WASHINGTON, DC — The Reverend Mr. Joseph Heisey and the Rev. Mr. Christopher Feist were ordained transitional deacons on Saturday, June 10, in a solemn Mass at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in the nation’s capital. Both are on track to become Catholic priests next year and eventually serve as U.S. Military chaplains with endorsement and faculties from the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS). The Rev. Mr. Heisey plans to serve on active duty in the Army, the Rev. Mr. Feist in the Navy.
The Rev. Mr. Heisey, 28, is enrolled at the Theological College in Washington, DC; the Rev. Mr. Feist, 24, at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, MD. Both were ordained through the laying of hands and the prayer of consecration invoking the Holy Spirit by His Eminence Wilton Cardinal Gregory. AMS Auxiliary Bishop Joseph L. Coffey concelebrated the 10:00 a.m. ordination Mass.
Among those in attendance were the Rev. Mr. Heisey’s parents, Nicole and Pete Heisey, and siblings Gabriel, Maria, Gianna, and Christian. Also in attendance were the Rev. Mr. Feist’s mother, Ms. Diana Feist, sister Elizabeth Feist, grandmother Nellie Sayer, and aunt and uncle Georgia and Joe Robbie.
“I feel ready to start serving the Church and exploring the meaning of servant leadership in my life,” the Rev. Mr. Heisey said. The Rev. Mr. Feist said, “It feels incredible. I am extremely grateful to God, my formators, and my family and friends. It is a very moving affirmation to have the Church declare publicly that I am someone claimed as her own and set apart to serve in ordained ministry.”
The two new deacons are among 12 prospective Catholic U.S. Military chaplains set to be ordained this calendar year—seven as transitional deacons on track to be ordained priests next year, and five as priests—as the AMS works diligently to overcome a chronic shortage of priests on active duty. For decades now, aging chaplains have been reaching retirement faster than they can be replaced. Just since the time of 9/11, for example, the active-duty Catholic chaplain roster has shrunk from more than 400 to fewer than 200. While 25% of the military is Catholic, Catholic priests now make up only seven percent of the chaplain corps.
Both new deacons are alumni of St. Mary’s Ryken High School in Leonardtown, MD, where the Rev. Mr. Heisey graduated in 2013 and the Rev. Mr. Feist graduated in 2016. Both are also alumni of the Catholic University of America, where the Rev. Mr. Heisey earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in 2017 and the Rev. Mr. Feist earned a Bachelor of Philosophy (Ph.B.) in 2020. The Rev. Mr. Heisey is currently a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve. The Rev. Mr. Feist is an ensign in the U.S. Navy Reserve.
Both new deacons are enrolled in the “Co-Sponsored Seminarian Program” (CSP) whereby the AMS partners with cooperating dioceses and religious communities to support vocations. Currently, 37 men are enrolled in the CSP, up sharply from seven (7) in 2008, thanks in large part to the creation of an active AMS Office of Vocations along with the support of Catholic chaplain recruiters in the military and the cooperation of bishops and religious superiors across the country. An additional five chaplain candidates are scheduled to enter the CSP this year, and the AMS Vocations Office is processing additional CSP applications from still more.
Young men interested in discerning a priestly vocation, and the vocation within a vocation to serve those who serve in the U.S. military, can find more information at milarch.org/vocations, or may contact the AMS Office of Vocations directly by email at vocations@milarch.org.
Donations in support of AMS Vocations are gratefully accepted at milarch.org/donate.