May 2008 Feature: Serving our Troops
	Each weekend two deacons and two third year men set off from Rome and head south along the Italian peninsula to the US Navy base in Naples to assist the Catholic chaplains there in ministering to the spiritual needs of American military personnel and their families. For over a decade, men from the North American College have braved the Italian traffic on the busy autostrada between Rome and Naples for the privilege of serving in an active American parish. Over the last several years, the Naples apostolate has grown to become one of the largest apostolic ministries at the College. For the twelve men who have been assigned to this particular ministry it is an opportunity to serve in a fully-functioning parish with an active community life, religious education program, and young adult ministry. In addition to the opportunity for ministry, the apostolate offers a chance for us to learn about military chaplaincy and what military life is like for the men and women of the United States Armed Forces and their families. While most of us who serve at this apostolate will never serve as a military chaplain, the exposure to military life and ministry will help us in ministering to military personnel back in our home dioceses. On a typical weekend, we arrive at the base in time for the Vigil Mass on Saturday evening. One of the deacons preaches, the others assist the pastor, and then it is off to individual family homes. The Catholic families in Naples take turns hosting seminarians, offering us not only a place to spend the night and a great home-cooked meal, but more importantly, a chance to participate in the life of their family. This allows us to see the beauty and real-life struggles of the married couple trying to live out their vocation. It also gives us the opportunity to share our own vocation story with them and their children. Sunday morning, like in any parish, is the busiest part of the weekend. One of the deacons assists at early Mass, while the others help with the religious education program. The seminarians assist the catechists with their lessons and lead the annual Confirmation retreat and other special programs that occur throughout the year. Following religious education, it is off to the chapel for the main community Mass. Again, one of the deacons preaches, while the third-year men assist as extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist. Occasionally one of the deacons will have the opportunity to baptize a baby; for many of us it is the first time that we will welcome a new member into the Church through this sacrament. The work of the apostolate is not simply confined to work done in Naples. Throughout the year many service men and women travel to Rome with their families to visit the sacred places of the Eternal City. When they do come to Rome, it is our chance to repay the kindness and hospitality shown to us by giving them tours of the city and inviting them to the College for Mass and pranzo. Over the years, the friendships that have been formed through this apostolate have endured. Many of the seminarians and their host families continue to stay in touch even after the family transfers from Naples or the seminarian returns home to his diocese. This past summer a “mini-reunion” was held in the Washington, D.C. area in which several former host-families, current seminarians, and priests who once served on the apostolate gathered to renew friendships, offer thanks for the blessing of the ministry in Naples, and encourage vocations to the priesthood. The mission of the diocesan priest is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ so as to build up the Body of Christ, the Church. While seminarians at the College look forward to returning to their home dioceses to begin priestly ministry in parishes, the Naples apostolate gives some of us the unique opportunity to minister to American men and women in an American parish during our own seminary formation. The faith and love for the Church found in our military families is an inspiring witness that aides in our formation as future priests. What a blessing it is to serve these men and women as they serve us and our country! Rev. Mr. Patrick Riffle ’08 Archdiocese of Washington