Print Issue: May 30, 2002

On 'A Wing And A Prayer': Priest Answers Call To Military Chaplaincy

By Lesley Rice, Special To The Bulletin

CONYERS - When he began college studies in speech communications in the early 1980s, neither the priesthood nor the Army seemed likely career choices for Michael Heninger.

But two years following his ordination, Father Henniger, 41, is making final preparations for his new ministry, combining both surprise vocations in the Army chaplaincy.

Father Michael Heninger, left, parochial vicar at St. Pius X Church, Conyers, will be leaving his pastor, Father John Kieran, right, and parish to report to Fort Stewart, Georgia, for his new ministry in the Army chaplaincy July 1. (Photos by Michael Alexander)

The Archdiocese for Military Services, or Military Ordinariate, is the largest Catholic diocese in the world, reaching over 100 countries. The archdiocese serves over 1.2 million Catholics, including active duty military personnel and their families, those in the Reserves and the National Guard, residents in Veterans Administration Hospitals, and those in government services overseas.

The present shortage of Catholic priests is felt by the Military Ordinariate, particularly in the Army, no less than by the civilian world. Father Heninger related the story of a major who went without the sacraments for 10 months during the Gulf War as an example of the need.

Priests who hear the call to serve the men and women of the military may ask their bishops to "loan" them to the Military Ordinariate. After discernment and training, they serve in the military as commissioned staff officers but may be recalled to their original diocese if necessary.

"The idea is where the solider goes, the chaplain goes. If the soldier steps out of the aircraft, so does the chaplain with the grace of God - on a wing and a prayer," Father Heninger said.

Father Heninger is no stranger to military service. Following high school he was drawn to serve in the Air Force by images of the Vietnam War. Four years as an Air Force policeman offered him the opportunity for service he desired. And the bond between soldiers is hard to dissolve; even after separation, he retained a sense of kinship with military personnel.

Nonetheless he had no plans for further military service. Instead, he continued his formal education at the University of Georgia and the University of Indiana. He continued to serve others by working for a homeless shelter in Indianapolis and later for a mental health organization in North Georgia.

Tools of the military chaplain include the Field Mass Kit, which has a Bible, chalice and paten, linens for Mass, crucifix, sacred oil, priestly stole, and handbooks on pastoral care of the sick and unit team ministry.

One person was missing from his life: God. A younger Heninger spent several years away from the church, but a spiritual reawakening in 1992 brought him back to his faith and integrated his longstanding wish to serve others with a new desire to serve God. His unexpected vocation to the priesthood followed soon upon his return to the church. And it was more images of conflict and service - this time in Croatia and Kosovo in 1999 - that led then-Deacon Heninger to request that Archbishop Donoghue "loan" him to the Military Ordinariate.

"I became ever more sensitive to the pressing need of providing spiritual support to military personnel," Father Heninger recalls.

At the age of 38, as a transitional deacon, Heninger spent the last summer before his ordination in the Chaplain Officer Basic Course, a three-month introduction to the military and to the mission of the chaplain. With 90 other prospective chaplains, he took part in drills, field experiences, physical training, and classes explaining the structure and mission of the Army. Then they narrowed the scope of their study to the particular mission of the chaplaincy.

Father Heninger enjoyed the experience. "It was a little bit like heaven! Because here we were, men and women of various faith traditions, representing the population of the United States of America, coming together for three solid months, putting aside our differences and realizing that our mission was to serve God and country."

This service plays itself out in a "ministry by presence," Father Heninger explained. The Catholic chaplain's role is to offer spiritual support for Catholic soldiers and families as well as for the broader community on post. These responsibilities entail making oneself available in every aspect of the unique military lifestyle.

"We find (the soldiers) and establish a rapport with them to build that community tie and that family bond by visiting the motor pool, and going to the chow hall, going out into the field, being able to do the physical training in the mornings with the soldiers, going out and visiting the families - really making ourselves known outside of the chapel . . . The chaplain's role is to go where the soldier goes."

The chaplain's role is also to minister to the families who share in the service and self-sacrifice of military personnel by accepting frequent moves and long absences of loved ones called away to training or even to armed conflict.

Father Heninger sees in the military a special ability to form quickly the sense of community he values so much. "Those people are coming together from all walks of life, and they're coming together to create a family away from family."

The universality of the church means that they are already family in Christ, but being a part of the military community creates an additional bond, Father Heninger said.

It is not only the military community that impresses Father Heninger, but also the individuals who make up that community. "The men and women in uniform are people of great character. These are men and women who really know what it is to serve, and it's that aspect of their character that really inspires me."

Since his ordination and assignment as parochial vicar at St. Pius X Church in Conyers, Father Heninger's military preparation has included serving the Georgia Army National Guard as chaplain one weekend a month and two weeks in the summer. At age 39, he also attended Airborne School for three weeks at Fort Benning, overcoming the physical rigors with the help of God's "never-ending grace" to experience what he likened to "flying with the angels."

Father Heninger went through two weeks of physical conditioning and training and practice jumps from a tower to become conditioned to stepping out of an aircraft and adjusting the harness for gliding and landing. "The third week is spent jumping out of an aircraft, with and without combat gear, for a total of five jumps," he said. The jumps are at approximately 2,000 feet, which is considered a low-altitude jump. "It is important that chaplains get as much training as possible to accompany the soldiers. We have had priests complete the Rangers' and even the Special Forces' training."

Because of the hazard of jumping, it is entirely voluntary, he said.

"The ministry of presence is so important for the chaplain. Being jump-qualified allowed me to be that much more present to the soldiers," he said.

Father Heninger has received orders to serve as chaplain for the 3rd Forward Support Battalion of the First Brigade at Fort Stewart, which is located near Savannah. He is excited about his mission. His last day in the parish is June 16. After two weeks of leave, he will report for duty July 1.

"It's an honor to be called to serve God, and to extend that ministry in serving God and country. I thank the archbishop for allowing me to join the Archdiocese for Military Services and (to be) able to serve in the next few years wherever God calls me to serve."