St Francis of Assisi catholic church

Page 2 July 11, 2010
A Reminder of the Holy
Many of you know that I served in the United States Air Force as a Chaplain in the Reserves
for 29 years. In the course of those years, I was mobilized (brought onto active duty
temporarily) twice, and throughout those 29 years I was working for over one month each
year on active-duty Air Force bases. One of the interesting phrases that the Air Force uses
to describe the ministry of its chaplains no matter what particular denomination they
represent is that a chaplain is expected to be "a reminder of the holy" for the airmen. I've
always liked that terminology very much. When I served at various bases around our country
and even around the world, I tried to do that as best I could in a variety of situations. I think
it is good for my parishioners to know that their tax dollars support the work of chaplains not
only in the Air Force but throughout the United States Armed Forces. And we are called to
do many things in the course of our ministry.
Working as a chapel team, my fellow chaplains and our assistants and I have tried to bring our
best efforts together to provide support for those men and women preparing for or returning
from deployment to overseas bases, to minister to their families at home, and to meet with
the family members of some of those brave men and women who have been injured or killed in
action in Iraq and Afghanistan. I've have the opportunity to counsel young airmen away from
home for the first time (and sometimes have felt that filling the role of a kindly father was
as important to them as filling the role of a pastor). We have tried to be "reminders of the
holy" to those who work at stateside bases fulfilling the mission of the Air Force.
I encourage everyone in the parish to remember the men and women of all our Armed Forces
when you pray. Those who currently serve in our Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast
Guard are protecting our freedom, and sometimes putting their own lives on the line to do it.
At the very least, we should be praying for their safety and protection.
Maybe the idea of being "a reminder of the holy" might be something that can inspire all of us
during the coming weeks. It's not just something for an Air Force chaplain to do. It's
something that each one of us should be doing for each other. Just imagine how much good
might be accomplished in our communities and in our families if there were hundreds of
"reminders of the holy" for people to see and encounter each and every day of the year! If
only they could see the joy and the peace and the happiness that true religion brings, it could
change their lives! It's something beautiful and powerful to think about!
See you in church!
Father Charlie