Photo By Maj. Edward Alvarado | LETNICË, Kosovo – Maj. Fernando Perez, brigade logistics officer, receives...... read more read more
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More than 60 Soldiers from Multi-National Battle Group – East celebrated Easter with a Catholic Mass service at the Church of the Black Madonna, in Letnicë, Kosovo on April 1.
Father Milan Pregelj, a Slovenian Kosovo Force Chaplain presided over the service, ensuring the liturgy and order of the Mass were translated to English and Slovenian for the service members who attended. Chap. (Capt.) Nathan Graeser, with the California National Guard's 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, worked tirelessly to coordinate and co-host the service.
“It was an amazing opportunity to support and provide services to Soldiers who are far from family on a really important holiday,” said Graeser. “I felt like it was really sacred. I felt wonderful to support a Mass in this special place. I affiliate with Mother Teresa, so I personally felt it was amazing.”
Saint Teresa of Calcutta heard her calling to become a nun at the Church of the Black Madonna.
To coordinate the trip, the entire Unit Ministry Team at Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo, worked with Chaplain Pregelj to ensure the Mass would be in English and Slovenian and developed a concept of operation to assure safety procedures were being followed. The event was nearly cancelled, then thankfully, was successful in the end.
“Being there and taking in the experience was cool,” said Sgt. Vincent Garcia, a religious affairs sergeant with the 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. “We completed the trip successfully. Everything ran smoothly in the end.”
The 977th Military Police Company, 97th MP Battalion, and the 42nd Infantry Division of the Massachusetts National Guard provided security for the service.
“Our service prayed for peace in Kosovo, and peace in our hearts on this holiday,” said Graeser.
| Date Taken: | 04.01.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 04.03.2018 04:27 |
| Story ID: | 271476 |
| Location: | LETNICË, ZZ |
| Web Views: | 535 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Soldiers celebrate Easter Mass at Church of the Black Madonna, by SSG Casey Hustin, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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