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Catholic military chaplain shortage

Support the Free Exercise of Catholic Faith in the U.S. Military and VA Medical Centers on #GivingTuesday, Dec. 2

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Supporters of the free exercise of Catholic faith in the U.S. Military will have an opportunity on Tuesday to show their support. The Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS), will participate in #iGiveCatholic. Now in its eleventh year, #iGiveCatholic is a 24-hour online giving event for the faithful in multiple archdioceses and dioceses worldwide to unite and raise as many charitable dollars as possible in a single day, known as “Giving Tuesday.”

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December 2, 2025 No Comments

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 for the U.S. government in other countries. Most U.S. parishes will take up the Triennial National Collection for the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS), at Sunday Masses the weekend of Nov. 8-9, 2025.

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November 8, 2025 No Comments

Meet Father Paul-Anthony Halladay, Vocation Director of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA

WASHINGTON, DC – November 2-8, 2025, is National Vocation Awareness Week in the U.S. Catholic Church, an annual celebration dedicated to promoting vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and consecrated life through prayer and education, and to renew prayers and support for those who are considering one of these particular vocations.

Any eligible young man sensing the call to serve as a Catholic U.S. Military chaplain is encouraged to speak with Father Paul-Anthony Halladay, CH (MAJ), USA (Ret.). The Vocation Director for the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS)—to borrow the iconic phrase of Uncle Sam—“WANTS YOU”! The Military needs more Catholic priests to serve in all branches. “So my efforts in the Vocation Office are to encourage and accompany young men who may be interested in both military service and priesthood,” he says, “and to assist them on this path, according to God’s will.”

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November 6, 2025 No Comments

Diaconate Welcomes Newly Ordained U.S. Navy Chaplain Candidate

WEST FARGO, ND – The Reverend Mr. Brendon Schneibel, ENS, USNR, a candidate for the Catholic priesthood and United States Military chaplaincy, was ordained a transitional deacon on Friday evening, June 6, in his home Diocese of Fargo, ND. The new deacon is on track to be ordained a priest next year and hopes eventually to serve as a Catholic chaplain in the U.S. Navy, providing pastoral care to Catholic sailors, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, and their families with endorsement and faculties from the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS).

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June 18, 2025 No Comments

Newly Ordained Priest Sets Sights on “Vocation Within a Vocation” – Serving Those Who Serve in U.S. Army

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX — Father James W. Craig, (1LT), USAR, a candidate for United States Military chaplaincy, was ordained a Catholic priest on Saturday, June 14, in his home Diocese of Corpus Christi, TX. The new priest hopes eventually to serve as a U.S. Army chaplain, providing pastoral care to Catholic soldiers and their families with endorsement and faculties from the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS).

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June 17, 2025 No Comments

Future Catholic U.S. Air Force Chaplain Ordained Priest for Eparchy of Phoenix

PHOENIX, AZ – Father Joshua A. Johnson, 2d Lt, USAFR, a prospective U.S. Air Force chaplain, was ordained a Catholic priest on Thursday, June 12, at Saint Stephen’s Cathedral of the Byzantine Eparchy of Phoenix, AZ. The new priest plans to go on active duty three years from now, providing pastoral care to Catholic airmen, space guardians, and their families, with endorsement and faculties from the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS). In preparation for military chaplaincy he will spend the next three years honing his ministerial skills in the Eparchy of Phoenix as provided under the terms of his co-sponsored seminarian agreement with the AMS and the Eparchy.

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June 16, 2025 No Comments

U.S. Army Musician Trades Clarinet for Roman Collar

KNOXVILLE, TN — Father Alexander “A.J.” Houston, (1LT) USAR, a former active-duty soldier and military musician who is now on track to become a U.S. Army chaplain, was ordained a Catholic priest on Saturday, June 7, in his home Diocese of Knoxville, TN. The new priest plans to go back on active duty providing pastoral care to Catholic soldiers and their families with endorsement and faculties from the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS).

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June 13, 2025 No Comments

New Deacon Ordained in Wisconsin Anticipates Active Duty Service as U.S. Air Force Chaplain

MONONA, WI – The Reverend Mr. Mark Wagner, 2d Lt, USAF, a candidate for the Catholic
priesthood and United States Military chaplaincy, was ordained a transitional deacon on Friday,
May 16, in his home Diocese of Madison, WI. The new deacon hopes eventually to serve as a
Catholic chaplain in the U.S. Air Force providing pastoral care to Catholic airmen and their
families with endorsement and faculties from the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA
(AMS).

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May 19, 2025 No Comments

Saint John XXIII Foundation Board of Directors Appoints Supreme Knight Patrick E. Kelly “Honorary Patron of the Saint John XXIII Foundation”

WASHINGTON, D.C.– Joseph Starshak, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Saint John XXIII Foundation, is honored to announce that Patrick E. Kelly (Captain, United States Navy, Retired), Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus, has been named an Honorary Patron of the Saint John XXIII Foundation. Supreme Knight Kelly will be recognized formally during the Foundation’s upcoming 2025 Annual Patrons Reception to be held in Charleston, SC, on Oct. 23, 2025.

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May 7, 2025 No Comments

Discernment Retreat for U.S. Military Chaplain Prospects Draws Record Attendance

MENLO PARK, CA – A record-high thirty-seven prospective Catholic U.S. Military chaplains gathered at St. Patrick’s Seminary this past weekend for the annual spring discernment retreat for young men discerning a possible “vocation within a vocation” as both Catholic priests and military chaplain officers on active duty. The Vocations Office of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS), holds two of these retreats each year—one in the spring on the West Coast and another in the fall on the East Coast—as part of its ongoing strategy to relieve a shortage of Catholic priests on active duty.

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April 14, 2025 No Comments

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