LINCOLN, Neb. — For the last 13 years, Father Joel Panzer, a Major in the United States Army and a chaplain assigned to 4th Cavalry Multi-Functional Training Brigade, First Army Division East at Fort Knox, Kentucky has guided, mentored, and faced the unique spiritual challenge of tending to his flock of military families outside of his diocese in several locations around the world and stateside throughout his military career.
Panzer was recently invited back by his home diocese, Catholic Cathedral of the Risen Christ of Lincoln to preach this year’s Chrism Mass homily, which is commonly known as a sermon during holy week. This also marked his anniversary of priestly ordination that started 25 years ago.
Panzer used his platform as an opportunity to tell a story of the vital need to recruit current and future Catholic priest who will answer the call to serve as Army chaplains.
"What we might term ‘sacrificial service’ in the priesthood, for Soldiers it’s called selfless service," Panzer said. “It’s one of seven Army values: loyalty, respect, duty, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage.”
"Selfless service means that a Soldier will put the welfare of the nation, the Army and his subordinates above his own good,” he said. "If we cherish freedom and its blessings, then we must be willing to sacrifice in order to preserve it."
His message was received by over 150 Catholic priests of the diocese of Lincoln, 50 seminarians from across the midwest, four Catholic Bishops, and more than 1,000 people in attendance.
In what can only be considered irony, a man considered a symbol of peace within his congregation delivered a message of understanding and the need to have, maintain, and grow a strong military presence, both at home and abroad.
Sgt. 1st Class David Shaw, religious affairs specialist for 4th Cav. MFTB, said that selfless service is all about having a servant’s heart.
“It absolutely exemplifies what each of us should be,” said Shaw. “It is difficult to put it into practice, because of our selfish nature.”
“As a priest, it’s probably in the job description, but you can also see he puts forth the effort to serve others.”
| Date Taken: | 05.23.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 05.25.2019 09:44 |
| Story ID: | 323979 |
| Location: | LINCOLN, NE, US |
| Hometown: | FORT KNOX, KY, US |
| Hometown: | LINCOLN, NE, US |
| Web Views: | 188 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 4th Cav. chaplain goes home to tend his flock, by SFC Kevin Spence, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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