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The Veterans and Military Ministry’s objective is to facilitate material and spiritual support both for veterans and active duty military and their families in our parish and the local community. With the support of a small grant from Catholic Charities DC, the ministry intends to raise awareness of the gifts and talents of veterans in our parish, to provide and promote resources for veterans, especially those who are transitioning from active duty service, and to support Catholic chaplains on deployment.UPCOMING ACTIVITIES
OCTOBER 26, 2021
We will be screening a preview of a forthcoming documentary, "American Veteran" that will be airing on PBS in November. A discussion will be led by Professor Gary Senecal of Assumption College on the veteran experience and how we as a community may better build bridges with civilians who may not have a deep connection or understanding of the veteran experience. Zoom details and the time will be available closer to the date.
RECENT ACTIVITIES
AUGUST 3, 2021: USMC Evening Parade at the Iwo Jima Memorial
MARCH 4, 2021: An Evening of Storytelling with Father Bill Watson and VeteransThe Veterans-Military Ministry Team and the Sacred Story Institute (SSI) hosted an online evening of storytelling with guest veteran storytellers, Chad S. (U.S. Navy Swimmer with Naval Warfare) and Matt Ingold (USMC Afghanistan veteran) and Sacred Story Institute founder, Father Bill Watson, SJ. Chad and Matt read excerpts from their stories and followed by a discussion of the War and Grace story-writing project. The experiences the Sacred Story Institute would like to collect in the War & Grace Project include the challenges and tragedies of wounded warriors, but also the miraculous ways God comes to help service members in the midst of what appear to be the most hopeless situations. War and Grace grew out of a desire to recognize the 500th Anniversary of the Wounding of St. Ignatius at the Battle of Pamplona and how his experience may help veterans and caregivers today reflect on their stories of service.
SEPTEMBER 15, 2020: The Life of Colonel Leo ThorsnessWe gathered for an online presentation on the life of Colonel Leo Thorsness, a United States Air Force pilot who was shot down in 1967 while engaged in a combat operation during the Vietnam War. He was subsequently held captive for almost 6 years. Our presenters, Dr. Cabrini Pak and John Shumadine shared the story of Colonel Thorsness, including his captivity at the Hanoi Hilton. They also shared insights from Dr. Pak's qualitative research on eight American service members who were POWs, including Thorsness. Colonel Thorsness’ experience and those of his fellow American POWs provided powerful lessons on bouncing back from the extraordinarily negative experiences of war. It can shed light on our lives today.
MAY 21, 2020: War Stories from the Forgotten SoldiersVeterans Ministry team member Ted Beal, clinician and Vietnam veteran read from this book -- "War Stories From the Forgotten Soldiers," the culmination of almost eight years of experience and nearly 5,000 interviews working with returning soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Edward "Ted" Beal is a Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Georgetown University School of Medicine, a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and served as a Captain in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He is also the coauthor of "Adult Children of Divorce" and coeditor of "The Failure of Nerve" as well as numerous academic papers and book chapters. His popular press writings appear in the Washington Post, The Catholic Peace Fellowship Quarterly and in Pulse, Voices from the Heart of Medicine, an online magazine.
MARCH 7, 2020: Ignatian RetreatWhat do you and a Spanish soldier and wounded warrior from the 1500s have in common? Are you looking for inner peace? Veterans gathered to more explore the world of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, experience a taste of two of his “exercises,” and practice the Examen prayer, an early version of today’s mindfulness exercises.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 12, 2020: Epiphany Party 5-8 PMThe Veterans-Military Ministry would like to invite all veterans, members of the military, family, friends and supporters to an Epiphany Party on Sunday, January 12 from 5–8 p.m. Please join us for food, fellowship, and storytelling by veterans. Guests are requested to bring hats, gloves or reading glasses for the VA Hospital Chaplaincy team. The party will take place at the Knights of Columbus Council #224 (5034 Wisconsin Avenue, NW). Parking is available on the street and there is a parking lot behind the building. For more details, please contact Jocelyn Rowe at [email protected]GET INVOLVED
Ministry team includes Jocelyn Rowe, Ministry Lead, and members Aaron Ayers, Luke Holian, Steve Malphrus, Susan Mitchell, Briana Murphy, and Curt Nelson with the support of Father Bill and Father Alec.
The ministry will provide bulletin and newsletter updates for future plans. To get involved in the work of the Ministry, please contact Jocelyn Rowe at [email protected]; or at 202-641-4556.
Our monthly meetings are held in the Parish Center lower level, immediately after the 10:30am Mass. Please watch the bulletin for future meeting updates.