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"In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ the love of God and
the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you always."
Went into the seminary out of high school, spent five years
and just wasn't sure at that point. So I left.
Worked in retail management. Ran a cigar store for a number of years.
An old World War II Navy Chaplain that I knew passed away and
I remember thinking about at his funeral, "What would somebody
do if they wanted to be a Navy Chaplain". I started following
through the right doors. Into the Chaplain Candidate program
when I was in Graduate School. The more I found out about
the ministry in the Navy, the more intrigued I was and saw
the tremendous need for chaplain's. Went into the seminary,
graduate school seminary, we do four year graduate degree.
I've been active duty for 13 years, I'm coming up on 19 years
commissioned. It's a very different ministry then like a
parish ministry where there's a lot of stability which is nice.
Going into the Navy, my first assignment was overseas in Japan,
I was with the Marines. You live their life, whether you are
with the Marines or the Sailors. You're with them and what
they do everyday. You feel part of the crew, you feel like
you are serving your country. You're out in the middle of
God knows where, literally. Out on the ocean and you are with
these people who are all sacrificing their time and talents.
Some of the best young men and women our nation has.
Sharing in their joys and sorrows. You're part of this.
And as a chaplain, you're there for everybody. You may
specifically minister to Roman Catholics sacramentally.
But during the week I'm doing a lot of counseling so it's
everybody. Chaplain is the person that provides the safety net.
When I sit down and talk with a Sailor, I usually tell them,
what we talk about is between you and me. If you want me to help
you fix something that needs fixing, I will ask you for permission
to talk to your sergeant, the chief or whoever I need to talk
to that might be able to help me fix it. I know guys who've
been ask by their commanding officer, "What did he tell you?"
"Sir, I can't tell you that." My passions outside of the Navy
life would be my cars. I have a couple cars that I tinker with.
You go to car shows. You bring a car like a 1950 Buick and
they will come and they will tell you stories.
Car shows are about people too.
I believe God always has a better plan than I do.
So, I go where the Navy needs me and everywhere I've been
I've been able to connect with people. To be able to help
them enriches me. Makes me a better person.
My name is Kevin Sweeney, I am a Navy Chaplain and Commander
in the United States Navy.