fall 2007 - Seton Hall University

FEATURE |
Why would a priest, settled in
a comfortable life tending to
parishioners in suburban New Jersey,
volunteer to become a military chaplain,
intentionally thrusting himself into
what could well be dangerous situations?
For James Hamel, who grew up in
South Orange and attended seminary at
Seton Hall, it all went back to his childhood.
Growing up, he spent much time
overseas due to his father’s business.
“In all those travels, the seed was
planted, the love of travel,” said Hamel,
41, who is now a captain in the Air
Force and recently completed a tour in
Iraq. “The willingness to move out to
places that might be uncomfortable to
others, that’s part and parcel of what I
signed up for. I guess it’s just the wanderlust
in me.”
Hamel’s decision to join the Air Force
was almost to be expected, according to
one of his mentors, Seton Hall President
Monsignor Robert Sheeran ’67, S.T.D.
“Having known Jim Hamel and his
family for many years, it is no surprise
to me that he has chosen — and been
chosen for — this ministry as a combat
chaplain,” Monsignor Sheeran said. “During
his formation for the priesthood and
since his ordination, he has shown a
strong faith and a willingness to serve
that is a powerful example for all of us.”
Since leaving the Our Lady Queen of
Peace Parish in Maywood as an assistant
pastor to become an Air Force chaplain
in 2000, Hamel has served six months
in Qatar ending in 2002, six months in
Kuwait ending in 2005, and five months
at Ali Base in al Nasiriah, Iraq, ending
earlier this year.
He fully expects to return to a war
zone, but for now he is at Bolling Air
Force Base in Washington, D.C.
“I’m sure I will go back,” he said.
“When it becomes my turn to go again,
I’ll go. You just keep working your way
to the top of the list again.”
In Iraq, Hamel ministered to airmen
and soldiers shaken by combat, and
he had to deal with his own feelings
when his base sustained enemy rocket
attacks.
“You just never know when the next
rocket attack is going to come,” he said.
“And they do come. You get used to it. We
just take all the precautions we can, and
if it happens, it happens.”
While parts of his job are the same as
at home, such as celebrating Mass, Hamel
said ministering in a war zone requires
a different perspective sometimes.
“There’s a common bond,” he said.