William Hemsworth's Blog, page 11

U.S. Army Musician Trades Clarinet for Roman Collar

KNOXVILLE, TN — The Reverend Mr. Alexander Houston, (1LT), USAR, a former active-duty soldier and now a candidate for the Catholic priesthood and United States Military chaplaincy, was ordained a transitional deacon on Saturday, June 8, in his home Diocese of Knoxville, TN. The new deacon is on track to be ordained a priest next year and hopes eventually to serve as a Catholic chaplain in the U.S. Army providing pastoral care to Catholic soldiers and their families with endorsement and faculties from the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS).

The Rev. Mr. Houston’s diaconal ordination was celebrated at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus through the laying of hands and the prayer of consecration invoking the Holy Spirit by Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre of Louisville, KY. Bishop-elect Mark Beckman of Knoxville and AMS Auxiliary F. Richard Spencer concelebrated the 10:30 a.m. ordination Mass. Among those in attendance were the new deacon’s father, Mr. Charles Houston, who served in the U.S. Navy as a corpsman.

The Rev. Mr. Houston, 31, is a 2015 graduate of the University of Cincinnati’s Conservatory of Music, where he earned a Bachelor of Music Degree. From 2015 to 2019 he served on active duty as an Army musician, playing clarinet in the 1st Armored Division Band at Fort Bliss in El Paso, TX. In 2021 the Rev. Mr. Houston earned a Master of Arts (MA) in Catholic philosophical studies from Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology in Indiana, where this year, he also earned a Master of Divinity (M.Div). He is on track to be ordained a priest next year, after which time he will serve as a diocesan priest in his home Diocese of Knoxville for three years before going on active duty as an Army chaplain under his co-sponsored seminarian agreement with that diocese and the AMS. After his military service, he will return to his home diocese to serve out his vocation.

The Rev. Mr. Houston says he began to discern his vocation in the military. “I felt the calling to ordained ministry while serving as an active duty Soldier at Fort Bliss,” he says. “I saw the need for priests to serve in the Armed Forces while deployed in Iraq, and I was inspired by the preaching and the joy of some Chaplains assigned to Fort Bliss.”

Indeed, the eventual service of the Rev. Mr. Houston and other Catholic chaplain candidates is greatly anticipated by the Army, which, like all other branches of the U.S. Military, continues to suffer a chronic shortage of Catholic chaplains. Currently, the Army has only 82 priests on active duty and 53 priests in the reserves, serving a large population of more than 250,000 Catholic soldiers spread worldwide, not counting their families, whom Army chaplains also serve.

Young men interested in discerning a priestly vocation, and the vocation within a vocation to serve those who serve in the U.S. military, can find more information at milarch.org/vocations, or may contact AMS Vocations Director Father Marcel Taillon at vocations@milarch.org or (202) 719-3600.

Transforming Boys into Men: The Ancient Tradition Revived

Join us in this enlightening episode of Jesus’s Rite of Passage: What Every Catholic Parent Should Learn! I’m William Hemsworth, and I am thrilled to welcome Steven Arms, co-author of “Milestone to Manhood.” Stephen shares his powerful journey of undergoing a rite of passage at age 13—an experience that deeply shaped his character and faith. In our conversation, Steven dives into the significance of these rites of passage, detailing how his father and grandfather’s tradition forged a path of manhood for him.

We explore the critical age of 13, drawing parallels to Jesus’s own rite of passage as depicted in the Gospel of Luke. Discover the profound impact of these ceremonies on young boys and the spiritual, emotional, and social benefits they bring. Steven also touches on how these rites can be adapted for girls, emphasizing the importance of such traditions in both genders’ development. You’ll hear inspiring stories of how other fathers have customized these rites for their children, making each experience unique and deeply meaningful.

I highly recommend this episode to all parents, especially those navigating the journey of raising sons and daughters in the faith. Check out Steven’s insights and learn how to create a memorable and impactful rite of passage for your child. Don’t miss out—tune in and consider how you can integrate these timeless traditions into your family’s life. Let’s foster a generation grounded in faith and strong moral values. Check out his great podcast at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-milestone-to-manhood-podcast/id1716779501 and visit his website at http://www.milestonetomanhood.com

Guarding against infidelity

LET’S not deny it. It’s a fact of life, as obvious as the noonday sun. We all have a strong tendency to be unfaithful to any commitment we make to others, and especially to God. If our first parents, still in the state of original justice when they enjoyed all kinds of divine gifts, managed […]

Guarding against infidelity

In the Midst of the National Eucharistic Revival, Vinea Research Releases New Findings Affirming More Mass-Going Catholics Believe in the True Presence of Christ in the Eucharist

Baltimore, MD, June 5, 2024 — A new study from Vinea Research indicates that 69% of Mass-going Catholics believe in the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, which calls into question the accuracy of results from the survey wording choices used in a previous 2019 study from the Pew Research Center, which were not consistent with Catholic teaching. The Pew study claimed only one-third (34%) of Mass-going Catholics in the United States believed in the true presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Vinea Research, a strategic market research company focused on Catholic topics, conducted their own study in late 2022, using survey language that they believe more accurately represents how Catholics understand the Eucharist. 

Published in 2019 with an explosive headline “Just one-third of U.S. Catholics agree with their church that Eucharist is body, blood of Christ,” this Pew study surprised Catholic leaders and led to the launch of the National Eucharistic Revival in 2022. However, using language more commonly understood by Catholics, Vinea’s research indicates that many more Catholics than originally thought have an authentic understanding of the core Catholic teaching of the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. According to the founder of Vinea Research, Hans Plate, this is a beacon of hope for the American Catholic Church and an affirmation of the incredible response to the National Eucharistic Revival.

“This is an incredible finding, especially in the year of the National Eucharistic Revival. Since the Pew Study was published in 2019, the Church has wondered why so few of its flock believe in the True Presence,” Plate said. “Our research indicates what is shown practically through the outpouring of response to the National Eucharistic Revival – that in fact the majority of Catholics do believe that Jesus Christ is truly present in the Eucharist.”

Although Vinea Research recognizes the reputation of Pew, Plate says the phrasing used to draw the conclusion that only one-third of US Catholics believe in the Eucharist was inaccurate and incompatible with how the Catholic Church expresses the truth of transubstantiation. Pew’s wording of the research question gave two response options: 1.) believe the bread and wine are symbols, and 2.) the bread and wine actually become the body and blood of Jesus.

“The use of ‘actually become’ would have been foreign to Catholics and, very likely, confusing. In fact, neither of the two options presented are accurate,” Plate said. “We wanted to test again using wording more familiar to Catholics to see if the results remained consistent with the conclusions drawn by Pew.”

Vinea Research conducted a study surrounding this question using language they believe is more representative of the Catholic Church. The question used in their study gave the response option of “Jesus Christ is truly present in the bread and wine of the Eucharist.” Using this phrasing, 69% of respondents affirmed that they agreed with this statement. 

“We cannot directly compare the results of the two studies on a research level as sampling methodologies differ,” Plate said. “But I think it is very fair to draw the conclusion that Pew greatly underestimated the number of Catholics who actually believe in the True Presence.”  He added, “This also demonstrates that perhaps questions of what Catholics believe and how they behave are better asked by those who know the Catholic faith well enough to accurately ask and interpret the results.” 

These new findings come during the newly launched Eucharistic Pilgrimage, now underway around the United States, and just six weeks before the National Eucharistic Congress to be held in Indianapolis, IN. “Undoubtedly, this is a time of Eucharistic renewal in the United States and a place from which we can continue to build a Eucharistic foundation throughout the whole Church.”  

Newly Ordained Priest Sets Sites on “Vocation Within a Vocation” – Serving Those Who Serve in U.S. Army

ATLANTA — Father Colin Patrick, (CPT), USAR, a candidate for United States Army chaplaincy, was ordained a Catholic priest on Saturday, June 1, in his home Archdiocese of Atlanta, GA. The new priest, an Army veteran, former infantry officer, and graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, NY, plans to go back on active duty as a chaplain, providing pastoral care to Catholic soldiers and their families with endorsement and faculties from the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS).

Father Patrick’s priestly ordination was celebrated at Holy Vietnamese Martyrs Catholic Church in Norcross, GA, through the laying of hands and the prayer of consecration invoking the Holy Spirit by Archbishop Gregory Hartmeyer, OFM Conv. His Excellency, the Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, J.C.D., Archbishop for the Military Services, concelebrated the 10:00 a.m. ordination Mass. Among those in attendance were family and friends of the new priest. The deacon of the Word at the Mass, the Rev. Mr. Joshua Miller, is also co-sponsored and will be ordained a priest in Minnesota on Saturday.

Father Patrick, 34, is 2008 graduate of Norcross High School in Norcross, GA. In 2012, he earned a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree in Geography from West Point. He served as an active-duty infantry officer from 2012 to 2017, during which time he says his faith was challenged:  “My experiences in the army – from Ranger School to Afghanistan – challenged my ‘cradle’ Catholic faith, but it was ultimately this real faith in Christ that helped me get through the daily grind. Through these experiences, Christ confirmed my vocation and led me to seminary.” Father Patrick credits former West Point Chaplain Father Matthew Pawlikowski, CH (COL), USA (Ret.), for influencing his decision to become a chaplain himself: “Once he corrected a uniform infraction of mine while I was trying to see him for confession as a plebe. I knew from that moment I was meeting with not only a Holy man of God, but also a Soldier!”

This year at Mundelein Seminary in Illinois, Father Patrick earned a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) Degree. Under his co-sponsorship agreement with the AMS and the Archdiocese of Atlanta, he will hone his pastoral skills as a diocesan priest in Atlanta for three years before returning to active duty, this time as a chaplain.

Father Patrick says he began to discern a vocation early in life. “From a young age,” he says, “my vocation to the priesthood was nurtured through the love and faith in Christ Jesus that I received from my family. Additionally, I always felt a deep sense of call to service, which was instilled through my parents’ care for the poor in our community.”

The eventual service of Father Patrick and other Catholic chaplain candidates is greatly anticipated by the Army, which, like all other branches of the U.S. Military, continues to suffer a chronic shortage of Catholic chaplains. Currently, the Army has only 84 Catholic priests on active duty, serving more than a quarter-million Catholic soldiers, reservists, and National Guardsmen spread worldwide, not counting their families whom Army chaplains also serve.

Young men interested in discerning a priestly vocation, and the vocation within a vocation to serve those who serve in the U.S. military, can find more information at milarch.org/vocations, or may contact AMS Vocations Director Father Marcel Taillon at vocations@milarch.org or (202) 719-3600.

Catholic U.S. Air Force Chaplain Candidate Celebrates Priestly Ordination in Indiana

GARY, IN — Father Zachary Glick, 2d Lt, USAFR, a candidate for United States Military chaplaincy, was ordained a Catholic priest on Saturday, June 1, 2024, in his home Diocese of Gary, IN. The new priest hopes eventually to serve on active duty as a Catholic chaplain in the U.S. Air Force, providing pastoral care to Catholic airmen and their families with endorsement and faculties from the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS).

Father Glick’s priestly ordination was celebrated at the Cathedral of the Holy Angels through the laying on of hands and the prayer of consecration invoking the Holy Spirit by Bishop Robert J. McClory. AMS Auxiliary Bishop F. Richard Spencer concelebrated the 10:30 a.m. ordination Mass. Among those participating in the pews were the new priest’s parents, Marcus A. and Joann Glick; his brother, Marcus B. Glick and wife Catherine, and extended family including two uncles who are Air Force veterans.

Father Glick, 29, is a 2013 graduate of Highland High School in Highland, IN. In 2017, he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, IN, where in 2019 he earned a Master of Science (M.S.) Degree, also in Mechanical Engineering. In 2020 he earned a Master of Arts Degree in Philosophy and Religion from the University of Saint Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein, IL. This year he earned a Master of Divinity (M.Div.), a Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology (S.T.B.), and a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Theology from Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, MI.

The new priest says he discerned his vocation his senior year in college while enrolled in the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC). He says, “I began going to daily Mass and Eucharistic Adoration, and my realization of the Real Presence of Jesus Christ, Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity, in the Eucharist made me appreciate the gift of the Eucharist and of the priesthood. Getting involved with campus ministry, getting to know a joyful young priest, and beginning to read and study the Bible all greatly contributed to my discernment of my calling to the priesthood.” Father Glick looks forward to priestly ministry, “offering the Mass and giving the faithful the Body and Blood of Christ, helping people receive forgiveness and healing through confession, and helping people give their lives to Jesus and come close to Him.”

The eventual service of Father Glick and other Catholic chaplain candidates is greatly anticipated by the Air Force, which, like other branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, continues to suffer a chronic shortage of Catholic chaplains due to attrition: priests are reaching mandatory military retirement faster than they can be replaced. Since 9/11, the number of active-duty U.S. Military chaplains in all branches of service has fallen from more than 400 to about 200 today. While Catholics make up about 25% of the U.S. Armed Forces, Catholic priests currently account for only about seven percent of military chaplains. In the Air Force, 63 priests currently on active duty serve some 80,000 Catholic airmen spread worldwide, not counting their families, whom the priests also serve.

At the same time, according to the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA), the military itself continues to be a rich source of U.S. vocations. CARA’s annual Survey of Ordinands to the Priesthood found at least 4% of the Class of 2024 has prior military experience, and at least 5% grew up in families where at least one parent served in the military, making the AMS arguably the nation’s largest source of new priests. The actual numbers are certain to be higher, because only 83% of this year’s ordinands (392 out of 475) responded to the survey.

The AMS is now busy tapping this resource for prospective chaplains. The Vocations Office is focusing attention on active-duty servicemen expressing an interest in the priesthood, inviting more qualified candidates to consider joining the Co-Sponsored Seminarian Program, a vocations partnership between the AMS and cooperating dioceses and religious communities around the country. In the case of Father Glick, the partner diocese is the Diocese of Gary. Under the co-sponsorship agreement, Father Glick will hone his pastoral skills for three years in the Gary Diocese before acceding to active duty as a chaplain in the Air Force. Upon completion of his Air Force service, he will return to Gary to serve out his vocation.

Thanks in large part to the support of U.S. bishops and religious superiors, along with increased awareness and discernment opportunities, the number of co-sponsored seminarians such as Father Glick has risen from seven in 2008 to 34 today, with another half dozen set to enter the program in the fall.

The AMS, which receives no funding from the government and depends entirely on private giving, is now looking for ways to fund a fast-rising seminary bill, now projected at more than $5 million over the next five years. To support the Co-Sponsored Seminarian Program, visit https://www.milarch.org/donate.

Young men interested in discerning a priestly vocation, and the vocation within a vocation to serve those who serve in the U.S. military, can find more information at milarch.org/vocations, or may contact Father , AMS Director of Vocations, at milarch.org/vocations/ or (202) 719-3600.

Why Ignoring Racial Justice Hurts Our Faith: Catholic Insights

Join us for a powerful discussion on why ignoring racial justice hurts our faith with special guest Matt Kappadakunnel, author of “The Catholic Church and the Struggle for Racial Justice: A Prophetic Call.” In this engaging interview, Matt shares his personal journey as a Catholic of Indian descent, reflecting on his experiences with racism and the lack of response from church leaders following the tragic death of George Floyd. We delve into the theological implications of racism, the concept of Imago Dei, and how Catholics are called to respond to racial injustices in the U.S.

I highly recommend checking out this insightful conversation as we discuss the need for a prophetic call within the Catholic Church, the challenges of addressing racial justice, and the importance of aligning ourselves with God’s call for equality. Don’t miss out on this thought-provoking episode! Join us, and let’s reflect, learn, and grow together in our faith.

Matt’s book is published by Paulist Press. Check it out here.

Celebrate the Legacy of Venerable Patrick Peyton with Holy Cross Family Ministries

NORTH EASTON, MA. – June 3, 2024 – Today marks the 32nd anniversary of the passing of Father Patrick
Peyton, C.S.C. into eternal life. On June 1st , Holy Cross Family Ministries celebrated the life and mission of
Venerable Patrick Peyton, “The Rosary Priest” and advocate for families, gathering over 150 of the faithful.
In a world where families are struggling, this event was a time for prayer, reflection, and community to
honor his life, mission, enduring legacy, and the work toward his Cause for Sainthood.

The event included a profound reflection, presented by Allison Gingras, on The Power of Intercessory
Prayer and the Rosary, before the Vigil Mass was celebrated by Father William Lies, C.S.C., Superior of
the U.S. Province of Priests and Brothers. Father David S. Marcham, Vice-Postulator for the Cause of
Father Peyton, was the homilist. A light reception followed.

Join the Journey Towards Canonization

Be a part of the spiritual journey advocating for the Canonization of Venerable Patrick Peyton. Reflect on
his life and mission, especially today, on his anniversary. Discover how you and your family can seek his
intercession and participate in his Cause for Sainthood. LEARN MORE

About Holy Cross Family Ministries

Founded in 1942 by Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C., Holy Cross Family Ministries continues his mission of
fostering family prayer and spiritual well-being worldwide. Father Peyton’s famous message, “The family
that prays together stays together,” continues to inspire and guide families today. Learn more about our
work and mission at http://www.hcfm.org.

The Visitation

The angel Gabriel, in the mystery of the Annunciation, informed the Mother of God that her cousin Elizabeth had miraculously conceived, and was then pregnant with a son who was to be the precursor of the Messiah. “Mary therefore arose,” saith St. Luke, “and with haste went into the hilly country into a city of […]

The Visitation

The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

By Leon Bent – After the Annunciation, Mary is confused – surely you would be perplexed, if you were Mary. Who can she talk to about this strange happening? Her mother? Her rabbi? The only person she knows who would understand her is her cousin Elizabeth. The angel had told Mary: “Even Elizabeth your relative […]

The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary