WASHINGTON, DC — Christ told his Apostles to “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations….” (Matt 28:19) In the Catholic Church this “Great Commission” is the goal of the “New Evangelization,” a movement promulgated by all popes since Paul VI (1963-78). For Catholics serving in the United States Military, that’s where “Team Saint Paul” comes in. His Excellency, the Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, J.C.D., Archbishop for the Military Services, USA, created this team of Catholic young adults in 2021. Their mission: to live full-time near a U.S. Military installation and regularly engage those who serve, accompanying them on journeys of faith and conversion.
Team Saint Paul is now gaining traction on two U.S. Military installations: Fort Campbell in Kentucky and Travis Air Force Base in California. On Sept. 13, at the daily noon Mass in the main chapel of the Edwin Cardinal O’Brien Pastoral Center, home base of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS), Archbishop Broglio commissioned the newest three members: Mr. Noah Mize of Colorado, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2016 to 2020; Mr. Peter Bockrath, of Virginia, who recently graduated from Thomas Aquinas College in California; and Ms. Juliana Gahr of Pennsylvania, who recently graduated from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. All three received their commissions following a two-week onboarding and formation conference in the AMS Office of Evangelization under the leadership of Vice-Chancellor Mark Moitoza, Th.D., D.Min., and Associate Director for Missionary Discipleship, McKenzie Mauss.
Mr. Mize and Mr. Bockrath are both assigned to Fort Campbell, joining veteran Team Saint Paul members Caroline McDermott and Regina Fontana. Ms. Gahr is assigned to Travis AFB, teaming up with veteran Jurate Reventas. Ms. McDermott, Ms. Fontana, and Ms. Reventas have all served at their assigned locations for the past year, befriending servicemen and women, encouraging them in the practice of their faith through common prayer, participating in Mass and receiving the sacraments together, starting Bible studies and catechetical sessions, and building Christian fellowship with social and recreational activities such as rock climbing and line dancing.
Embarking on their new adventure, Mr. Mize said, “I want to lead by the example of my life—an authentic and joyful Christian life for others to follow alongside.” Mr. Bockrath said, “I think that this role of missionary for the active duty service members is really important because it allows us to provide a first-hand witness to the full, happy, and beautiful life that one can have through loving the heart of Jesus. It is imperative that the Catholic Church gets this witness out to the people who are willing to serve and especially those willing to give their lives for something bigger than themselves.” Ms. Gahr said, “It is a great blessing and honor ‘to serve those who serve’ in a new and radical way. By the graces of God, I pray that I am able to be a witness to His love and accompany others in their adventure with Christ.”
Dr. Moitoza and Mrs. Mauss hope to place new Team Saint Paul members on other U.S. Military installations in the years ahead as Archbishop Broglio’s initiative shifts into high gear and expands to spread the New Evangelization throughout the military. Membership in Team Saint Paul is a full-time ministry position. Required qualifications include either a bachelor’s degree or four years of active-duty military service, good standing in the Church, and an active spiritual life. Anyone who would like to join Team Saint Paul must have, according to Mrs. Mauss, “the ability to communicate well with others, good interpersonal skills, and self-motivation.” Single and married individuals will be considered and all candidates will be subject to a background check. For more information, and to apply to be a member of Team Saint Paul, visit milarch.org/missionaries.
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