Laughlin to receive first active duty Catholic chaplain in more than 2 years

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Daniel Brand
  • 47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Laughlin's Chapel welcomed the latest addition to its family last week when for the first time in over two years Team XL received an active-duty Catholic chaplain.

Chaplain (Capt.) Peter Dumag, 47th Flying Training Wing chaplain, is a native of the Philippines and brings to Laughlin a diverse background with many years of experience as a priest in the Diocese of Honolulu.

"Ministering to those in uniform is a good way for me to broaden my priestly ministry," Dumag said, "as well as to deepen my service to our God."

In June, 2012, Dumag reported to Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. for Officer Training School, a move he says was inspired largely by his interactions with Airmen he met while performing volunteer work at Hickam AFB, Hawaii.

Dumag arrived in Del Rio last week and is eager to begin his work.

"I want all Airmen to know that I have a listening ear, and that I am available to all of them," he said. "In the Air Force, we are not just Catholic chaplains, but chaplains for all Airmen of all faiths, or even those who have no faith. I welcome all Airmen to see me as someone they can confide in, someone who will listen to their life story and their journey."

Chaplain (Capt.) Brian Nierman, 47th FTW chaplain, encouraged interested Airmen to seek Dumag's counsel.

"He's someone very willing," said Nierman of Dumag's readiness to serve the Airmen of Laughlin. He added that "This is the first time we've had an active duty Catholic chaplain since early 2010."

Since that time, Laughlin was served by two civilian auxiliary priests, Father Thomas Edelon and Father James Fischler of Del Rio's Sacred Heart Parish.

"Father Edelon helped to bring healing to the community at Laughlin," Nierman said. "But we were only able to offer mass, and religious education was severely hindered. We lost that sort of continuity on the base."

Nierman now believes that having a dedicated, active-duty chaplain will bring greater stability to Laughlin's Catholic ministries over the next three years.

Dumag expressed similar hopes, adding that spiritual fitness is an important component of an Airman's overall readiness. He highlighted spiritual education and communion with fellow believers as particularly significant.

"We are all very-well educated academically and physically," he explained. "But many of us are given Sundays off. I think it would be great if our Airmen took this time to nourish themselves spiritually as well."

For those wishing to do so, Chaplain Dumag stands with open arms and a friendly smile, ready to welcome both newcomers and committed Catholics alike to the Laughlin Catholic community.

Catholic mass is offered at the Laughlin Chapel Monday through Thursday at 12:05 p.m. and Sundays at 9:30 a.m. For more information or to meet with the Chaplain, call 298-5111.