PHOENIX, AZ – Father Joshua A. Johnson, 2d Lt, USAFR, a prospective U.S. Air Force chaplain, was ordained a Catholic priest on Thursday, June 12, at Saint Stephen’s Cathedral of the Byzantine Eparchy of Phoenix, AZ. The new priest plans to go on active duty three years from now, providing pastoral care to Catholic airmen, space guardians, and their families, with endorsement and faculties from the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS). In preparation for military chaplaincy he will spend the next three years honing his ministerial skills in the Eparchy of Phoenix as provided under the terms of his co-sponsored seminarian agreement with the AMS and the Eparchy.
Father Johnson received the sacrament of holy orders from Bishop Artur Bubnevych through the laying of hands and the prayer of consecration invoking the Holy Spirit. His Excellency, the Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, J.C.D., Archbishop for the Military Services, concelebrated the 2:00 p.m. ordination Mass at St. Stephen Byzantine Catholic Cathedral. Among those in attendance were the new priest’s parents, retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Ronald Johnson and wife Carol.
Father Johnson, 39, holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree from North Park University in Chicago, a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) from Boston College’s Gloria L. and Charles I. Clough School of Theology and Ministry, and a Master of Arts in Theology from Byzantine Catholic Seminary of Saints Cyril and Methodius.
The new priest traces his interest in a priestly vocation back to childhood. He says his parents “instilled in me a rich appreciation for the dignity and the duties of all baptized people to re-present Christ in the world through prayer and service. This led me to work as a lay minister in several contexts. After completing a Master of Divinity at Boston College, I worked as a hospital chaplain. As I prayed with patients and families, I had an increasing desire to offer sacramental ministry, particularly anointing and confession. My pastor was immensely helpful in clarifying my vocation as one not only of service, but sacramental leadership.”
The eventual service of Father Johnson and other Catholic chaplain candidates is greatly anticipated by the Air Force, which, like all other branches of the U.S. Military, continues to suffer a chronic shortage of Catholic chaplains.
Young men interested in discerning a priestly vocation, and the vocation within a vocation to serve those who serve in the U.S. military, can find more information at www.milarch.org/vocations, or may contact AMS Vocations Director Father Paul-Anthony Halladay at vocations@milarch.org or (202) 719-3600.
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