Tag Archives: Catholic priest shortage

Archdiocese Celebrates Diaconal Ordination of Prospective New Air Force Chaplain

May 7, 2018
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COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Reverend Mr. Christopher Yakkel, a candidate for the Catholic priesthood and United States Military chaplaincy, was ordained a transitional deacon on Friday, May 4, in Columbus, Ohio. He hopes eventually to serve as a Catholic chaplain in the U.S. Air Force with endorsement and faculties from the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS). 

The Rev. Mr. Yakkel, 29, is currently in priestly formation at the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, where he is on track to earn his Master’s Degree in Divinity next year. His diaconal ordination was celebrated at a 7:00 p.m. Mass at St. Joseph Cathedral through the laying on of hands and the prayer of consecration invoking the Holy Spirit by Bishop Frederick F. Campbell of Columbus. His Excellency, the Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, J.C.D., Archbishop for the Military Services, concelebrated the Mass. Continue reading →

Catholic Priests to Gather in Washington to Discern Possible “Vocation Within a Vocation” as U.S. Military Chaplains

April 10, 2018
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – More than a half-dozen Catholic priests from around the nation will gather in Washington, D.C., in June for a five-day discernment retreataimed at helping them determine if they are called to the “vocation within a vocation” to serve as U.S. Military chaplains. The all-expenses-paid retreat, “For God and Country: a Call to Serve Those Who Serve,” is the fourth of its kind to be sponsored by the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS), since 2015. Continue reading →

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

November 7, 2017
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YONKERS, NEW YORK—As the Catholic Church celebrates National Vocation Awareness Week Nov. 5-11 in the United States, fourteen men from many service branches of the U.S. Armed Forces will gather here this weekend for a discernment retreat aimed at helping them determine if they are called by the Holy Spirit to be Catholic priests and military chaplains. The Vocations Office of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS), is conducting the retreat Nov. 9-12 at St. Joseph’s Seminary. Among the prospective chaplain candidates are more than a half-dozen men already serving in the Military, including three from the Army; five from the Navy; and one from the Air Force. Five of the prospective chaplains are currently civilians. Continue reading →

Co-Sponsored Seminarian Enrollment Rises to 43 as Back-to-School Season Attracts Prospective New Catholic Military Chaplains

September 1, 2017
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Back-to-school season brings promise of relief for a severe Catholic chaplain shortage in the U.S. Military. Among the several hundred prospective priests entering American seminaries for the first time this fall, no fewer than seven plan, after ordination, to go on active duty as chaplains. Additionally, at least another four U.S. Catholic seminarians in various advanced stages of formation have decided this year to pursue military chaplaincy, and have made a commitment to “serve those who serve” as priests in the armed forces. Continue reading →

Archdiocesan Vocations Video Honored with Two International Media Awards

June 8, 2017
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WASHINGTON. D.C. – A vocations video inviting young men to consider giving their lives to God as Catholic priests in the U.S. Military has been honored with two international media awards. The three-minute video, “Discern God’s Call,” was selected among thousands of entries to receive both a 2017 Telly Award and a 2017 Communicator Award of Excellence. The Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS), published the video on its website last year. It can be viewed on the Vocations page at www.milarch.org/vocations. Continue reading →

Prospective Catholic U.S. Navy Chaplain Ordained a Priest as Archdiocese Battles Military Priest Shortage

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SUPERIOR, WIS. – The Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS), is celebrating the priestly ordination of a prospective U.S. Navy chaplain this past weekend. Father Samuel Schneider, 26, was ordained a priest on Sunday, June 4, in Superior, Wis. Father Schneider hopes eventually to serve on active duty in the U.S. Navy with endorsement and faculties from the AMS. Continue reading →