PASTOR’S NOTES

It saddens me somewhat that many national holidays come and go without much reflection on their significance save that it is a reason for store sales. Veterans’ Day is no exception. How many young people realize that once it was called Armistice Day remembering that on the eleventh day of the eleventh month at the eleventh hour of 1918. Years later America would commemorate all those men and women who served the nation and preserved freedom. Having seen conflict, some imprisoned by the enemy, many injured they returned to their communities. Everyone of us are in their debt. Let us also remember their successors: Our young men and women in uniform throughout the world, many in harm’s way on a daily basis. May God watch over them.

In this Year of the Priest I would like to reflect on those ordained men who volunteered to be at the side of our military in war and peace. Some of them I knew personally while others are forever inscribed in the history of our church and country. As a seminarian, the parish where Msgr. Quinn was the young assistant, I taught religious education under Msgr. Thomas Donnelly. I did not get to know him well until years later.  He celebrated Sunday Mass each week in St. James Parish in Carmel. As a retired priest he had some time to reminisce about his life and ministry. He was not too happy about the car I drove at the time a Japanese product. The reason was clear. He had served in the Pacific Theatre in World War II. Having ministered to many soldiers and sailors he was the first chaplain to land on reclaimed territory of the Empire of Japan. He later recounted his experiences in a book titled: “Hey, Padre.” The spirit of faith which guided him in his youth did not leave him even as he was dying of cancer. I will never forget my last visit with him. It was Saturday before Palm Sunday and Fr. Fred Sullivan and I had to leave him. As we said goodbye to this wonderful man he apologized and said: “I wish I could help you with confessions. Hours later he died and I am sure was welcomed before the Seat of Mercy.

As a deacon in Wappingers falls, I served under Msgr. Charles B. Brennan. Continuing his military service for decades he represented the pastoral concern of the church in war at Guadalcanal and in peace at Fort Drum. Fr. Jim Connally who served in my home parish had served our country as a Seabee. When he returned home he entered the Seminary only to return to the service as a Chaplain. Many priests of our Archdiocese continue to minister to each of the Armed Services. It must be admitted, however, that there is because of the vocation crisis a dearth of chaplains.

History reveals the sacrifices of many priests who gave themselves for the sake of others. Fr. John Washington was one of the four chaplains who gave up their lifejackets to men on the troop ship Dorchester. Having been torpedoed by a German submarine on February 3, 1943 the clergymen did help calm the situation and assist their fellows. As one survivor testified: “as I swam away from the ship, I looked back…The last thing I saw, the Four Chaplains were up there praying for the safety of the men. They had done everything they could. I did not see them again.”

Many of my generation were drafted while others were motivated to enlist to serve in the jungles of Southeast Asia. Though they were courageous in so many situations, they were still young men far from home facing danger from an enemy that was many times not seen and yet was everywhere. Some young Marines were fortunate. They had a handsome Navy Chaplain from Staten Island to celebrate Mass for them. He spent a great deal of time hearing their confessions,  telling them stories, and praying for them. Lt. Vincent Capadanno had joined Maryknoll to work in the foreign missions. Little did he realize that he would be in faraway places but working with his fellow citizens. On a fateful day he would fulfill the words of his Lord: “Greater love no man has than to give his life for his friend.” On September 4, 1967 he went out to the troops who were taking heavy fire and some were already severely injured. They needed spiritual solace and he would not disappoint. Even when he became gravely injured he continued to anoint the sick. Only machine gun fire would bring finality to his vocation on earth. The country recognized his unique sacrificial spirit by awarding him the Congressional Medal of Honor.

The recent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have claimed the lives of many. Hundreds of others have received grave injuries. Because of the nature of the conflict there is no safe place in these embattled areas. Soldiers, Correspondents, and Civilians are all vulnerable. The priests who go there know the dangers but do not permit them to deter them from their spiritual missions. Fr. H. Timothy Vakoc, a priest of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, served as a parochial Vicar before volunteering for service in the U. S. Army. In May 2004, Fr. Vakoc’s Humvee was hit by a roadside bomb while he was returning to his barracks after saying Mass for the troops on his twelfth anniversary as a priest. He suffered great injuries and had to be transferred out of the combat area. Despite the efforts of many his progress was slow. Often in a state of near coma he bravely fought the effects of the destructive bomb. He succumbed last June. Before he was hurt the chaplain spoke of his role. His words truly represent not only his attitude but that of all the priests who bring Christ to those who serve: “I live with the soldiers, work with them, eat with them, care for them, listen to them, counsel them…I prayed with the soldiers, I prayed for the soldiers who died. I brought the sacraments of the church and the light and love of Christ into the darkness of the situation.”

Let us pray for those who serve, for those who have served, and the priests who have been one with them.

Vivat Jesus

Fr. Brian