CATHOLIC NOVEMBER 11, 2018 THE 32ND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME VOLUME 68:6 DIOCESE OF COLUMBUS TIMES VETERANS DAY: HONORING THOSE WHO SERVED GOD AND COUNTRY Catholic Times 2 November 11, 2018 Editor’s reflections by Doug Bean Headline Veterans Day remembrance: Diocesan priest served in two wars Millions of Catholics have faith- a glider regiment and a member of “As Christmas 1944 approaches, and short fully served their country in times the 101st Airborne Division that perhaps no one has fonder mem- thought on the of war and peace. This Sunday on participated in the Normandy inva- ories or happier expectations of Assumption at Veterans Day, the nation honors all sion. He was also with those who the feast of Christ’s nativity than 8:30 then off military men and women for their fought at Bastogne in the Battle of soldiers in battle-torn countries. into the hills dedication and sacrifice. the Bulge in December 1944 and Christmas has always been as- to the west Let’s also not forget the priests January 1945. cribed to children or to the child- end of the sector on the front held and religious who have answered For his gallantry in action, he like in spirit. No less must it be by the First Battalion for the sec- the call to provide spiritual assis- received two bronze stars and was called a soldier’s holy day. ... O ond Mass at 1100 hours. tance in the various branches of the elevated to the rank of captain. prince of peace, we stand at at- “When we arrived in ‘B Co.’ armed forces. Their contributions After World War II, Father Faistl tention for your commands. Teach area after spreading the word at often go unnoticed. returned to the States after his dis- us to convert and save us. And let Mass along the way, I set up the This week’s Catholic Times charge. He became pastor at Mill- there be ‘Glory to God in the high- folding table which is a little short shines a light on the Catholic War ersburg St. Peter and Glenmont est, and on earth peace to men of for a big guy like me to offer Holy Veterans organization and in par- Sts. Peter and Paul churches and good will.’” Mass upon and a little too narrow ticular Father Louis Iasiello, a was the first pastor at New Boston to open the Missal without interfer- priest who was the Navy chief of St. Monica Church. Here’s another, this one from ing with the Chalice cover. While I chaplains and now is in residence In 1950, Father Faistl returned the Imjin River in Korea in Au- was doing this, Jerry took the Jeep as a professor of humanities and to active duty and was assigned to gust 1952: up the road to pick up a load of director of faith formation at the the 82nd Airborne Division with “I hope this finds each of you as rifle men who got off the line long Pontifical College Josephinum. a parachute team. He described safe and well as I am. I am now at enough for Holy Mass. I set up the Through the years, a number of jumping out of a plane: the Korean front and it will sound altar along a gravel road with the Cutline priests from the Diocese of Colum- “I was scared the first time I went as strange to you as it did to me that near noon-day sun beating down. bus have felt compelled to take up out that door. Everyone is. Your a tremendous amount of shooting I knew I was in for another heavy the cross and become chaplains. reaction is not too good,” he said. goes on every day just a short dis- sweat. Our artillery was whistling One of those was the late Father “When you see that chute open, tance from here but still I sit here in its death march overhead for this Clement Faistl. you take a big breath. After the first a tent behind a line of hills on both site of Mass was 300 yards from the Father Faistl represents all that’s couple of jumps, though, you relax sides of the Imjin River and with ridge of the semi-circle of hills on good about the priesthood. His sto- and begin to enjoy the trip down.” electric at night write this letter. I the top of which the rifle men and ry is one that everyone needs to In the Catholic Times’ archives am truly amazed at the incongruity the machine gun men stand watch hear, especially during this painful are several original letters he wrote of the present conflict. It is very dif- day and night to hit anything that period in the history of the Catholic from Europe and Korea, as well as ferent from the European war from moves out in front of their posi- Church in America. newspaper accounts of his military 1943 to 1945. I have already come tons where the Chinese communist The diocesan priest’s humility exploits. upon many fine men, my newfound forces are likewise dug in deeply. belied the hero that he was. His pi- Excerpts from these historical ar- friends. One such is Jerry Smith ... A good percentage of the men ety and reverence were inspiring. tifacts are worthy of publication in from Detroit, who is with me every received Holy Communion at the He was particularly devoted to the this Veterans Day commemorative day as Jeep driver and altar boy 11:00 Mass. No fast from food or Blessed Virgin Mary and Adora- edition to show the great sacrifice and general assistant. drink is required here. tion of the Blessed Sacrament, in of holy priests to bring aid and “Yesterday, the great feast of “When Mass is over all disburse addition to frequently celebrating comfort to soldiers in times of war. the Assumption, Jerry and I really quickly including Jerry and I ... off Mass and hearing confessions in Some of the letters are in Father worked the faithful Jeep over these we go to noon chow at the battalion his retirement years. Faisti’s original handwriting and rough, hilly roads which were ei- headquarters. For the third Mass at Father Faistl was a veteran of others are typed. ther constructed or widened to 1600 hours (4 p.m.) we must make World War II and the Korean War. Here’s a portion of a letter titled meet the demand of Army war vehi- the big circuit around the now fa- During his 28 months of service in “Tis Bethlemen We Seek,” writ- cles. We began at the 15th regimen- the Second World War, he was with ten from the Netherlands in 1944: tal headquarters, confession, Mass See PRIEST, Page 6 Front Page photo: CATHOLIC Bishop Frederick F. Campbell, DD, PhD: President & Publisher Doug Bean: Editor ([email protected]) Veterans Day Father Louis Iasiello (center), TIMES Tim Puet: Reporter ([email protected]) now at the Pontifical College Josephinum, is shown while Copyright © 2018. All rights reserved. David Vance: Graphic Designer he was chief of Naval chap- Catholic Times (USPS 967-000) (ISSN 745-6050) is the official Mailing Address: 197 E. Gay St., Columbus OH 43215 lains at a memorial service for newspaper of the Catholic Diocese of Columbus, Ohio. It is Servant of God Father Vincent published weekly 45 times per year with exception of every other Editorial/Advertising: (614) 224-5195 FAX (614) 241-2518 Capodanno, a Navy chaplain week in June, July and August and the week following Christmas. Subscriptions: (614) 224-6530 FAX (614) 241-2573 who posthumously received Subscription rate: $25 per year, or call and make arrangements the Congressional Medal of with your parish. Postage Paid at Columbus OH 43218. ([email protected]) Honor for his actions in Viet- nam. U.S. Navy photo Postmaster: Send address changes to Catholic Times, 197 E. Gay St., Columbus OH 43215. Please allow two to four weeks for change of address. November 11, 2018 Catholic Times 3 Serving country, aiding soldiers second nature for Medal of Honor winner Catholic News Service “It was just a series of moments … trying to figure the mission,” he said. which one of the wounded guys needs the most care. When describing life-altering decisions and brave Shurer said his Catholic faith plays an important What’s the best thing I could be doing right now?” moments of selflessness, former Army Staff Sgt. role in his life and in his family’s life, especially One bullet went through his team sergeant’s arm and Medal of Honor recipient Ronald Shurer speaks since he was diagnosed with lung cancer last March. and hit Shurer on the helmet. succinctly and matter-of-factly, as if his actions He’s undergoing chemotherapy but is able to work “It felt like I got hit in the head with a baseball were the most natural thing in the world. on the operations side of guarding the president. bat,” he said. He was so covered in other’s people’s Why did he enlist after 9/11? It didn’t seem right Being chosen as a Medal of Honor recipient came blood he wasn’t sure if he was hurt. But his friend not to, he replied. as a shock. At the White House ceremony, Trump Dillon said he was all right and he continued pro- Why did he become a medic? To take care of the put the blue ribbon and golden star around his neck viding lifesaving medical care.