For the first time in its history, the Archdiocese for the Military Services is embarking on an ambitious campaign to raise funds in support of three important initiatives to better serve our military and Veteran Affairs subjects.

The Archdiocse for the Military Services is supported by free will donations.   It receives no financial support from the US government.   Our military personnel, and the very chaplains who serve them, provide personal donations to the AMS so that its ministry can continue.

It has become necessary at this time to take a quantum leap of faith in the generosity of the population at large.   Numerous philanthropic organizations and individuals have been contacted privately and have made pledges to the campaign. We now make public our appeal in the hope that our mission of service may continue with your monetary generosity and prayerful support.

1. Catholics Seeking Christ

$4.5 Million:   A three-pronged approach to nurturing and nourishing the Catholic heritage among our young adults and, with the hope of possible vocations to the priesthood and religious life:

A. Expanding our Young Adult Ministry Program:   Catholic Seeking Christ (CSC), is a program to awaken the faith among young adult Catholics in the military by training a nucleus group who in turn, with ongoing support from the AMS, expands its influence throughout the military, generating new members who pass the message on to others.

B. Expanding our Religious Education Program:   With over 75,000 students in our religious education programs, there is currently no standardized syllabus.   A catechist certification program is being developed, and an AMS Director of Religious Education is needed - especially in light of more and more bases/posts that will be without an active-duty priest-chaplain.

C. Recruiting and Educating Priests and Lay Ministry:   Although the number of Catholics in the military remains fairly constant, and significant, the number of Catholic priest-chaplains is less than half of what it was 10 years ago.   There are fewer than 400 priest-chaplains to serve 1.5 million Catholics - across all branches of the Services.   These funds are used for recruiting and training of seminarians who will ultimately be released by their Ordinaries for military service.

2. Establishing the Archbishop's Endowment Fund

$1.5 Million:   Needed to handle unforeseen expenses and archdiocesan needs that may arise unexpectedly.   Currently there is no financial means to handle special financial or programmatic needs except to reapportion already limited funds or to approach donors for one-time special gifts.

3. Establishing a Building Fund

$2.0 Million:   The AMS has physically relocated 3 times since its departure from New York.   Being situated in the DC area has provided excellent access to the Pentagon, the Offices of the Chiefs of Chaplains, the Bishops' Conference, and many other Catholic, military and VA organizations.   The funds will be used to consolidate all administrative offices and the clergy residence into one facility - fully owned - no longer rented or leased.

New AMS Chancery Our future and permanent facility consolidates all administrative and resident clergy needs under one roof. Formerly the home of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD), it is located at Michigan Ave NE and 10th Street, across from the Brookland/CUA Metro Station and the Brookland Bus Terminal.

Archbishop O'Brien ministers to our troops.
The Military Archbishop spends hours traveling to and visiting with our deployed troops throughout the world.   His tireless efforts reflect the Church's on-going committment to be present wherever our troops are serving.