Young Adult Coordinator presents on how to practice faith in the military
INDIANAPOLIS, IND.— The military can be a tough place for young adult Catholics to practice their faith. Long separations from family, limited access to the sacraments while on deployment, and tough moral choices are just a few of many challenges.
In Indianapolis on Friday, Ms. Casey Bustamante, Young Adult Coordinator for the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS), explored these challenges in a presentation at the National Catholic Collegiate Conference(NCCC). Present in the audience were Reserve Officer Training Corps(ROTC) cadets from various universities.
On Saturday, also in Indianapolis, Ms. Bustamante presented to another group of young adult Catholics–those not yet enlisted or commissioned in the military, but considering future military service. The second presentation took place at the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC). With approximately 25 high school students and 10 adult chaperones, she explored questions such as: “What does religious discernment have to do with military service? How will your military service impact your faith? What should you be considering as you make your decision about joining the military?” Both this presentation and the former at NCCC included a question and answer session with three AMS co-sponsored seminarians, Garrett Braun (2d Lt, USAFR), Vincent Gilmore (2d Lt, USAFR), and John Paul Hennessy.
Both the NCCC and the NCYC are part of the same three-day event sponsored by the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry(NFCYM) and the National Catholic Young Adult Ministry Association (NCYAMA) every two years and organized in part by the host diocese of the city. During the conference, there is music, prayer, workshops, liturgy, and opportunities to participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Representing the AMS at the two conferences this year, besides Ms. Bustamante and the three seminarians, was Mark Moitoza, D. Min., Vice Chancellor of the Office of Evangelization. Auxiliary Bishop Neal J. Buckon, Episcopal Vicar for the Western Half of the United States also participated in the same conferences.
