort Chadbourne Foundation, with Medal of Honor recipient SSG Ryan M. Pitts, USA (center), who was the guest of honor and speaker for the annual “Evening with a Hero” event in Fort Chadbourne, Texas.

SHARP CONTRAST

By Bishop Bill Muhm

“...sharp spiritual contrast between those in our fallen world who are inhabited by the Holy Spirit, and those who aren’t. The Holy Spirit can use that sharp spiritual contrast to evangelize.”

Article on next page 19

SHARP CONTRAST

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In April, I confirmed 27 young adults at Camp Humphreys, South Korea, and 13 at Osan Air Base, South Korea. The sacrament of confirmation strengthens and amplifies the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit given to each Christian at baptism. I tried to remind those being confirmed that the seven gifts inspire those who receive them and give them the potential to change the course of human history. When the Holy Spirit draws His 12 gifts (charity, faithfulness, gentleness, goodness, generosity, joy, kindness, peace, patience, self-control, modesty, and chastity) out of any baptized and

confirmed member of the Church, then that member will stand out in sharp contrast to everyone in our broken, wounded, damaged, hopeless world who is not inhabited by the Holy Spirit. It could not be otherwise—the Spirit works with divine power in everyone inhabited by Him (John 3:8).

Father Benjamin Letran, a U.S. Army chaplain stationed at Camp Humphreys, invited me to join soldiers from his unit on a guided tour of the Korean demilitarized zone (DMZ). The tour included a visit to Freedom House, just a few meters from the blue buildings T1, T2, and T3 which straddle the military demarcation line (MDL). Our U.S. Army Captain guide told us that in early 2025, the U.N. Commander requested permission from North Korea for allied soldiers to cross the MDL to paint the roofs of the three blue buildings. Permission was denied. Consequently, the allied soldiers painted only the southern half of each blue building. This sharp visual contrast provides an analogy of the sharp spiritual contrast between those in our fallen world who are inhabited by the Holy Spirit, and those who aren’t. The Holy Spirit can use that sharp spiritual contrast to evangelize!

May our baptized and confirmed Christians who live and work in the AMS global vineyard always stand out in sharp spiritual contrast—and may they be instruments of divine evangelization—to the many in our world who have not yet received the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Thank you for your prayers and support for all of us at the AMS. V

Bishop Muhm blesses the congregation following Confirmation Mass at Camp Humphreys.

Page 19: Bishop Muhm looks down from Freedom House onto blue buildings that straddles the Military Demarcation Line separating North and South Korea.

Procession along Barnett Avenue at US Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia.

Corpus Christi Procession at Marine Corps Base Quantico

By Father Patrick Costello, CHC, USN

Catholic life in the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, is unique in that we worship the living God in myriad places and environments; we pray the sacred liturgy in the field, on ships at sea, and inside basechapels.Catholicslivingand working on or near an installation with a chapel and an AMS priest are blessed to have a stable community of faith, the chapel feeling much like a civilian parish back home. Chapel communities provide a firm foundation for service members and their families to grow in the life of grace through personal and communal prayer, the sacraments, catechesis, works of mercy, and Catholic community life. The stability and resources of military chapels permit rich expressions of our faith for Catholic service members, expressions that can also serve as a public witness to the Catholic faith within the wider military family.

Sunday, June 22 across the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, was the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. The Catholic chapel communityatMarineCorpsBase Quantico celebrated this great feast

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Corpus Christi Procession

with the beauty of the traditional Corpus Christi procession. Braving hot summer temperatures with characteristic military grit, over 100 worshipers concluded Corpus Christi Mass by falling in behind our Eucharistic Lord. For many in attendance, this was their first time being in a Eucharistic procession. The chapel’s Knights of Columbus held the canopy, and recent first communicants paved the way in front, wearing their first communion attire and tossing flower petals on the sidewalk in honor of Jesus. People of all ages followed in the procession train singing hymns like “Jesus My Lord My God My All” and “Godhead Here in Hiding.” Several drivers passed by on the road giving encouraging waves and making the Sign of the Cross, while others wondered at the striking religious sight before them. The procession concluded back in the chapel with benediction, and all cooled off in our air-conditioned fellowship room, chatting and enjoying ice cream treats.

During the summer training season, two Masses are celebrated at the Marine Corps Officer Candidates School at Quantico

First communicants tossed flower petals as the Corpus Christi procession leaves the Marine Memorial Chapel.

on Sunday evenings to provide the Eucharist and confession for the young men and women undergoing the intense training program to become officers in the Marine Corps. Following the morning procession, two other Corpus Christi processions happened that evening with about 300 officer candidates participating (albeit without ice cream at the end). Those processions were a welcome moment of silence and prayer for the candidates, with many experiencing such a procession for the first time in their lives. Following our Blessed Lord and walking alongside the famed Marine Corps obstacle course, we could feel the special consolation that Christ is always with us, even in the arduous life of military service. V

THE HARVEST CONTINUES...

NAME: Holden Giefe

(ARCH) DIOCESE: Diocese of Salina (KS)

ARMED FORCES BRANCH: Air Force

RANK: 2nd Lt

EDUCATION/DEGREES:

Kansas State University, BS in Electrical Engineering and MBA. Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, Certificate of Completion for Pre-Theology program.

HOBBIES:

Running, Reading, Ultimate Frisbee, Movies

TEAM SPORTS: Football, Basketball, Cross Country, Swimming, Track, Ultimate Frisbee

WHEN WAS THE FIRST TIME YOU THOUGHT YOU MIGHT HAVE A VOCATION TO THE PRIESTHOOD?

I find there are two factors in my discernment: the steady presence of the faith from my family throughout my life and that moment when God lovingly slapped me to get my attention. In one sense, I’ve always been aware of the possibility, but it was during my sophomore year of college that I saw priesthood as the vocation God wanted for me.

WHO OR WHAT EVENTS INFLUENCED YOUR DISCERNMENT JOURNEY?

The example of the military chaplains growing up, but the most important event was Sister Miriam James Heidland’s speech at the SEEK2019 conference. Her talk opened my heart to the love of the Father and presented me with a direct invitation to discern.

HOW DID THE LORD MOVE YOU TO BECOME CO-SPONSORED BY AMS?

Growing up in the Air Force, I knew if God called me to be a priest, then I would want to be a chaplain, so I’m glad that’s His plan as well.

WHAT WOULD PEOPLE BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU?

My favorite athlete is Katie Ledecky. The furthest I’ve run is 17.76 miles.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SCRIPTURE PASSAGE, WHY?

Matthew 17:1-13. It always reminds me that if I am ever confused/anxious/ afraid, I need only to focus on Jesus alone.

HOW DID YOU COME TO KNOW JESUS CHRIST PERSONALLY?

I started reading a chapter of the Gospels each night when I was 12, but it was SEEK2019 that drew me from an intellectual to a more loving and personal relationship with Him.

WHAT WERE SOME OF THE SPIRITUAL EVENTS OR ACTIVITIES THAT HELPED YOU DEVELOP AND SHARE YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST AND HIS CHURCH?

The most significant event was my first Marian Consecration in 2020. It kickstarted new and rejuvenated old spiritual habits. Since entering seminary, the silent retreats I’ve been on have taken me leaps in those relationships.

HAVE ANY SAINTS OR CHURCH LEADERS PARTICULARLY INSPIRED YOUR DISCERNMENT JOURNEY?

St. Peter has always been a dear companion on my journey. Also, Venerable Father Emil Kapaun, St. Kolbe, Blessed Stanley Rother, and St. Thérèse.

WHAT WAS YOUR PROFESSIONAL AND/OR ACADEMIC AND/OR MILITARY BACKGROUND BEFORE APPLYING TO BE A SEMINARIAN?

I was a college student/AFROTC cadet at Kansas State University.

WHAT WAS THE LAST BOOK YOU READ OR WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY READING?

I re-read two books by Saint Therese of Lisiuex: I Believe in Love and Story of a Soul.

WHO ARE YOUR HEROES OR PEOPLE YOU SIGNIFICANTLY ADMIRE?

My grandparents, parents, bishops, and the faculty of Kenrick-Glennon Seminary.

HOW WOULD YOU CHARACTERIZE YOUR PRAYER LIFE? WHAT COMPRISES YOUR DAILY PRAYER?

My daily prayer is comprised of Mass, the Liturgy of the Hours, the Rosary, Chaplet of St. Michael, and a Holy Hour formed by Lectio Divina practices and trial and error.

Archdioceseforthe MilitAry services, UsA

Serving Those Who Serve

Father Vincent Capodanno was killed in combat while tending to wounded Marines and sailors on 4 September 1967 in Vietnam. He was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously on 7 January 1969.

RECENTLY ORDAINED CO-SPONSORED PRIESTS

Joint Base Lewis McChord (JBLM) main post chapel is one of many U.S. Army chapels whose Religious Education Coordinator and music contracts were canceled by the U.S. Army. JBLM is home to I Corps and the 7th Infantry Division. JBLM has a population of over 110,000 people, with 40,000 soldiers and airmen, and 60,000 family members, and 15,000 DOD civilians and contractors.

Archbishop broglio issUes pAstorAl letterAsthe U.s. ArMy eliMinAtesAll

religioUs sUpport contrActs

ARCHDIOCESE FOR THE MILITARY SERVICES, USA Office of the Archbishop

17 October 2025

Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr

To the Faithful of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA,

Please receive my words to you today as expressions of both gratitude and lament. For those who attend Mass, visit chapel offices, or participate in faith formation on a U.S. Army installation, you likely noticed, that beginning on Sunday, 5 October 2025, contract services and contractor offices were dark and music was absent during Mass. These changes were not due to the government shutdown, but rather, due to a memorandum issued in March of this year by U.S. Army Installation Management Command which directed the cancellation of all chapel contracts for Coordinators of Religious Education (CRE), Catholic Pastoral Life Coordinators (CPLC), and musician contracts, across the U.S. Army.1

For decades, contracted CREs, CPLCs, and musicians have served the faith communities at military chapels. Their essential services have assisted Catholic priest chaplains in their duties and animated the life of the community. The Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS), has been especially dependent upon the professional skills and theological training of CREs, who under the guidance of the priest, oversee the daily

1 Lawson, Monica, Col. Memorandum for Record: Termination of IMCOM RSO Coordinator Contracts. 12 Mar. 2025.

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needs of religious education, coordinate catechist certification training for the thousands of men and women who volunteers as catechists, and ensure that proper materials are prepared and procured. These roles encourage the missionary vocation of lay leaders, sowing the seeds that impart the Catholic faith to future generations.

Over the past several months, I have met with the Secretary of the Army and the Army Chief of Chaplains about the severe, negative impact that the cancellation of these chapel contracts will have on Catholics soldiers serving in the U.S. Army and their families entrusted to my care. Repeatedly, I have been told that Directors of Religious Education (DREs) and Religious Affairs Specialists (RAS) will “cover down” on the tremendous work of CREs and CPLCs. Obviously, that has not happened, and it is, in fact, impossible.

First, there is no requirement for DREs to be Catholic. According to the U.S. Army, merely eight DREs across the entire Army are Catholic. Second, there is no requirement for RASs to have any faith whatsoever, nor is there any specific training for RASs in the Catholic faith, catechesis, or catechetical methodology that would equip them to oversee religious education. Most DREs and RASs do not possess the fundamental qualification of a CRE, CPLC, or catechist, namely, to profess the Catholic faith. To put these individuals in charge of Catholic religious education lacks common sense and is scandalous. The elimination of these contracts reduces ministry outreach and community life to a programmatic task rather than a spiritual life to accompany and nourish.

Engaging in Catholic catechesis is a divine vocation entered into as a responsive offering of love toward God and neighbor. Children and adults of all ages pursue religious education with holy curiosity and restless hearts. CREs, CPLCs, and catechists accompany the faithful and those seeking as they come to know God as the source of creation, and encounter Jesus Christ who poured Himself out for many and continues to give of Himself through the Eucharist.

Religious education students at Saint Barbara Catholic Community in Fort Sill, Oklahoma participate in a confirmation retreat in March 2025. Nearly 30,000 service members, families, and DOD civilians are stationed at Fort Sill, which houses the Fires Center of Excellence, the Army’s Field Artillery School, Air Defense Artillery School, the U.S. Marine Corps Artillery School, 75th A Brigade, and 31st ADA Brigade. The US Army has phased out all chapel contracts at Fort Sill, including the part-time Catholic Coordinator of Religious Education contract and pianist contract. Two active duty Catholic chaplains are assigned to Fort Sill, both to operational units. There is no dedicated staffing for the Catholic chapel.

CREs, CPLCs, and catechists experience keenly the truth which Saint Augustine, the Bishop of Hippo and Doctor of the Church, offered in The Confessions, namely, that the restlessness of heart of those in religious education begins to recognize a longing to encounter and know God. Educators of the Faith lead the young and old alike toward understanding and internalizing Augustine’s prayer, “You stir us so that praising you may bring us joy, because you have made us and drawn us to yourself, and our heart is unquiet until it rests in you.”2 Coordinators bring to life these vital attributes for sacramental preparation, to include the OCIA, and adult faith formation as well.

2 Augustine, Saint. The Confessions. Translated by Maria Boulding, 20th ed., New City Press, 2023.

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To those who have served U.S. Army Catholic communities so diligently, I offer my profound thanks. Week after week, you prepared lessons for the faithful of this Archdiocese, arrived at the chapel early, and offered your knowledge, charisms, and creativity to help others encounter Jesus Christ, His Church, and His sacraments.

In his recent apostolic exhortation, Dilexi Te, Pope Leo XIV addressed educators, saying that “education has always been one of the highest expressions of Christian charity . . . yours is a mission of love because you cannot teach without loving.” 3 Knowledge of our faith, Pope Leo continued, “liberates, gives dignity, and brings us closer to truth.” Those who work in religious education know this mission of love, and your profound service helps to liberate students to know God, to understand their dignity as sons and daughters of the Father, and incorporates them into the active life of the Church so that truth emerges vibrantly in their consciousness, outshining the allure and distractions of modern, secularized culture.

Paired with tremendous gratitude for CREs, CPLCs, and musicians, I also express deep lament that the Army’s actions have proven so injurious to the practice of the Catholic faith on Army installations. There are merely 137 Catholic chaplains serving in the active and reserve components of the U.S. Army, yet there are more than 2,500 chaplains in the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps.4 This means that less than 5.5% of the Chaplain Corps is Catholic. However, about twenty-percent of soldiers are Catholic. RAND recently reported, “There are approximately six Protestant chaplains for every 1,000 Protestant soldiers, and approximately one Catholic chaplain for every 1,000 Catholic soldiers.” 5

3 Leo XIV, Pope. Apostolic Exhortation Dilexi Te. 4 Oct. 2025, Vatican.va, www.vatican.va/ content/leo-xiv/en/apost_exhortations/documents/dilexi-te.html (accessed 10 October 2025).

4 The Importance of the Chaplain | Article | The United States Army

5 “Forecasting Religious Affiliation in the United States Army,”29 November 2021. Available at: https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA752-2.html (accessed 10 October 2025).

Catholic priests who serve as U.S. Army chaplains offer spiritual and pastoral care to soldiers of any, or even no faith. At the same time, they also serve, within their Catholic faith, six times the number of soldiers served by Protestant chaplains. The sheer number of Catholic soldiers and families creates a significant pastoral and administrative responsibility for Catholic chaplains. Moreover, because Catholic chaplains are most often assigned full-time to operational units, such as brigades and battalions, the demands of the unit, and the operational tempo of deployments, field time, and training rotations, make it impossible for a Catholic chaplain to oversee the daily operations of chapel programs without professional support. This reality highlights the necessity of CREs and CPLCs who offer professional and competent catechetical and administrative support to priests and the Catholic community.

In canceling these contracts, the Army over-burdens Catholic chaplains, harms chapel communities, and impedes the constitutional guarantee of the free exercise of religion especially for Catholics. The cancellation of chapel contracts may appear to be a neutral elimination of chapel support which itself affects the free exercise of religion for all soldiers. However, this action disproportionately harms Catholics, first, because Catholic chaplains are already so low density and in such high demand, and second because the Catholic faith requires continuing religious education and sacramental preparation that can only be accomplished through competent support.

Some Army leaders have offered that the faithful of the AMS should simply go off-post for Mass and religious education. This flimsy offering implicitly acknowledges the harm done to Catholics at military chapels, but it also fails to acknowledge the reality that many soldiers are stationed abroad, in non-Christian countries, where Mass is not available, and religious

Archbishop Broglio Issues Pastoral Letter

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education is certainly not available in English. Additionally, in remote places in the United States, service members and their families may not have access to Catholic faith formation outside of the military chapel.

The Army’s action intolerably infringes upon the free exercise of religion for Catholics in the U.S. Army, as well as my responsibility as Archbishop, to provide pastoral care to those within my canonical jurisdiction. I assure the faithful of this Archdiocese that I will pursue all legal options to address this grave misstep.

Finally, a word of hope and invitation: Catholic military communities are special places of unity, hope, and holiness within military life. These are communities in which Catholics of all ages, races, and backgrounds come together especially during the Mass and forge holy friendships that endure long beyond a service member’s time in uniform. I have observed this reality during many pastoral visits to military installations.

Especially in these days when the lack of appropriate staffing for chapels threatens spiritual poverty for Catholics in the military and their families, I return to the apostolic exhortation of Pope Leo XIV. Addressing principally economic poverty, but in words equally applicable to spirituality, the Holy Father wrote:

For the Christian faith, the education of the poor is not a favor but a duty. Children have a right to knowledge as a fundamental requirement for the recognition of human dignity. Teaching them affirms their value, giving them the tools to transform their reality. Christian tradition considers knowledge a gift from God and a community responsibility. Christian education does not only form professionals, but also people open to goodness, beauty and truth.6

6 Leo XIV, Pope. Apostolic Exhortation Dilexi Te. 4 Oct. 2025, para. 72.

Because of this reality, I implore the faithful of this Archdiocese to continue to worship at military chapels and offer your gifts and talents for the building up of the Church, especially in sacramental preparation and religious education. Saint Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 12, “Now the body is not a single part, but many” (1 Cor 12:14). I depend upon your generosity in serving in military chapels to continue to propagate the Catholic faith throughout this Archdiocese and build the body of Christ’s Church. Your service changes lives and reaches souls.

Invoking the intercession of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, patroness of Catholic education, for continued faith formation at military chapels, and with gratitude for all who serve in military chapels, I remain,

Sincerely in Christ,

The Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, Archbishop for the Military Services, USA

Marriage: A Life to Live

By Mark Moitoza, Th.D.

Since 2018, generous financial support has enabled the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, to facilitate Marriage Enrichment Retreats for Catholic couples in the Armed Forces. These retreats have been hosted throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia. During the past few years, the Catholic Church has been exploring catechumenal pathways for married life. While marriage preparation, prior to celebrating the sacrament of marriage, is key it is often the last moment of formation and growth. Engaging content, such as topics discussed during marriage enrichment retreats along with recent pastoral guidelines articulated in the 2022 Catechumenal Pathways for Married Life: Pastoral Guidelines for Local Churches, emphasizes the necessity to articulate the good and beautiful aspects of marriage as a “life to live.”

The faithful often hear about the formation process that those preparing for the priesthood engage in over multiple years. Sufficient time to reflect and mature are

necessary for all vocations, including the vocation of married life. Catechumenal Pathways shares that each discernment process begins with the experience of human love, faith, and a personal encounter with Jesus Christ. These foundational relationships help us recognize our gifts, our call, and our way forward as we pursue “a life to live”.

The phases and rites of passage that deserve attention for discernment include formation, discussion, dialogue, liturgy, community, prayer, and celebration. These encounters help us recognize the dignity and value that each person has and the vocation to which he or she is called. So many today contemplate the individual question, “Who am I?” Yet the disciple is challenged to flip that question to ask instead, “For whom am I?” In other words, how am I called to live in relationship with others?

Over a gradual process, the choice to get married is grounded in life-long formation, hospitality, prayer, discernment, and ongoing support. This perspective helps us to recognize and contemplate the

Participants attending the AMS Marriage Enrichment Retreat, praying during exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at the Maria Rosenberg Pilgrimage Church in Waldfischbach-Burgalben, Germany, 12 April 2025.

graces of a sacramental marriage over time. If marriage preparation is only immediate, that it is a task to complete just to get to the wedding day, the openness to the grace of the sacrament can be overlooked or even missed entirely.

This is why marriage enrichment retreats prove to be valuable opportunities for couples to reengage with one another. They afford encounters to connect with other couples on the journey. They facilitate moments to pray, both individually and

together. Ultimately, these retreats remind each couple that marriage formation continues throughout married life. Mentor couples willing to share how they handle all that comes their way are needed. Being willing to be accompanied by couples with the wisdom to accompany helps to recall God’s dream for ‘our marriage’ and to ultimately cultivate that dream as a gift.

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Marriage:

Saint John Paul II wrote in Gratissimam Sane, Letter to Families (1994 – Year of the Family), that “man is called to live in truth and love” and “everyone finds fulfillment through the sincere gift of self.” Military life requires many sacrifices. Married life, especially in the military, can find those sacrifices overwhelming. Being present to each other while deployed or training through prayer is a necessary gift that sustains unity through the sacrifice of unanticipated separation. The sacraments, the community of faith, and mentor couples all provide additional support to sustain, grow, and mature together in a life to live for one another. V

Learn more about resources that support the vocation of marriage through: Called to the Joy of Love: Resource Guide,

https://www.usccb. org/resources/ Called_to_the_Joy_ of_Love_Resource_ Guide.pdf

Save the Dates

Triennial National Collection for the AMS

8-9 November 2025

Catholic parishes nationwide

For more information visitmilarch.org/national-collection/

17

th Annual Benefit for the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA

Saturday, 15 November 2025- 5 p.m.

The Saint John Paul II National Shrine 3900 Harewood Road NE,Washington, D.C. 20017

Archbishop Broglio will celebrate the opening Mass and host the gathering

National Catholic Youth Conference

20-22 November 2025

Indianapolis, IN

SEEK 2026

1-5 January 2026

Columbus, OH

Forth Worth, TX

Denver, CO

Men’s Retreat in Europe

5-8 February 2026

Schoenstatt, Germany

For more information or to register: david.puzichadunn.dpd@gmail.com

32nd Annual Memorial Mass

Sunday, 17 May 2026, 4:30 p.m.

Upper Church - Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception 400 Michigan Avenue NE,Washington, D.C. 20017

Archbishop Broglio will be the principal celebrant and homilist.

Signs of Hope in Faith Formation

By José Amaya, Director of Faith Formation

Since 2013, catechists have completed 6,171 courses through AMS partnerships with Catholic International University and the University of Dayton’s Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation, and onsite trainings.

Participants in AMS Catechist Certification Training share about devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary during a small group session in Camp Humphreys, South Korea.

The Catechism defines hope as “the confident expectation of divine blessing and the beatific vision of God” (CCC 2090). Our hope is in Jesus Christ leading “us to the love of the Father in the Spirit and makes us share in the life of the Holy Trinity” (CCC 426). The Church invites us to celebrate the gift of hope this Jubilee year 2025. It is opportune to celebrate the faith formation accomplishments of past years as we anticipate the future with trusting hope.

Creating the Office of Faith Formation

The Archbishop established the Office of Faith Formation in 2012 to strengthen the teaching of the Catholic faith. A strong vision for catechesis gave rise to an intentional effort to form catechists and equip families with tools and resources to deepen their knowledge, understanding, and practice of the Catholic faith.

The AMS Forming Disciples for the New Evangelization became the Archdiocesan Religion Curriculum Guide in 2013. The standards and indicators have served to provide systematic and consistent catechesis throughout the Archdiocese for adults, youth and children. The expectations for proclaiming and teaching the person of Jesus Christ are clear and guide catechist and catechetical leadership, faith formation, family catechesis, and the selection of resources for teaching the faith.

Every time a catechist engages in formal faith formation towards AMS certification, he or she helps to strengthen the faith of militaryaffiliated Catholic families. Since 2013, catechists have completed 6,171 courses through AMS partnerships with Catholic International University and the University of Dayton’s Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation, and onsite trainings. The Director of Faith Formation has facilitated 191 onsite trainings with the help of fellow

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Faith Formation

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trained facilitators. The AMS has certified 2,256 catechists. A number of catechists have completed a Certificate in Catechesis Program and some have pursued BA and graduate degrees in Theology. These catechists and catechetical leaders eventually return to their civilian home dioceses and parishes.

The future of catechesis in the Archdiocese is full of hope. The 2020 Directory for Catechesis guided a rich revision to the Curriculum Guide for grades PreK through adolescent catechesis. The Curriculum Guide aligns more clearly to the language of the four pillars in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the five tasks of catechesis articulated in the Directory for Catechesis, and the USCCB’s definition of evangelizing catechesis. The spirituality of the gospel of Luke 24 permeates the standards and indicators of the Guide with a spirituality of encounter with Jesus Christ in the life of the Christian community who accompanies and sends the missionary disciple to proclaim and teach the good news. This revision was implemented in time for use throughout the Archdiocese, beginning with the fall of 2025.

This vision for catechesis seeks to equip and support parents. The AMS is participating in a five-year project sponsored by the National Community of Catechetical Leaders to discern ways to help parents in the transmission of the Catholic faith to their children in the first two decades of the life of the family. Fourteen installations are participating in this Parents and Families at the Center of Faith Formation project. These efforts are supported by the AMS Family Witness to Christ platform providing parents with tools to carry out their duty to transmit the gifts of faith, hope and love year-round.

What is your hope for faith formation in the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA in the next twelve years? V

Father Benajmin Letran, Chaplain (CPT), U.S. Army celebrates Mass with Father Joseph Baltz, Chaplain (1LT), U.S. Army as concelebrant during AMS Catechist Certification Training facilitates by Mr. José Amaya in Camp Humphreys, South Korea.

Participants in AMS Catechist Certification Training in Camp Humphreys, South Korea share stories of faith in a Methodology of Art workshop.

hope

Disciples of Hope on the Move: Reach More in the AMS

By Madeline Stockman, Coordinator for Discipleship Formation

“Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.”

– Romans 5:5

Since 2022, Reach More discipleship formation in the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS) has trained 137 lay military Catholics at over 60 military installations worldwide. With 17 completed training groups, these leaders—70% of whom are young adults— are equipped to accompany others in faith through intentional relationships. This has led to a flourishing of small group communities and personal accompaniment, with 60% of leaders currently engaging in one-on-one discipleship and 40% leading small groups. Over twelve weeks of formation through an online platform and digital connection, participants learn to pray deeply, accompany others in faith, and lead small groups that foster authentic friendship in Christ.

For many, the training is just the beginning—the real transformation happens when leaders take ownership of their personal apostolate and begin to live out their missionary call.

For Mariano Mesngon (COL, USA), that boldness meant starting an Exodus 90 men’s fraternity at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD. At first, the group had only one member — recruited through a personal conversation after Mass. Mariano, who began Reach More discipleship training at the same time, learned that personal invitation was key. “Having at least one brother in Christ walk my Exodus 90 journey with me was already a success,” he recalls. “But Reach More helped me see that personal interaction is what truly builds spiritual fraternity.” His group now has five men meeting weekly for prayer, accountability, and friendship.

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Jillian Salazar (2Lt, USAF) at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, NJ shared that Reach More, “provided me confidence to allow people to know that I am a Catholic and serving in the military.” Jillian was enlisted for twenty years in the Air Force before serving as an officer, and she elaborates that, “telling people I was Catholic in uniform is definitely something that I never have done before. Now, I make a point to try to go to daily Mass, and my connection to God is totally different, and I didn’t expect that at all.”

Jesse Ramirez, (SFC, USA) a PSYOPS non-commissioned officer, was already running a small bible study at Camp Humphreys in Korea when Bishop William Muhm recommended he sharpen his skills with Reach More training. After formation, Jesse said, “my top take away is that evangelization is most effective through authentic personal relationships,” and that “I’ve become more intentional in looking for opportunities to connect faith to everyday life. I’m more confident starting spiritual conversations and I see evangelization not as a program, but as a daily way of living and loving others.”

The movement’s growth is not confined to numbers, but seen in personal encounters, conversions, and deeper commitments to the Catholic faith. Reach More leaders have helped bring inactive Catholics back to the Sacraments, supported military families in times of crisis, and fostered vocations to priesthood and religious life. Even in the transient, demanding life of the military, the Holy Spirit is sustaining communities rooted in prayer, friendship, and mission—equipping Catholics wherever they are stationed to bring Christ to others, one conversation and one relationship at a time.

In this Jubilee Year, Reach More leaders are embodying hope — the kind that “does not disappoint” (Romans 5:5) — by accompanying others, proclaiming Christ, and witnessing to the joy of the Gospel in the midst of military life. Their work is a living sign that in the trials and transience of service, God’s love remains steadfast and His mission unstoppable. V

Photos from page 46 (clockwise):

Reach More leader Susan Johnson (center) of the USAG Wiesbaden Catholic community spearheaded the effort to take thirty-five couples on pilgrimage to Rome during the Jubilee of artists. The group is pictured in the Swiss Army Barracks chapel where they celebrated Mass.

Reach More leader Jilenny Duran-Bato 2Lt, USAF (center) meets with OCIA candidates at Sheppard AFB in Texas for small group bible time at their local coffee shop.

Reach More leader Ed Stockman SSG, USA taught over sixty active duty service members and veterans about Sacred Music and Liturgy of the Hours at his local parish near Fort Bragg, NC.

Reach More leader Jillian Salazar (center) and military families from the growing Catholic Military Apostolate – U.S. chapter at JB McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, NJ made a pilgrimage to the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Washington D.C.

Newly Ordained Priest Father Erin Donlon Brings a Spirit of Service and Surrender

By Elizabeth A. Tomlin, General Counsel

On 31 May 2025, Father Donlon was ordained to the priesthood in the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Lewiston, Maine. While he lay prostrate before the altar, Father Donlon said his prayer and hope for his priesthood was “to let the Lord pour into me, a broken vessel, the graces to bring people closer to Him.” Serving as Parochial Vicar at the Parish of the Resurrection of the Lord in Old Town, Maine, Father Donlon is also Assistant Chaplain to the Newman Center at the University of Maine in Orono, and Assistant Vocations Director for the Diocese. His priesthood already reveals a heart eager to help people encounter Christ.

A Heart for Confession

Father Donlon shared that that “one of the most profound things about the priesthood is hearing confession.” For those who have not gone to confession in a while, Donlon offers the Book of Proverbs advice of “iron sharpens iron.” Donlon said, “In our spiritual lives, we need to keep our tools sharpened, and the best way is through the sacrament of penance. It clears the mind and helps us know what to improve on. Going through

the confessional is the first door through the narrow gate.”

Encouraging Vocations

In encouraging men to consider the vocation to the priesthood, Father Donlon acknowledges that “there is a natural attraction to family life and having a spouse. That is a good thing. Part of being a priest is recognizing the sacrifice that you are offering up, but also the gift you are receiving.” Father Donlon continued, “In one sense, you’re receiving more as a priest, because it is the difference between a natural and a supernatural calling.” Father Donlon acknowledged that some men discerning the priesthood may fear that they will not be fulfilled by doing the Lord’s work, but he said, “The Lord is the fulfillment of all desires. When we surrender ourselves, we are able to offer ourselves more freely” Donlon said. To those discerning the priesthood, Father Donlon offers frank encouragement: “Jump in with both feet. Spend time with the Lord in adoration.” Father Donlon also encourages people to “Find a priest you trust to be your spiritual director. Discerning is not to be done on your

own. You’re discerning priesthood, and the Church is discerning you, so you don’t do it alone.”

Father Donlon also pointed out that if a man spends time in seminary and discerns that he is not called to the priesthood, the experience is never wasted. “You only leave seminary a better person. If you discern that you’re not called to be a priest, you will be a better husband and father because of that time encountering the Lord.”

Looking Toward Military Chaplaincy

Before entering seminary Donlon attended Maine Maritime Academy and served as a Merchant Marine through the Strategic Sealift Officer Program of the U.S. Navy Reserve. Having earned his warfare device in that community, Father Donlon later transferred to the Chaplain Candidate Program and completed seminary through the AMS cosponsorship program. In three years, after serving in parish ministry, he will enter active duty as a U.S. Navy Chaplain and states, “I’m excited to get out to the fleet and serve the people of God who need a personal encounter with Jesus the most.”

Donlon added, “Service men and women have such an obligation to uphold the Constitution and defend our freedoms, and the best moral compass for them is that of our Catholic faith.”

Father Matt Pawlikowski, who serves as the Chaplain for the Corps of Cadets at the United States Military Academy at West Point and has been a source of spiritual support and inspiration for Father Erin Donlon, embraces the newly ordained priest at the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul on 31 May 2025.

Photo Credit: Cindy Russell

Inspired by Priests of Courage

Father Donlon draws inspiration from chaplains and priests who have embodied courage and faith under pressure including: Father Emil Kapaun; Father Vincent Capodanno; Blessed Rupert Mayer; Chaplain for the US Military Academy Corps of Cadets, Father Matthew Pawlikowski; and former AMS Vocations Director Father Matthew Gray. The AMS encourages men discerning the priesthood to contact vocations@milarch.org.

Team Saint Paul Makes Jubilee Pilgrimage to Rome

By Regina Fontana and Caroline McDermott, Team Saint Paul

In early spring of 2025, we began planning a dream pilgrimage to Rome. Originally, the idea was centered around the canonization of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati. From the start, the trip seemed unlikely—each new step raised questions of feasibility. Yet, time and again, the Lord opened new doors. With growing confidence, we finalized the travel plans. The entire group, including nine soldiers and an active duty priest-chaplain were ecstatic! The very next day, however, the Vatican announced that the canonization date had changed. We considered rescheduling, but after prayer and discussion, we decided to keep the original plan, trusting in the Lord’s timing.

On 31 July, after months of planning we finally set foot in Rome! We visited the Catacombs of St. Sebastian, venerated Blessed Frassati’s remains at the Church of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva which also holds relics of Saint Catherine of Siena, and we entered through all four Holy Doors of the major basilicas. We spent time in prayer at sacred sites, admired the Sistine Chapel, and, of course, enjoyed plenty of Italian food and gelato.

Best of all, at the Jubilee of Youth Papal Mass we received a beautiful blessing. Again, many things went “wrong” that morning, but those bumps in the road allowed us to be in the right place at the right time. In the midst of a million people, Pope Leo drove right by us! Only God can plan something like that.That moment became one of the most memorable of the entire trip.

For the soldiers on this pilgrimage, one of the greatest blessings was the time set aside for prayer—free from the normal demands of military life. It provided moments to let oneself be encountered by Christ. One soldier shared that he had been praying to God for an opportunity to go on pilgrimage. A few weeks later our pilgrimage came to fruition. While standing inside St. Peter’s Basilica he said, “I have been dreaming about this since I was a kid.” What a beautiful and personal gift from the Lord! During the course of the pilgrimage, his relationship with God deepened significantly, and he now feels called to enter the Catholic Church.

Members of Team Saint Paul and pilgrims from Travis Air Force Base gather in Saint Peter’s Square during the Jubilee Year of Hope as they participated in the pilgrimage for youth.

Father Callan Sweeney, a chaplain at Fort Campbell who accompanied the group noted, “It was not just in the big, beautiful churches that the young adults encountered the Lord. They met Him in each person they talked to during the many hours spent waiting in line with thousands of other youth from around the world who were gathered together for the faith.”

Even though there were many inconveniences, trusting and saying yes to the Lord allowed these soldiers to encounter Christ. It gave them space to reflect and pray in a way they may not have time to otherwise. In planning this pilgrimage, nothing went as planned; yet everything went as planned. Everything happened exactly how the Lord wanted; that is the greatest takeaway. The Lord’s plan truly is better than anything we can imagine for ourselves and when we allow him to work in and through us, miracles and conversions happen. V

The AMS Celebrated Thirteen Ordinations in 2025

By Elizabeth A. Tomlin, General Counsel

2025 has been a remarkable year for ordinations for future military chaplains. The AMS, alongside co-sponsoring archdioceses, dioceses, and one eparchy, have celebrated twelve ordinations. Nine men were ordained to the priesthood and three to the transitional diaconate.

The following men were ordained to the priesthood, and after three years of pastoral work in their (arch)diocese or eparchy of incardination, they will enter active duty:

Rev. Paul Collins, Archdiocese of Los Angeles (Navy)

Rev. James Craig, Diocese of Corpus Christi (Army)

Rev. Erin Donlon, Diocese of Portland (Navy)

Rev. Raymond Goins, Diocese of Arlington (Army)

Rev. Jacob Gwynn, Diocese of Venice (Navy)

Rev. Alexander Houston, Diocese of Knoxville (Army)

Rev. Conrad Jaconette, Diocese of Owensboro (Air Force)

Rev. Joshua Johnson, Byzantine Eparchy of Phoenix (Air Force)

Rev. Michael Sampson, Diocese of Arlington (Navy)

Additionally, the following men were ordained to the transitional diaconate and anticipate their priestly ordination following their completion of seminary.

Rev. Mr. Brendon Schneibel, Diocese of Fargo (Navy)

Rev. Mr. Mark Wagner, Diocese of Madison (Air Force)

Rev. Mr. Christopher Wild, Diocese of Buffalo (Navy)

Including the recently ordained transitional deacons, 27 men currently participate in the AMS Co-Sponsored Seminarian Program. AMS Vocations Director Father Paul-Anthony Halladay shares that 37 men attended the AMS’s most recent discernment retreat, four are in the process of entering seminary, and over 240 men are discerning the call to the priesthood across all the branches of the military. Prayers for vocations are certainly being answered.

Asking for renewed prayers for vocations, Father Halladay stated, “Bringing the sacraments to our service members in garrisons overseas, at installations across this great country, in theaters of conflict, and at times of war, is a profound challenge! This is a global archdiocese, and these men—preparing to become priests for it—understand its importance, are mindful of the dangers involved with it, but willingly place themselves in harm’s way for the sake of the Gospel, in service to Christ Jesus, and for the love of the People of God.”

Anyone interested in learning more about the AMS Co-Sponsored Seminarian Program or discerning a vocation to the priesthood may contact: vocations@milarch.org or visit milarch.org/vocations. V

Giveonlinetoday

“Your generous support ensures that the AMS can continue the mission to serve those who serve. “

Timothy P. Broglio