
Future Catholic U.S. Military Leaders Raise Hearts “to the Heights” at SEEK 2026
Dozens of future U.S. Military leaders were among a record gathering of more than 26,000 Catholic young adults to encounter Christ at SEEK 2026.

Dozens of future U.S. Military leaders were among a record gathering of more than 26,000 Catholic young adults to encounter Christ at SEEK 2026.

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.”

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.

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.”

A record-high 38 prospective Catholic U.S. Military chaplains gathered at St. Mary’s Seminary for the annual fall discernment retreat for young men discerning the “vocation within a vocation” as both Catholic priests and military chaplain officers on active duty.

Seminarians preparing to become Catholic priests and U.S. Military chaplains assembled in the Nation’s Capital for the annual Labor Day Weekend Gathering for Co-Sponsored Seminarians.

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).

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).

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.

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).

LOS ANGELES, CA – Father Paul Collins, LT, USNR, a prospective Catholic U.S. Navy chaplain, was ordained a priest on Saturday, May 31, in his home Archdiocese of Los Angeles, CA. The new priest expects to go on active duty three years from now, providing pastoral care to Catholic sailors, Marines, Coast Guard members, and their families, with endorsement and faculties from the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS).

LANCASTER, NY – The Reverend Mr. Christopher J. Wild, LTJG, USN, a candidate for the Catholic priesthood and United States Military chaplaincy, was ordained a transitional deacon on Saturday, May 17, in his home Diocese of Buffalo, NY. The new deacon, 27, 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 and their families with endorsement and faculties from the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS).
"*" indicates required fields