Salute, Winter 2009

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“ServingThose

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…[Luke

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T H ET H E M AGA Z I N EM AGA Z I N E O FO F T H ET H E A RC H D I O C E S EA RC H D I O C E S E F O RF O R T H ET H E M I L I TA RYM I L I TA RY S E RV I C E SS E RV I C E S ,, U S AU SA

WINTER 2009WINTER 2009

… for to you is born this day…Christ the Lord

[luke 2:11]

WINTER2009-SALUTE.qxd:Layout 1 12/4/09 11:12 AM

As we prepare to celebrate the Nativity of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,I am happy to greet you and offer you a smaller edition of Salute forthe Christmas Season. Its pages focus on this important mystery of our faithwith a reminder that those who serve our country are not always able tocelebrate these holidays with family and friends.

Since my last writing many events have taken place and the usual pace of activities in thisglobal archdiocese has kept the staff and me very busy. The month of December will also

be very full as Bishops Higgins and Estabrook and I plan to visit the faithful at different instal-lations in various parts of the world. I am certain that you will accompany us with your prayers.

As I mentioned in my last letter to you, I was finally able to participate in the annualVeterans’ Day Mass in Pilsen, Kansas for Father Emil Kapaun. Despite the almost three

score years that have passed since his death, the beautiful church was full of men and womenwho admire his virtue and spirit of service. Bishop Michael Jackels, the Bishop of Wichita,concelebrated with me. Father Kapaun’s brother, sister-in-law, and two nephews were there.The weather cooperated and the day was beautiful.

An excellent DVD will soon be released about the Korean War chaplain’s life and themiracle attributed to him.

Of course, there is still great concern for the lack of Catholic chaplains. Their numbershave decreased, which means that the Archdiocese struggles to meet the needs of our

Catholics in the Armed Forces. Please continue to pray for vocations and for an ever greaterwillingness on the part of priests to serve those on active duty. For those who are deployedthe war is not a news item, but an ever present and life-threatening reality.

As I wish you an abundance of Christmas blessings, I pray that the Christ Child willbestow gifts of peace and good health upon you and your loved ones.

Sincerely in Christ,

(Most Reverend) Timothy P. BroglioArchbishop for the Military Services

Dear Friends of the Archdiocesefor the Military Services,

© 2009 - A PUBLICATION OF THE ARCHDIOCESE FOR THE MILITARY SERVICES, USA - SERVING CATHOLICS IN THE ARMY, NAVY, AIR FORCE, MARINE CORPS, COAST GUARD,VA MEDICAL CENTERS, AND GOVERNMENT SERVICES OVERSEAS.

The Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA publishes SALUTEfor the nation’s Bishops, active and retired military chaplains, andfinancial supporters of the Archdiocese.

ADDRESS CHANGES AND NEW SUBSCRIPTIONS:Please send title, name, address, and phone number to: [email protected] call: 202-719-3600 or write: Development Office, Archdiocese forthe Military Services, P.O. Box 4469, Washington, D.C. 20017-0469

feedback, letters to the editor, & advertising inquiries: [email protected]

website: www.milarch.org

ARCHBISHOP TIMOTHY P. BROGLIO MONSIGNOR FRANK A. PUGLIESE JO ANN REDMOND ERIC NEUNER | RPISTUDIOSPresident Editorial Director Editor Design Director2 w i n t e r / 2 0 0 9 /

T H ET H E M AGA Z I N EM AGA Z I N E O FO F T H ET H E A RC H D I O C E S EA RC H D I O C E S E F O RF O R T H ET H E M I L I TA RYM I L I TA RY S E RV I C E SS E RV I C E S ,, U SAU SA

WINTER 2009WINTER 2009

… for to you is born this day …Christ the Lord

[luke 2:11]

Table of Contents

4 H O P EAbp. Broglio visits Ft. Hood.

6 Bishop on the Moveor maybe not, Bp. Higgins.

8 What is real? What is illusion?Bp. Estabrook reaching out at Christmas.

12 Sacraments can be a challengefor troops,First hand account from Boston Pilot Reporter Sgt. Neil McCabe.

14 The Spiritual Trauma of War:War is Hell!

15 From the ChancellorMeet Deacon Michael Yakir.

16 Christmas Deployed – 2008from Diary of Fr. Nielson.

THE MAGAZINE OF THEARCHDIOCESE FOR THEMILITARY SERVICES, USAVOLUME 3. NUMBER 4 WINTER 2009

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND ARTICLES PLEASE VISIT US ON THE WEB AT: www.milarch.org

WINTER2009-SALUTE.qxd:Layout 1 12/4/09 11:12 AM Page 3

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Those reflections strike a deep chordwhen I look back to last month. No-vember is traditionally dedicated to our

prayers for the dead. In the western hemisphereit is autumn when nature begins to lie dormant.The leaves change and fall. A chill is in the airand we know that winter is not far behind.

Those reflectionsweremore powerful thisyear for a number of reasons. First of allthe tragedy at Fort Hood gripped our

attention.Once again innocentmenandwomenwere victims of a senseless attack on our soil.Collectively, we asked why such a thing couldhappen. Our hearts went out to the victimsand to their families. Christmas will not be easyfor those left behind.

TheArchdiocese for theMilitary Serviceswas there in the person of our chaplains:Fathers Edward McCabe (Boston),

Raphael Eke (San Antonio), and Ken Carlson(Chicago). Later Father Kevin Peek (Atlanta)was sent down from Fort Carson to assist withthe pastoral care of the Catholic population onthe massive post. All of us are grateful for theirservice. We pray for them, because they are also

affected by the tragedy and the intensity oftheir ministry in the wake of such suffering.

On November 15th, in order to makemanifest the concern of the Archdio-cese for the Military Services and her

shepherd, I drove over to Fort Hood fromSt. Mary’s Seminary in Houston where I wasparticipating in a discernment retreat withsixteen fine young men who are consideringa vocation to the priesthood. While there waslittle that I could do during a Sunday morningvisit, it seemed very important to spend somehours with the Catholic Community there.

Icelebrated a Sunday Mass, which all fourpriests concelebratedwithme. I also greetedthe faithful who gathered for the Spanish

Mass at noon. In your name and mine, Iexpressed condolences and Christian solidarity.I assured them of our concern and our prayers asthey rebuild their lives. To make this concreteexpression in the context of the celebrationof the Eucharist, where the Lord Jesus makesus present at His one life-giving sacrifice was apowerful message. I was moved to be able to bewith them, even for a short while.

H O P EBy ARCHBISHOP TIMOTHY P. BROGLIO

The Advent and Christmas Seasonsinvite us to hope. Pope Benedict inhis second encyclical letter Spes Salvichallenged us to evaluate the objectof our hope. Ultimately, the Christian

hopes for eternal life, that is, todwellwithAlmightyGod for all eternity. Every important decision inour lives reflects that ultimate direction of ourearthly pilgrimage. From there I presided at the funeral for

Michael Grant Cahill, a civilian who waskilled at the in-processing center at Fort

Hood. He had come back to work only a weekafter suffering a heart attack and he was greatlyrespected for his interest and dedication to themen and women he served. Again the ministryof presence on my part was a small gesture, buta good way to make this global Archdiocesepresent for a family in amoment of great sorrow.

The other reminder of our mortalitywas very positive. It was the annualVeterans’ Day celebration in Pilsen,

Kansas to commemorate Father Emil Kapaun,an Army chaplain who died as a prisoner of warinNorthKorea. Imentioned inmy letter at thebeginning of this issue how well the priest isremembered in his hometown where he alsoserved as an Associate and as Pastor. It washeartening to see how many people crowded

into the beautiful neo-gothic church nestledamong the corn fields in rural Kansas!

Father Kapaun, like the chaplains atFort Hood and elsewhere, remind ushow many opportunities we have to do

good. They challenge us to use our talents tobuild up the Body of Christ. In the context ofthisArchdiocese, which, of course, did not existduring Father Kapaun’s time, they make usproud and stimulate our response to the needsof others.

In our prayers this Christmas we can remem-ber those families who will feel the absenceof loved ones in an acute way—both those

who have lost family members and thoseseparated due to deployment or other servicecommitments. The community of theArchdio-cese for the Military Services is united with allof them. �

The Archdiocese for the Military Services wishesto extend a heartfelt THANK YOU to CatholicChurch Extension Society for themost generous gift of

$100,000 to help grow our “co-Sponsored SeminarianProgram” which has increased from 7 to 23 seminarians in the past year. We are mostappreciative of their partnering with the Archdiocese on this key element of the VocationsProgram. Their generosity will help the Archdiocese fulfill our commitment to provide prieststo serve in the dioceses of the United States.

“Once again innocentmen and women werevictims of a senseless

attack on our soil.Collectively, we asked

why such a thingcould happen.

Our hearts went outto the victims

and to their families.Christmas will not

be easy for thoseleft behind.”


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Our radar site is a key component of theearly warning system monitoring air

traffic in the Greenland, Iceland, UK gap. It’sthe height of the cold war and we are watchingfor the Russian “Bears” testing our defenses orheading down to Cuba. Back at Keflavik theAir Force has a squadron of F-4C interceptors,a couple of “Connie’s”, the early warningversions of the Lockheed Super Constellations(forerunner to the AWACS) a few T-33 trainersand a squadron of “Jolly Green Giants”air-sea rescue helicopters. The Navy is big backat “Kef.” There are about 9,000 of them witha couple of P-3 squadrons rotating fromBrunswick, Maine or Jacksonville, Florida.The Navy’s got a pair of C-117s (military versionof the Douglas DC-3) and a lone C-118 (MilitaryDC-6) that they use as morale transports.The 117s re-supply Hofn, but they don’t do wellin icing conditions, so it’s hit and miss mostof the time.

There are 120 unaccompanied males out atHofn on the bleak, barren coast of the

Southeast corner of the island. It’s a one-yeartour for the folks out here with a much-antici-patedmid-tour break.The squadron commander

is an Air Force lieutenant colonel, with aseasoned major as his operations officer.A crusty senior master sergeant keeps an eyeon the enlisted troops. Civilian contractorsmaintain the equipment. They live in a separatecompound. Besides the towering “golf balls”there’s the long-range communications antennaeand a magnificent lighthouse guarding thetreacherous shoreline. The winters are long,dark and dreary out here. The locals monitorthe composition of the site carefully. There aresensitivities to be observed.

The 117 is our lifeline. It carries the mail,the B-movies, fresh vegetables and miscel-

laneous provisions. It is also the ticket homefor the troops who’ve survived the “Rock.”Of course it also brings the replacements, theoccasional USO show and once a month theCatholic chaplain! There’s a “chapel” of sortsout here. It was built from plywood packingcrates years before and it’s held to the groundwith a few steel cables thrown over the roof.Might seat fifteen or twenty!

I’ve been here a week, seen all the B moviesseveral times, visited every section, drank

Bishop ontheMove By AUXILIARY BISHOP RICHARD B. HIGGINS

I’m looking over the shoulder of the controller in theOperationsCenter, beneath the radar. The wind is howling outside….the snow is falling horizontally. There are occasional breaks in

the overcast. It’s mid-winter in the Southeast corner of Iceland.There are only a couple of hours of daylight this time of year andthe weather is often treacherous. But the 117 is due in today andI’m heading back to Keflavik for Christmas dinner with thecommanding general and his family.

more coffee than I ever cared for, hearda few confessions, downed a few at the bar…it’s time to go home. So, several of us arehuddled around the scope which normallysearches East looking for the occasional “Bear”heading down through the Greenland, Iceland,UK gap. The crew here is used to scramblingthe F4s to intercept the Tupolevs, take picturesof them taking pictures of us, checking for anyunusual antennae, blisters, probes etc. But weare looking West this time, anxiously awaitingthe Christmas mail, fresh vegetables, turkeys,and the new arrivals.

Ihad packed for a week and it was time to headhome to Keflavik, sleep in my own bed.

The first sergeant approached…”Father, yougot a minute?” I should have known! Sure,

what’s on your mind sarge? I need to chat withyou, can’t do it around the site. Do you mind ifI drive you to the aircraft? No problem…the117 is still a way out.

The bus with all the departing personneland their gear heads out…no sign of my

ride! Getting a bit anxious…the 117 is in rangeand I need to get out there. Finally the “shirt”shows up with the six-pack (military SUV) andoff we head to the dirt strip that serves as theHofn airport.

The “shirt” is quiet, driving pretty slowly.I figure it must be really heavy stuff he

wants to unload on me. Finally he opensup…just chat and more chat, nothing ofconsequence.Aswe round the bend amile or sofrom the airstrip I hear the unmistakable roar ofthe Wright 1820s. There goes the 117 climbingaway heading West! There’s no other airplanefor a week! I look over at the “shirt” and he’sgot this grin a mile wide on his face!

Padre” he says….“I talked it over with thecommander. We both feel you need to

spend Christmas with us out here on the“Rock” I’m speechless! I’ve just been kidnapped,hoodwinked, conned by the “shirt.” It was aquiet ride back to the “Rock.” But the “shirt”was right…I needed to spend Christmas andthe holidays with those enormously talented,courageous, lonely and wonderful Airmen.So, about 1130 that Christmas Eve I hikedaround the barracks rounding up the faithfulfor midnight Mass in our little chapel fashionedfrom the packing crates. We “sang” what wecould, prayed for our loved ones, shared theEucharist, shut the lights out and adjourned tothe bar to hoist a few in honor of our loved ones.I’ve never forgotten. �

HOFN "CHAPEL" BUILT FROM PLYWOOD PACKING CRATES

“

One to Remember


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At Christmas we, the Bishops of the Arch-diocese, try to locate ourselves with our

military people who are in places and situationsthatmake their particular journeymore difficult.Archbishop Broglio will travel to Bahrain andQatar and I will visit our people in SaudiArabia. Bishop Higgins will be at Fort Hoodwith the soldiers and civilians and their fami-lies whose lives have been traumatized by themurderous acts that have taken place there lastmonth. We will be with our deployed troopswho are separated from family and friends, whoare in cultures that are foreign to our ownworld and faith views, and fighting in wars thatchallenge them physically, emotionally andspiritually.

These past eight years have presented chal-lenges for some of them that are sometimes

overwhelming. The Army alone has sufferedover 140 suicides so far this year. Divorces,alcohol and substance abuse and domesticviolence have increased and continue to climb.Many have lost loved ones and others havesuffered terrible physical and mental injuries.

What is key on this journey is that each ofus remains aware and involved in what

is real and not with what can too easily become

illusion. This seems to be our main challenge asa nation today, whether we’re talking about TVcommercials or talk shows, politics or religion.What is real? What is illusion?

Ireturned from a trip to Alaska some time agoafter spending time with an Army brigade

that suffered 54 casualties. The very samemonththat many of the wives were bearing children,those same wives were burying their husbands.Ourmilitary and their families are asked tomakeincredible sacrifices that few others are requiredtomake to safeguard our country from terrorists.I visited Fort Leavenworth where there werefour funerals of young soldiers in one morning.They were all in their twenties: three casualtiesof war and one suicide. Upon returning homeI watched TV for perhaps the first time in overa month and heard nothing else but storiesabout celebrities and incredibly superficialconversations about the plights of some of ourHollywood stars. There was nothing about thewars we were fighting or our people who werefighting them. The nation was disconnectedfrom the problems our men and women inthe military were experiencing because of thesacrifices they were making for our country. It’snot that we must be absorbed by the wars butwe should be a part of the sufferings of the men

Bishop ontheMove By BISHOP JOSEPH W. ESTABROOK

Christmas is a celebration that not only speaks to the mind aboutthe mystery ofGod becoming man but to the heart as well aboutwhy. Why did this great God immerse himself so completely in

our human existence? What does it say about the meaning of our livesin God’s eyes? All of us are on this journey in search for meaning. It’s adifficult journey for some and seems incredibly easy for others.

Since the last Salute, Bishop Estabrook celebrated his fortieth anniversaryas a priest at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Alexandria where helives when on the East Coast. He is pictured with his mother and someparishioners during the celebration. He also celebrated Mass at the NotreDame Basilica on the occasion of the Notre Dame-Navy football game

and spent two months celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation on installationsin California. After Thanksgiving he contin-ued his Pastoral Visitation and Confirmationschedules in Arizona and New Mexico beforeleaving for Saudi Arabia on December 17th.

and women and families who are making thesesacrifices for our safety. Reality or Illusion.

So this Christmas I invite you to rememberthe men and women of our nation who

are out there for you. The Innkeeper had noroom in his inn. Compelled by the innocenceand need of Mary and Joseph to find some-thing, anything, where they can rest and havetheir child, the Innkeeper offered the stable.So also, we must make room in our lives forthe people who matter most right now – themen and women in Service who are protectingus. The message of Christmas is that we have aGod who loves us all so totally that everyone iscalled to be part of his family. His forgivenessand love will penetrate every part of us so that,with his healing, we can become that familyand that Kingdom. He calls us to a relationshipthat has no limits.

So welcome to the journey. It’s a challengingworld with harsh realities. The clear lines

of good and evil seem to have vanished andthe path can sometimes be threatening. Wethe bishops are traveling to connect with ourmen and women this Christmas. The questionis how will you make them a part of yourcelebration? They must not have the sense thatthey are traveling alone. �

IMAGES FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: MASS AT BASILICA OF NOTRE DAME, BP. ESTABROOKWITH HIS MOTHER, BP. ESTABROOKWITH PARISHIONERS

Reaching Out at Christmas


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The feast of Christ the King was celebratedin Kansas City, MO with over 21,000 high

school youth and adult leaders attendingfor the 30th biennial National CatholicYouth Conference. NCYC gathered the youngCatholic Church for keynote sessions andworkshops held November 19-21, 2009.

This conference was organized by theNational Federation for Catholic Youth

Ministry, an organization of affiliated Catholicdioceses and collaborating youth-servingorganizations that advocates for a comprehen-sive approach to youth ministry and activeparticipation of young people in the church.

U.S. Army “DRE’s”encourage CatholicYouth Ministry

This year over 180 military-connectedparticipants came from 13 U.S. Military

installations throughout the United States andJapan. The group that received the mostattention was Camp Zama which traveledthe farthest and included NCYC youthreporter, Stephen Venzlauskas. In an interviewStephen was asked how their group cameup with the idea to participate all the wayfrom Japan.

It all started with our Director of ReligiousEducation, Mr. Ted Snow. He gave us this

idea to come to NCYC and said it would bean uplifting experience because he had broughta group to NCYC before, from Fort Irwin,CA, and thought it would be a really goodexperience for us. We had to raise a lot ofmoney to pay for the flights. We came up withthe idea of selling homemade burritos afterMass on Sundays and did lots of bake sales.We received a lot of support from the peopleat Camp Zama.”

Agroup from Aberdeen Proving Ground,MD attended NCYC with the help and

encouragement of Gerri Merkel who hasbeen a strong advocate of Catholic youththroughout her assignments in Germany andthe US. Gerri encourages training for youthand adult leaders to share their gifts in thechurch. She has participated in many nationalconferences and has been an active leaderin Teens Encounter Christ/Troops EncounterChrist. TEC is one of the collaboratingmembers of NFCYM.

Fort Belvoir, VA sent a group to NCYCwith the support and encouragement of

Sr. Michael Bochnowski. Sr. Michael hasencouraged military-connected youth toparticipate in a wide variety of experiencesbe it national conferences, World YouthDay or diocesan conferences sponsored by the

diocese of Arlington. Sr. Michael fosters lead-ership development among youth and theirleaders utilizing resources and workshops fromthe Center for Ministry Development (CMD).The Center is also a collaborating member ofthe NFCYM.

Finally, we highlight Dorothy Ling of FortLeavenworth, KS. While this group did

not have far to travel, they certainly did alot to prepare. Dorothy organized a Scoutingtrip and also worked on NCYC volunteercommittee that recruited a large number ofadult leaders to assist throughout the confer-ence. One of the volunteer highlights wasthe Eucharistic Procession from the SprintDome to the Kansas City Convention Centerwhich had 21,000 young people prayingthrough the streets with the guidance anddirection of volunteers along the entire route.

The Archdiocese for the Military Services,USA thanks these U.S. Army Directors

of Religious Education for their commitmentto serve military-connected youth and theirfamilies. Dorothy, Sr. Michael, Gerri, and Tedare committed to encouraging all people in themilitary to grow in faith. We keep them and allwho mentor and serve young people in ourprayers. Find out more about NCYC online athttp://ncyc.nfcym.org/ �

Every two years Catholic youth and their adult leaders gatherat a national conference to celebrate and grow in their faith.This year the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USAhighlights four U.S. Army Directors of Religious Educationwho encouraged military-connected Catholic youth to

participate by helping them to plan, fundraise and spiritually preparefor this pilgrimage of faith.

By DR. MARK MOITOZA

CATHOLIC YOUTH GROUP FROM FORT LEAVENWORTH, KS

Gerri encouragestraining for youth andadult leaders to sharetheir gifts in the church.She has participatedin many nationalconferences and hasbeen an active leaderin Teens EncounterChrist/TroopsEncounter Christ.”

“

“


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McCabe, a Pilot reporter on active dutywith the Army has gone from suburbanMassachusetts, where it is easy to receive thesacraments, to Iraq, where attending SundayMass and receiving other sacraments has beena challenge at times.

Though sometimes travel and otherobligations keep service members from partici-pating in the sacraments, many times theproblem is that there are simply too few priests

to go around.“As a Catholic soldier in Iraq, it’s very

painful when you arrive at the chapel to realizethat there is no priest because the priest issomewhere else,” saidMcCabe, speaking toThePilot while home on leave in late September.

For McCabe, it’s quite a change from lifein the Boston area, with its large Catholicpopulation.

“I’ve never in my life had to deal with

Sacraments can be achallenge for troops,says Pilot reporter

a situation where there are no priests. It’s some-thing you hear about in missionary countries,”he said. “It’s something you would read about ina history book,” he said.

Chaplains are responsible for meeting thespiritual needs ofmilitary personnel,ministeringto those within and out of their own respectivedenominations. Catholic chaplains performthe same ministries that any priest does inserving his congregation. Including celebratingMass, hearing confessions, administering theSacrament of the Sick, and counseling.

McCabe said sometimes senior officersmay lead liturgies of the word when a priest isnot available. Other times, Catholic servicemembers have to settle for attending Masswhenever they can, even if it is not Sunday.

He recalled a time when he was at abase on the Iranian border. He and a group ofCatholic military personnel attended a Mass onTuesday, which they counted toward theirprevious Sunday’s obligation; then the followingday they attended an “anticipatoryMass” for thefollowing Sunday. The priest who offered theMasses was available only for those two daysbefore flying on to another base.

At division headquarters, according toMcCabe, a priest is more often available, sowhile he is there, McCabe said he couldtypically engage in what he called his “Sundayritual,” running, attending Mass, and thentaking a bus to a neighboring camp to enjoy acinnamon bun.

“It was an important part of my Sundayroutine.”

Vicar General Father Richard Erikson,a colonel and chaplain in theAir ForceReserve,concurred with McCabe’s experience of ascarcity of Catholic chaplains in the military.

“There’s an enormous shortage,” FatherErikson said.

“Right now, there are 20 Air Force baseswithout chaplains. There are ships in the Navygoing out without chaplains. The army isdepleted as well.”

Father Erikson spoke of the dedication ofthe existing chaplainswho often go back on suc-cessive tours of duty.

“It would not be unusual to have an activedutyCatholic chaplainwhohas been to Iraq fiveor six times.”

According to Father Erikson, the lack ofCatholic chaplains in the armed services resultsfrom a shortage of vocations to the priesthoodin theUnited States. Priests are needed at home,so bishops are less willing to send them abroad.

In 2007, the Archdiocese of Bostonstipulated that 3-percent of its active priestswould be eligible to serve as chaplains, secondonly to the Archdiocese of Newark, accordingto Father Robert Deehan, the Archdiocese’sdirector of clergy personnel.

FatherDeehan said that 15 priests from theArchdiocese are currently serving as chaplains inthe armed services—13 in theArmy,Navy, andAir Force combined, with one serving at a localW

hile Sgt. Neil W. McCabe was prepared for theblazing temperatures and the dusty, dry conditionswhich are part of the arid desert climate in Iraq,deployment has brought him an unexpectedchallenge – the struggle to receive the sacraments.

By JIM LOCKWOOD | PILOT STAFF

Reprinted with permissionBoston Pilot

CLICK IT OUT! THE NEWWWW.MILARCH.ORG

CARDINAL SEÁN P. O’MALLEY WISHES SGT. NEIL W. MCCABE WELL AS MCCABE PREPARES TO RETURN TO IRAQ AFTER A TWO WEEK LEAVE IN LATE SEPTEMBER.

PILOTPHOTO/GREGORY

L.TRACY

CONNECT WITH YOUR ARCHDIOCESE ONLINE

The Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, launched abrand newweb site inNovember. Visit your Archdiocese at

the same web address, http://www.milarch.org, to see ournew look and access helpful resources.

Our web design team has worked hard to create a site that iseasy to use and navigate. Take a web stroll through the differentsections of our new site to find out where things are located.

(continued on page 18)


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The theme of this conference, held on November 3 and 4, was“The Spiritual Trauma of War: WAR IS HELL”. The initial

concept of this conference was to have it be a tool box approach forclinicians and caregivers from within and outside the VA systemto empower them to better understand the dynamics involvedin delivering care to veterans and their families. This conferencewas the follow-up to the conference held last year entitled “EmbracingSpirituality in the Face of Trauma; a Soldiers Journey from Harms Wayto Home.” At their core, both conferences emphasized the importanceof spirituality in the healing and reintegration process for veteransand their families. In this year’s conference, national leaders withgreat expertise focused on bridging the gap between psycho-socialand spiritual services.

The connecting thread throughout the conference was that veteransexperience significant trauma that gives rise to profound moral

injury. These experiences adversely affect the veteran and his/herfamily. It was the goal of this conference to help raise awareness andeducate the attendees about available resources and ongoing programsdesigned to address the returning veterans and their families. Thepresenters arrived from all points of the nation to share their expertiseon identifying and resolving in a clinical or informal setting thesometimes urgent needs that the active duty person and veteran bringto their clergyman or therapist/provider.

Oneof themajor highlights of the conferencewas the personal storyof a returning wounded warrior by the name of Steve. The story

was personal and inspirational. Steve shared with us about the explosive

The Spiritual Trauma of War:WAR IS HELL

Last week, a group of over 125 participantsrepresenting a wide variety of professionaland community-based organizations spentone and a half days listening, exploring and

reflecting on personal experiences, current data,psychological and spiritual theories and practicaladvice in treating the moral and spiritual crises thataffect the returning Iraq/Afghanistan veteran.

By Father James Burnett

One of the first things I experienced wasbeing able to attend the chaplains’ convo-

cation here in D.C. I got to meet many of ourpriests and it was a great honor forme to talkwiththem during the breaks and to pray with themat Mass and at morning and evening prayer.I especially appreciate that the Archbishop, ourtwo bishops and all of the priests have acceptedme as a peer in ministry.

People keep asking what does a chancellor doand my easy answer is to say, “To make sure

that the chaplains, contract priests, deacons and laypeople of the AMS have everything they have every-thing they need to do their jobs in serving our militarymen and women and their families.” This job is well

suited for the diaconal “ministry in themarketplace”and my marketplace has now been expanded toliterally the entireworld. I amexcited about beinghere and humbled at the same time, especially asI hear stories from our chaplains who are downrange, inharm’sway, literally putting their lives onthe line to bring the Gospel to our troops.

I’d like to thank the staff here at the AMS,especially Sr. Helen for her help as I get my

sea legs. You have all been great to me and Iappreciate your help and support.

Iwish you all the best this Christmas seasonand if I can be of help in any way, please

contact me. �

Since I have just recently accepted ArchbishopBroglio’s invitation to become the Chancellor at theAMS, I really don’t have a lot to say. On the personalside I can tell you that my wife, Susan, and I live inMansfield, Ohio and that we have been married

for 31 years. My wife is an elementary school teacher and wehope that she can find a job here soon. Right now she is stillteaching back in Ohio.We have three children, two grandchildren, and two moregrandkids due by February 2010. My son is a Spec 4 MP currently stationed inGermany though he and his wife (another MP) are expecting to be deployedsometime next year. I also just recently celebrated my 25th year as a permanentdeacon and I was ordained for the Diocese of Toledo, Ohio. I am an Air Forceveteran of the Vietnam War, a member of the VFW and I am a 4th Degree Knight.I have enjoyed riding motorcycles since I was a teenager in the 60’s and my currentride is a 2008 Anniversary Ultra.

From the Chancellor

DEACON MICHAEL YAKIR

blast that took the life of his best friend, who wassitting next to him, and caused him to lose hissight. He stated many times that he had alwaysbeen an up-beat person, and that he always has hada love for life. His personal dynamism and his faithgave him the interior resources to grab a hold oflife and not let go! Steve told the audience that;

“pain is inevitable, but suffering is a choice”, and eachday he chooses to live life to the fullest. I hopethat participants in this conference will be ableto take the thoughts and ideas presented at thisconference back to their facilities and communi-ties and increase their effectiveness in respondingto the needs of the veterans and their families. �

FR. JAMESE. BURNETT

Fr. James E. Burnett isthe Chief, ChaplainService at Hines VA

Hospital (708.202.7268)in Chicago, Il. Hines VAis a 475 bed hospital

sharing the same campusas Loyola Medical Center

in Chicago.

Fr. Burnett, ordained aCatholic Priest for the

Davenport, Iowa Diocese,served for 20 years as aChaplain in the U.S.Air Force. After hisretirement from activeduty he entered the VAHospital System 10 yearsago. His duties as Chiefof Chaplain Service

include supervising a staffof 9 chaplains who servethe needs of the veteransand their families.

In 2007, Fr. Burnett waselected the President ofNCVACC (NationalConference of VA

Catholic Chaplains), anorganization addressingthe spiritual needs of the300 Catholic Priests whoserve in The VeteransAdministration System.

The Spiritual Trauma of War:WAR IS HELL (continued from page 14)



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1 DEC Today we had the longest flight ever,2 hours long, and the coldest. We were placeddirectly next to the gunner’s window, so the verycold air flew in at over 100 mph and chilled usto the bone. We arrived 45 minutes late for theMass time, too, so I presumed nobody wouldbe there, since when flights are cancelled thereis often no way to notify the congregation.Surprise—hopingwewouldmake it, theywaitedfor us in the chapel! They were hungry for theSacrament! Makes me realize all the more howmuch priests are needed here.4 DEC Fairly often our Explosive Ordnanceguys have to blow up caches of weapons or IEDsthat are found, and when they do, sometimesthe repercussions are very loud and shake ourbuildings, windows and doors. Today was astrong one, and it knocked one of the ceramictiles loose fromour room’s ceiling, which crashedonto the cement floor into a thousand pieces.

We are flying 3-4 times a week now, andI have taken the practice of saying the Rosaryduring the often long flights. The time is, thoughextremely high in decibels, low in communica-tion, and so the time “alone” is good for prayerand thought. Often it’s dark, and the people

climbing on and off at the different stops wemake sometimes have to be crammed into theseating spaces with their packs. Today we wereliterally stuffed to the ceiling with packs andcargo—not the safest way to fly, but, oh well.If we go down I guess it would make littledifference. Maybe the packs would actuallyshield us or prevent us frombeing tossed around!

Today was also a morale booster, as italways is when a package from my folks arriveswith cookies and brownies. Mom and Dad arebecoming famous for their goodies. The contentsusually don’t last through 1-2 hours. I oftengive them to the guys going out on convoys, assometimes they don’t get back for meals.

Another set of boxes arrived frommy sisterLisa and husband Pete—about 200 votivecandles that we will use for the Midnight Masson Christmas. Several Christmases ago, mycousin Scott sent several hundred candles forthe same purpose. Got to keep it in the family!5 DEC EOD detonated another blast today,and another tile fell, this time on my bed. Madea mess.14 DEC The temp last night outside was 36.It’s a rude awakening when you have to get up

Christmas Deployed - 2008and run to the latrine in themiddle of the night.16 DEC Good day again, more of the folks’brownies and candy arrived. I had to hide someto hoard it for myself!17 DEC Learned a new term the Soldiers use,“goat grab.” It refers to the meals that the localssometimes offer us, even bringing us a hugespread into our battalion building. Usually themain meat served is lamb or even goat, and thedishes are laid out on a large table. Everybodydigs in as the locals do, with their fingers—hence the term.26 DEC The last three days have been prettygrueling. We traveled to 7 locations to doChristmas Masses. The day before ChristmasEve we were at one location far out into thecountryside. The return flight was scheduled for2230. Finally at 0430 on Christmas Eve theycancelled the flight. Sowe found a bed, and sleptfor a few hours. I was worried, since there wasonly one more flight that we might get listed onat 1730 onChristmas Eve.Wewanted to be sureto be back “home” at FOB Falcon for the bigMidnight Mass scheduled there. After repeatedhopes for a bird and subsequent cancellations, at2230 I gave up that we would make it back intime. I thought, “Well, I guess here is where Icelebratemy ‘Midnight”Mass.’”Wewere out atthe landing zone, in themiddle of nowhere, andanother 130 Soldiers werewaiting in the dark aswe were for a flight. So I spread the word thatwe would celebrate Mass off to the side of thetrailer, in the gravel. So a couple of soldiers founda crate and a cardboard box. With that as ouraltar and in that humble setting we celebratedthe presence of the Lord with us in the greatSacrament. It was cold and dark, much likeBethlehem must have been. But it was meantto be. One Soldier came up afterwards: his dadhad died severalmonths earlier and he had beenunable to reconcile his death. He said being atMass really helped him to come to terms withhis death, as they used to always go to MidnightMass.Another Soldier’s brother had died severalyears earlier and he had never been to Church

since. God works in mysterious ways.After Mass, at 2300, we got a call that a

bird was on its way. None of us knew for whomit was coming. The higher-ups in aviation oper-ations had diverted a flight, 30 minutes travelone way to pick us up, and my assistant and Iwere the only two allowed on board! I felt badfor the other Soldiers who were waiting to gohome, looking wistfully at us as we took off.We arrived at Falcon at 2330, where the signhad already been posted thatMasswas canceled.Nevertheless, a crowd was still waiting at thedoor. So quickly, we set up the altar and the 200candles my sister and brother-in-law had sent,lining them up all around the room. The musi-cians, thinking Mass was canceled, had gone totheir tents, spread out in rooms all over the FOBwe knew not where. So once again in Iraq,I celebrated Midnight Mass to candles anda cappella singing. The chapel was full. We alsoreceived a young Captain into the Church.He had been preparing in our RCIA for 10months and was leaving for home in just a fewdays. It was a beautiful evening in many waysafter all!

On Christmas afternoon we flew to FOBLoyalty, where we also baptized 4, received intothe Church five converts. They all had beenpreparing for the past 10 months and were quitehappy to receive the sacraments of initiation intothe Church. There was a Lt. Colonel, a Captain,a Warrant Officer, and several Sergeants in thegroup. They, too, were leaving Iraq in a few days,and spirits were very high.

Father Ken Nielson shares real-life experiences of celebratingChristmas and the Sacraments in Iraq. His journal entries reportthe details of preparations for Midnight Mass which do not goquite as planned. There are also encounters with missed flights,brownies, cigars, IEDs, baptisms, shared rooms, crowded planesand experiences of the holy in unexpected places. Each of theseentries provide a glimpse into the gift ofMilitary Priest-Chaplains

called to serve those in harm’s way. As you read through the journal entries prayfor all of our troops and those who serve them. The price they pay for our free-dom, with their presence, is a gift beyond measure.

By FATHER KEN NIELSON



Archdiocese for the Military Servicestour of duty brick campaign

RESERVE YOUR BRICKS TODAY!

TO SHOW YOUR MESSAGE OF SUPPORT TO veterans, military members, their families, and chaplains. Your commemorative brick will join the thousands of others in adding that “personal touch”

to the pathways of our new chancery building in Washington, DC.Order your bricks online at: www.milarch.org or complete and return the form below.

Each paver includes 18 characters per line (space included) and up to 4 lines per brick.

FATHER TIMOTHY VAKOC

REST IN PEACE

1 JANUARY 1960 – 20 JUNE 2009

FATHER TIMOTHY VAKOC

REST IN PEACE

1 JANUARY 1960 – 20 JUNE 2009

w i n t e r / 2 0 0 9 / 18

Veterans Affairs Medical Center and anotheras the director of vocations for the Archdiocesefor the Military Services.

However, despite the hardships, servicein Iraq has provided the Pilot reporter withunforgettable spiritual memories.

Just prior to returning to the Boston area fora two-week leave,McCabe recalled a uniqueRiteof Sprinkling.AtMass, the priest put some salt ina bottle ofwater, blessed it, andwalked among thecongregation sprinkling the water from his palm.

“He didn’t stop until he was sure everysingle one of us had been hit,” McCabe recalled.

“There was something tactile about thewater coming directly from his own hand. It wasso unceremonial. It was pure, actual,” McCabeadded. “It was the love and protection he feltfor us.”

At another time, theBishop of Basra offereda Mass in Aramaic, the language Christ spoke,

at McCabe’s base. There, a seminarian offeredresponses on behalf of the congregation,similar to the altar boy’s role in the Tridentinerite, the norm before Vatican II.

“It’s pre-Tridentine,” McCabe said. “Weparticipated in a Mass that was said in the samelanguage as the first Mass in the land ofAbraham.”

“In military life, there are unique sacrificesand hardships and literally life-threateningdangers, yet you also have opportunities towitness things and participate in things youcould never have dreamed you would be a partof,” he said.

“For all my experiences so far, this is thehighlight of my deployment — to have been inthat chapel for that Mass.”

McCabe is currently deployed as a militaryhistorian, documenting the field experiences ofsoldiers in his division. �

Sacraments can be a challengefor troops, says Pilot reporter(continued from page 13)

Afterwards, we continued celebrating with finecigars sent to us by many of you.31 DEC The large warehouse in which I sharea room with another Captain is shabby at best.We came in tonight to find all the wiring in therooms in ourwing had fried up, andmy computerwiring with it. We were told the rooms werebeing condemned and we had to move. We arein a smaller room now, with a bird’s nest directlyabove us in the rafters. The thoughtful birds leavetheir droppings aplenty in front of our door.

The new year came in and we hardlynoticed. There were no parties to speak of, andof course no drinks with which to celebrate.

11 JAN Today we celebrated the sacraments ofinitiation on FOB Falcon for another 6 Soldiers.One came from the Jewish faith, another from“The Cool Church” (the name of the church on hisbaptismal certificate!) and several from otherdenominations. They have been meeting withme faithfully the past 10 months and it waswonderful to share the celebration with them.One of them afterward said, “It’s a bit over-whelming, Father.” With a smile I said, “Good!”

Keep us in your prayers!

Love,Father KenNielson

Christmas Deployed - 2008 (continued from page 17)


Salute, Winter 2009

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Transcript of Salute, Winter 2009