Profound religious experience changes chaplain's life

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jamie L. Coggan
  • 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Service was always his way of life, but it wasn't until he was 18 years old, backpacking through Assisi Italy, that he became aware of his mission in life. While praying, the young college-bound student had the sudden urge to open his bible. He opened it to John 21:15-19. There he read the story of Peter walking with Jesus on the shore of the Sea of Galilee after his resurrection. Jesus asked Peter, "Do you love me?" and Peter said "yes". Jesus replied, "Then feed my sheep."

This passage changed the life of Lieutenant Colonel Timothy A. Butler, the new 355th Fighter Wing Chaplain. Father Tim, a Massachusetts native, was due to start Business Management at Boston College when he decided he wanted to become a chaplain and "feed Jesus' sheep".

"In Italy, I came into contact with the roots of Catholic faith," said Father Tim. "It made me ponder what God really wanted from me. I visited Rome and Assisi, where I had a profound religious experience that changed my life. It was there [that] I felt a profound and personal call to priesthood."

While father Tim was attending Seminary school, his colleagues told him about the Chaplain Candidate Program, a program where he could commission and work part time in the Reserves as a second Lieutenant, giving him the opportunity to serve people who serve.

"I love military people-- being a chaplain in the military is like being in a ministry within a ministry," said Father Tim. "It's specialized. I wear the uniform; I share their everyday life, their joys, sorrows, struggles and accomplishments on a daily basis. I am willing to go where they go, to war, right alongside them, supporting them... that's something you can't get as a civilian chaplain."

Father Tim was commissioned as a Chaplain Candidate in 1983. He served three years as a reservist at Hanscom AFB, and enjoyed it so much that he decided to re-commission. After five years, he asked his bishop if he could be released from his duties as a civilian chaplain to become a full time chaplain in the active duty Air Force, which he has now been serving in for more than 16 years.

Father Tim, who arrived here on Halloween, said he is thrilled and excited to be leading such a great Chaplain Corps here.

As the Wing Chaplain, he directs a ministry staff of 13 active duty, two individual mobilization augmentee reservists, and four contractors in support of the Wing's mission. Father Tim is responsible for the total religious and spiritual ministry to over 15,000 military and family members assigned to D-M. He advises commanders on religious, spiritual, moral, ethical and quality of life issues affecting base personnel.

"One of the most rewarding things about being a military chaplain is the way each of the chaplains, in all religions, work as a team," said Father Tim. "We are able to overcome the barriers that exist in the civilian sector." It is mandated that military chaplains not only care for religious service members, but for those with no religious background as well, in a non-judgmental way.

Father Tim also coordinates with local clergy and religious leaders to promote mutual friendship and support between the military and civilian communities. He specifically provides for the spiritual needs of the Catholic community on base, while also providing support to people of various religious and non-religious preferences.

"As a chaplain, I try to be pro-active in developing relationships with people before they have a problem, said Father Tim. "Trust is a very important thing for people who come to see us."

D-M's Chaplain services include educational classes, such as suicide prevention and financial management, as well as bible studies and support programs. There is also a chaplain service called The Ground Floor located in the dorms that is geared towards dorm residents, and offers many activities.

Chaplain services are available by walk-in at the Hope and Desert Dove Chapels, or by calling 228-5411. For after-duty emergencies, call the command post at 228-7400 and ask for the duty chaplain.