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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
SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 2020: Ignatian Retreat 9AM–1PM
What do you and a Spanish soldier and wounded warrior from the 1500s have in common? Are you looking for inner peace? Join fellow Veterans on Saturday, March 7 to learn 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.
Saturday, March 7, 2020 9:00 am–1:00 pm
Light Breakfast and Lunch Provided
5043 Wisconsin Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20016
RSVP here: https://peaceofmindmarch7.eventbrite.com
Our Facilitator: Bill Coffin, Navy veteran and member of St Andrew Apostle Parish, Silver Spring, Maryland. Bill Coffin, a Fairfield University graduate, Bill is a Senior Fellow at the Institute for Family Studies and the author of the IFS "Friday Five." He is a retired Navy Commander having served 24 years on active and reserve duty. In addition to his military service, he spent part of his professional career working for the U.S. Navy as a civilian and at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on family formation programs. He conducts Ignatian Retreats at his parish, St. Andrew the Apostle in Silver Spring. He and his wife, Pat, have 4 grown children and 7 grandkids and they like to bike.RECENT ACTIVITIES
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 jocelyn@roweglobalgroup.com
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2019: 4th Annual Mass Honoring VeteransOur annual Mass honoring veterans will take place on Sunday, November 17th at the 10:30 Mass in the Church with a Coffee and Donuts Reception after in the school auditorium. We will be accepting donations of rosaries for patients in the Washington VA Hospital as well as for Father Alec's new ministry as a chaplain for the United States Army. Thank you for your support!
SATURDAY, MARCH 30, 2019: "Walking Together": A Retreat for Veterans, Military Service Members and Caregivers
During our Lenten workshop "Walking Together," we reflected on the Way of the Cross, and our personal life journeys. We used the Scriptural Stations of the Cross (instead of the traditional Stations of the Cross) to walk with Jesus combining worship, quiet time, writing, and (optional) sharing. This workshop was led by Susan Mitchell, a member of the Ministry team and a lay chaplain who previously led our veterans' writing workshops on the Lament Psalms during the Spring and Fall of 2018.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2PM: 2019 KICKOFF PLANNING MEETING
The Veterans-Military kicked off 2019 with a planning meeting on Sunday, February 10, 2pm at Bread and Chocolate. We began planning our first ministry offerings and outreach activities for 2019 including a retreat, a transition workshop, as well as social gatherings and our annual November Mass. Please contact Jocelyn Rowe if you would like to learn more and get involved.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2018: 3rd Annual Mass Honoring Veterans
Our annual Mass honoring veterans took place on Sunday, November 18th at the 10:30 Mass in the Church with a Coffee and Donuts Reception after in the school auditorium. We continue to collect rosaries for patients in the Washington VA Hospital. Please feel free to drop off a new or gently used rosary in the basket at the main entrance to the Church. Thank you for your support!
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2018: Writing from the Heart and Soul
A workshop for veterans and active duty military, 10am–1pm, 5034 Wisconsin Avenue NW, 2nd floor, Washington, DC, Knights of Columbus Council 224. Open to all veterans, active duty and reserve military, and care givers.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2018: Team BBQ at 5pm: Our Fall Kick-Off!SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2017 WORKSHOP: Wellness for the Body, Soul and Spirit
Veterans, Active Duty Military Service Members, and Military and Veteran Spouses, attended a workshop entitled "Wellness for the Body, Soul, and Spirit" that addressed post traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury. Our presenters, Deanna Won and Jim McNulty, presented simple ways to promote one's personal wellness by integrating practical techniques and positive choices into one's life for a healthier and happier life.
FALL 2017 WORKSHOP: Financial Literacy and Planning
Veterans in transition face unique financial challenges. Our presenter and Blessed Sacrament parishioner, Joe Finnegan led an interactive discussion around Personal Finance and the factors to consider during one's transition from military service. Participants learned about the 5 financial core competencies (Income, Budgeting, Saving, Borrowing, Protecting) and discuss wealth building and tax minimization strategies. Don't be one of the thousands of veterans that puts themselves at financial risk due to a lack of information or support.
SPRING 2017: Washington Nationals Baseball Game
Thanks to the generosity of the Washington Nationals Community Grants Program, the Ministry Team and its guests enjoyed a baseball game on Saturday, April 29.
CIVILIAN TRANSITION WORKSHOPS
More than 30 veterans and active duty military attended the two workshops which also included time for small group discussions led by fellow veterans, food and fellowship. The Ministry Team would like to thank the Knights of Columbus’ Washington Council 224 for their generous donation of their beautiful meeting space for these workshops.
MAY 13, 2017: Civilian Transition WorkshopOur guest speaker was Wayne Gatewood, USMC veteran, Code of Support board member, and former owner of Quality Support, a successful government services contracting firm that he operated for more than 25 years.
JUNE 24, 2017: Civilian Transition Workshop
Entrepreneurship/Business Start-Up Basics: Our guest speaker was Bill Kelly, USMC veteran and Blessed Sacrament parishioner. Bill spoke about his own experience as a small business owner and the important factors that one should consider when deciding to launch your own business.
2016 ACTIVITIES
The Ministry Team held a Moral Injury and Forgiveness workshop in September 2016. Almost 30 clergy and clinicians learned more about this topic, including the spiritual and moral questions raised by military personnel and veterans after deployment, and resources to promote healing.
Around the Veterans Day holiday, the Ministry sponsored many events including a November 3rd Holy Hour to pray for veterans, active duty military and the work of the ministry, a November 13th Mass honoring veterans followed by a coffee and doughnuts social hour when the ministry team shared information and collected donations for the local VA hospital and a Catholic chaplain on deployment overseas.
During the Christmas holidays, the ministry partnered with the Youth Ministry who made rosary bracelets and Christmas cards and continued to collect and distribute the generous donations from the Blessed Sacrament community.
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 jocelyn@roweglobalgroup.com; 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.