TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. —
For the primary time in almost a decade, an lively responsibility Catholic priest is serving Tinker Air Pressure Base civilians and lively responsibility members.
Chaplain (Capt.) Roberto Padilla joined the Tinker Chapel July 26.
Padilla, initially from Colombia, was ordained 13 years in the past on the Catholic Diocese of Trenton in New Jersey.
It was throughout that point Father Padilla was approached by a number of chaplains who mentioned life within the navy. To change into a chaplain himself, Padilla realized he’d must change into a United States citizen first.
“For me it was simple,” Padilla mentioned, when requested if changing into a United States citizen was tough. “I studied the questions and once I was prepared, I utilized, and I went to the embassy.”
Padilla says he’s excited to get to work at Tinker AFB, as Tinker marks his first active-duty project.
“The very first thing is to deliver the blessing of God among the many Airmen,” mentioned Padilla. “They’ll acknowledge that God is of their combine, that God is a part of their life. Additionally, we’re a part of a gorgeous plan of God.”
Whether or not civilians or lively responsibility members are interested by attending worship or want somebody to speak to, Padilla emphasizes his door is at all times open.
“We’re open right here and we’re ready for them,” mentioned Padilla. “In the event that they want one thing from us, we’re going to meet, we’re going to open our coronary heart to them in the best way that they’ll open their coronary heart to us.”
Plans are within the works for Padilla to start interacting with varied teams on base.
“There’s a stunning passage, Moses, that claims with God we’re good mates,” mentioned Padilla. “That’s what we have to accomplish right here. After they see us, they’ll see a buddy.”
In his free time, Padilla says he’s an enormous soccer plan and hopes to affix a crew on base very quickly.
Padilla’s first service on the Tinker Chapel will likely be held Aug. 6 starting at 9 a.m. Extra plenty are held each Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 11:30a.m. Weekend plenty are held each Saturday at 5 p.m. and on Sunday starting at 9 a.m.
The Tinker Chapel additionally provides Protestant worship, with providers scheduled for Sundays starting at 11 a.m., with the primary Sunday of each month being Communion Sunday. Extra service info might be discovered at https://www.tinker.af.mil/Assets/Chapel/.
The mission of the Tinker Chapel is to offer religious care and guarantee all Airmen and their households have alternatives to train their constitutional proper to the free train of faith. If you’re all for studying extra about changing into an Air Pressure Chaplain, go to the US Air Pressure Chaplain profession web site
