Chaplains and Tea Monthly Outreach Event

This event is designed to offer spiritual materials and guidance to both Veterans and staff.

“I like to get the facetime to connect with Veterans and hear their stories,” said CH. Father William Kunisch II. “It also opens the door for spiritual conversations. We want to give Veterans a resource through our presence, and we hope that we can lift their spirits in the process.”

Veterans smiled brightly as they entered the ACC and saw the Chaplains just inside the doorway. They looked through the table of spiritual materials, and then helped themselves to coffee, tea, and light refreshments. Many did stay to talk to the Chaplains about spirituality, but also about whatever was on their minds.

“This is great, having the Chaplains come out and set up like they are,” said Ret. Army Veteran Ronald Puaala. “Veterans are lucky to have the Chaplains to give us snacks and bibles. Of course, I’m still waiting for them to get me a bible in Hawaiian, because I would treasure that forever.”

Chaplain Services is a non-denominational department who support Veterans in their journey where spiritual matters are concerned, but also when they simply need a sympathetic presence. The Chaplains practice active listening and are careful to ensure that they are keep the Veteran or staff member at the center of the conversations that they have. Care for a Veterans body and mind is important, but the need for fulfillment and connection can go beyond medicine and therapy, and Chaplains help those they work with to celebrate the faith of their choosing -or no faith if that is their choice- while finding ways to uplift and inspire them.

“I have been noticing more and more people who are craving hope, spiritual enrichment, and connection,” said CH. Revered Paige Morris. “I feel like these events directly address those needs, because we offer uplifting words to help them feel hopeful, share spiritual materials for them to consider, and provide a space for them to connect. When they come and sit, even if they only talk with each other and not with us, they are building connections.”

The Chaplain and Tea events are from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on the third Monday of each month. However, the Chaplains were very busy at 8:30 a.m. as they were setting up. Employees and Veterans came to grab a pastry, a cup of coffee or tea, or a doughnut. When they came, they also looked over the spiritual materials, and many stayed to talk. There were many bright smiles as people walked up to the tables.

“The Chaplains are one of the oldest professions in the military,” said Social Worker Anthony Chance. “Being in the military is hard because our job is to die. Even for those who don’t die, they are trained to kill, and many of them do kill. That can be very upsetting, and it’s up the Chaplains to help people find a way forward. Seeing them out here -for me and other Veterans- I know it gives us a sense of calm. Everything else changed when we got out, but the Chaplains are still right here, offering help and peace.”

Chaplain services includes CH. Father William Kunisch II, CH. Revered Paige Morris, and CH. Jewel Davis. Each of them is available to both VAPIHCS staff and Veterans. The primary role of a Chaplain is to help people to celebrate their faith through services or other means and attain spiritual fulfillment. They can also sit with Veterans when they are sick or talk with them when they have been given a frightening diagnosis and need to uncover a path forward. They focus on the spiritual wellness of Veterans and staff but are also happy to connect those in need with other services that may be of use. Most importantly, they listen.