Young Catholics in Uniform Explore How to Live Out Their Faith in the U.S. Military

150 attend special military gathering at SEEK2015 conference in Nashville

150 Catholic young adults from the four U.S. Military Academies and college ROTC programs, enlisted personnel, and others with military ties explored best practices for Evangelization in Nashville on Jan. 3, 2015, while attending the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) national conference, Seek 2015.
150 Catholic young adults from the four U.S. Military Academies and college ROTC programs, enlisted personnel, and others with military ties explored best practices for Evangelization in Nashville on Jan. 3, 2015, while attending the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) national conference, Seek 2015.

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE—How best to live out the Catholic Faith while serving in the United States Military? In an increasingly secular culture, both within and around the military, that is a question with no simple answers. At a special gathering on Saturday night in Nashville, the question was explored from every angle by dozens of cadets and midshipmen at all four of the nation’s military service Academies and college ROTC programs throughout the country, as well as enlistees and other young Catholics with ties to the U.S. Military.

The gathering took place at SEEK2015, a bi-annual faith-building conference sponsored by the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) for American college students, clergy, and supporters of ministry for young adults. More than ten-thousand young adult Catholics assembled for the Jan. 1-5 conference, joining in prayer, worship, Mass, and fellowship, under the theme “What Moves You?”

The Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS) was represented byDr. Mark Moitoza, Vice-Chancellor for Evangelization, and Father Aidan Logan, O.C.S.O., Director of Vocations.

Dr. Moitoza said:

“One-hundred-fifty participated in the military gathering on Saturday evening, largely in response to the invitation of FOCUS missionaries who serve at one-hundred college campuses around the country. They make it their practice, year in and year out, to go out in twos, developing relationships that encourage other young adults to become Bible study leaders. With participants from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard Academies, and a large number from ROTC programs, there was a rich sharing of best practices. Three participants gave witness talks to get the discussions started. Father Logan shared about the need for vocations in the military, asking all present to pray for and encourage young men to consider the special vocation within a vocation to serve those who serve.”

After the session, the young military Catholics shared pizza while getting to know each other better. The conference Mass on Sunday morning was punctuated by profound moments of silence as those gathered were visibly moved by Christ.

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