While Deacon Chris Tranchetti’s day-to-day life has changed since retiring from active-duty and reserve-duty Navy service, his mission to serve God has not. In joining the archdiocese’s initiative, In God We Trust, which aims to serve veterans, Tranchetti wholeheartedly believes in caring for those overlooked or forgotten. “I think that my goal for the ministry coincides with the ministry’s primary goal, which is to bring back veterans to the Church, to let them experience God's love, mercy and forgiveness and to do that as a Catholic Christian,” Tranchetti said. As a veteran, he knows the challenges soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines who have fallen away from the Church may face. He wants to help them find their way back into God’s arms. “I want them to know that no matter what they did, or whatever they experienced, or what they saw, God still loves them. God has been walking with them this whole time, and he's just waiting to welcome them home. Welcome them back,” he shared. In God We Trust began as a vision by Deacon Joe Donohoe and Rick Crandall in 2019. Deacon Donohoe, then Director of Deacons for the Archdiocese of Denver, and Crandall, CEO of the Colorado Freedom Memorial Foundation, aimed to honor and serve veterans while rekindling their Catholic faith. This initiative, sponsored by the Archbishop's Catholic Appeal, has grown into an annual event at the Colorado Freedom Memorial near Buckley Space Force Base, typically drawing an average of 250 to 300 attendees. Its primary mission is to reconnect fallen-away Catholic veterans with their faith. Tranchetti, a Navy veteran, was ordained a deacon in 2019 and is assigned to Our Lady of Loreto in Foxfield. He is also one of the key organizers of the initiative. “For me, it’s about veterans serving other veterans and coming together,” he said, reflecting on the importance of the ministry. “I’m hopeful we will engage these men and women, that we will draw them closer to Christ, and bring them back home. I want them to know that we are here as a spiritual resource for them, that we are grateful for their service, and that they’re loved.” At the core of the event is an outdoor Mass, celebrated previously by Archbishop Aquila, Bishop Rodriguez, archdiocesan priests and military chaplains. The event has also featured special guests, such as Bishop Joseph Coffey of the Archdiocese for Military Services and the Chief of Chaplains for the U.S. Coast Guard. In addition to the Mass, the event includes priests who are available to hear confession and counselors from St. Raphael's Counseling and Mount Tabor Counseling to support the veterans in attendance further. These services aim to address the spiritual and emotional wounds veterans may carry, such as moral injuries or traumas from their service. Tranchetti notes that unless a veteran was stationed on a base or a large Navy vessel, access to the sacraments is rare, which can weaken or impair a service member’s faith. Finding time to pray and maintain a daily relationship with God in a combat zone becomes challenging. Additionally, military service can expose soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines to disturbing experiences and actions that may make reconciling their faith and moral teachings difficult. This lack of spiritual support and the emotional toll of service overseas can deeply affect a veteran’s connection to their faith. “Some veterans have talked about emotional or mental wounds, traumas sustained as a result of their service. It could be that they've suffered some kind of moral injury. It could even be a sexual trauma. Something that happened to them as part of their service is now keeping them away from the Church. It is creating some kind of barrier between them and God, and we're looking to break down that barrier, to remove that barrier,” said Tranchetti. Veterans attending the In God We Trust event find a welcoming environment that fosters camaraderie and support. The Mass, followed by a free lunch provided by the Knights of Columbus, offers a relaxed atmosphere where veterans can share experiences and build fellowship. This communal aspect helps veterans feel less isolated and more connected to others who understand their experiences. "This first step involves having a priest hear confessions and counselors provide a listening ear. Attending the outdoor Mass, as part of a larger event with other veterans, may feel less intimidating and more welcoming, helping them feel less judged, less pressure,” said Tranchetti. Despite the successes, the event faces challenges in reaching its primary audience – veterans who have drifted from their faith. Most attendees are already practicing Catholics, many of whom have undergone their own spiritual reawakening or reversion. He also says the events tend to draw more older veterans, and the Archdiocese hopes to find a way to engage with younger veterans. The ministry seeks to broaden its reach by increasing visibility and collaboration with organizations like the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the 4 Degree Knights of Columbus. The ministry aims to break down barriers keeping veterans from the Church. Tranchetti emphasizes that this initiative is not just a one-day event but the beginning of a lifelong journey, saying, "We're here to provide a spiritual resource for our service members and to walk with them on their journey back to faith." The mission for Tranchetti and the ministry team is clear: "Come and see. Jesus invites us without obligation or judgment. We’re here to welcome you back with open arms." The event is not just about rekindling faith but also about providing a supportive community for veterans, offering them a chance to share their experiences and find solace in their shared faith and service. As the ministry continues to grow, the hope is to reach more veterans and help them reconnect with their faith and community. Veterans interested in attending the next event on September 21, 2024, can find more information on the Archdiocese of Denver's veterans webpage. The event is open to all veterans, active-duty service members, and their families. No registration is required – just show up and be welcomed! +++ 2024 marks the 50th Jubilee of the Permanent Diaconate here in the Archdiocese of Denver. Through preaching, service, worship and prayer, deacons serve the people of God in unique ways through their various ministries and lives. This article is one of a series of articles the Denver Catholic will publish in 2024 which will feature local deacons and/or a diaconal ministry. There are many Deacon Saints who were martyred for their faith. In this year of Jubilee, the deacons of the Archdiocese of Denver are asking for prayers through the intercession of Saint Euplius of Cantania, deacon and martyr. Learn more about this Deacon Saint here.
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