Imagine your job is to provide spiritual and emotional support and guidance to a parish of thousands of mostly young men and women.

Imagine most of  the people in your parish move away  every three years and that new people move in. Imagine that  you too, must move and start learning the ropes of a new place, and that you are the only priest in the area.

That constant change is part of the every day life and work of Catholic chaplains in the military. Unlike a priest in a civilian parish, chaplains in the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard must work with a constantly changing group of people. It is a personal ministry of presence, caring for the needs of Catholic military personnel and their families.

The work of chaplains is not confined to the chapel. They go wherever their people are - in a tent in the desert, on the deck of an aircraft carrier, in the barracks on base, on a fire-fighting line, in the VA hospital, in the halls of the Pentagon.

Because military service requires extraordinary sacrifices of those who serve and their families, chaplains strive to make themselves available and present, day or night, to offer guidance, education, and direction on Church doctrine or simply to listen.

Through their words and actions, they provide a place where those in the military can take comfort in and draw strength from the sacraments and reflect on the responsibilities and challenges they have taken on to protect their fellow Americans.

The 1.8 million Catholics served by chaplains are a diverse group including fifth generation soldiers, new citizens, young people from cities and farms, veterans, people in positions of command, young mothers and fathers. Chaplains often speak about the exciting, creative nature of their ministry. They seek ways to reach out and connect with the different people they serve on a personal level, an opportunity they note is hard to come by in a civilian parish.

The days are long. It can be lonely. Yet if you talk to most any of the priest-chaplains in the military, they will tell you they would not trade this ministry for any other.

The rewards are great. The support of people in the military is there. They are open to spiritual growth and willing to work hard for it. As the people in our military do the difficult work of protecting our freedom, Catholic chaplains walk beside them, providing the spiritual and emotional strength that is needed.

The following is a list of priests of the Diocese of Buffalo who have served as military chaplains:
Father James R. Bastian, Father Donald W. Becker, Father Douglas F. Faraci, Father John R. Gaglione, Msgr. William J. Gallagher, Father David R. Glassmire, Father Edwin J. Kaukus, Father John E. Kelly, Father Timothy J. Koester, Father John P. Mack, Father William C. McGarry, Father Robert D. Moss, Father Bernard U. Nowak, Father Joseph D. Porpiglia, Father Harry F. Szczesniak, Msgr. Michael J. Yunk, Father Michael P. Zuffoletto.