Listen "Serving Those Who Serve"
Episode Synopsis
Navy and Marine Corps veterans discuss the indispensable role of their chaplain — and why priests are so desperately needed in the military(0:03) Canton native Deacon Matthew Kurt, a seminarian studying for the priesthood at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, plans to serve as a chaplain in the U.S. military once he’s ordained. He describes his formation on military bases and why he’s pursuing a ministry among America’s front-line soldiers — a ministry desperately in need of priests.(5:04) Lt. Col. Michael Murray describes a memorable encounter with his chaplain, Msgr. Tim Hogan, while deployed in Iraq. He was about to be sent out on a mission with a high degree of danger, and needed confession.(11:20) Msgr. Hogan, a priest of the Archdiocese of Detroit and former U.S. Navy chaplain, relays his vocation story — a story that started at a high school graduation party. Unlike Deacon Kurt’s, Msgr. Hogan’s story started with the military, and continued when he discovered a calling to the priesthood later as an enlisted officer. (14:12) In 1985, the Archdiocese for the Military Services invites Msgr. Hogan to consider becoming a military chaplain. He describes the high stakes of chaplaincy, and the day-to-day role of a spiritual father to soldiers in harm’s way.(21:03) Captain Julie Liotta, a former combat engineer officer with the Marine Corps for 2003-07, describes her encounter with Msgr. Hogan, who was overseeing the rebuilding of a chapel on base in Iraq that was damaged by incoming fire. (26:59) Liotta describes the lasting impact Msgr. Hogan had on her faith. She and Murray describe the great need for military chaplains — especially Catholic chaplains — considering a drastic shortage of those ministering to soldiers whose lives are on the line. Msgr. Hogan recounts a story of a conversation with a Marine who said he hadn’t seen a priest in nine months of deployment. (34:20) Liotta and Murray talk about how much of a difference chaplains make for the men and women in uniform, and put the shortage of chaplains into perspective.Reporting by Daniel Meloy; narration by Fr. Craig Giera; script by Casey McCorry; production by Ron PangbornThinking about the probability of dying is something that none of us wants to face. No matter what we do, all of us will pass away one day. Preparing now is a great way to help our loved ones during their grieving process and ensure our final wishes are followed. Our caring friends at the Catholic Funeral and Cemetery Services can help you. Visit cfcsdetroit.org or call (734) 285-2155.Listen to ‘Detroit Stories’ on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or Spotify. Podcasts also will be posted biweekly on DetroitCatholic.com.
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