Extension grant aids peer support for Catholics in military

Published: 2006-07-17

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services has received a Catholic Extension grant of $100,000 to support its young adult ministry initiative, "Catholics Seeking Christ." The grant will fund training sessions for 20 to 30 peer leaders in the military and provide resource materials for 40 base parishes. Archbishop Edwin F. O'Brien, head of the military archdiocese, said: "'Catholics Seeking Christ' is a program that encourages single young adults to gather in small groups of six to 10 people for six weeks to discuss the big questions about faith." He said the program "fosters an environment of prayer and support" for addressing faith issues and "has the potential to revitalize" Catholic faith communities throughout the military. The initiative has been under way for about a year. The military archdiocese serves about 1.4 million Catholics around the world. It is responsible for the pastoral care of men and women in uniform; their family members; Catholics in the reserves, National Guard and veterans' hospitals; and Catholics in government service overseas.

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