Catholic Military Life

Lieutenant Commander Michael Scoffone of the U.S. Navy Reserve has more than 20 years experience in the Reserve and on active-duty deployments. In this edition of Catholic Military Life, a podcast of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, LCDR Scoffone explains how Catholic Military chaplains are indispensable to the Navy's mission to deter foreign aggression and maintain freedom of the seas.

In February of 2023, Archbishop Timothy Broglio announced creation of the Saint John XXIII Foundation to establish perpetual endowed support for pastoral care to those who serve. In this edition of Catholic Military Life, a podcast of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, the Foundation's Executive Director, Mr. John Schlageter, Esq., explains how the Foundation will work and how you can participate.

He was a NASA flight director for Apollo 11, the mission that landed the first men on the moon, and for Apollo 13, which brought three endangered astronauts home safely from their aborted mission. In this edition of Catholic Military Life, the only official podcast of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, Capt. Eugene F. Kranz, USAF (Ret.), reflects on his historic role in the early days of space exploration and how his practice of Catholic faith shaped the trajectory of his remarkable career.

In the Archdiocese of Denver, Catholic Deacon and retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Joe Donohoe has set out to bring disenfranchised Catholic veterans back into the flock. In this edition of Catholic Military Life, the only official podcast of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, Lt. Col. Donohoe, the nephew of a World War Two era U.S. Navy chaplain, shares how he pursues this special ministry.

Catholic women seeking to deepen their faith in Christ now have access to Living the World Catholic Women's Bible, published by Ave Maria Press. Catholic author and U.S. Army wife Elizabeth Tomlin, Esq., is among writers contributing reflections to the new publication. In this edition of Catholic Military Life, the only official podcast of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, Ms. Tomlin explores the example of Priscilla and other biblical women whose witness is of particular relevance to their sisters in the faith.

In response to Pope Francis's dream of a "missionary impulse capable of transforming everything," the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS), has Missionary Disipleship Trainers who guide fellow military Catholics in ways to evangelize and "reach more" disciples through participation in a movement organized by Evangelical Catholic of Madison, WI. In this edition of Catholic Military Life, the only official podcast of the AMS, Trainer Madeline Stockman of Fort Bragg, NC, shares how she ignites the missionary impulse in a twelve-week course of virtual sessions with prospective missionaries.

The growing shortage of Catholic U.S. Military chaplains has left installations such as Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling (JBAB) in Washington, DC, without an active-duty priest. Recently, Monsignor Michael Butler, Ch Col USAF (Ret.) came out of retirement at the age of 61 to serve full-time as a civil service federal employee at JBAB, providing pastoral care to Catholics at the base. In this edition of Catholic Military Life, the only official podcast of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, Msgr. Butler talks about his unlikely path to military service and the vocation within a vocation, serving those who serve.

Meet Father Stu--not the one of film and fame, but Father Stuart A. King, Ch Col USAF, a Catholic U.S. Air Force chaplain now serving at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois. In this edition of Catholic Military Life, the only official podcast of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, Father King shares how he started out as a Protestant minister only to find his way to the Catholic Church and priesthood.

In Ar Ramadi, Iraq, on Sept. 29, 2006, the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel, U.S. Navy Seal Michael Monsoor, MA2, USN, whose parents had named him after the patron saint of soldiers, made the ultimate sacrifice, throwing himself onto a live grenade and suffering fatal injuries to save the lives of fellow SEALS. In this edition of Catholic Military Life, the only official podcast of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, Mrs. Rose Rea shares the story behind a new biography that she collaborated on with Michael's father. She is joined in this edition by Steve Gilmore, CAPT, USN (Ret.).

Meet Mrs. Kitty Eisenbeil, the newest appointed member to the Review Board of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA--a position to which she brings a wealth of professional experience counseling victims of sex abuse. In this edition of Catholic Military Life, the only official podcast of the Archdiocese, Mrs. Eisenbeil shares her insights on a problem Catholic bishops are committed to solve.

35 years in the U.S. Army brought John L. Scott much more than career advancement to the point of retiring at the rank of Major General. In this edition of Catholic Military Life, the only official podcast of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, Gen. Scott shares how he discovered the Catholic faith, converted to Catholicism, and now serves as a deacon--thanks in large part to the influence of the Catholic Army chaplains with whom he served.

The Saint John Paul II National Shrine, with its dazzling mosaics in the Redemptor Hominis Church, is a splendid setting for the Nov. 19, 2022 14th Annual Benefit for the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA. In this edition of Catholic Military Life, the only official podcast of the Archdiocese, the Shrine's Executive Director, Dr. Maxime Nogier, shares what attendees will experience as they explore the magnificent shrine which reflects its patron's deep love for God and for man.

Two giving opportunities in November--the Nov. 5-6 Triennial National Collection and the Nov. 19 Annual Benefit--provide the faithful with direct ways to support the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS), and those she serves. In this edition of Catholic Military Life, the only official podcast of the AMS, Ms. Mary Lavin, Excutive Director of Major Giving and Planned Giving, shares why your private gift is crucial to the AMS mission.

On Sept. 15, the Knights of Columbus (K of C) began accepting applications to go on the May 9-15, 2023 Warrior to Lourdes spiritual journey. All applications must be received by Jan. 15, 2023 to be considered. In this edition of Catholic Military Life, the only official podcast of the Archdiocese, Col. Chuck Gallina, USMC (Ret.), of the K fo C explains where to apply and what's in store for those accepted.

September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. In this edition of Catholic Military Life, the only official podcast of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, Father Chris Alar, MIC, author of the bestseller, "After Suicide: There's Hope for Them and for You," explores why the suicide rate is so much higher among veterans than the general population, and what can be done about a mental health epidemic that claims the lives of as many as 22 veterans a day.

At a time when all branches of the U.S. Military are struggling to fill a chronic shortage of Catholic chaplains, Co-Sponsored Seminarians like Erin Donlon of the Diocese of Portland, ME, are stepping up to make a difference. In this edition of Catholic Military Life, the only official podcast of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, Erin shares how he discovered the vocation within a vocation to serve as priest on active duty in the Navy.

September 4, 1967--a day Mr. Kenneth L. Fields, USMC (Ret.), will never forget. It was the day the body of Vietnam War hero Father Vincent Capodanno was laid at his feet as he manned a machine gun, just hours after the U.S. Navy chaplain was fatally shot while dashing to the aid of wounded and dying Marines under ambush. In this edition of Catholic Military Life, the only official podcast of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, Mr. Fields shares his story.

At a noisy sidewalk café in Lourdes, France, the Reverend Brian Minietta, CH (MAJ), USA, recalls his first pilgrimage with the Warriors to Lourdes in 2016 when he encountered a veteran suffering moral injury from having shot and killed an enemy combatant in Iraq who, though armed, turned out to be a child. In this edition of Catholic Military Life, the only official podcast of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, Chaplain Minietta shares how he helped the vet overcome his sense of shame and alienation.

After 30 years of military service and five combat deployments, Col. Paul Hettich, USA (Ret.), came to France in May with Warriors to Lourdes to find healing and renewal at the sacred Marian grotto and refreshing spring waters. In this edition of Catholic Military Life, the only official podcast of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, Col. Hettich shares his story at Toulouse-Blagnac Airport while waiting on a flight home from the pilgrimage.

Help Wanted! Missionaries to support Catholic Military chaplains and reach young adults in the U.S Armed forces by providing accompaniment as they teach and re-engage servicemen and women in the Catholic Faith. In this edition of Catholic Military Life, the only official podcast of the AMS, Young Adult Missionary Coordinator McKenzie Mauss explores the job description and how you can become a Missionary. Listen to podcast. Watch video.