Runners hope to raise $50,000 to support pastoral service to Catholics in the Military and VA Medical Centers
WASHINGTON, D.C.— On Sunday, October 26, a team of 57 runners from 18 different states and the District of Columbia will compete in the 39th Annual Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) and 10K race to raise money for the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS). The runners include Catholic military chaplains, seminarians, priests, AMS staff, and friends of the archdiocese. They hope to raise $50,000 for the AMS—money that will support the Co-Sponsored Seminarian Program, the new Digital Media Center, and the AMS Catholic Faith Deployed App, as well as other programs and services essential to keeping Catholic servicemen and women, their families, and veterans inVA Medical Centers vitally connected to their faith.
Father Mark McGregor, Ch, Capt, USAF, who is currently serving in Texas with endorsement and faculties from the AMS, will run as a member of the team in the10K. He says he’s “reminded of Jesus’s words, ‘I am the vine and you are the branches.’ My fellow members in the armed services are in the local vineyard and the AMS connects us to the larger Church and to Christ through the sacraments, teaching, and catechetical resources and prayers.”
Father McGregor, whose training has consisted of running with different squadrons as well as parishioners, says he’s deeply appreciative of all those who support the AMS, both prayerfully and financially: “The many supporters of the AMS move me to team up and to grow in the desire to serve with greater care, to preach with a greater share of the Holy Spirit, to teach and be an example of generosity to our youth and children who wonder ‘what can I do?’ To them, I say, ‘Can you run? Then run for others.’”
There are three ways to support Father McGregor and the other Team AMS runners. The first is by praying for the runners now during their final week of preparation and on race day. The second is by cheering on the runners along the race coursethrough the scenic thoroughfares of the nation’s capital beginning in Arlington, Va. at 7:40 a.m. (EDST) on Sunday, October 26. For participants and spectators alike, the annual race has proven to be an exciting event, and runners find that crowd support goes a long way, especially toward the end of the race. Finally, you may financially sponsor a runner or make a general donation to help Team AMS reach the $50,000 fundraising goal.
To make a donation to Team AMS, go here.
