Military Ministry

The OLPH Military Ministry was “launched” at the 10am Mass on July 3, 2011, during which all active duty, Guard and Reserve, retired, and veteran military service members were recognized by the celebrant and honored by thunderous applause throughout the sanctuary as each service member stood in place while the choir sang a beautiful medley of the military hymns. Upon entering the church, all current, retired or veteran military members, and spouses of a deployed member, were given a bright yellow ribbon to honor their service with the message, “OLPH Honors Our Military Parishioners and Families.” The ribbons were proudly worn during Mass and at the reception following in the Pastoral Center. Many parishioners gathered at the Center to honor our current and past military parishioners and to celebrate the new ministry.

The Military Ministry is an outreach to military members and families who attend a weekend Mass but quickly depart church with out any involvement with our parish family. The Ministry’s initial goal is to establish a relationship with these members and families, inviting and encouraging each to join the mainstream of our parish family, parish ministries, and activities.

The needs of our military members and families are many, and transcend the social aspect of our parish. This Military Ministry can be of service and assistance in so many ways, such as reaching out to spouses and families left behind when the member is deployed. This Ministry is perhaps the most readily accessible Catholic source of service for our military parishioners and families.

The OLPH Deployed Parishioner’s Photo Board, was initiated in July 2012 to commemorate the first anniversary of the Military Ministry and to celebrate Independence Day. The board has been placed in the Pastoral Center to display photos of our military parishioners for all to see. Photos of military parishioners in all branches of service, including Guard and Reserves, who are deployed overseas in a war zone, may be displayed. Photos of deployed DOD employees serving our nation may also be displayed.
The Military Ministry is dedicated to “serve those who serve us,” an extension of OLPH’s Mission Statement… “a caring community …where everyone feels welcome.”