A 'no' becomes 'yes' after 25 years

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Brian S. Orban
  • Gunfighter Public Affairs
MOUNTAIN HOME AFB, Idaho (ACCNS) --  The answer always seemed to be no, but Mario Catungal knew someday it was going to be yes. He just didn't realize it would take 25 years to get the answer he knew was coming. 

Loosely locking his fingers together, he leaned forward in his chair slightly, his Philippine accent punctuating his soft-spoken voice as he recalled the steps in his life that brought him to a life of service -- a man of the cloth. 

Chaplain (1st Lt.) Mario Catungal desired to be a military chaplain
during his earliest days of school when academics and military familiarization
were part of everyday life growing up in the town of Malasiqui int he Philippines province of Pangasinan. 

"But I never dreamed that I would be able to come to the United States to finish my [dream]," he said, a hint of pride in his voice. "I had this desire to become a chaplain,
but I just didn't know when it would happen." 

His dream would've ended immediately had it not been for his persistence. 

"I asked my parents if I could enter the seminary after high school, but my parents said no," he said. "After I finished my four years of high school, I asked my parents again if I could join the seminary, and they said no again." 

The reason behind his parent's disapproval happened years before the chaplain was born. His uncle, a monsignor at a local church, was abducted by Communist forces
while his father watched helplessly. Although they released his uncle unharmed a few days later, the memory of the abduction haunted his father for years to come. 

"From there on, when I asked my father if I could join the priesthood, he said no because he didn't want ... to witness that again," the chaplain said. 

Undeterred, he sought a compromise with his parents to attend the seminary initially for a year. Although not entirely convinced, his parents conceded, and in 1981, he entered
seminary and studied with the Carmelite Order. 

His desire to stay in the seminary and follow his dream went from the one year his parents originally agreed to and lasted another three when he graduated with a degree in philosophy and theology. His desire to become a priest was still strong, but the Carmelites of his order were not convinced he was ready. 

"They said I was too young to be a priest [because] I would've been a priest at 24," he
said. "They said, 'You're still too young; you don't even know what life is.' " 

With his future again uncertain, he returned to school and earned his teaching degree and went back a couple years later to study physical therapy. During his third year of college, his mother and siblings convinced him to move to the United States in 1995. 

The lieutenant found immediate work at an electronics company and then a fast food
restaurant. Feeling something missing in his life, he attended classes at the University of San Diego in 1996. However, his desire to become a priest remained strong. Now a U.S. citizen, he returned to the Carmelite Order in San Jose in 1997 and later moved to Mount Angeles Seminary in Portland where he studied under the Benedictine Monks. 

His dream moved a step closer in December 2003 when he graduated from the seminary and he became a Catholic deacon. After serving at a diocese in Tucson, Ariz., his calling took him to St. Therese Church in Alhambra, Calif., east of Los Angeles where he was ordained a priest June 5, 2004. 

During his time in the States, he watched the events of 9/11 unfold into conflicts in
Afghanistan and Iraq. As he saw those in uniform going into harm's way to protect
others, including his brother in the Navy and nephew in the Air Force, he saw an opportunity to do his part and fulfill his life-long ambition. 

"It triggered me to try to enter the chaplaincy program," he said. "I had the inclination that it would be nice if I could serve the military and their families and at the same time thank the United States in gratitude for allowing me to become a U.S. citizen." 

Looking to increase the chaplain corps ranks by one, the aspiring candidate contacted the Air Force Catholic chaplain recruiting office at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, who helped steer the new priest in the right direction. But before he could pursue his life-long dream, he first needed approval from his bishop -- a necessary step for any Catholic priest to serve in the military.
 
The bishop's first question: "Can you live by yourself?" This question was particularly
important since the new priest spent much of his life in a community of fellow Carmelites and now faced life on his own without the support he'd grown to love. Overcoming that hurdle, the chaplain faced another. According to Air Force requirements, all chaplains needed at least three years pastor experience to qualify for the chaplaincy program. 

At the time he applied, the new priest only had two year's experience. However, he already had two years as an initiate and four years of theology training, and the recruiters helped to get the answer he wanted: A resounding yes. 

Chaplain Catungal's dream was now a reality after nearly a quarter century of waiting and hoping. He finally found the answer he waited so long to hear. 

Stationed here for now seven days, the newly commissioned chaplain is ready to fulfill his promise to help others in need and to fill a post vacant here since September 2005, said Chaplain (Lt. Col) Victor Toney, wing chaplain. 

With the base chapel in its final stages of an extensive program to renovate the chapel's heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, he plans to "renovate" the base parish as well by getting fully involved in religious education programs for children and adults as a start. 

"I want to serve the [Airmen] and their families. I want to have a deeper understanding and relationship with other religious denominations while at the same time improving my leadership skills." 

At the same time, he said it's equally important for him to remain a visible fixture around the base, especially for those needing someone to turn to for help, advice or just a shoulder to cry on. 

"With me being more visible on base, people will know there's another chaplain here
who can provide them spiritual and emotional help -- a confidant they can turn to when they need help the most," he said. 

And when people can only find the answer "no" in their lives, he wants to be there to help others persist and find the answer they want -- a way to find "yes."