As Chaplain supporting the Philadelphia Lodge #5, Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), Fr. Steven Wetzel, OSFS, serves all the current officers, retirees, and their families. “There are Catholics, agnostics, atheists, Jehovah's Witnesses, Muslims, and Christians. I claim them all for me and treat each one accordingly.”
He equates the collection of FOP officers, retirees, and families from multiple faiths as his “parishioners” who he must always be ready to serve. Fr. Steve describes his work as “Cor Ad Cor;” this means heart-to-heart in Latin and is the basis of St. Francis’ teaching that people should be approached individually by talking on their level, heart to heart.
“I have to be ready to respond not necessarily as a Catholic priest but whatever is in front of me,” he said in describing his work at the Ministry of Michael the Archangel Ministry Program. Known as the Catholic patron of police officers, Michael the Archangel is also recognized in the Muslim, Jewish, Catholic, and Jehovah's Witness faiths, thus the program was intentionally named. Theirs is not a non-denominal ministry but rather multiple denominal ones.
Through Fr. Steve, and a volunteer chaplain at each police district, the Ministry of Michael the Archangel Ministry Program provides pastoral care and counseling, spiritual direction, crisis ministry, and bereavement support. Fr. Steve also says hears confessions, performs baptisms, witnesses marriages, anoints the sick, and celebrates monthly Eucharist (after roll call) with the Catholic police officers who make up 68% of the current police force.
Much of his time is with families of current, retired, and deceased family members. “We never forget,” he says as he describes the FOP Mass for families who have lost a loved one. Another large amount of time is spent at crime scenes, in the hospital with injured officers, across the table after a discipline, or on ride-alongs where he joins officers on patrol. The ride-alongs offer Fr. Steve the best insight on the challenges and struggles officers face on the street.
Rev. Robert Mulligan, OSFS, gains much insight and perspective from the college students he ministers as chaplain at Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia. Working as both chaplain and education professor teaching graduate and undergraduate students, he interacts with students in a variety of encounters and finds each one has a uniquely special experience.
Daily mass, held each day at noon, offers him an opportunity to minister to students alongside faculty and staff, all joined together in prayer. The Sunday 9PM mass often begins with a volunteer taking a quick photo to post on social media, inviting classmates to come on down to mass. Many students arrive in sweats and slippers, as mass is held just floors below their dorm rooms.
Social media is the main way students learn about mass, prayer, services, and retreat opportunities at the college. Graduate assistants post on Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat from mass, yoga reflections, retreats, homeless shelters, soup kitchens or wherever the campus minister team leads them.
Being part of the college’s four-person campus ministry team is most rewarding for Fr. Mulligan who describes his team, “I work with three super people on the team. They are very dynamic and organized.”
He also collaborates with volunteer sports team chaplains. Faculty and staff are assigned as the team chaplain for many of the Chestnut Hill Griffin teams. These individuals are trained by Fr. Mulligan and attend all team games and serve as prayer leaders.
Many students are Catholic but his ministry is open to all. Muslim students especially appreciate the Interfaith prayer room which is available for prayer throughout the day. At its dedication, representatives from five faith communities joined together to bless the special space.
In addition to interacting with students of different faiths, Fr. Mulligan works with individuals who have drifted away from the church. Commonly referred to as the ‘unchurched,’ Fr. Mulligan loves engaging with those who seek to reconnect to the church of their birth. This year, Fr. Mulligan is the spiritual director for two students engaged in the RCIA program. Journeying with these individuals is an important element of Fr. Mulligan’s role as campus chaplain.
Fr. Michael Murray, OSFS, Assistant Provincial, takes journeys in his roles as well. As chaplain to the Wilmington Fire Department (WFD), Fr. Michael has walked, stood, and ridden alongside “Wilmington’s bravest” and committed firefighters for the past three years.
With the Oblates, Fr. Murray is known as the Assistant Provincial, but with the firefighters, he is “Deputy Chief 5,” and reflective of firehouse structure, is saluted by his men and women. In this leadership role, Fr. Murray offers spiritual guidance, moral support, companionship, and ministers mostly by being present.
“With firefighters, there is much time spent just waiting {for a call}. During this time is when I minister by being present. I listen to their stories and I try to create an atmosphere where they can be who they are.” Fr. Murray treasures this time where stories and conversations bounce from locker room banter, tales of wives and children to more spiritual conversations about things we all value as human beings.
All of these topics offer ways for Fr. Murray to share Salesian spirituality, “I package the teachings of St. Francis whenever we interact. They (firefighters) have human concerns. These concerns are ultimately, spiritual concerns. I think they relate to me because they know I’m not trying to take them on a spiritual journey but rather, walk with them on their human journey.”
This journey, at times, can be quite treacherous. It had only been seven months after three Wilmington firefighters had died in the Canby Park fire of 2016 when Fr. Murray joined as chaplain. The men and women of the fire department were still in great pain from this loss. He learned quickly that being a firefighter is draining not just after such incredible loss but each and every day as they wait uncertain of what the next call will bring.
When the alarm sounds, Fr. Murray gets notified as well. He responds with a similar speed and arrives at fire scenes to support the firefighters to the extent he can. The dedicated chaplain passes out water or snacks and comforts family members but mostly he ministers by being present.
“The most important thing I do is show up,” Fr. Murray says. “In these moments is when I can do the most just by being there.” He never knows when a conversation will be needed, or a prayer requested. Donned in his fire jacket, heavy helmet with his chief logo, he kneels on the wet pavement or ashy grass behind the men often still holding water-filled hoses or heavy equipment.
Fr. Steve explains, “Oblates have always had a special vision for the role of chaplain. Perhaps it is our commitment to listen carefully and respond to the needs of each individual that lead us to the chaplaincy.”
Fr. Murray adds, “We go with the action is. We are asked because we (Oblates) are generally down-to-earth people who follow Brisson’s direction to ‘enter the world as it is’.”
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A particular facet of Oblates is seen in the armed forces. Through the years, either before becoming a priest or as an Oblate, these men have served in the armed services, many of them as chaplains.
