Award for Reservist chaplain

The
Catholic Weekly
Online

Sydney
26 October 2003

Meaning of life

Tuition fee jump

Award for Reservist chaplain

Outreach

Priests set priorities

Step behind the convent walls

Desire to serve others

Trial for euthanasia?

Interfaith

Seminar on self help in action for hearing impaired

Editorial: Enormous debt

Letters: Interstate appreciation

Conversation: Br Dan Stafford, chaplain to the Australian Jockey Club - A generous fraternity of 'saints and sinners'

Voice of Youth: Blessed upon the earth

‘Wonderful occasion’

Stone takes the cake

Bumper crop of students

Concert ‘journey’ by young honours Pope’s anniversary

‘My kids’ bring tears

Award for Reservist chaplain

Developing a program to train married Catholic clergy in Australia is the aim of Army Reservist Deacon Gary Stone (pictured), who has won a Prince of Wales Award through the Department of Defence.

The Prince of Wales Award scheme was established in 1984 as a reward for Reservist achievement in both civilian and military employment, and importantly, the award also acknowledges the support of a Reservist’s employer.

The award consists of a two-week attachment to a military establishment, followed by a similar attachment to relevant civilian organisations in either the US, Canada or Britain.

Chaplain Stone, who works for the Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane, will represent the archdiocese at a national diaconate conference in Baltimore, Maryland, attend the US Catholic Bishops’ Conference in Washington and meet married deacons and their wives ministering in the US.

He will also visit the US Army Chaplains’ School.

“The overall purpose of the visit is to gather information and discuss critical aspects for the future formation of married Catholic clergy in Australia,” said Gary, who is an Army Reserve chaplain at Brisbane’s Gallipoli Barracks.

“We have about 40 married Catholic deacons across Australia who have received their training in seminary programs designed for single men.

“With more than 30 married men offering themselves for ministry in Brisbane alone this year, the need for a specific program for married men has been identified, offering flexible delivery of learning, and support programs for wives and families.”

The diaconate program in the US, which has operated for more than 30 years, has seen more than 15,000 married men ordained and active in a diverse range of ministries.

Gary hopes that an increase in Australia in the number of married Catholic clergy will assist the military. “We are very short of clergy ... particularly in the Reserve,” he said.

Gary has been married to Lynne for 29 years; they have four adult children and one grandchild.