Catholic Military Life

Linda & Steve Jaramillo by Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA

Since 1997, Catholic radio in the United States has grown from just seven stations to more than 500, becoming a powerful and effective voice for the Church. Catholic radio stations broadcast the New Evangelization to millions throughout the nation and beyond U.S. borders, and they consistently receive conversion stories and testimonies on the power of Catholic radio to teach the faith and draw listeners ever closer to Christ. Among those listeners are both civilian and military populations. In this edition of Catholic Military Life, the only official podcast of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (www.milarch.org), retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Tom McNew, a 27-year-veteran, shares how he started Armor of God Radio--KOOV FM 106.9--in Kempner, TX, serving more than 50,000 Catholics based at Fort Hood. Listen to Armor of God radio, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at armorofgodradio.com.

Are you interested in connecting with other women who share your Catholic faith, interests, and everyday concerns? If so, go online and order the new book, Joyful Momentum, by Elizabeth A. Tomlin. In the paperback, just published by Ave Maria Press, Ms. Tomlin shows you how you can start, expand, strengthen, or retool an existing women’s group or ministry in your own Catholic parish. Whether you want to start a spiritual book club or a group for moms with young children, retool an existing ministry for moms who work outside their homes, or revitalize a languishing prayer group or committee, you may feel underqualified and overwhelmed when first facing the challenges. Joyful Momentum provides the tools you need to get started, including “Momentum Builders” that will give you the confidence to do what needs to be done. Ms. Tomlin has plenty of experience to draw on. A military wife and mother of three, she is General Counsel to the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, and past president of the Military Council of Catholic Women. In this edition of Catholic Military Life, the only official podcast of the Archdiocese, she offers a sneak preview of how the book can help jumpstart women's ministry in your parish.

The Fifth Commandment tells us, "thou shalt not kill." Yet, killing is integral to warfare. How, then, can war be justified? Philosphers have grappled with that question for centuries. Saint Augustine, a Fourth Century Catholic thinker, developed a theory of "just war" that remains influential in the postmodern era. In this edition of Catholic Military Life, the only official podcast of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, Catholic University of America Theology Professor Dr. Joseph Cipazzo, Ph.D., explores Saint Augustine's "just war" theory, and how it applies to current-day conflicts.

Military chaplains often accompany the men and women they serve into the worst of circumstances. Father Eric Albertson, CH (COL), USA, knows all too well. On Nov. 11, 2004--Veterans Day--Father Albertson was accompanying fellow soldiers across Iraq's western desert in Al Anbar Province when their Humvee hit a roadside bomb. Father Albertson was knocked out and suffered a severe concussion. He recovered and went on to receive the Purple Heart for his injuries in combat. In this edition of Catholic Military Life, the only official podcast of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, Father Albertson, a U.S. Army chaplain for more than 26 years, shares his story, and he explains why it is so important for military chaplains, though unarmed, to go in harm's way.

Any way you look at it, the U.S.-led War on Terror has been a costly venture: a half-million lives lost so far, including nearly seven-thousand U.S. Military personnel killed in action, and more than seven trillion in U.S. tax dollars spent fighting the enemies of freedom and the values we hold dear. And while some 50,000 American service members and veterans bear scars from the physical wounds of combat in the nation's longest war, many also nurse bruises to the soul - scars of "moral injury," a condition that grows when one commits an act that goes against his or her deepest-held values. Battlefields are fertile ground for moral injury, because those deployed must make snap life-or-death decisions that don't always turn out to be the right choices with sometimes devastating consequences. In this edition of Catholic Military Life, the only official podcast of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, Dr. Eileen A. Dombo, PhD, LICSW, Associate Professor and Assistant Dean at the National Catholic School of Social Service, explains what moral injury is, how it differs from post traumatic stress, and ways the afflicted can seek healing to what experts have described as the "signature wound" of the current generation of veterans.

"The Field Afar" is a new feature-length documentary film about Vietnam War hero Father Vincent R. Capodanno airing on ABC TV stations nationwide through the Christmas holidays. Check listings for showings in your area, or purchase a DVD, at thefieldafar.com. In this edition of Catholic Military Life, the only official podcast of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, film creator Tim Moriarty shares how the film came about, tracing the life of the Maryknoll priest from his upbringing in Staten Island, NY, to his death on a Vietnam battlefield rushing unarmed to the aid of U.S. Marines under ambush, his posthumous Medal of Honor award, and his Cause for Canonization now under review by the Holy See's Congregation for the Causes of Saints. As Tim explains, "The Field Afar" is about the power of courage and compassion, even in the face of life's most harrowing events. The life of Father Capodanno speaks to all human beings about the human capacity for goodness. In a world growing ever more weary with cynicism, this is a story to renew the spirit.

For more than thirty years, retired U.S. Army officer Ed Wilson and his wife Dolly have been active in the American military Catholic community at Stuttgart, Germany. Among other volunteer activities, they have organized travel for military Catholics to the annual Pèlerinage Militaire International, or International Military Pilgrimage, in Lourdes, France, where the Americans join military members from other nations in prayer and fellowship. On Oct. 26, the Wilsons were invested in the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, the successor of a Crusades-era military force now engaged primarily in charitable activities in the Holy Land. In this edition of Catholic Military Life, the only official podcast of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, the Wilsons reflect on their service to the Chruch and how their life in Germany has given them a front-row seat on the eventful history of the past three decades in Europe.

Much is known about the life and death of Father Vincent R. Capodanno, M.M., Servant of God. How the United States Navy Chaplain lieutentant was shot to death in Vietnam on Sept. 4, 1967, while rushing--unarmed--to the aid of U.S. Marines under enemy ambush. How he was posthumously awarded the nation's highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor. How the Holy See's Congregation for the Causes of Saints is now considering the cause for canonization of the Maryknoll priest from Staten Island, NY. Much less is known publicly about the favors and possible miracles received by some who have sought Father Capodanno's intercession through prayer. In this edition of Catholic Military Life, the only official podcast of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, Vice Admiral P. Stephen Stanley, USN (Retired), newly appointed chairman of the governing board of the Father Capodanno Guild, shares some of those incredible stories, and how you can support his cause.

At Sunday Masses the weekend of Nov. 9-10, most Catholic parishes throughout the United States will take up a second collection. Proceeds will go to support the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS). The AMS is the only Catholic jurisdiction responsible for providing pastoral care to Catholics in the U.S. Armed Services, VA Medical Centers, civilian service to the federal government beyond U.S. borders, and the families of these populations. Catholics who attend Sunday Mass in interdenominational base chapels where no second collections are taken my nonetheless contribute through the AMS Appeal. For more information on the National Collection, visit milarch.org/nationalcollection. For more information on the AMS Appeal, visit milarch.org/amsappeal. In this special edition of Catholic Military Life, the only official podcast of the AMS, Lt. Col. and Mrs. Greg Tomlin share from personal experience how AMS-endorsed Catholic priest-chaplains and pastoral programs are indispensable for the free exercise of Catholic faith in the U.S. Military.

In 2017, Father Dennis Callan, S.V.D., needed a liver transplant after his nonalcoholic fatty liver disease developed into cirrhosis. Having served as a missionary in Taiwan for 18 years and in Korea for 16 years, the priest of the Society of the Divine Word had spent part of that time ministering to Catholics in the U.S. Army at Fort Humphreys in Pyeongtaek. When Army Warrant Officer Christopher Moore heard of Father's Callan's condition, he was led by the Holy Spirit to step forward. In an operation at Northwestern Medical Center in Chicago on July 12, 2017, the married father of two sons donated two-thirds of his liver to Father Callan. The surgery was such a success that Officer Moore was running a marathon just three months later, and Father Callan has long since returned to active ministry with a clean bill of health. In this edition of Catholic Military Life, the only official podcast of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS), Father Callan and Officer Moore come together again to talk about both the physical and spiritual aspects of their experience. Officer Moore, who runs every year on Team AMS in the annual Army Ten-Miler in Washington, D.C., to raise money for the Archdiocese, shares why he goes above and beyond the call of duty to support the free exercise of Catholic faith in the U.S. Military, even to the point of risking his life to save one priest at a time when Catholic priests and military chaplains are in short supply.

Living out a commitment to marriage can be difficult under the best of circumstances, let alone when one of the couple serves in the U.S. Military, with its transient nature, long deployments, and periods of separation. In this edition of Catholic Military Life, the only official podcast of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, Mr. Murphy Lierley (pictured with wife Kelli) offers guidance on how a military marriage can thrive in spite of challenging circumstances. Mr. Leirley is an international trainer for the marriage support group FOCCUS Inc., USA. FOCCUS stands for "Facilitate Open Caring Communication, Understanding, and Study." The organization teaches that communication and problem-solving are among the keys to a successful marriage.

As a young dentist in the U.S. Army, Andrew Sanchez of Chalmette, LA, seemed to have it all. The Army had paid his way through dental school, and he was contemplating marriage to the woman he was dating. But something told the young Army officer he was meant for something more, and after a period of discernment, he left active duty and entered Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans to become a priest and an Army chaplain. In this edition of Catholic Military Life, the only official podcast of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, Major Sanchez, who is now in the U.S. Army Reserve and scheduled to be ordained a transitional deacon next year, shares how the Holy Spirit inspired him to forsake a potentially lucrative career in dentistry to answer God's call, and why he is now pursuing the vocation within a vocation to serve those who serve.

Captain George Phillips, USMC (Ret.), was among U.S. Marines with Father Vincent Capodanno, MM, Servant of God, when the Navy Lieutenant chaplain was killed by enemy gunfire in Vietnam’s Quế Sơn Valley on Sept. 4, 1967. Capt. Phillips now serves as chairman for the Father Capodanno Guild, which is overseeing the Maryknoll priest's Cause for canonization. In this edition of Catholic Military Life, the only official podcast of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, Capt. Phillips recounts the events of that fateful day, and explains what it was about Father Capodanno that qualifies him for sainthood.

The annual Pilgrimage for the Sea Services will be celebrated on Sunday, October 6, at the National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, 339 South Seton Avenue, Emmitsburg, MD. The pilgrimage starts with Mass at 3:00 p.m. (EDST). Bishop Michael J. Barber, S.J., a retired U.S. Navy Reserve chaplain, will be the principal celebrant and homilist. In this edition of Catholic Military Life, the only official podcast of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, Admiral William J. Fallon, USN (Ret.), Chairman of the Pilgrimage Sponsoring Committee, talks about how the pilgrimage came to be, and what's in it for the faithful and those who serve our nation in the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines, and Public Health Service.

A graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and a captain pilot on active duty, Tim Mergen had a lot going for him, flying the C-146A "Wolfhound" out of Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico. But God's call to the priesthood proved too persistent for the up and coming officer from Wisconsin to ignore. So in 2014, he separated from active duty, took a demotion in rank to Second Lieutenant in the Air Force Reserve, and entered Mount Saint Mary's Seminary in Emmittsburg, MD, in hopes of returning to active duty one day as an Air Force chaplain. He is now well into his formational studies at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, scheduled to be ordained a priest in 2020. In this edition of Catholic Military Life, the only official podcast of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, Tim shares how he discovered his vocation and what it was about God's call that persuaded him to give up a promising military career path in order to be of pastoral service to those who serve in the Air Force.

On Sunday, July 21, 2019, the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS), will celebrate the 34th anniversary of its founding by Pope Saint John Paul II. The AMS will mark the occasion by remembering in a special way the 182 Catholic priests currently on active duty in the U.S. Military. It will hold a "Day of Giving," providing the public an opportunity to support Catholic military chaplains. The hope is that generous benefactors will make at least 182 donations in support of the AMS mission, "Serving Those Who Serve," or one donation for every chaplain. Donations can be made at www.milarch.org/dayofgiving. The donation page will be open from 12 noon on Sunday, July 21, until 10:00 p.m. on Monday, July 22. That's 34 hours--one hour for every year the AMS has been in existence. In this edition of Catholic Military Life, the only official podcast of the AMS, Advancement Director Sal Perez shares why it is so important for the Archdiocese to receive support from private donors, and how the money will be used to bring Christ to military Catholics and their families.

Mrs. Tracey Harger, Catholic Pastoral Life Coordinator at U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii, recently received the Medal of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS), its highest honor. Mrs. Harger, wife of Col. Rick Harger, USA, was so honored for her exemplary moral character, fidelity to the teachings and mission of the Church, and devotion and service to the Catholic community. In this edition of Catholic Military Life, the only official podcast of the Archdiocese, Mrs. Harger tells us about her work among fellow military Catholics and what motivates her to volunteer above and beyond the call of duty in service to Christ.

Each spring, the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS), teams up with the Knights of Columbus (K of C) to send active-duty servicemen and women and veterans on a spiritual journey to Lourdes, where the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Saint Bernadette in 1858. The annual "Warriors to Lourdes" journey affords participants the opportunity to experience the sacred site first-hand, dip into its healing spring waters, attend Mass, and participate in the Sacraments of Penance and the Anointing of the Sick. In this edition of Catholic Military Life, the only official podcast of the AMS, Col. Mike Thumm, USMC (Ret.), and Master Knight of the Fourth Degree for the Archdiocese of Washington District, shares what it's like to make go with Warriors to Lourdes, and how current and former U.S. Military personnel and their spouses may sign up for next year's pilgrimage.

At 10:00 p.m. (EDST) on Wednesday, May 22, 2019, EWTN will broadcast the premiere of "Frontline Fathers"--an original EWTN documentary about Catholic U.S. Army chaplains and the practicing faithful at Camp Humphreys in South Korea. EWTN's cameras follow Fathers Paul A. Halladay, CH (MAJ), USA, and Joseph Campbell, CH (CPT), USA, as they go about their service to the faithful in the shadow of communist North Korea at a time of heightened tensions between the U.S. and North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un. In this edition of "Catholic Military Life," the only official podcast of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, EWTN producer John Elson takes us behind the scenes, sharing how the documentary came about and what the viewing public can expect to take away from it.

Father Michael J. Cerrone, III, of the Diocese of Savannah, GA, gave 20 years of his life to the U.S. Army, 15 of them as a Catholic priest and chaplain. Now in retirement, Father Cerrone, a graduate of the Military Academy at West Point, is still going beyond the call of duty to support the free exercise of faith in the U.S. Military. He recently donated $50,000 to the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, in support of her mission "Serving Those Who Serve." In this edition of Catholic Military Life, Father Cerrone shares why it's so important to provide for the pastoral needs of Catholics in uniform, recounting some of his own experiences in the Army.

On April 24, Father Frank Brett, Ph.D., a retired U.S. Army chaplain, was laid to rest on Chaplains Hill in Arlington National Cemetery. He was buried in the same grave as his brother, U.S. Navy Chaplain Father Bob Brett, who died a hero in the Vietnam War when a 122-millimeter rocket struck his trench moments after he passed up what would turn out to be his last chance to evacuate the battlefield--he gave his seat on a departing helicopter to a fellow serviceman. As the chopper rose and banked away from the trench, those on board heard the fatal blast. In this edition of Catholic Military Life, two nephews and a niece of the late brother priests sit down at a family gathering in Old Town Alexandria, VA, after the interment service, to talk about their uncles' incredible story. Lt. Col. Edward Rouse, USMC (Ret.), Ms. Debbie Brett Cherin, and Mr. Chris Lawlor tell how Father Frank Brett, who died in December of 2017 at the age of 86, came to be buried with his brother, who was 32 years old when killed in 1968. They explain that the remains of Father Bob Brett, originally buried in Pennsylvania, were removed to Arlington in 1998. When Father Frank died nearly 20 years later of soft-tissue sarcoma, a condition reportedly linked to herbicides used in Vietnam, he was cremated and the family kept his ashes in an urn pending approval of the burial at Arlington.

Auxiliary Bishop Richard B. Higgins is soon to retire as Episcopal Vicar for Veterans Affairs. In this edition of Catholic Military Life, the only official podcast of the Archdiocese of the Military Services, USA, Bishop Higgins looks back on his 45 years in pastoral service to Catholics in the United States Military and those receiving treatment in the nation's VA Medical Centers. He retraces his unusual journey from growing up Catholic in Ireland to becoming a priest, joining the U.S. Air Force as a chaplain, and eventual ordination and service as a bishop. On a personal level, the retiring bishop shares his passion for, of all things, flying airplanes and riding motorcycles.

War heroes are generally made on the front lines, but what about the unsung heroes left behind--the spouses of the men and women who defend our nation in uniform? Those who put their own careers on hold to move between duty stations every two or three years or raise children as single parents while their significant others serve on lengthy deployments? Catholic author Michelle Still Mehta, Ph.D., is a consultant, coach, researcher, and writer specializing in military spouse employment. Her new book, "Silent Sacrifice on the Homefront," now available on Amazon, shares the real-life quests of military spouses to fit career with marriage, motherhood, and military life. In this edition of Catholic Military Life, the only official podcast of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, Dr. Mehta shares her own story as well as theirs, and she offers advice on how military spouses can better integrate their own career aspirations with married life in the service.

He first sensed a call to holy orders in the fourth grade, but it was not until after a four-year tour in the U.S. Navy followed by years in private business that Father William (Bill) Muhm, CHC, CAPT, USN (Ret.), came to his senses and entered seminary to become a Catholic priest. Now, on the heels of 20 years of service as Navy Chaplain, Father Muhm has been selected by the Holy See to be ordained as a new auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese for the Military Services (AMS), USA. In this edition of Catholic Military Life, the only official podcast of the AMS, Bishop-Elect Muhm reflects on his faith journey and his new role as Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio's Episcopal Vicar for Europe and Asia.

Check out the latest edition of our podcast, Catholic Military Life. Father Joseph L. Coffey of Philadelphia, 58, pictured, has come a long way since he sold cars as a young man in Europe. On Jan. 22, 2019, Pope Francis named Father Coffee, a U.S. Navy Chaplain and Captain (Select), a new auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, (AMS). Bishop-Elect Coffey will be ordained on March 25 in a 2:00 p.m. Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. In this edition of Catholic Military Life, the only official podcast of the AMS, he joins us by telephone from the U.S. Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, retracing his incredible journey toward priesthood, the military chaplaincy, and episcopal ordination, and he explains how he'll serve as an auxiliary to Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio while still serving in the Navy.

One-point-three million men and women are now serving in the U.S. Military. The vast majority of them are young adults, and one in four is Catholic. How do Catholic young adult ministers reach so many of the faithful spread all over the world and on constant move between duty stations? It's up to Ms. Casey Bustamante, USAFR, Associate Director for Young Adult Ministry for the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, (AMS). In this edition of Catholic Military Life, the only official podcast of the AMS, Ms. Bustamante shares how she tackles an enormous challenge.

With so many secularistic influences now competing for the hearts and minds of the young, rare indeed is the young man who hears God's call to both the Catholic priesthood and military chaplaincy. How does one discern a vocation amid so many worldly distractions? Mr. Steven Booth, a Co-Sponsored seminarian for both the Diocese of Fall River, MA, and the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, (AMS), is in the final 18 months of his five-year formation. He hopes to serve on active duty as a U.S. Navy chaplain. In this edition of Catholic Military Life, the only offical podcast of the AMS, Steven shares how he realized Christ was calling him to serve those who serve, and what his life is like on the journey to ordination.

How does a guy go from being a U.S. Marine Corps helicopter pilot, combat veteran, real estate investor, and eligible bachelor to a Catholic priest and Navy chaplain? Father Bill Appel, CHC, LT, USN, explains in this edition of Catholic Military Life, the only official podcast of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA.

When Hurricane Michael made landfall in Florida's panhandle on Oct. 10, 2018, Tyndall Air Force Base suffered catastrophic damage. Tyndall is home to the 325th Fighter Wing--the "Checkertails"--and 55 F-22 "Raptor" jets, considered the world's most advanced fighter, most of which were flown to safety before Michael made landfall. The category 4 storm battered the 29-thousand acre base with top sustained winds of 155 miles per hour, leaving runways cluttered, hangars gnarled, bunkers battered, and, according an Air Force aerial assessment, nearly all of Tyndall’s 1,340 buildings, severely damaged. The base chapel lost its roof and will have to be demolished and rebuilt, says Father Longin Buhake, a civilian priest employed by the federal government to serve Tyndall’s Catholic population. In this edition of Catholic Military Life, the only official podcast of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, (AMS), Father Buhake, who serves with AMS endorsement, tells of the long road to recovery. He shares what he’s doing in the meantime to bring the sacraments and pastoral care to Catholics who remain on base in makeshift quarters during cleanup, repair, and reconstruction operations.

The Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, (AMS), has officially kicked off its 2019 National Collection campaign. The collection, to be taken up in Catholic parishes throughout the United States at weekend Masses Nov. 9-10, 2019, will support pastoral care and ministry to Catholic families stationed worldwide in the U.S. Military, and Catholic patients in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Centers throughout the country and in Guam and Puerto Rico. In this edition of Catholic Military Life, the only official podcast of the AMS, Ms. Mary Lavin, Executive Director of Major Gifts and Planned Giving, shares how private support is critical to the Archdiocese's mission, "Serving Those Who Serve," and how you can help.

The United States Air Force, like all other branches of the U.S. Military, is facing a desperate shortage of Catholic priests on active duty. Right now, only 55 priests are on active duty in the Air Force, serving a population of more than 78,000 Catholic airmen. That's one priest for every 1,425 airmen, not counting their families, and those Catholics are spread all over the United States and at bases overseas. It is the challenging task of Father Thomas S. Foley, Ch Capt USAF, to help make up the difference. Father Foley is an Air Force chaplain recruiter who travels the nation in search of qualified chaplain candidates to join the Air Force. In this edition of Catholic Military Life, the only official podcast of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, he talks about the many difficulties and rewards of his work, and how he keeps the faith against long odds.

November 11 is Veterans Day, and this year, it also marks the 100th anniversary of the signing of the armistice that ended World War I. To commemorate the occasion, the Knights of Columbus (K of C) and the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, (AMS), will hold a ceremony including the celebration of Holy Mass. The commemoration will take place on Nov. 11, 2018 at the Saint John Paul II National Shrine, 3900 Harewood Road NE in Washington, D.C. The ceremony starts at 10:30 a.m. followed by Mass at 11:00 a.m. Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore, the K of C's Supreme Chaplain, will be the principal celebrant. His Excellency, the Most Reverend Timothy P. Brolgio, Archbishop for the Military Services, will preach the homily. The start time for the Mass falls at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month--the same time in Paris that the armistice was signed by the allies and Germany ending "the war to end all wars" in 1918. In this edition of Catholic Military Life, the only official podcast of the AMS, Col. Chuck Gallina, USMC Ret., shares details. Col. Gallina also talks about the May 2019 Warriors to Lourdes spiritual journey, and how wounded, ill, and active duty warriors and their companions may apply for all-expenses-paid or reduced-price slots on the journey, which is timed to coincide with the annual International Military Pilgrimage, which draws thousands of military personnel and veterans to Lourdes every spring. Col. Gallina explains how to apply and how much longer applications will be taken for next year's pilgrimage.

As a Catholic U.S. Navy chaplain recruiter, Father David A. Daigle, CHC, LCDR, USN, has his work cut out for him. The Navy, like other branches of the U.S. armed forces, is confronting a desperate shortage of Catholic priests on active duty. Currently, only a few dozen active-duty Catholic Navy chaplains serve not only the entire Navy, but also the Marines and the Coast Guard as well as the U.S. Naval Academy. In this edition of Catholic Military Life, the only official podcast of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, Father Daigle talks about his efforts to relieve the shortage. Although responsible for recruiting chaplains of all faiths, Father Daigle, a priest of the Diocese of Bridgeport, CT, takes particular interest in finding Catholics called to Navy chaplaincy, and he shares some ideas about how military service can benefit not only the priests who serve, the Navy Chaplain Corps in general, and the faithful in uniform, but also any home diocese or religious community that releases a priest for a period of military service.

In 2009, Ms. Ann Schmalstieg married a Marine in the Catholic Church. Her husband, Justin Schmalstieg, Gy Sgt, USMC, was killed in action in Afghanistan barely a year later, just a few months after his conversion to Catholicism. On Dec. 15, 2010, Sgt. Schmalstieg and his team were returning to base after a period of intense fighting. Following multiple attempts at crossing a canal and facing the imminent threat of ambush, Sgt. Schmalstieg lost his life clearing a crossing point when an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) went off. His sacrifice saved the lives of fellow Marines who were with him that day, leaving Ms. Schmalstieg a grieving widow. In this edition of Catholic Military Life, the only official podcast of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, Ms. Schmalstieg, of Beaver Falls, PA, shares how she deals with her grief through art. Her work will be on exhibit from Oct 29 to Nov. 29 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. The working title of the exhibit is "Requiem." The title takes its name from the Requiem Mass--a funeral Mass, or Mass for the dead.

The priesthood, and military chaplaincy, are both, in some ways, like a marriage: the challenge is to live out one's commitment, even when it's not fun or easy. That's been among the many insights Father Christopher Doering has gained in living out his priestly vocation, from his time in the seminary in the 1990s through his current assignment at Fort Rucker. In this edition of Catholic Military Life, the only official podcast of the Archdiocese for the Military Servies, USA, (AMS), Father Doering shares some of the highs and lows of his experience answering God's call. Ordained in 1998 for the Archdiocese of Chicago, Father Doering entered the Army in 2010 and has since deployed twice to Afghanistan and served at various locations throughout the eastern and southeastern U.S. During that time, he's crossed a few deserts, both earthen and spiritual, only to find blessings and grace even in the most difficult of circumstances.

The process of becoming a Catholic U.S. Military chaplain is a spiritual journey that typically takes eight or more years to complete. Not only does the chaplain candidate spend five years in seminary. The Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, (AMS) requires him to spend three years in his home diocese doing pastoral work and gaining valuable experience as a priest before it will endorse him for active-duty chaplaincy. Father Mark Bristol, LT, USNR, who was ordained in 2016 for the Diocese of Brooklyn, NY, is currently in the third year of his civilian pastoral assignment at Saint Anastasia Catholic Church in Douglastown, Queens, New York. Father Bristol, who served in the Navy for five years before entering the seminary, hopes to go back on active duty next summer. In this edition of Catholic Military Life, the only official podcast of the AMS, Father Bristol shares his thoughts on going back on active duty in the Navy, where currently, only 33 priests serve more than 80,000 Catholic sailors and their families. With so few chaplains to provide pastoral care for so many people, Father Bristol knows he has his work cut out for him.

The U.S. Marine Corps motto is "Semper Fidelis," which means "Always Faithful." But what does "faith" really mean to those who serve? Father Curtiss Dwyer, CHC, LT, USN, serves as a chaplain at Marine Corps Base Quantico. In this edition of Catholic Military Life, the only official podcast of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, Father Dwyer joins us by phone to share how he goes about his ministry to The Few. The Proud. The Marines. Father Dwyer also recounts how he discovered his priestly vocation, and the "vocation within a vocation" to volunteer as a Navy chaplain, and he shares some of his experiences since coming aboard, including a 10-month deployment to the Persian/Arabian Gulf during which he hopscotched between ships by helicopter to bring the sacraments to the faithful in uniform at sea.

In this edition of Catholic Military Life, the official podcast of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS), U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Tyler Harris recounts how he first sensed a vocation to become a priest and a military chaplain way back in 2001 while he was climbing the enlisted ranks. But it took Tyler many years, including time spent serving as a chaplain's assistant in Kuwait and Afghanistan, and one false start in seminary, before he finally committed himself to God's call. Now, if all goes as planned, he will be "Father Harris" in 2020 and "Chaplain Harris" in 2023 following a period of pastoral service in his home Diocese of Monterey, Calif. Lt. Harris shares the struggles he encountered in discerning his vocation, the inspiring influence of his mentor, the late Bishop Richard Garcia of Monterey, and his first-hand experience, as a chaplain's assistant, of the effects of the Catholic chaplain shortage in the Air Force, where only 60 priests remain on active duty, serving 80,000 Catholic Airmen--approximately one priest for every 1300--spread worldwide. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alyssa M. Akers.)

On Thursday, May 31, 2018, three former Anglican U.S. Military chaplains were ordained Catholic priests for the Personal Ordinariate for the Chair of St. Peter. The Ordinariate was erected by the Holy See in 2012 to provide a way for groups of former Anglicans to become Catholic, while retaining elements of their worship traditions and spiritual heritage. All three newly ordained Catholics will continue to serve as military chaplains, but with endorsement and faculties from the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS). One of the priests is Father Matthew Whitehead, CH (CPT), USA, now stationed at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. In this edition of Catholic Military Life, the only official podcast of the AMS, Father Whitehead re-traces his spiritual journey, beginning when he was an Evangelical, through his ministry as an Anglican priest, and the process of discernment that ultimately led him to the Catholic priesthood. He reflects on some of the vast differences in teaching between Evangelical and Catholic doctrine, and how he has come to hold fast to the tenets of the Catholic faith, including the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, the power to pray for the faithful departed, and the role of Mary, Mother of God, in eternal Salvation.

Do Catholic women have a distinct role to play in bringing the Good News of Jesus Christ to U.S. Military installations, and if so, what is that role? In this edition of Catholic Military Life, the official podcast of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS), Michelle Nash and Elizabeth Tomlin share how their vast and growing organization, the Military Council of Catholic Women (MCCW), provides unique support to their military parish communities. Ms. Nash, current MCCW president, joins us by phone from Huntsville, Alabama, and Ms. Tomlin, past president, from Washington, D.C. Both draw from their own personal experiences as military wives, moms, and witnesses to Christ to explain what makes MCCW membership and activity meaningful and relevant to the practice of the Catholic faith in military settings worldwide.

Recently ordained Catholic Father Joseph W. Reffner, CH (CPT), USA, began his spiritual journey as an Evangelical. He later became a priest in the Anglican Church, and on May 31, 2018, was ordained a Catholic priest for the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter. So how does a married man with five children find acceptance in a flock accustomed to single shepherds living out promises of celibacy? In this edition of Catholic Military Life, the official podcast of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, Father Reffner shares the story of his spiritual awakening, his newfound life as member of the Catholic clergy while continuing to provide pastoral service to those who serve in the U.S. Military, and his advice to non-Catholics thinking about becoming Catholic.

With Catholic priests on active duty in short supply, deacons have a role to play in serving those who serve. Deacon Joe Pak, a native of South Korea, is one of two deacons incardinated in the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS). In this edition of Catholic Military Life, the official podcast of the AMS, Deacon Pak recounts how he came to discern his vocation in response to a visit to South Korea by His Excellency, the Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, J.C.D., Archbishop for the Military Services. Deacon Pak shares how he and fellow Deacon Roy Mellon contribute to providing pastoral care to Catholic U.S. Military families. He describes what it is like to live a life of faith in the shadow of a communist regime on a peninsula long divided by differences left unresolved from the 1950-53 Korean War, and how he believes Catholics can support current efforts to achieve a lasting peace.

Faced with a chronic shortage of Catholic priests to serve on active duty as chaplains in the U.S. Military, the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS), is looking for volunteers from dioceses across the country and abroad. In June, the AMS will host its fourth, all-expenses paid retreat for already-ordained priests discerning whether they are called to the "vocation within a vocation." In this edition of Catholic Military Life, the only official AMS podcast, Chancellor Father Colonel Robert R. Cannon, USAF (Ret.), shares how the retreat experience will give participating priests first-hand exposure to what it's like "Serving Those Who Serve."

The 2018 Warriors to Lourdes Pilgrimage for Non-Wounded, Wounded, Ill or Injured Military Personnel during the 60th Annual International Military Pilgrimage will take place May 15-22, 2018. The theme for the 60th PMI is Pacem in Terris (Peace on Earth). The pilgrimage, sponsored by the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS), and the Knights of Columbus, is the latest event in a long history of both organizations’ involvement in Lourdes and service to the military. In this edition ofcATHOLIC MILITARY LIFE, the only official podcast of the AMS, Col. ChuCK Gallinia, USMC (Ret.), explains how military personnel, their designated caregivers and volunteers will travel to the Marian shrine for a time of rest, prayer and healing. The retreat will consist of a number of spiritual events, including special Masses, Faith and Fellowship Sessions, a Marian Procession, Adoration and Blessing of the Sick, a visit to the baths at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, and an International Opening Ceremony and Candlelight Vigil that draw tens of thousands of troops to the sacred shrine every year. “We will journey and pray with pilgrims from around the world,” says the Most Rev. Timothy P. Broglio, Archbishop for the Military Services. “It will be an occasion to raise our hearts and minds to the Prince of Peace and beg for an increase in understanding and a decrease in strife.”

The U.S. Military draws Catholic priests to serve as chaplains from a variety of sources, including dioceses throughout the United States and beyond as well as religious orders. Father Matthias Rendon, OFM, CH (CAPT), USA, is a Franciscan who has spent almost a decade providing pastoral care to Catholics in the U.S. Army. In this edition of Catholic Military Life, the only official podcast of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, Father Rendon shares his life as "a contemplative in action," serving those who serve. He tells how he was called from the monasteries of the Franciscans, an order whose main mission is to take care of sacred sites in the Holy Land, to the "vocation within a vocation" accompanying the men and women in uniform on their journey of faith while defending our country. And he explains why his 2011-2012 deployment to Afghanistan was perhaps the best year of his ministry so far, in spite of difficult circumstances.

With the nation's attention focused on U.S. Senate confirmation hearings for Secretary of State nominee and CIA Director Mike Pompeo, one of Mr. Pompeo's classmates from the Military Academy at West Point is Father Matthew Pawlikowski, CH (COL), USA. Father Pawlikowsi, who was also a classmate of U.S. Army Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper, joins us in the latest edition of Catholic Military Life, the official podcast of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA. While expressing pride in his associations with former classmates, Father Pawlikowski focuses on the rewards and challenges of his current role as Command Chaplain at his alma mater, ministering to some of the nation's future leaders. Father Pawlikowski addresses what some Catholics and others view as the apparent conflict between Christ's message of peace and the Army's commitment to the military defense of our Nation and its values. Regularly seen praying the rosary on the sidelines of Army football games, Father Pawlikowski also explores the meaning of prayer in all its different forms.

With 24 years under his belt as a Catholic U.S. Air Force Chaplain, Father Joseph Deichert, Ch Col USAF, has ministered to a full generation of Catholic Airmen and their families. In this edition of Catholic Military Life, the official podcast of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, Father Deichert, a priest of the Diocese of Bismarck, N.D., talks about his many experiences "Serving Those Who Serve" everywhere from Iraq to Hawaii, and how the devout remain firm in the faith in spite of secularist pressures.

In this edition of Catholic Military Life, the official podcast of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, Father Eric Albertson, CH (COL), USA, shares how he earned the Purple Heart during frontline combat in Iraq, serving those who serve. Father Albertson carries forward a rich legacy of distinguished military service above and beyond the call of duty on the part of Catholic priests. Since the Civil War, only five U.S. Military chaplains have received the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest military decoration. All five were Catholic priests. Father Albertson reflects on the faith that drives this prominent record of priestly service, and why it is so important for military chaplains, though noncombatants, to accompany warriors to the frontlines, not stay "behind the wire" on secure outposts when tensions flare on the battlefield.

Like all Catholic dioceses, the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS), staffs a Tribunal to adjudicate marriage annulment petitions and other matters of canon law. But unlike any other U.S. diocese, the AMS encompasses the entire world, serving those who serve in the U.S. Military wherever they are stationed or deployed. With a population of 1.8 million Catholics, the AMS has enormous responsibility, and its Tribunal stays busy. In this edition of Catholic Military Life, the official podcast of the AMS, Judicial Vicar Father Christopher Armstrong, J.C.D., shares how the Tribunal goes about its work handling some of the most sensitive matters facing practicing Catholics in the U.S. Military.