Saint John XXIII Foundation Announces the Creation of the “Patrons of the Saint John XXIII Foundation” Giving Society

WASHINGTON, DC — The Board of Directors of the Saint John XXIII Foundation today announced creation of the Patrons of the Saint John XXIII Foundation. By their financial commitment to the endowment, Patrons share in the Foundation’s commitment to support for the pastoral care of Catholics in the Armed Forces, patients in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Centers, and United States government civilian personnel serving outside of U.S. borders perpetually. Continue reading

Twenty Men Gather for Discernment Retreat on Possible Vocations as U.S. Military Chaplains

MENLO PARK, CA – Twenty-one men are gathering here this weekend for a February 16-19 discernment retreat aimed at helping them discern if they are called by the Holy Spirit to be Catholic priests and U.S. Military chaplains. The Vocations Office of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS), is holding the retreat at St. Patrick’s Seminary in hopes of relieving a chronic shortage of Catholic priests on active duty. The theme is “The Priesthood and Military Chaplaincy: Discerning a Vocation within a Vocation.” Continue reading

Archbishop Timothy Broglio Makes Christmas Season Visit to Ukraine

KYIV — His Excellency, the Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, J.C.D., Archbishop for the Military Services, USA, and President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), visited war-torn Ukraine Dec. 27-31, 2022. Archbishop Broglio came to assure the embattled Ukrainians that the Catholic Church in the United States continues to support them in their resistance to the nearly year-old Russian invasion at a time of intensified Russian missile attacks. Continue reading

Prospective Catholic U.S. Army Chaplain Ordained a Priest in Richmond, VA

RICHMOND, VA – Father Armando Herrera (1LT), USAR, was ordained a Catholic priest on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022, in Richmond, VA, thus reaching a crucial milestone in a formational journey he hopes will lead to full-time service as a U.S. Army chaplain with requisite endorsement and faculties from the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS). Father Herrera, who already serves in the U.S. Army Reserve, wants to accede to active duty following a three-year period of civilian assignments in his home Diocese of Richmond under a co-sponsorship agreement with the AMS. The civilian service is meant for the Richmond Diocese to reap early fruits of labor from a new priest while giving Father Herrera opportunities to develop practical, ministerial experience before embarking on the vocation within a vocation, serving those who serve as an active-duty Army chaplain. Under the co-sponsorship agreement, Father Herrera will return to Richmond as a diocesan priest upon completion of his military service. Continue reading

U.S. Catholic Bishops Elect New Conference President and Vice President at Plenary Assembly

BALTIMORE – Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, was elected president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) on Tuesday during the Fall Plenary Assembly in Baltimore. Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore was elected as USCCB vice president. They succeed Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles and Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron of Detroit, who are concluding their terms as Conference president and vice president, respectively.  Continue reading

Archbishop Timothy Broglio to Celebrate Veterans Day Mass in Downtown Washington, DC, at Saint Dominic Church

WASHINGTON, D.C. – His Excellency, the Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, J.C.D., Archbishop for the Military Services, USA, will celebrate a 7:00 p.m. (EST) Veterans Day Mass on Friday, Nov. 11, at Saint Dominic Church, 501 6th St. SW, Washington, DC, 20024-2716. Directions are available on the church website. All veterans, active-duty, reserve, discharged, or retired, are welcome to come and participate, and bring their families. The Mass is open to the public. Continue reading

This Weekend: Support Free Exercise of Catholic Faith in the U.S. Military

WASHINGTON, D.C. – American Catholics nationwide will have an opportunity this weekend to offer charitable support for pastoral care to the faithful in the United States Military, the nation’s Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Centers, and those working in a civilian capacity for the U.S. government in other countries. Most U.S. parishes will take up the National Collection for the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS) at Sunday Masses the weekend of Nov. 5-6, 2022. (Some dioceses have already taken up the collection and others will do so as late as early in 2023.) AMS faithful will also have an opportunity to participate with a suggested designated offering to be taken the same weekend, or by making an individual donation. Continue reading

Father Capodanno Activity Patch Now Available for Scouts and Others—Children, Pre-Teens, Teens, and Adults

WASHINGTON, DC — Scouts and other children, pre-teens, teens, and even adults now have the opportunity to earn a Father Capodanno Activity Patch. The round patch, bearing the name and image of Vietnam War hero and Servant of God Father Vincent R. Capodanno, MM, CHC, LT, USN (1929-1967), has been authorized by His Excellency, the Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, J.C.D., Archbishop for the Military Services, USA. The Coat of Arms of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS), appears on the patch alongside Father Capodanno’s image. Continue reading

Twenty-Six Men Explore Possible Vocations as U.S. Military Chaplains in Discernment Retreat

BALTIMORE — Twenty-six men discerning possible vocations as Catholic priests and U.S. Military chaplains came together in Baltimore over the weekend of Sept. 29-Oct. 2 for a discernment retreat aimed at helping them hear God’s call. The Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS), held the four-day retreat at St. Mary’s Seminary under the direction of the Vocations Office. Among the retreatants were three cadets from the U.S. Military Academy West Point and one from the Army’s Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) , a Marine,  six sailors, five midshipmen, two airmen and eight civilians. AMS Vocations Director Father S. Matthew Gray directed the retreat. His Excellency, the Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, J.C.D.,  Archbishop for the Military Services, participated and celebrated Holy Mass twice for those gathered. Continue reading

Pilgrimage for the Sea Services Draws Hundreds to National Shrine of Elizabeth Ann Seton

EMMITSBURG, MD – The Sisters and Daughters of Charity who lovingly care for the National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton welcomed nearly 300 visitors on Sunday for its annual Pilgrimage for the Sea Services. His Excellency, the Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, J.C.D., Archbishop for the Military Services, USA (AMS), was the principal celebrant and homilist for the 3:30 p.m. (EDT) Mass, which was broadcast live on EWTN.
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