Archdiocese to Hold Days of Recollection in Asia and Europe for Priests and Chaplains Serving Those Who Serve Overseas

Three retreats to be held between October and February in South Korea, Germany, and Japan

The North Main Post Chapel at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, where Catholic priests and U.S. Military chaplains based in Europe will gather for a day of recollection Dec. 2-3, 2018.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Catholic priests serving as U.S. Military chaplains to the armed forces in Asia and Europe will soon have an opportunity to attend any of three regional clergy days of recollection scheduled over the next few months on both continents. Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio has approved the opportunities to help sustain spiritually priests endorsed by the Archdiocese of the Military Services, USA, (AMS), to serve those who serve.

The days of recollection will be held Oct. 28-29 at Osan Air Base in South Korea; Dec. 2-3 at Ramstein Air Base in Germany; and Feb. 17-18 at Camp Zama in Japan. Each retreat will begin on a Sunday evening with Evening Prayer followed by a festive meal. Monday will begin with Morning Prayer followed by two conferences, Holy Mass, and lunch. The afternoon hours will be dedicated to Adoration while the priests are afforded an opportunity to receive the sacrament of penance.

The October 2018 retreat in South Korea, coordinated by Father Timothy Hirten, Ch Maj USAF, will hear guest speaker Father Daniel Kister, S.J., who serves in the Archdiocese of Seoul. Special guests will include the First Counselor of the Nunciature in South Korea, the Reverend Monsignor Marco Sprizzi.

The December 2018 retreat in Germany will be coordinated by the Very Reverend Red Raux, V.F., AMS Dean for Europe.  It will be held at Ramstein Air Base’s North Main Post Chapel (pictured). The guest speaker will be the Reverend Steven Forster, a retired British Army Colonel who served three tours in Iraq and two tours in Afghanistan. Father Forster currently serves as the pastor of the international parishes in Germany.

The February 2019 retreat in Japan will be coordinated by Father Anselmo Hernandez, CH (MAJ), USA. It will be held at the Tokyo downtown Franciscan Center and at the nearby New Sanno Hotel. The theme of these days of recollection will be preparations for Lent and liturgical renewal.

The Most Reverend F. Richard Spencer, Archbishop Broglio’s Episcopal Vicar for Europe and Asia will participate in all of the days of recollection. Bishop Spencer said:

“These priest mini-retreats are new initiatives that Archbishop Broglio has approved in order to help sustain and strengthen the clergy who minister to our overseas military communities.  The priests are understaffed and work six to seven days a week to serve the multiple needs of Catholic families. The Archbishop stands ready to support these priests to be nourished in their spiritual lives as they so generously give to others.

“Every other year, the Archdiocese sponsors a series of week-long convocations to enable Priests to gather to be updated on policies and liturgical matters and to spend fraternal time renewing their priestly ministry.  Through the generosity of AMS donors, these mini-retreats will afford our men an opportunity to grow on their faith journey and, as a result, strengthen themselves to serve the flock at their overseas military chapels.  We are thankful for the Archbishop’s initiatives and for the financial support shared from within our faithful military communities to support our Catholic priests.”

Priests interested in participating in any of the retreats may register by contacting Ms. Victoria Kaczmarek at auxbpsecretary@milarch.org.

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